MN601 Network Project Management Assignment 2: Major Group Project Assignment Project Proposal Submission due: Week 9 in the lab class Final Report Submission Due: Monday, 3rd October 2016 – 05:00 PM Total Marks = 100 Marks (30% of Course Assessment) Purpose of the assessment: In this assessment task, you will present a proposal for the major project assignment as a group of 4 people. You will choose the project from the list of projects provided in a separate document, MN601 List of projects available in moodle. Having obtained approval for the proposed project, your group is required to address all the stages of the project as outlined in the Project Management unit. The use of suitable project management software (e.g., MS Project 2010) is mandatory. The purpose of this major project assignment to develop a well-researched project planning document based on the overall parameters of a project and establishes the appropriate project management and quality environment required to complete the chosen project (Minimum 2000 words exclusive of references and diagrams).Finally analyse project issues, conduct post-project review (i.e., lessons learned) and make recommendations to the future projects. Description of the assessment: The major group project assignment includes various phases such as initiating, planning, executing and closing a project. As the Project Management Plan helps the management team to maintain a constant focus towards delivering the major project in accordance with the customers’ needs, wants, and expectations, the development of such a plan is comprised of the business case (refined from the Charter), project objectives and goals, success criteria, scope, high level schedule, stakeholder accountabilities, the communication plan, benefits and costs, governance and resourcing, the management approaches and a high level risk plan. These documents ensure a consistent understanding of the project, help to set expectations, and identify resources necessary to move the project to the next level of detailed planning. Major project must be delivered in a manner that captures the user’s trust and confidence in the chosen projects ability to effectively and efficiently deliver quality services/products. In order to insure major project success, it is imperative that good project management principles are used from early in theMN601 Network Project Management Page 2 planning stage of a project. As the major project becomes more defined, the Project Management Plan will become the tool by which the project will be effectively managed. Students should include aspects of the project as if they were the Project Manager and it is a requirement of the subject that they include the use of software (Microsoft Project). Students are expected to show evidence of reading and research using credible resources including, but not confined to their prescribed text. The assignment will be marked on the basis of depth of analysis, research, properly referenced and synthesised of a suitable and well argued response. Failure to complete and submit the assessment by the due time and date without prior approval will result in a fail for the subject. Assessment will be on the basis of the realistic nature of the project and how well it is presented. You should present the final document in a form that would be consistent with the details of your chosen project, and written in Business English in a report format. Make sure that the timeline, the budget and the quality of the work is realistic, justifiable and sufficiently attractive to win a tender for a real project. Requirements: You will form a team of 4 people and work co-operatively to complete the chosen project. Your major group project report must consist of at least the following: ï‚· A clear outline of the project including title, start and end date, goals and objectives, etc. ï‚· Gather project requirements (both functional and non-functional) ï‚· The envisaged project team members (title, skills/expertise, not names!) ï‚· Develop project plan o Determine project scope  Work Breakdown Structure (WBS) o Estimate time for your project o Determine resource needs for your project o Draw a Gantt Chart and Network Diagram for your project o Estimate cost for your project o Plan Quality for your projectMN601 Network Project Management Page 3 o Stakeholder analysis for your project o Plan communications for your project o Plan project risks management o Plan project deployment ï‚· Crash the total project duration for 2 weeks from the original plan. ï‚· Use of Microsoft Project to complete WBS, allocate time and resources, apply cost, and prepare Gantt Chart and Network Diagram. ï‚· Project Signoff (page) ï‚· Post project review and recommendations Submission guidelines: The report should have a consistent, professional, and well-organized appearance. Create the report (Minimum 2000 Words) showing extensive use of MS Project. 