Project Plan Assignment

Definition of a project
A project is a set of definable tasks related to each other. The project has a beginning and end and a budget of money and resources. It should have a clear objective. For the project assignment you will expand the project concept to make a plan for the project. This document is the thing that tells me what your project is, why you are doing it and how you will manage it.
I should have enough information to see what you are doing, why you are doing it and what you need from me. You should assume that you are writing to your boss (me) and that I am the one that will authorize you with a budget and resources to do whatever you are trying to do. You may take the approach that I requested you to look into something since that is common in business and may feel more natural.
This document should be somewhere between 5 and 15 pages plus any appendices, as needed. A plausible outline might be something like this:

  1. Introduction
    1. Your company information (I should know who you work for and your role as PM in it.)
    2. Problem
    3. Solution
    4. Justification
  2. Scope of work (WBS)
  3. Team (skillsets, personnel, subcontractors, etc…)
  4. Risk evaluation
    1. Risk management steps (mitigation)
    2. Risk assignment steps
  5. Budget
  6. Schedule
  7. Management plan
    1. Site management
    2. Process management (quality assurance)
    3. People management
    4. Communication management
  8. Other important stuff

The actual appearance and outline will vary based on your project. You can ask me if you want some input on it. A construction project would need to include a site map so that you can show how the site would be organized. Wherever there is physical work to be done, an image showing the layout is probably needed.
The big part of this project is clear scope definition. This should be done in a WBS format. For construction and design, that is the CSI MasterFormat. It may be anything that is logical.
The risk evaluation is important because it helps determine the budget and schedule and the management plan – especially process management.
The budget should include the things necessary to make the project happen but I am not going to get hung up on the correct prices. If you are building a bicycle, I would expect to see tires on your budget but would not check sources to find the real price. Try to get as close as you can to make it as realistic as possible.
The schedule some have enough detail to tell each team member when they are doing certain tasks and how they relate to each other. Projects is probably the most effective way to communicate most schedule. A Gantt chart is probably the best way to portray it. There are exceptions to most rules. The # of items on the schedule may vary from about 15 to over 50 – it will depend on your project. You should show relationships and float on your schedule.
The management plan will likely be the longest part of your plan. It is the system that you will use to ensure that the scope is accomplished within budget, on time and per quality standards.
There is a tendency for some students to use flowery, descriptive language. This is not appropriate here. Stick with the facts and keep it short. A few bullet points is far better than a paragraph of prose prattle. The scope is best done in WBS (hierarchical format), the budget should be in a spreadsheet layout, the schedule a bar chart, and the management plan in lists, bullets, maps, diagrams, etc. Do not tell me that the cool waters of refreshing joy will trickle over my body if I enjoy the fruits of your delightful company’s time saving and provident offering. Just tell me what you want to accomplish and how you will do it.

Project Plan Assignment

Definition of a project
A project is a set of definable tasks related to each other. The project has a beginning and end and a budget of money and resources. It should have a clear objective. For the project assignment you will expand the project concept to make a plan for the project. This document is the thing that tells me what your project is, why you are doing it and how you will manage it.
I should have enough information to see what you are doing, why you are doing it and what you need from me. You should assume that you are writing to your boss (me) and that I am the one that will authorize you with a budget and resources to do whatever you are trying to do. You may take the approach that I requested you to look into something since that is common in business and may feel more natural.
This document should be somewhere between 5 and 15 pages plus any appendices, as needed. A plausible outline might be something like this:

  1. Introduction
    1. Your company information (I should know who you work for and your role as PM in it.)
    2. Problem
    3. Solution
    4. Justification
  2. Scope of work (WBS)
  3. Team (skillsets, personnel, subcontractors, etc…)
  4. Risk evaluation
    1. Risk management steps (mitigation)
    2. Risk assignment steps
  5. Budget
  6. Schedule
  7. Management plan
    1. Site management
    2. Process management (quality assurance)
    3. People management
    4. Communication management
  8. Other important stuff

