Amity University [IN] London

MODULE: BCM6322 MANAGING PROJECTS

Module Code BCM6322

Module Level HE6
Credit Value 20
Module Leader Ian Finlayson
Academic year 2024-25, Term 1

Assignment Brief

1. Purpose of the Assessment

To assess understanding of key principles and theories in Project Management and the ability
of the students to apply these principles and theories to business and management.

2. Assessment Tasks
There are two assessment tasks for this module.

2.1 AS1 Presentation, weighting 30% of the mark (LO1)

You have been asked to project manage the design and development of a brand-new electric
car with a range of 500 miles, far greater than any existing electric car.
Using the waterfall method plan the project and create a PowerPoint presentation
describing the sequence of the requirements at each stage of the project:
1. Project Initiation
2. Project Planning
3. Project Execution
4. Project Monitoring and Control
5. Project Closure
Approximately 15 minutes - 6 to10 slides, plus one title and one slide of your list of references.
You are asked to:
1. Explain the basic concept of the “Waterfall” model and critically evaluate it as a method
of project management.
2. Identify the objective of each stage of the project, key deliverables, action items and
checkpoints that will keep the project moving forward successfully and on track.
3. Critically explain how each stage should be managed for optimum results.

2.2 AS2 Individual report, 3000 words, weighing 70% (LO2, LO3)
This assignment is the second of two assessment tasks for this module. It is an individual
assignment which accounts for 70% of the final grade given. The assignment asks candidates

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to write a 3000 words proposal to efficiently project manage the development of a new source
of energy.
The assignment will hone students’ report writing skills and the application of those skills to
the exacting discipline of proposal writing, a skill of growing importance for employability in the
contemporary economy.

Task: Write a proposal to project manage the development of a new product or service to
reduce energy or make it greener – such as hydrogen energy.

Consider how best to carry out this project and address the following 8 sections in your
proposal:

1. Summary: A short 150 words description of the contents of the proposal.

2. Project Scope & Deliverables: An outline of the boundaries of the project, and a
description of how the project will be broken down into measurable deliverables with
regards to the triple constraints of Time, Cost and Specification. Collect primary data
by visiting an appropriate website or interviewing an expert in the area with your ideas.
3. Project Schedule: Produce a high-level plan of project tasks and milestones showing
work break down structure, timing, and precedence. Gantt charts are handy for this,
but an AON network diagram and a critical chain is better. Collect primary data by
getting the opinion of someone experienced in the area of the project on your proposed
planning or visiting relevant websites. Critically reflect on the advantages of PERT or
CCPM in this particular project.
4. Project Resources and Management Strategies - the budget, personnel, the team
structure and management style of the project team. Critically reflect on the effects of
remote working among some members of the project team.
5. Risk and Issue Management Plan: A list of factors that could derail the project and a
plan for how issues will be identified, addressed, and controlled. Critically reflect on
numerate and non-numerate forms of risk management.
6. Control Strategy - Review the various forms of control strategy; select with critical
evaluation the most appropriate control strategy for the project development.
7. Communication Management Plan: A plan for how team and stakeholder
communication will be handled over the course of the project.
8. Conclusions - a review of the process which will be undertaken and likelihood of
success.
Where appropriate, the proposal will include the use of detailed Layout and Flow Design
examples. Charts should also be used regarding Work-Flow, Project tasks and milestones.

Word Limit: The assessment should be limited to 3,000 words (+/- 10%). If the word count is
less than 2,700 words or more than 3,300 words you must revise the text keep within the
limits.
Style requirements: except for the titles and subtitles, you should not highlight text, which
must be in Arial size 11, without indentations. The main title should be highlighted in font size
16, and the subtitles highlighted in size 14. Additionally, the space between lines should be
single and the space between paragraphs should be double. The work must be submitted in
report form and not essay form requiring an Introduction, the main body with subtitles and a
conclusion.

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3. Sources
It is expected that the Reference List of the report will contain at least fifteen sources. As a
MINIMUM the Reference List should include three refereed academic journals and five
academic books.

4. Specific Assessment Criteria (Marking scheme)

Please note that the General Assessment Criteria will also apply.

AS1 Presentation: Marking Scheme

Presentation slides to be uploaded on Moodle.

