Assignment Brief Template Page 1 of 8 Faculty of Busines.docx

Assignment Brief Template
Page 1 of 8
Faculty of Business, Environment and Society
Assignment Brief Semester 2
Module Title: Essential Skills for
the Project
Manager
Assignment
Number
1
Module Code: A200SAM Assignment Title Bank Station
Capacity
Upgrade (BSCU)
Submission
Date:
5
th
May 2017
(23:55)

Module Leader Anmoal Thethi
Submission
Time and Place:
Submission through
Turnitin ONLY
Module Team
Assessment Information
This assignment is designed to assess learning outcomes and
accounts for 100% of the
overall module mark.
Aim:
The aim of this assignment is to assess the following learning
outcomes –
Learning Outcome
Explore the key variables required to meet project objectives
Understand the different planning tools required to manage a
project
Application of project management theory and framework to a
practical scenario
Critically reflect on the skills required to manage a project
effectively

Part 1 (worth 80% of the module mark)
You have been appointed as project manager to oversee the
planning, managing and
monitoring of the Bank Station Capacity Upgrade (BSCU)
Project. Your first task is to
prepare a project report (1500 words) through critically
evaluating the project and drawing
on relevant project management theory and framework to
present to your company’s
board of directors for approval. In order to write this report
please refer to the following
project overview document:
https://tinyurl.com/bscu-overview
Please note this overview document is just a starting point. You
will need to study the
additional factsheets found in the ‘Factsheets’ section at the
‘Bank station capacity upgrade’
website, (https://tinyurl.com/bscu-website). Drawing on
relevant project management
theory, you should critically evaluate the project, focussing
your report on two of the
Page 2 of 8
following areas of project management; you should ensure that
your report is underpinned
by reference to relevant project management theory presented in
academic and
professional publications:

1. Stakeholder Management
2. Risk Management
3. Project Planning
4. Process for recording lessons learned
Part 2 (worth 20% of the module mark)
Thinking about the discipline of project management and the
topics covered in the module,
reflect upon the technical and management skills required for
the role of a project manager
to manage the project. What technical and management skills do
you think a project
manager should have and how effectively they can integrate it
to manage the project
successfully? (500 words)
Assignment Guidance
Parts 1 and 2 of your assignment should be clearly labelled and
presented as a single
document, submitted to Turnitin. A list of references must be
included. Important points to
remember:
• All analysis and recommendations should be supported by
reference to
relevant project management theory presented in academic and
professional publications
• Your report should demonstrate project management theory
throughout
• The case study should be used as the starting point for your
analysis
• Text within tables is included in the word count
• Diagrams, the List of References and items in Appendices are
not included in

the word count
• CU Harvard referencing must be used
• You must ensure you are not plagiarising other published
works
• Appendices should only be used to support information within
the essay
Total word Count: 2000 words
There is a 10% word limit tolerance. Maximum/Minimum
Range: 1800 to 2200 words.
Please note that the ability to write within the word limit is part
of the assessment and a
penalty of 10% of the mark is applied if the word limit is not
within the maximum /minimum
range stated above.
Please include the number of words on the front page of your
assessment.
Feedback on your assignment will be provided online through
Turnitin and Gradebook
within 3 weeks of the hand-in date.
Page 3 of 8
Criteria for Assessment
This table details the weightings of the six criteria by which
your work will be assessed:

Please refer to the Marking Scheme (pages 5 to 8) for
information on how work is assessed
and graded.
How to submit your assessment
The assessment must be submitted via Turnitin by 23.55 on
05/05/2017. No paper copies
are required. You can access the Turnitin link through the
module web.
submit a copy through
Turnitin. Should you submit work on time but fail the
assignment, you will be offered
a resit opportunity but the resit mark will be capped at 40%.
valid and approved
reason (see below) will be given a mark of zero. Please note
that a non-submission is
not the same as a failed submission; a failed submission counts
as an attempt
whereas an absent mark does not necessarily allow you to resit
the coursework.
rals (extensions) of up to three calendar weeks can
only be given for
genuine "force majeure" and medical reasons, not for bad
planning of your time.
Please note that theft, loss, or failure to keep a back-up file, are
not valid reasons.
The short deferral must be applied for on or before the
submission date. You can

apply for a short deferral by submitting an Examination/
Coursework Deferral
Application Form. Application Forms along with the supporting
evidence should go
to the relevant Student Support Office. For a longer delay in
submission a student
may apply for a long deferral.
assignment.
-plagiarism
software and approved
plagiarism checking websites.
Criteria Proportion of
module mark
Demonstrate an understanding of the appropriate
application of project management techniques.
40%
Broad research and appropriate selection of information to
support analysis and recommendations. Correct usage of
Harvard referencing.
30%
Awareness of the Technical and Management skills displayed
by project manager.
10%
Evidence of ability to critically reflect on the skill set and