1. Your report should include the following: ï‚· The cover page must identify student’s (name and number), teaching staff, and assignment. ï‚· The assignment must use 12 point font size and at least single line spacing with appropriate section headings. ï‚· The report must include executive summary, table of contents, introduction, discussions (with heading/sub-headings to address the requirements listed above), conclusions and recommendations, references and appendices. ï‚· Reference sources (APA style) must be cited in the text of the report, and listed appropriately at the end in a reference list. 2. The assignment must be submitted in soft (electronic) copy under Moodle. The pages of the assignment must be clear on each page.MN601 Network Project Management Page 4 Marking criteria: Marks are allocated as follows: Section to be included in the report Description of the section Marks Executive summary, introduction, logical structure and conclusion Executive summary, table of contents, introduction, logical flow of information and conclusion for the major project. The project should reflect a meaningful project title and a reasonable time period of between 6 months and/or over, as requested. 14 Project constraints and project requirements. Project crashing. Well focused project Scope, WBS, estimation of Time, Cost, Quality, and understood key stakeholder s’ roles and responsibilities including project team based on the major group project. List of functional and nonfunctional requirements. Crash the project duration for two weeks. 24 Project stakeholders, communications and risk management plan Responding to the required task such as stakeholders analysis, communication matrix, risk matrix, and so on. 20 An effective use of MS Project software The demonstration of scheduling, resourcing, and costing of different activities and tasks using an effective use of MS Project software (Clear knowledge and understanding). Required charts/graphs (Gantt chart, Network diagram, etc.) are extracted from MS Project software. 20 Project Deployment Detailed description of project deployment plan 6 Project signoff, project review and recommendations Project signoff letter, post-project review and recommendations 10 Reference and appendices APA 6 Poor writing Inadequate structure, careless presentation, or the report exceeds the word limit by more or less than 10% -10 Total 100 Extensions: Requests for an extension, accompanied by supporting documentation, must be received by the student in writing before 3 working days from the due date else penalties may apply for late submission without an approved extension. Special consideration form is available on level 6 reception.MN601 Network Project Management Page 5 Marking Rubric for Assignment 2:Total Marks – 100(30% of Course Total) Marker’s Name: Mark Achieved: /100 Description Excellent Good Unsatisfactory Clear executive summary, introduction, logical structure and conclusion. The project should reflect a meaningful project title and a reasonable time period of between 6 months and/or over, as requested (start and end dates are Specific & Clear) /14
All topics are pertinent and covered in depth. Ability to think critically and source material is demonstrated Generally relevant and analysed. This is not relevant to the assignment topic. Presenting well focused project Scope, WBS, estimation of Time, Cost, Quality, and understood key stakeholder s’ roles and responsibilities including project team based on the major group project, demonstrating MGT3PM knowledge. /26 All elements are present and very well integrated. Components present and mostly well integrated Proposal lacks structure. Use of the subject material including theories, literature, various charts (Gantt and PERT), Network structures used & applications to support overall ideas. Use of research, interpretation & the connections to the topic being presented./14 Logic is clear and easy to follow with strong arguments Mostly consistent logical and convincing Argument is confused and disjointed The demonstration of scheduling, resourcing, and costing of different activities and tasks using an effective use of MS Project software (Clear knowledge and understanding). Required charts/graphs (Gantt chart, Network diagram, etc.) are extracted from MS Project software./20 All elements are present and very well integrated. Components present and mostly well integrated Proposal lacks structure. Methods/strategies used for monitoring project during its lifecycle and controlling quality. Finishing and signing off the project and demonstration of the project evaluation, its importance, and critical lesson learned./6 All elements are present and very well integrated. Components present and mostly well integrated Proposal lacks structure. Use of the specific discipline knowledge and terminologies, the business terms, & naturally flawing to suggestions or conclusion./4 All elements are present and very well integrated. Components present and mostly well integrated Proposal lacks structure. Originality and expected outcomes. Coverage and use of creditable sources, effort made, and level of library search, (Appendices). Writing style and sentences construction grammar, spelling, & sentence syntax & wording. Citation style & how it has been used./4 All elements are present and very well integrated. Components present and mostly well integrated Lacks consistency with many errors Deployment Plan./6 All elements are present and very well integrated. Components present and mostly well integrated Proposal lacks structure. Reference style/6 Clear styles with excellent source of references. Generally good referencing style Lacks consistency with many errors Poor writing Inadequate structure, careless presentation, or the report exceeds the word limit by more or less than 10% -10