Nelson College London

ASSIGNMENT BRIEFQualificationUnit number, code and title

Pearson BTEC Level 5 HND Diploma BusinessH/601/1036 Unit 42 Project Management for Business

Module Leader: Lecturers:

Christian U

Distribution dateSubmission deadline

WC 22/09/201403 December 2014

Assignment titlePMB Project Management for Business

Learning OutcomeLearning outcomeAssessment CriteriaIn this assessment you will have the opportunity to present evidence that shows you are able to:Task no.Evidence

(Page no)

LO1 Understand project management principles1.1 Describe the background and principles of project managemen1

1.2Appraise the viability of projects, developing success/failure criteria1

1.3 Explain the principles behind project management system and procedures1

1.4 Explain the key elements in involved in terminating projects and conducting post project appraisal1

LO2

Be able to manage projects human resources2.1 Identify the most appropriate organizational structure, roles and responsibilities of participants

2

2.2 Control and co-ordinate a project

2

2.3Assess project leadership requirements and qualities2

2.4 Plan and specify human resources and requirements for a project2

LO3Be able to apply project processes and procedures3.1Prepare project plan and establish the project organization

3

3.2Apply project scheduling, estimating and cost control techniques

3

3.3Analyze the methods used to measure project performance3

3.4Eexplain project change control procedures, evaluate the completed project

3

Learner declaration

I certify that the work submitted for this assignment is my own and research sources are fully acknowledged.

Student signature: Date:

Introduction Project management in business is the application of knowledge, skills and techniques to execute projects effectively and efficiently enabling them to tie project results to business goals. Project management focuses on five key process; initiation, planning, execution, monitoring & controlling and closing in consideration of costs, scope, quality, time, human resources requirements, communication, risk management and stakeholders objectives. This unit will sharpen learners understanding of the necessary skills and tools required to manage a project within an organization.

Scenario: Model business network Ltd (adapted)Model business networks Ltd is a London based organisation working with Redbridge borough to build and deliver a new public library for the need of the community. The new community library is meant to provide a new state-of the art infrastructure in line with ever changing technology. The contract for the building of the library complex was won after a competitive bid by many business organisations at the cost of 8.5m. The project agreement which Model business networks signed with the borough stipulates the a time frame of 2 years under which the project will be completed. This time frame takes into accounts external and environmental influences and other projects requirements in determining completion deadline. The management of Model networks is currently undertaking an IT project in Manchester and hence is considering either to outsource the project to another company or to set up a new project team for the new library project. However, the last board meeting the management decided to directly undertake the project and appointed Mr Bell as the new project manager who will then prepare the project plan and appoint other project support team roles. The plan will detail the phases of the project and all requirements for each phase. See the project management structure below:- The project plan would detail the project teams and their roles, the scope of the project, the cost and time criteria, the product breakdown structure (PBS) and the work breakdown structure (WBS), the resource requirements for each stage of the projects, project controls and information communications (i.e. reporting controls processes and procedures). The plan would also define outcomes for project stages (initiation, planning, execution, monitoring & controlling, closing) and product and end user acceptances criteria including risk management criteria. Equally, the project plan will clearly define the project baseline and the expected benefits/outcomes, project schedules and resourcing techniques, project initiation and start-up. Project management stages

The new library project is now in the later stage of its lifecycle but there are uncertainties about the entire project based on escalating costs of the materials and resources. The manager has reported that the last end product could not meet the user specification and is thinking of escalating the project issues to the project board. A number of factors are said to be responsible for the problem. These include, increase in the costs of materials, poor project co-ordination and control, lack of skills amongst the project teams, lack of understanding of individual team roles and conflicts on roles definition. The management of Model business network thinks that a creep in terms of scope, time and costs are not in the best interest of the various stakeholders and attrinbuted the uncertainties to inappropriate leadership skills and styles. The board is mandated to take a second look at the various appraisal techniques used in assessing the viability of the project and determine the benefits and viability of the project. This will enable the board to make decision on whether escalating the costs of the project will still deliver the expected benefits/outcomes to the stakeholders or else the project would go through a controlled process of termination/closure. ABC Consortum Ltd (adapted case)

ABC is considering initially investing 100,000 each in two mutually exclusive projects, with a cost of capital of 10 percent, and expect the projects to last for the next seven years with the projected cashflows as seen below and requires an expert advice on the viability of the projectsProject A

Years

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

Cashflows

20,000

15,000

25,000

10,000

5,000

30,000

45,000

Project B

Years

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

cashflows

15,000

35,000

10,000

10,000

40,000

25,000

30,000

The students are expected to read the scenario carefully and use the information to answer all listed task criteria questions below.Task 1 (L.O. 1: 1.1, 1.2, 1.3, 1.4) [P1,P2,P3,P4]P1 Describe the background and the principles of project management using the scenario case above (AC1.1)P2 Appraise the viability of projects, developing success/failure criteria. Explain at least two appraisal techniques that ABC Consortum could use in projects above (AC1.2)P3 Explain the principles behind project management systems and procedures (AC1.3)P4 Explain the key elements in terminating projects and conducting post-project appraisals (AC1.4)To achieve M1, you will make effective judgment about what constitute the principles of project management, systems and procedure [P1 & P3] And submit the assignment within deadline To achieve M2, you will have to show suitable and appropriate techniques in terminating a project including post-project appraisals [P4]