evaluate it to manage the project.
10%
Structure, layout, presentation, spelling, grammar and
language used.
10%
Page 4 of 8
GUIDELINES AND BACKGROUND TO THIS ASSIGNMENT
Word Count Limit
Your word count includes in text citations but not the final
references or appendices. If you
are more than 10% over or under the word count limit you may
lose marks as a 10% penalty
applies.
The contents of your References and Appendices are not
normally given a specific mark
(though they may contribute to your overall mark, as detailed in
the assessment criteria).
We therefore recommend that you only use Appendices for
supporting material and not for
the substantive part of your work.
Plagiarism
As part of your study you will be involved in carrying out

research and using this when
writing up your coursework. It is important that you correctly
acknowledge someone else’s
writing, thoughts or ideas and that you do not attempt to pass
this off as your own work.
Doing so is known as plagiarism. It is not acceptable to copy
from another source without
acknowledging that it is someone else’s writing or thinking.
This includes using paraphrasing
as well as direct quotations. You are expected to correctly cite
and reference the works of
others. The Centre for Academic Writing provides documents to
help you get this right. If
you are unsure, please visit www.coventry.ac.uk/caw.
Turnitin includes a plagiarism detection system and assessors
are experienced enough to
recognise plagiarism when it occurs. Copying another student’s
work, using previous work
of your own or copying large sections from a book or the
internet are examples of
plagiarism and carry serious consequences. Please familiarise
yourself with the CU Harvard
Reference Style (on Moodle) and use it correctly to avoid a case
of plagiarism or cheating
being brought. Again, if you are unsure, please contact the
Centre for Academic Writing or
a member of the course team.
Return of Marked Work
You can expect to have marked work returned to you 2 weeks
after the submission date.
Marks and feedback will be provided online. As always, marks
will have been internally

moderated only, and will therefore be provisional; your mark
will be formally agreed later in
the year once the external examiner has completed his / her
review.
http://www.coventry.ac.uk/caw
Page 5 of 8
Marking and Assessment Scheme
Mark range
Guidelines
70 – 100%
In order to secure a mark in this range, a candidate must submit
an
outstanding answer that could hardly be bettered. In addition to
the
criteria identified below for a mark between 70-85%, an answer
scoring
a mark of 85-100% would show an excellent level of
understanding and
critical/analytic skills and originality. For example, such an
answer

would include new insights into Project Management which are
not
drawn from the literature but from the student's own critical
thinking,
and which add something to the existing literature.
An report in this range will demonstrate a strong understanding
of
theories, concepts and issues relating to Project Management.
There
will be evidence of wide-ranging reading from a variety of valid
sources
(as described and presented in the marking criteria for 60-69%).
The assignment must be written in a clear, well-structured way
with a
coherent and seamless flow and show evidence of independent,
critical
thought. It must show extensive relevant reading on the subject
and
intelligent use of the material to present a well-balanced and
well-
argued assignment. For example, the student will have
considered a
range of relevant issues and be able to assess the strength and
weaknesses of various approaches/arguments and put forward a
confident and articulate view of their own.
60 – 69%
An essay in this mark range will demonstrate a good
understanding of
the two project management aspects and the skills of the project
manager. And also about the theories, concepts and issues

relating to
Project Management. An assignment in this percentage range
will
include a balanced discussion of issues central to the question,
how
these are addressed by different authors or sources and some
critical
thinking into their relative merits or shortcomings.
The answer will be contain few errors and little, if any,
irrelevant
material. It will show evidence of reading from a variety of
sources (i.e.
more than 3 or 4) but not so many sources that the discussion
loses
focus and becomes unclear or irrelevant. All sources should be
of some
academic merit (e.g. books, journals, reports, media
publications).
Unreferenced material from non-credible internet sources
MUST be
avoided.
All sources must be included and properly referenced in the
references.
Page 6 of 8
Mark range
Guidelines

The assignment will be well-organised and clearly
written/presented
overall.
50 – 59%
The answer will demonstrate some reasonable understanding of
relevant theories, concepts and issues relating to two project
management aspects and the skills of the project manager but
also
some minor errors of fact or understanding.
The assignment will not be based on an extensive range of
sources (for
example few references are included), or much evidence that
they have
been read closely or well-understood. For example, the
assignment will
retell sources rather than analyse them.
The assignment may be quite general in part. Some errors may
be
present and some irrelevant material may be included.
The essay may not be particularly well-structured, and/or
clearly
presented and contain some spelling mistakes and grammatical
errors.
A few sentences may be unclear.
40 - 49%

