LO1 Critically evaluate project selection methods and planning frameworks.

Module Details 

Module code:

MBP7007M

Level of Study:

7

Assessment format:

Individual Written Report

Method of submission:

Assessment submission link on Moodle 

Deadline or Assessment Period:

12:00 noon

28^th January 2026

Feedback date and place:

19^th February 2026

Assessment limits: length, load, word count, etc.

4500 Words

(+/– 10%), excluding references and appendices

Component number:

2

Is this exempt from anonymous marking under the policy?

No

Component weighting:

75%

Assignment Description 

Building directly on the group simulation and presentation completed in Assessment 1, each student is required to produce an individual critical analysis report that connects project management theory with the practical experience gained during the group simulation. This report should demonstrate a comprehensive understanding of project management concepts. Critically reflect on the group’s decisions and outcomes and integrate relevant academic literature to support insights and recommendations.

Report Structure and Content Requirements:

1. Introduction
   Introduce the purpose of the report by linking it to the group simulation exercise and presentation. Outline the report’s structure and explain how the report will critically analyse the project management approaches applied during the simulation.
2. Project Planning and Selection

Critically evaluate the project selection processes, and planning techniques employed by your group. Discuss the business case developed during the simulation, assessing its justification and relevance based on project management theory.

1. Project Lifecycle and Delivery Model

Analyse the lifecycle and delivery model chosen by your group. Critically evaluate its suitability for the project context and delivery objectives, drawing on simulation outcomes and theoretical perspectives.

1. Resource Budgeting and Finance

Reflect on your group’s resource allocation and budgeting decisions, where relevant. Evaluate the influence of financial management on the project`s advancement and success throughout the simulation.

1. Risk Management and Quality Assurance

Identify and analyse the risks encountered throughout the simulation. Critically assess the mitigation strategies and quality assurance frameworks your group applied, evaluating their usefulness in maintaining project standards.

1. Project Monitoring and Control

Discuss how your group utilised project monitoring tools, and governance processes during the simulation. Evaluate the usefulness of these controls in supporting decision-making and keeping the project on track.

1. Leadership, Teamwork, and Ethics

Reflect on the leadership styles and team dynamics observed within your group. Evaluate how stakeholder management and ethical considerations are incorporated into the project management process.

1. Discussion
   Compare your group`s simulation experience and results with actual project management case studies from scholarly literature. Identify similarities, differences, and lessons that can enhance comprehension of effective project delivery.
2. Conclusion and Recommendations

Summarise the main lessons learned from both the simulation and theoretical analysis. Provide well-grounded recommendations for improving future project management practices, with reference to both the simulation experience and scholarly research.

Note: Your report should showcase critical thinking and reflective practice, integrating individual learning with group simulation exercise and presentation from Assessment 1. Proper academic referencing and a coherent, structured narrative are indispensable.

It is imperative to read widely to ensure your knowledge and understanding is deep and comprehensive.You must demonstrate engagement with the module, where the course reading list is an important starting point. There is an expectation your assignment will reflect a range of resources and articles referenced during each week of the module. 

Learning Outcomes

You must successfully achieve the following Learning Outcomes to pass this

1. Critically evaluate project selection methods and planning frameworks.
2. Demonstrate competence in resource budgeting, financial control, and earned value management techniques.
3. Evaluate approaches to risk identification, mitigation, and quality assurance in complex projects.
4. Apply performance monitoring and project control frameworks, with evidence from simulation outcomes and academic sources.
5. Critically evaluate leadership, teamwork, and stakeholder management issues observed during the project.
6. Compare and contrast simulation insights with real-world project case studies, integrating theory and practice.

Advice and Guidance 

You may make reasonable assumptions regarding the project however please ensure that these are clearly outlined in a section of your report.

Your work must be underpinned by reference to academic theory, and whilst the use of media reporting may be permitted you should be circumspect when selecting sources.

You may use Generative AI tools for limited and specific purposes. Before you attempt to use AI tools, please visit Artificial Intelligence and your learning page for information on AI.

Permitted AI Use:

• Generating ideas or brainstorming
• Proofreading grammar and spelling
• Checking referencing formats (e.g., APA, Harvard)
• Exploring different theoretical frameworks to consider for a strategic analysis, before conducting your own analysis

Not Permitted:

• Generating full paragraphs or answers
• Paraphrasing source material using AI
• Submitting AI-generated content as your own

You are expected to demonstrate your own thinking, writing, and critical judgement in the final submission.

Disclosure of AI Use

You must include an AI Use Statement (not included in the word count) at the end of your assignment that explains:

• Which tools you used
• How you used them

Example:
“I used Grammarly to check grammar and punctuation. I used ChatGPT to brainstorm potential structure ideas for the introduction.”

Academic Integrity

You are responsible for the academic honesty of your work. Misrepresentation or over-reliance on AI may reduce your grade or lead to disciplinary action. Failure to disclose AI use or any unauthorised use may be subject to investigation under the University’s Code of Practice for Assessment Policy, Section 23 Academic Misconduct Policy

If you are unsure what is allowed, please speak to your module leader Dr Lolita Asheri (l.asheri@yorksj.ac.uk).

Important

When you use Gen AI tools to support your work, you are required to always save copies of the outputs that the Gen AI tool produces for you. You may be asked to provide this information as part of your assessment or in any academic misconduct process.

It is important that content should be underpinned with relevant academic theory, concepts, and models where appropriate. These should be referenced throughout.

The Cite Them Right Harvard Referencing system should be used (https://citethemrightonline.com/). For a quick guide, please also see this link

Try to develop a cohesive and coherent piece of work in an academic style. Use the assessment details, marking criteria and support throughout the module to achieve this.

Researching and library support - please visit the Library Study and Digital Skills page for support and guidance with researching and connect with library services and support

Study Skills – To support your study development you can book group tutorials or 1-2-1 support through the Study Development page as well as access self-help resources and guides.

Formatting Advice:

Þ A front cover sheet (provided on Moodle) should be attached to the beginning of your report.

Þ Font should be either Times New Roman or Arial, font size of 12. Spacing 1.5 and normal margins.

Þ The assignment should be Microsoft Word processed for submission.

Þ Pages must be numbered.

Þ The report should be written in third person.

Þ You are required to add the following statement on page 2 of the assignment: I declare that I am the sole author of this assignment, and the work is a result of my own investigations, except where otherwise stated. All references have been duly cited”.

Submission Information:

Þ Work should be submitted to the requested link available on Moodle.

Þ The individual written assignment must be submitted on Moodle by 12 noon 28^th January 2026.

Þ Please note that all information regarding dates and time is in Greenwich Mean Time (GMT). If you are in another time zone, please take this into consideration.

How is this assessment marked?

Your work will be marked according to the assessment instructions provided within this document and the selected Learning Outcomes’ (LOs) (see above). A representative sample of the cohort, along with all failed assignments, will be rigorously moderated.

Furthermore, this assessment is marked in line with YSJ’s Generic Assessment Descriptors (GAD) (please see below). This is to ensure all assessment decisions are comparable regardless of the discipline or mode of assessment.

Please note that you must meet the required baseline standards (50 – 59%) which will include the LOs and minimum expectations of the assessment. Further still, you must ensure you meet the requirements of each grade boundary to progress to the next, i.e., you should demonstrate learning through the standards of the Pass, Merit and Distinction to reach a Distinction (70 – 84%). These standards are designed to scaffold learning to ensure you achieve your potential in each criterion being assessed.