Task 2 (LO2: 2.1, 2.2, 2.3, 2.4) [P5, P6, P7, P8]P5 Identify the most appropriate organisational structure, roles and responsibilities of participants within a project (AC2.1)P6 Control and co-ordinate a project. As a project manager show how projects are controlled and co-ordinated (AC2.2)P7 Assess project leadership requirements and qualities (AC2.3)P8 Plan and specify human resources and requirements for a project (AC2.4)To achieve M3, you will have able to communicate and present the roles and responsibilities of participants within a project in a suitable format, demonstrate project control principles and project leadership requirements [P5-P7]To achieve D1, you will have to synthesize ideas and draw valid conclusions and demonstrate link between project planning, execution & controlling and closing using the case of Model business Networks ltd [P9-P10]

Task 3 (LO3: 3.1, 3.2, 3.3, 3.4) [P9, P10, P11, P12]P9 Prepare project plans and establish a project organisation (AC3.1)

P10 Apply project scheduling, estimating and cost control techniques (AC3.2)

P11 Analyse the methods used to measure project performance (AC3.3)

P12 Explain project change control procedures , evaluate the completed project (AC3.4)

To achieve D2, you have to demonstrate effective research approach showing effective use of references, and citations within the text and reflecting, such in a bibliography list in Harvard styleTo achieve D3, you will show evidence of creative thinking in your approach in project completion evlaluation for Model Business Networks Ltd [P12]

Evidence checklistSummary of evidence required by studentEvidence presented

Task 1A theoretical work showing the principles of project management, project viavility and the success and failure criteria of a project,

Task 2A theoretical work and presentation showing organizational structure and the leadership requiremets

Task 3A theoretical work on project plan and project performance measurement

In addition to the above PASS criteria, this assignment gives you the opportunity to submit evidence in order to achieve the following MERIT and DISTINCTION grades

Grade DescriptorIndicative characteristic/sContextualisation

M1 Identify and apply strategies to find appropriate solutionsEffective judgements have been made.

An effective approach to study and research has been applied.To achieve M1, you will make effective judgment about what constitute the principles of project management, systems and procedure [P1 & P3] And submit the assignment within the deadline

M2 Select / design and apply appropriate methods / techniquesAppropriate learning methods/techniques have been applied.To achieve M2, you will have to demonstrate using suitable and appropriate techniques in terminating a project including post-project appraisals [P4]

M3 Present and communicate appropriate findingsCommunication is appropriate for familiar and unfamiliar audiences and appropriate media have been used.To achieve M3, you will have to be able to communicate and present the roles and responsibilities of project participants in a suitable format, demonstrate project control principles and project leadership requirements [P5-P7]

D1 Use critical reflection to evaluate own work and justify valid conclusionsConclusions have been arrived at through synthesis of ideas and have been justified.

Realistic improvements have been proposed against defined characteristics for success.To achieve D1, you will have to synthesize ideas and draw valid conclusions and demonstrate link between project planning, execution & controlling and closing using the case of Model business Networks ltd [P9-P10]

D2 Take responsibility for managing and organising activitiesActivities have been managed appropriatelyTo achieve D2, you have to demonstrate effective research approach showing effective use of references, and citations within the text and reflecting, such in a bibliography list in Harvard style

D3 Demonstrate convergent /lateral / creative thinkingEffective thinking has taken place in unfamiliar contextsTo achieve D3, you will show evidence of creative thinking in your approach in project completion evlaluation for Model Business Networks Ltd [P12]

Achievement Summary

QualificationPearson BTEC Level 5 HND Diploma in BusinessAssessor name

Unit Number and titleUnit 42: Project Management for BusinessStudent name

Criteria ReferenceTo achieve the criteria the evidence must show that the student is able to:Achieved?

(tick)

LO 1

1.1

Describe the background and principles of project managemen

1.2Appraise the viability of projects, developing success/failure criteria

1.3Explain the principles behind project management system and procedures

1.4

Explain the key elements in involved in terminating projects and conducting post project appraisal

LO 2

2.1

Identify the most appropriate organizational structure, roles and responsibilities of participants

2.2

Control and co-ordinate a project

2.3Assess project leadership requirements and qualities

2.4Plan and specify human resources and requirements for a project2

LO 3

3.1Prepare project plan and establish the project organization

3.2Apply project scheduling, estimating and cost control techniques

3.3Analyze the methods used to measure project performance

3.4Eexplain project change control procedures, evaluate the completed project

Higher Grade achievements (where applicable)

Grade descriptor

Achieved?

(tick)Grade descriptorAchieved?

(tick)

M1: Identify and apply strategies to find appropriate solutions

Achieved?

(tick)Grade descriptor

M2: Select/design and apply appropriate methods/techniques

D1: Use critical reflection to evaluate own work and justify valid conclusions

M3: Present and communicate appropriate findings

D2: Take responsibility for managing and organising activities

D3: Demonstrate convergent/lateral /creative thinking

Assignment Feedback

Formative Feedback: Assessor to Student

Action Plan

Summative feedback

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Assessor Signature

Date

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