A mark within this percentage range will be given to an essay
which:
- shows some limited basic understanding of the subject but is
incomplete. For example, if it answers one part of a question
but not
the rest.
- makes only very general statements
- includes some factual errors or misunderstandings e.g.
confusion
between different companies or misuse of certain key terms.
- shows limited use of material with limited reading/research on
the
topic and includes only a very small number of references, not
all of
which are included in the references
- includes spelling mistakes, is poorly structured with no clear
argument and grammar mistakes making it difficult to
understand.
- includes some irrelevant material.
35 – 39%
A mark within this percentage range will be given to an
assignment
which:

- includes only a limited amount of relevant material.
- shows little evidence of reading/research on the topic. For
example,
the essay includes only very few references, and relies only on
material or case studies used during the course.
- shows only a very basic understanding of the subject.
Page 7 of 8
Mark range
Guidelines
- is poorly presented with bad grammar, some spelling mistakes
and
an incomplete reference list.
- has a poor structure and does not flow e.g. if there is no
conclusion
or new facts are introduced in the conclusion rather than
introduction or main discussion.
- contains some fundamental errors.
20 – 34%
0 - 19%

A poor fail on this assignment means the assignment submitted:
- is poor and suggests that the student has spent very little time
on it
e.g. if the answer is considerably under the word requirement
and/or
presented in note form rather than as a fully written up essay.
- bears little relation to the assignment topic.
- shows a poor understanding of theories, concepts and issues
relating
to Project Management and to the learning outcomes detailed in
this
document.
- contains some or many fundamental errors and
misunderstandings
of the academic or other material used. For example many of the
facts cited are incorrect.
- uses literature or other material which is largely irrelevant or
has no
academic value
- is poorly structured and poorly presented. For example,
sentences
may be hard to understand and contain many spelling or
grammatical mistakes.
- contains no references.
Work within this mark range shows a complete failure to meet

the
requirements of the assignment. A mark in this range will be
given for
an essay which:
- is below 500 words in length.
- bears no link to the question chosen and shows very little or
no
knowledge or understanding of any of the theories, concepts and
issues relating to Project Management. The answer may be
fundamentally wrong or trivial.
- contains no references and/or evidence of relevant reading.
- shows little understanding of the requirements of the
assignment
and only a vague knowledge of the subject area.
- includes numerous fundamental errors in the understanding or
presentation of the material discussed. There is a general lack of
facts/evidence and what is provided is mostly incorrect and/or
irrelevant.
Page 8 of 8
Mark range
Guidelines
- is poorly structured and poorly presented. Spelling and
grammar are

poor. Many sentences are incomprehensible.
- the examiners do not feel could be described as a serious
attempt by
any reasonable standards.
ESSENTIAL SKILLS FOR THE
PROJECT MANAGER
A200SAM Add+Vantage Module
Anmoal Thethi
GROUND RULES
-directed study
CONTACTING ME

protected]
the assignment, etc) please use the Q&A forum
on Moodle
mailto:[email protected]
http://cumoodle.coventry.ac.uk/mod/forum/view.php?id=242816
OVERVIEW : ESSENTIAL SKILLS
FOR THE PROJECT MANAGER
AIMS AND SUMMARY
effectively
LEARNING OUTCOMES
1. Explore the key variables required to meet
project objectives
2. Understand the different planning tools
required to manage a project
3. Apply project management theory to a practical
scenario

4. Critically reflect on the soft skills required to
manage a project effectively
MODULE RESOURCES
Strategic Planning Approach. Basingstoke,
Palgrave Macmillan
by: Pinto, Lock, Maylor, Cleland, Turner)
See Moodle Resource List
http://resourcelists.coventry.ac.uk/lists/A9E2C3B8-A8F0-8C05-
16FC-38FC1FC22780.html
PROFESSIONAL ASSOCIATIONS
Association of Project Management
Project Management Institute
Presenter
Presentation Notes
APM – 20,000 individuals + 500 corporate members across
Europe: Free membership to students!

PMI worldwide 700,000 members, but only 3000 in UK
“chapter”. Memebrship via pmi.org
http://www.apm.org.uk/
http://www.pmi.org.uk/
LECTURE/SEMINAR STRUCTURE
- 10 x 2 hour
-directed study
ration, assessment planning
and self-directed reading
-in Assessment
Workshop
SEMINAR THEMES
ASSESSMENT
real-life project (provided as a case study) has
been managed. (80% of the module mark)
required to be an effective project manager,

identifying the skill areas you need to develop.
(20% of the module mark)
SESSION PLAN - WEEK 1
Part 1
Introductions
Part 2
differ from ‘normal business’
INTRODUCTIONS
Add+Vantage module
project management
INTRODUCTION TO PROJECT
MANAGEMENT