The actual appearance and outline will vary based on your project. You can ask me if you want some input on it. A construction project would need to include a site map so that you can show how the site would be organized. Wherever there is physical work to be done, an image showing the layout is probably needed.
The big part of this project is clear scope definition. This should be done in a WBS format. For construction and design, that is the CSI MasterFormat. It may be anything that is logical.
The risk evaluation is important because it helps determine the budget and schedule and the management plan – especially process management.
The budget should include the things necessary to make the project happen but I am not going to get hung up on the correct prices. If you are building a bicycle, I would expect to see tires on your budget but would not check sources to find the real price. Try to get as close as you can to make it as realistic as possible.
The schedule some have enough detail to tell each team member when they are doing certain tasks and how they relate to each other. Projects is probably the most effective way to communicate most schedule. A Gantt chart is probably the best way to portray it. There are exceptions to most rules. The # of items on the schedule may vary from about 15 to over 50 – it will depend on your project. You should show relationships and float on your schedule.
The management plan will likely be the longest part of your plan. It is the system that you will use to ensure that the scope is accomplished within budget, on time and per quality standards.
There is a tendency for some students to use flowery, descriptive language. This is not appropriate here. Stick with the facts and keep it short. A few bullet points is far better than a paragraph of prose prattle. The scope is best done in WBS (hierarchical format), the budget should be in a spreadsheet layout, the schedule a bar chart, and the management plan in lists, bullets, maps, diagrams, etc. Do not tell me that the cool waters of refreshing joy will trickle over my body if I enjoy the fruits of your delightful company’s time saving and provident offering. Just tell me what you want to accomplish and how you will do it.

Dummy Project Management (Dummy Project Construction)

Dummy Project Management (Dummy Project Construction)
Cover the following

  • Introduction
  • Application of Concepts and Principles of project management
  • Gantt chart
  • Work Breakdown Structure
  • Payback Period
  • Quality Management Plan
  • Communication Plan
  • Change Management Plan
  • Risk Management Plan
  • Conclusion

Word count to be 3,000 in APA style.

Leadership Styles: Situational Leadership

Discuss how you will apply situational leadership style in project management (1,500 words).

Project Decision Making (Reflection Paper)

How are decision making processes in projects made? Reflect on a decision making process in your current or past projects you were involved (1,800 words).

Project Management Learning at Coca-Cola Company

Coca-Cola Company Case Study 
Read the case study and answer the project management questions (1,100 words).

Tools and Techniques used in Project Management.

