Project Management

Assessment Brief
Unit and Assessment Details Course Title: HND Copmuting Unit Number: 8 and 23 Unit Title: Information System Project and Project Management Assessor: Huma Samin and Syeda Sana Naseem Internal Verifier: Naveed Ali Asad Assessment Title: Management Information System Planning and Development Assessment Method: Report Assessing in: Group of 4 Number of Words: 6500 (Max 30 pages) Outcomes Covered: 4 (Outcomes 1,2,3,4) Information System Project 3 (Outcome 1.3, 2, 3) Issue Date: 23-April-12 Pre-Submission Date: Due Date: Feedback to Learner Date: Statement of authenticity College No. Learner Name Learner Signature

Learners Declaration: I confirm that the work submitted for this assignment is my own. Date Outcomes Covered Information System Project OUTCOME 1 2 3 4 Develop a project plan to an agreed specification Develop a solution using applications software Implement solution using applications software Deliver and evaluate the project

Project Management OUTCOME 1 2 3 Investigate project management principles Examine project organization and people Examine project process and procedures

Criteria Grid (ISP) 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 2.1

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2.2

2.3

2.4

3.1

3.2

3.3

3.4

M1 M2 M3 D1

D2

D3

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Criteria Grid (PM) 1.3 1.4 2.1 2.2 2.3 Learners Comments

2.4

3.1

3.2

3.3

3.4

M1 M2 M3 D1

D2

NOTE: Attach this page as first page of your report and the remaining pages at the end of your report.

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Purpose and Aim This assessment is aimed to provide a basic knowledge of project management principles, methodologies, tools and techniques that may be used in any industry, the professions and the public sector. For the given scenario, learners will develop an understanding of what constitutes a project and they will also analyse and plan the activities needed to carry out the project, including how to set up a project, how to control and execute a project, and how to carry out project reviews. The way the students plan and manage this assignment will also make them understand the basic principles of project management i.e. planning, monitoring, controlling etc. Scenario Learners are required to design an MIS application for Edwardes College. The application should include the following modules: Inventory Management Module Employee Management Module Student Management Module Program Management Module Accounts Management Module (Optional)

Guidance Notes:
Learners should work in a group of four and each learner is required to work on one module, starting from its planning to its implementation. Each learner will be responsible for planning, implementing and controlling his own module. All the modules should be integrated before submission of the project. One week will be given for integration of the whole software. Every week one group member will be assigned the responsibility of team leader. For that particular week the group leader will manage the overall working of the project to ensure proper integration at project completion. He will also be responsible to keep check on the weekly progress and will inform the assessors about the progress of the project. Each team leader should maintain a work progress report at the end of the week that will be submitted with the final project report. Clearly mention the dates and the work down in the respective weeks.

Task 1
Select appropriate standard for all stages of the module you are going to develop (Unit 7:

1.1). Prepare a project pan that should include the following: (Unit 23: Outcome 3.1) The systems development methodology adopted for the project; (Unit7: 4.1; Unit 23: 1.3)

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Project Management A work breakdown structure that defines different project activities and their dependencies. (Unit 7: 3.1,3.2; Unit 23: 1.3) Identification of resources (raw material or equipment, human resource, information, finance, time etc). Discuss all the resource requirements in sufficient details to cover the following: What, when, how, where and who (Outcome 2.4, 3.2) While assessing the human resource requirements also identify the most appropriate organizational structure, roles and responsibilities of participants within the given project. (Outcome 2.1, 2.4) Also highlight the project leadership requirements and qualities that you must
exhibit as a project manager. (Outcome 2.3)

