TITLE PAGE:

On the Arden Assessment cover page, under the Assessment Title, students should indicate that this is a Project Plan/Review Assignment. *Penalties would apply if this section were absent from the assignment, as it forms part of the assignment structure. 

NOTE: This assignment must be written in the third person and should display to excellent ability to write academically. Unless specified, all effort should be made to avoid using pronouns i.e., no use of “I, Me, We, Us”. Also, pay attention to general use in demonstrating at this level of study – for instance, critical evaluation, analysis, critical discussion, application, and synthesis.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Students are expected to add a table of contents showing what is covered with page numbers. *Penalties would apply if this section is absent from the assignment, as it forms part of the assignment structure. It must be on a separate slide.

Learning Outcomes:

After completing the module, you should be able to:

1. Critically evaluate the concepts and principles of Project Management in different traditional and iterative environments.

2. Evaluate a range of project management methodologies.

3. Critically analyze the use of different project management techniques during project implementation.

4. Demonstrate a critical understanding of best practice concepts and links between project processes and themes.

5. Graduate attribute: Discipline Expertise - Knowledge and understanding of the chosen field. Possess a range of skills to operate within this sector, have a keen awareness of current developments in working practice, and are well-positioned to respond to change.

 Assignment Task

Deliver a presentation based on issue management, through the proposal of a project for business/service improvement or transformation.

The presentation should incorporate an outline of the issue(s) and the project proposed to solve the issue, including funding requests/proposals.

You should identify a health and/or social care organization that you intend to study for the assignment. Organizations may be known personally to you or maybe large organizations with a high web profile. You should be able to justify the choice of organization and are expected to understand that you should choose an organization that is well-aligned with the module subject area.

The presentation will be presented live in class) in front of your Lecturer, to develop skills and confidence in presenting. This will be arranged as appropriate.

Your submission file should be made up of the PowerPoint slide deck, and it is upon which marks and feedback will be returned.

For this task, the following checklist should be used to ensure relevant concepts have been discussed, applied, and critically evaluated (where required): Devise a well-scoped project around the identified health and/or social care organization of your choice – at the same time providing a rationale/driver and making a business case for it. This requires a discussion of theoretical information.

Your submission file should be made up of the PowerPoint slide deck, and it is upon which marks and feedback will be returned. For this task, the following checklist should be used to ensure relevant concepts have been discussed, applied, and critically evaluated (where required); the contents you will be assessed on are:  

Slide 1.  Front cover sheet with STU number and assessment details (NOT counted in word count or number of slides)

Slide 2. Table of Contents

Slide 3.  Background on the chosen health/care organization and its challenge to address ( Bullet Points)

Slide 4.  Transcript of slide 3

This requires you to consider the type of project being proposed, the drivers for such a project, and why it is necessary to be implemented (business case). Critically evaluates the choice of project lifecycles that could be adopted for this type of project and suitable methodologies that could be used if any are to be recommended. An outline timeline and budget for the development, installation, maintenance, and training should be included.

This section should introduce the title or background information about the topic of the project and describe the project location.

 Slide 5.  Project definition, to explain what the project needs to achieve ( Bullet Points only)

Slide 6.  Transcript of slide 5

Explain the problem in the location that has required your attention and back it up with similar or contrasting facts (relevant information from other studies) with proper references. Explain the reason why the project is important to you and provide the blueprint of the content.

Slide 7. Outline the business case, comparing multiple options and making an investment appraisal

Slide 8. Transcript of Slide 7

It should explain why the project is required. Describe the issues and the problems the community or organization faces and how your proposed project will address those issues with support expected from internal and external bodies. Therefore, guide your thoughts with the following; why is there a need for this project? What is the problem you are attempting to solve? What feasible solution are you attempting or recommending, or why should the project go ahead?

Slide 9. Breakdown Structures: PBS, WBS, and CBS (Bullet Points only)

Slide10.  Transcript of slide 9

Work breakdown structure and task definition

The top-level tasks of the project along with the definition must include the following:

• Project pre-setup

• Feasibility study.

• Project design:

• Project initiation

• Implementation

• Project ending

Triple constraint and baselines for the project, Project Life Cycle, and approach/approaches

Project Methodologies and how choice or choices for your project were arrived at should be covered.

Slide 11. Risk Register, including responses (Bullet Points only)

Slide 12. Transcript of Slide 11

You are required to undertake a risk assessment of the project including the development, installation, maintenance, and training. This should include consideration as to how the risks could be managed for all potential options, recommendations should then be made regarding the type(s) of contract which should be used, and which options for maintenance and training should be chosen.

 For this task, the following checklist should be used to ensure relevant concepts have been discussed, applied, and critically evaluated (where required):

• The project’s deliverable

• The Stages of Risk Assessment

• Risk Management Strategies

• Mitigation Strategies

•Key dimensions of contractual risks and recommendations should then be made regarding the type(s) of contract which should be used and which options for maintenance and training should be chosen.

•Legal and Non-legal solutions to foreseen and unforeseen risks in the project

The above concepts, and any others that are deemed relevant could be applied in your response.

Slide 13. Stakeholder Management Plan, mapping power/interest and detailing management

Slide 14. Transcript of Slide 13

 Without stakeholder mapping, you will struggle to categorize or analyze your stakeholders well. Student to discuss stakeholder mapping.

In this part, you are required to consider who should be included in the project team and how that team needs to be structured and managed to ensure the project is implemented successfully. This should include identifying the key stakeholders and their relative power/interest in the project. Also, explain how you will minimize conflicts between some of the key stakeholders involved in the project.

Slide 15. Team Organisation, including a RACI matrix Bullet Points only)

Slide 16. Transcript of Slide 15

 Describe the difference between a Project Sponsor and a Project Manager and different options for organizing a team, utilizing a RACI Matrix to assign work and lines of communication. Show knowledge of the Project approach in choosing the Project life cycle. Show an understanding in the selection of the lifecycle approaches that might be most suitable for the Project

Slide 17. Communications Plan, for both internal and external stakeholders (Bullet Points only)

Slide 18. Transcript of slide 17

Building and developing successful project teams (including relevant team theories (Tuckman, communication, team working, effective listening, negotiating, etc)

The above concepts, and any others that are deemed relevant could be applied in your response to the task.   

Slide 19. Schedule, including a discussion of the critical path (Bullet Points only)

Slide 20. Transcript of Slide 19

A critical Path Schedule means the sequence of activities from the start of the Work to the Substantial Completion of the Project. This must be discussed here.

Slide 21. Any additional information? Conclude your presentation

Slide 22. AU Harvard Reference list.                                                                                                                   

In addition to the above, to achieve a higher grade, you must consistently use theory and literature in your discussion to support a wider debate of key issues relevant to the tasks.

Using a good number of citations to demonstrate wider research is highly desirable at this level as it shows confidence in managing relevant sources and an appreciation of independence and interdependence of concepts.

The above concepts, and any others that are deemed relevant could be applied in your response (20 minutes) (100 ​marks​) (​LOs:​ 1, 2, 3, 4 & GA) 

In addition to the above, to achieve a higher grade, you must consistently use theory and literature in your discussion to support a wider debate of key issues relevant to the tasks.

Using a good number of citations to demonstrate wider research is highly desirable at this level as it shows confidence in managing relevant sources and an appreciation of independence and interdependence of concepts.

A CONCLUSION to wrap up the whole assignment should be provided. This should summarise very briefly the main considerations and offer recommendations where applicable.

REFERENCES:

Students should adhere to the AU Harvard style of referencing. All references cited must be listed and all references listed must be cited.  All quotes must have page numbers cited.