Assessment Information
This assignment is designed to assess learning outcomes:
1. Evaluate and apply modern project management techniques to real projects in the business
environment.
2. Critically analyse the different tools and techniques used in project management.
This assignment is an individual assignment.
This assignment requires you to prepare a Project Initiation Document (PID) base on the following case study:
The Curzon Street Masterplan outlines proposals for the 141 hectare area of regeneration. It covers the area
that will house the HS2 Curzon Street station in Birmingham city centre, along with multi-million pounds
investment into the surrounding area. It envisages the creation of 36,000 new jobs. 4,000 new homes and
600,000 square metres of commercial development.
The HS2 Curzon Street station project is part of this development and will include the construction of seven
high speed platforms and a taxi ramp. It will also include the installation of IT and train control systems, and
the training staff on the use of the new systems. A project Feasibility Assessment and Environmental and
Social Impact Assessment has been completed. Also, a Business Case has been prepared and a budget of £2.1
million has been approved by the HS2 Project Board. The project is to be completed within a year and six
months.
The new station will not only be for high speed rail passengers. It will be a brand new public space and
gateway into Birmingham city centre. The existing Moor Street station is at one end, the Millennium Point
development and historic Curzon Street station building are to the north of the site and the existing
Birmingham to Rugby railway line runs along the south side. The station will be fully integrated into an
extended tram network, as well as offering pedestrian, cycle, taxi, bus and conventional rail connections to the
rest of the city and the wider West Midlands.
(Adapted from HS2, 2019)
You have been hired as the project manager to oversee the planning and development of this project. Your
first task is to prepare a project initiation document (2000 words), drawing on appropriate project
management theory and frameworks, to present to the Project Sponsor.
Your report MUST contain two sections.
Part 1: Project Management Plan.
The plan should consider the following aspects of the project:
• The project scope statement, including a Work Breakdown Structure (WBS) The project schedule
including a Gantt chart and your project milestones.
• An initial assessment of stakeholders (minimum 8) by identifying, analyzing, planning and providing
recommendations on how these stakeholders should be managed to maximize the chance of
achieving the project objectives.
• An initial assessment of risks (minimum 8) presented by the project and the response strategies
proposed.
Part 2: Contemporary Knowledge and Skill Requirements in Project Management
You are expected to read the following research article on Contemporary Knowledge and Skill
Requirements in Project Management (please see link below). Drawing on the findings that indicates that the
selected project management textbooks put the strongest emphasis on project planning and control,
relationship management, and resource management, and leveraging on other credible academic sources,
critically discuss how these three competencies can aid success in your project.
https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/abs/10.1002/pmj.20122
A copy of the article is also available on your Moodle page (Assessment Section)
NOTE
You are required to research and apply project management theory in order to successfully complete this
assignment. In order to pass, you will need to use a minimum of 10 separate sources, including a minimum of
5 textbooks and/or scientific journal articles. DO NOT copy the research article without providing critical and
academically sound analysis.
Report recommended structure: Your assignment should be presented as a report, using the following
structure:
Part 1 Project Management Plan
1. Introduction
2. Project scope statement (including inclusions, exclusions, assumptions, objectives, deliverables and
constraint, and a WBS)
3. Project schedule with a Gantt chart and milestones
4. Project stakeholder assessment
5. Risk management – threats and opportunities assessment
Part 2: Contemporary Knowledge and Skill Requirements in Project Management
Word Count
The word count is 2,000 words
There will be a penalty of a deduction of 10% of the mark (after internal moderation) for work exceeding the
word limit by 10% or more.
The word limit includes quotations and citations. Tables, figures, appendices and the final references list are
omitted from the overall word count. You must state the number of words used on the front cover of the
assignment.

Project Management Assignment

You’ll see, for instance, that you get up to 30% for “Understanding of the relevant module
materials” and 20% for “Additional reading & application of workplace experience” so you can
see that although the balance between theory and practice is weighted toward the former it is
important to demonstrate the application of theory to practice. Even more so when you consider
that another 30% is for “Critical discussion & synthesis of ideas / reading”. Please note there are
other criteria as well.
2. You have to decide which theories, concepts and models from the first half of the module are
relevant to the assignment. Obviously, you are ultimately limited on how much you can write by
the word count limit of 2500 words. What to include is a matter of judgement on your part. So
please read the assignment brief very carefully for any pointers.
3. Avoid generalisations and substantiate any claims by including relevant citations; otherwise,
you are expressing personal openion only. You may find it helpful to review some academic
journal articles to see how authors handle this. Make explicit relevant underpinning theory on
Project Management concepts.
4. When you explain how organisational goals can be integrated from the business case into the
project plans, and what difficulties and challenges are there in this element? Use a business
case (i.e. project) that you are familiar with, either one from your own experience, or a wellknown case – through which to demonstrate your understanding. Then discuss how projects form
a portfolio and identify the dif  ference between a programme and a project.
5. Structure the assignment appropriately. This should take the form of an academic report, using
an Introduction, body and conclusion. Use Headings and sub-headings to guide your train of
thought. Think about the logical flow of your paragraphs. Make sure that you proof-read your
work against the assignment question when complete to ensure that you have fully answered the
assignment question.
6. Make sure that you cite academic sources appropriately using the Harvard referencing
convention.
7. Make sure that your work is formatted well, has a clear structure and flow. Write in 3rdperson,
so you make your writing more formal and objective.
Assignment
Meredith (2017) states that ‘The eight-step project portfolio process is an effective way to select
and manage projects that are tied to the organisation’s goals.’ (Chapter 2 – summary, p 55)
Explain how organisational goals can be integrated from the business case into the project plans.
What difficulties and challenges are there in this element?
Discuss how projects form a portfolio and identify the difference between a programme and a
project.