Apply project scheduling techniques (Gantt chart and network diagrams) after creating task duration estimates and dependencies to set o Milestone list, and o A project schedule (Unit7: 3.1,3.2; Unit 23: 3.2) For estimating finance different costing techniques can be applied to assess cost of the project by assigning resources of different project activities. (Outcome 3.2) Also discuss quality management plans, risk management plans and communication management plans for proper controlling and coordination of the project. (Outcome 2.2) Produce a complete quality plan for the selected module. Also produce quality manuals related for the system. These will help in following the rules which are necessary for maintaining quality for the system. Put some light on change management which also covers the quality criteria (Unit 7:2.1, 2.2) Also provide cross-referencing facility for the selected module (Unit 7: 2.3) Identify and discuss different Project Change Control processes/methods to measure project performance against established targets and plans. You can apply earned value technique to calculate different estimates to be used for measuring performance or you can make plan to use Gantt charts for performance analysis or any other method can be applied. (Outcome 2.2, 3.3)
Perform proper risk assessment in the selected module. Pick out the risks and try to mitigate it. Provide contingency plan for all identified risks. (Unit 7: 1.2) Study the module and produce appropriate service level agreement for it (Unit 7: 1.3)

Identify the key elements that can cause project termination. Asses and evaluate different post project appraisals to be applied on the selected project. (Outcome 1.4) Document the project by any available tool. This will produce the standard documentation as required. Tools may include MS-Word, MS-Project, E-Draw, latex etc (Unit7: Outcome 3.3 )
At the end of every phase review all the stages and make a report about the implementation of quality standards and quality assurance techniques and testing strategies and any available tools (Unit 7: 4.2,4.3)

Guidance Notes for Task1:

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Project Management A simple and most commonly used outline for the Project Plan is given below: o Title o Author/authority o Overview of the project (the context of the project and goal of the project) o Project organisation (who is involved i.e. stakeholders). o Work to be performed (overview of what will be done and how its will be done - WBS) o Budget for the project by assigning resources (finance, HR, equipments etc) to the tasks identified by WBS. Estimated cost on the basis of budget(s) prepared. o Organizational structure, roles and responsibilities of project team. o Schedule information (project duration, dependencies and other time constraints) o Use of project management support tools/techniques/methods. o Management of the projects including quality management plans, risk management plans and communication management plans o Project control processes/methods to measure project performance. o Change request forms or any other relevant document for managing change for the given project. o Appendices (reference to other project planning documents) Project terminations elements and the post-project appraisal techniques should be in accordance to the given project. Give proper justifications for this. Pre submission: o o o o o Development Methodology 7th May 2012 Resource Requirements 10th May Scheduling and Costing 14th May Quality Plan 10th May 2012 Change Control and Project Termination 22nd May 2012

The project plan should be completed by 24 May 2012. This is the pre submission date for the feedback related to Task 1.

Required Evidence

Grade Descriptor Possible Evidence Merit: M1: Identify and apply strategies to find A detailed and well focused appropriate solutions research has been carried out in planning the project with justifications given to prepare a well justified project plan. M2: Select/design and apply appropriate Range of authenticated and methods/techniques justified sources of information are used; proper methods for collecting
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Project Management project requirements is used: e.g. interviews, questionnaire, reference documents. Evidence of each is provided. The report is well structured with clear and concise findings and recommendations. Technical language is used accurately. Appropriate use of MS-Project. Conclusion drawn at the end and justified recommendations are given by providing valid reasons and, are appropriate to the task and the context of chosen organization. Analyze your work to provide realistic improvements in the work done. All the project activities are well planned, organized and properly managed. Provide documents like Journal of activities for the report, Gant Chart for the activities required to complete the report, completing the work in time etc.

M3: Present and communicate appropriate findings

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

D2: Take responsibility for managing and organizing activities

Notes to Students Almost all the data required is given in the scenario but if students want to add real time data by surveying the market, he can use it. E.g. student can change the team members or their wages mentioned according to the real requirements after assessing the situation and market. It will be appreciated if he had researched for actual data. It will be considered as a higher grade. Viva will be taken on the basis of work done by the student. Include a last chapter in your report about the limitations of your report and write any difficulty you faced while collecting data. Give conclusions and critically evaluate your work if possible. Give proper evidence of all your activities for completing the tasks e.g. videos, pictures, visiting cards, or reference letter of personnel from whom data is collected. Clearly mention if any assumptions are undertaken for the given scenario. Student could research together but you must analyse, evaluate and critically appraise the requirements of your assignment and produce the work on your own. The safety of your assessments is your responsibility. You must not permit another student access to your work.