Quality of Slides (20/100)

Quality of Presentation (30/100)
Content (50/100)
Total: 100 marks available
Please note that the General Assessment Criteria will also apply.

AS2, Individual Report Marking scheme

Work will be assessed on its relevance, content, depth, structure and expertise as set out in
the grid below.

Content, Relevance and Depth:

Work should demonstrate understanding of the key elements of a feasibility study, project
proposal and project life cycle.

Work should demonstrate sensitive awareness and understanding of the political,

environmental and legal issues involved in complex project planning and proposal writing.

Referencing:
The quality of your academic referencing is very important. You must use the Harvard
Referencing System and follow its protocols.

Structure:

The writing will be assessed on the organisation of material; clear, logical flow of argument;
and referencing of the relevant literature

Breakdown of marks:

1. Executive Summary: students must correctly specify the purpose of the proposal and
highlight the major points that are going to be discussed. (5/100 marks)
2. Project Scope & Deliverables: students are to demonstrate an understanding of the project
constraints, limitations and assumptions and analyse all the outputs, tangible and intangible.
(15/100 marks)
3. Project Schedule: students are required to correctly outline what the project entails, which
resources will be utilised and when the project will be finished. (20/100 marks)
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4. Project Resources: students must specify the different elements necessary for the project
to be completed. (15/100 marks)
5. Risk and Issue Management Plan: students should provide an analysis of the process for
identifying, logging, monitoring and resolving risks and issues that may arise during the
implementation of the project. (15/100 marks)
6. Control Strategy. Students should identify the means and method by which the project will
be controlled, (15/100 marks)
7.. Communication Management Plan: students should outline the types and expectations of
the communications required for all stakeholders. (10/100 marks)
8. Conclusions: the salient points of the proposal and likelihood of success. (5/100 marks)

Total marks awarded: 100

5. Assessment Submission

Your assignment must be word processed and presented in a report format with simple sub-
headings. The word count should be as specified in the assignment above±10%. Tables,
diagrams, the reference list at the end and appendices are excluded from the count.
The Assignment report should have a front sheet showing your name, your student number,
the module name, the module number, the assignment title, the module tutor's name, the date
and the actual word count of your submission.
All assignments will be submitted, graded and fed-back electronically via TURNITIN. Several
submissions will be permitted before the final hand-in date to enable you to refine the content
your report.
To submit your work, please go to the ‘Submit your work’ area of the Module Moodle site. It
is important that you submit your work to the correct module Moodle site, and that your work
is submitted on time.
Feedback on assignments in general will be provided to the whole group when marked
assignments are returned. Feedback on assignments for everyone will be provided
electronically via TURNITIN.
A student may obtain an individual appointment to discuss feedback with the tutor.

Submission Deadlines

Assignment AS1: upload slides by 15th November 2024. In class presentation: 22nd November
2024
Assignment AS2: Report due date: 19th December 202

6. Assessment Guidance

General
The quality of your presentation and academic referencing is very important. You must use
the Harvard Referencing System.
Within your assignment your tutor will be looking for content that addresses the key elements
of the assignment brief.

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7. Academic Practice
Amity University [IN] London policy will apply in all cases of copying, plagiarism or any other
methods by which students have obtained (or attempted to obtain) an unfair advantage.
Support and guidance on assessments and academic integrity can be found from the following
resources:
Moodle / Policies and Procedures
Moodle / Student Corner

8. Learning Outcomes
The learning outcomes being addressed through these assignments are:

LO1 Critically analyse project planning approaches and techniques

LO2 Critically evaluate project management skills and control techniques.

LO3 Develop and critically evaluate project planning for a given scenario.

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General Assessment Guidelines for Written Assessments Level HE6

% Relevance Knowledge Argument/Analysis Structure Presentation Written English Research/Referencing

85- Directly Demonstrates an Makes exceptional Coherently The An exceptionally Sources accurately
100% relevant to exceptional knowledge/ use of appropriate articulated presentational well written cited in the text. A
title. understanding of theory arguments and/or and logically style & layout is answer with wide range of
(Exceptional