ACTIVITY – 10 MINUTES
a project?
WHAT IS A PROJECT?
Definitions (p1):
achieve planned objectives.”
www.APM.org.uk, accessed 20/9/2016
produce a unique product, service or result.”
www.PMI.org, accessed 15/1/2016
WHAT IS A PROJECT?
Definitions (p2):
created for the purpose of delivering one or more
business products according to an agreed
Business case.”
From Managing Successful Projects with
PRINCE2 (2009) London, TSO

Presenter
Presentation Notes
How do the definitions differ? Why do you think the
definitions are different?
CHARACTERISTICS OF A PROJECT
shape through a process of “progressive elaboration”
-time processes
-focussed
ky
-functional, unique and uncertain
Presenter
Presentation Notes
Temporary – doesn’t imply short in duration (e.g. Stonehenge)
Kathryn Koster – International Project Management
PROJECTS VS DAY TO DAY OPERATIONS
Process

1. Repeat process or product
2. Several objectives
3. Ongoing
4. Uniform
5. Systems in place to integrate efforts
6. Performance, cost, & time known
7. Part of the line organization
8. Bastions of established practice
9. Supports status quo
Project
1. New process or product
2. One objective
3. One shot – limited life
4. Cross functional
5. Systems must be created to integrate efforts
6. Performance, cost & time less certain
7. Outside of line organization
8. Violates established practice

9. Upsets status quo
From Pinto (2013) p27
Presenter
Presentation Notes
A project to open a new Chinese restaurant – covers the
planning, purchase and preparation of the premises, recruitment
of staff, marketing for the opening, BUT not the day-to-day
running of the restaurant once it’s open.
WHAT IS PROJECT MANAGEMENT?
introduction of the desired change. This involves:
one, when, by whom, and
to what standards
www.apm.org.uk, accessed 20/9/2016
Presenter
Presentation Notes
Note – no mention of doing the work itself!

PM is about Planning, Organising, Controlling and
Leading/Motivating
http://www.apm.org.uk/
THE PURPOSE OF PROJECT
MANAGEMENT
problems as possible, and to plan, organise and
control activities so that the project is completed
as successfully as possible in spite of all the risks”
Lock, D. (2007) The Essentials of Project Management,
9th ed. London: Gower
WHAT IS PROJECT MANAGEMENT?
Useful link:
Association of Project Management – UK
www.apm.org.uk/WhatIsPM
http://www.apm.org.uk/WhatIsPM
PROJECT SKILLS ACTIVITY
I’d like you to make me a cup of tea.
What are the main steps involved in
this project?

A CUP OF TEA: DEBRIEF
WHY DO PROJECTS FAIL?
-ordination
r goals & outcomes
Presenter
Presentation Notes
If that’s how to fail, how can we make sure a project is a
success?
PREPARATION FOR WEEK 2

READING
Lock, D (2007) Project Management 9th edition
Aldershot: Gower
Chapters 1 and 2
Strategic Planning Approach. Basingstoke,
Palgrave Macmillan
Chapter 1
RESEARCH ACTIVITY
nternet research on the following professional
associations:
– UK
– US
– International PM Association
TO PREPARE FOR NEXT WEEK

1. Check module access on Moodle
2. Research professional associations
3. Recommended reading
WEEK 2: SESSION PLAN
– student presentations
Essential Skills for the project manager�Ground
RulesContacting meOverview : Essential Skills for the project
managerAims and summaryLearning outcomesModule
resourcesProfessional associationsLecture/seminar
structureSEMINAR THEMESASSESSMENTSession plan - week
1IntroductionsIntroduction to project managementActivity – 10
minutesWhat is a project?What is a project? Characteristics of a
projectProjects vs day to day operationsWhat is project
management?THE PURPOSE OF PROJECT
MANAGEMENTWhat is project management?Project skills
activityA CUP OF TEA: DEBRIEFWHY DO PROJECTS FAIL?
Preparation for week 2ReadingResearch activityTo prepare for
next weekWeek 2: session plan
Essential Skills for the
Project Manager
A200SAM – week 2
Anmoal Thethi

Review of week 1
What are the key characteristics of a project?
In what ways is a project different from day to day work?

What is project management?
Project management focuses on controlling the introduction of
the desired change. This involves:
Understanding the needs of stakeholders
Planning what needs to be done, when, by whom, and to what
standards
Building and motivating the team
Coordinating the work of different people
Monitoring work being done
Managing any changes to the plan
Delivering successful results
www.apm.org.uk, accessed 20/9/2013
Research activity
Professional associations
APM – UK
PMI – US
IPMA – International PM Association
Research findings

Project lifecycle
Project lifecycle
A project is managed in phases or sequential stages

Acts as “a template to help a project manager structure work on
a project” (Newton, 2009)
What is a project lifecycle?
Examples of project lifecycle
Initiation and definition
Planning
Execution and control
Closure
Concept
Feasibility
Detailed requirements
Solution
design

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