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Plagiarism Policy The college has strict penalty for plagiarism and the assignment will be cancelled if the assignment is observed for this. The definition and scope of plagiarism are presented below: Plagiarism occurs when a student misrepresents, as his/her own work, the work, written or otherwise, of any other person (including another student) or of any institution. Examples of forms of plagiarism include: The verbatim (word for word) copying of anothers work without appropriate and correctly presented acknowledgement; The close paraphrasing of anothers work by simply changing a few words or altering the order of presentation, without appropriate and correctly presented acknowledgement; Unacknowledged quotation of phrases from anothers work; The deliberate and detailed presentation of anothers concept as ones own. All types of work submitted by students are covered by this definition, including, written work, diagrams, designs, engineering drawings and pictures. Grading Statement (For Report) Pass 1.3: understand the principles behind project management systems and procedures 1.4: identify the key elements involved in terminating projects and conducting postproject appraisals 2.1: identify the most appropriate organizational structure, roles and responsibilities of participants within a project 2.2: control and co-ordinate a project 2.3: identify project leadership requirements and qualities 2.4: plan and specify human resources and requirements for a project 3.1: prepare project plans and establish the project organisation 3.2: apply project scheduling, estimating and cost control techniques 3.3: describe the methods used to measure project performance 3.4: describe project change control procedures Merit M1: Identify and apply strategies to find appropriate solutions M2: Select/design and apply appropriate methods/techniques M3: Present and communicate appropriate findings Distinction D1: Use critical reflection to evaluate own work and justify valid conclusions D2: Take responsibility for managing and organizing activities Resources Required: Lectures slides Lock, D Project Management 8th Edition (Gower Publishing, 2003)
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Turner, J R The Handbook of Project-Based Management 2nd Edition (McGraw Hill, 1998) Smith, K Project Management and Teamwork 2nd Edition (McGraw Hill, 2000)

Any reference books (in library) Newspapers, magazines and journals

General Instructions Books and online resources can be used of the college library and Central Computer Lab for any assistance. But direct copying from these resources is not allowed. Visits need to be arranged and made to the organizations. For meeting the respective managers, the college will provide a reference letter for the project and the manager of the organization is welcome to contact the administration at the college The college has strict penalty for plagiarism and the assignment will be cancelled if the assignment is observed for this. Proper referencing should be given in the Harvard Style/Chicago/MLA etc. All work should be comprehensively referenced and all sources must be acknowledged fully, this includes books & journals used as well websites visited. Details such as page numbers, publishers and publication year should also be stated, in addition to the name of the author(s) and publication. Books, articles and journals should be the main sources; online sources are allowed up to 15% The Assignment should have a cover page that has assignment title, assignment number, course title, unit title, lecturer / tutor name and students name. Attach all the pages of assignment brief with your report as annexure at the end. Ensure that statement of authenticity has been signed and attached as the first page of your report. Contents sheet (TOC) with a list of all headings and page numbers is must for your report. Use A4 page size, 12 point Arial or Times New Roman font with 1.5 line spacing. Your assignment should be word-processed and should not exceed 4500 words in length (or 20 pages). Exhibits / appendices are outside this limit Pages should be numbered (bottom right hand corner) Spell-check the document and read thoroughly for grammatical errors

Feedback to Learner
Criteria Feedback to learner (Evidence presented against the published criteria) Achieved Y/N?

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1.1

Y/N

1.2 1.3 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 3.1 3.2 3.3 3.4 M1 M2 M3 D1 D2

Y/N

Y/N

Y/N

Y/N

Y/N

Y/N

Y/N

Y/N

Y/N

Y/N

Y/N

Y/N

Y/N

Y/N

Y/N

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D3

Y/N

General comments

Assessor signature Internal Verifier signature

Date Date

Internal Verifier

Assessor

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