Expertly and practice for this leveltheoretical models. structured. correct for the standard contemporary and
Quality)
Class I

addresses the through the identification Presents an type of spelling and relevant references
assumptions and analysis of the most analysis of the An assignment. grammar. cited in the reference
of the title important issues. material resulting appropriate Effective Style is clear, list in the correct
and/or the in clear, logical and format is inclusion of resourceful and style.
requirements original used. figures, tables, academic.
of the brief. conclusions. plates (FTP).
70- Directly Demonstrates an Makes creative use Coherently The An excellently Sources accurately
84% relevant to excellent of appropriate articulated presentational written cited in the text. A
title. knowledge/understanding arguments and/or and logically style & layout is answer with range of
Addresses the of theory and practice for theoretical models. structured. correct for the standard contemporary and
(Excellent
Quality)
Class I

assumptions this level through the Presents an An type of spelling and relevant references
of the title identification and excellent appropriate assignment. grammar. cited in the reference
and/or the summary of the most discussion of the format is Effective Style is clear, list in the correct
requirements important issues. material resulting used. inclusion of resourceful and style.
of the brief. in clear, logical figures, tables, academic.
conclusions. plates (FTP).

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60- Directly Demonstrates a very good Uses sound Logically The A very well Sources are
69% relevant to knowledge/understanding arguments or constructed in presentational written answer accurately cited in
(Very Good Quality)

title. of theory and practice for theoretical models. the main. style & layout is with standard the text and an
Addresses this level through the Presents a clear An correct for the spelling and appropriate
Class II/i

most of the identification and and valid appropriate type of grammar. Style reference list in the
assumptions summary of key issues. discussion of the format is assignment. is clear and correct style is
of the title material. used. Effective academic. provided.
and/or the Clear, logical inclusion of
requirements conclusions. FTP.
of the brief.
Generally, Demonstrates a good Presents largely For the most The Competently Most sources
50- addresses the knowledge/understanding coherent part presentational written with accurately cited in
59% title/brief, but of theory and practice for arguments. Some coherently style & layout is minor lapses in the text and an
(Good Quality)

sometimes this level through the issues and articulated correct for the spelling and appropriate
Class II/ii

considers identification and theoretical models and logically type of grammar. Style reference list is
irrelevant summary of some key expressed in structured. An assignment. is readable and provided which is
issues. issues. simplistic terms. acceptable Inclusion of FTP academic in the largely in the correct
Conclusions are format is but lacks main. style.
fairly clear and used. selectivity.
logical.

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40- Some degree Demonstrates an Presents basic Adequate The Generally, Some relevant
49% of irrelevance adequate arguments but attempt at presentational competently sources cited.
to the knowledge/understanding focus and articulation style & layout iswritten
title/brief. of theory and practice for consistency lacking and logical largely correct although Some weaknesses in
Superficial this level. An attempt is in places. Some structure. for the type of intermittent referencing
(Satisfactory Quality)

consideration made to identify key issues may lack An acceptable assignment. lapses in technique.
of the issues. issues. clarity, and/or format is Inappropriate grammar and
Class III

theoretical models used. use of FTP or spelling pose

expressed in not used where obstacles for the
simplistic terms. clearly needed reader. Style
Conclusions are not to aid limits
always clear or understanding. communication
logical. and is non-
academic in a
number of
places.
Significant Demonstrates Limited arguments, Poorly For the type of Deficiencies in Limited sources and
35- degree of weaknesses in knowledge which lack clarity in structured. assignment, the spelling and weak referencing.
39% irrelevance to of theory and practice for places. presentational grammar makes
the title/brief. this level, with poor Conclusions are Lack of style &/or reading difficult.
Borderline

Only the most understanding of key neither clear nor articulation. layout is Simplistic or
Fail

obvious issues issues. logical. Format lacking. repetitious style

are addressed deficient. FTP ignored in impairs clarity.
at a superficial text or not used Style is non-
level and in where clearly academic.
unchallenging needed.
terms.

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Relevance to Demonstrates a lack of Severely limited Unstructured. For the type of Poorly written An absence of
<34% the title/brief basic knowledge of either arguments. Lack of assignment, the with numerous academic sources and
is intermittent theory or practice for this Lacks clarity. articulation. presentational deficiencies in poor referencing
or missing. level, with little evidence Conclusions are Format style &/or grammar, technique.
The topic is of understanding. sparse. deficient layout is spelling and
Fail

reduced to its lacking. expression.

vaguest and FTP as above. Style is non-
least academic.
challenging
terms.