Project Management Assignment

You’ll see, for instance, that you get up to 30% for “Understanding of the relevant module
materials” and 20% for “Additional reading & application of workplace experience” so you can
see that although the balance between theory and practice is weighted toward the former it is
important to demonstrate the application of theory to practice. Even more so when you consider
that another 30% is for “Critical discussion & synthesis of ideas / reading”. Please note there are
other criteria as well.
2. You have to decide which theories, concepts and models from the first half of the module are
relevant to the assignment. Obviously, you are ultimately limited on how much you can write by
the word count limit of 2500 words. What to include is a matter of judgement on your part. So
please read the assignment brief very carefully for any pointers.
3. Avoid generalisations and substantiate any claims by including relevant citations; otherwise,
you are expressing personal openion only. You may find it helpful to review some academic
journal articles to see how authors handle this. Make explicit relevant underpinning theory on
Project Management concepts.
4. When you explain how organisational goals can be integrated from the business case into the
project plans, and what difficulties and challenges are there in this element? Use a business
case (i.e. project) that you are familiar with, either one from your own experience, or a wellknown case – through which to demonstrate your understanding. Then discuss how projects form
a portfolio and identify the dif  ference between a programme and a project.
5. Structure the assignment appropriately. This should take the form of an academic report, using
an Introduction, body and conclusion. Use Headings and sub-headings to guide your train of
thought. Think about the logical flow of your paragraphs. Make sure that you proof-read your
work against the assignment question when complete to ensure that you have fully answered the
assignment question.
6. Make sure that you cite academic sources appropriately using the Harvard referencing
convention.
7. Make sure that your work is formatted well, has a clear structure and flow. Write in 3rdperson,
so you make your writing more formal and objective.
Assignment
Meredith (2017) states that ‘The eight-step project portfolio process is an effective way to select
and manage projects that are tied to the organisation’s goals.’ (Chapter 2 – summary, p 55)
Explain how organisational goals can be integrated from the business case into the project plans.
What difficulties and challenges are there in this element?
Discuss how projects form a portfolio and identify the difference between a programme and a
project.

Project Management Case Study

Instructions
For the case study, you and your team are to select a topic from the case study list, or you may propose one of your own choosing.  The topic for your case study should be a project that experienced significant project management challenges.  You are asked to identify those challenges and present them to the class, along with proposed methods of meeting those challenges.
Your team is to research the case and develop a narrated Powerpoint presentation to present the case to your classmates.  The length of the case study presentation should be in the range of 10-20 slides.  You should use graphics, pictures, and an easy-to-read sans serif font.  Please do not use animation (moving bullets, little men running around, etc.)  You are asked to write a short paper (3-5 pages, or more) summarizing the case and including a Works Cited page.
The focus of the case study is the management of the project.  You should include a time line.  How was the project generated, funded, managed, and performed?  Do you have recommendations for improvement? You should include financial information to the extent it is available:  budget, actual, reasons for variance.  You should attempt to determine if the project was successful.  You may wish to include a SWOT analysis.
SWOT analysis is used by management consultants to identify an organization’s strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats.  A project can be broken down the same way.  For more information on SWOT analysis, you can check the description on Wikipedia, which presents an accurate picture.  SWOT analysis is not required, but some teams find it a useful way to organize some of the information.
Your case study will be graded on how well the case is presented, the analysis of project management issues, and the quality of the recommendations your team offers.  You should make a reasoned statement about project success or failure.
The case study presentation and supporting paper should be submitted in electronic format via upload to Canvas by midnight of the Sunday at the end of Week 8.   In an online asynchronous section of this class, the Powerpoint should be narrated, and the Presentation should be compressed before upload.