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You are asked to compare, contrast and critically evaluate a pair of projects from a single reference class (e.g. stadium construction, advertising campaigns, disaster relief, high-speed rail development, enterprise automation, new product development, Olympic Games, music festivals, political campaigns, etc). Ideally, you will choose a project management application area related to your MSc pathway or future career aspirations.
You may consider projects in which you have personally been involved or any projects of your choice for which you are able to obtain a sufficient amount of information. Scrutinise the project management approach taken in each of the chosen projects and elicit their salient (positive or negative) features and relevant practices, analysing and explaining the impact these have had on the overall project delivery and/or subsequent operational performance.
The outcome of such project evaluation and comparison is expected in terms of a recommended set of definite rules and practices for future projects in the same class and of the similar scope/budget (‘Best Practice’). Your standpoint should be balanced, and the analysis well-written, generously complemented with suitable references to the relevant, contemporary project management literature as well as referring to personal experiences, observations and insights where appropriate.
The presented analysis should be based on appropriate and substantial research, which must be evidenced in the report. A mere composition of case studies taken straight from certain sources without your own in-depth elaboration, critical evaluation and synthesis of original recommendations will not be deemed a highly original contribution and, consequently, will attract low marks.
The report should be 2,500 words, including any exhibits, tables and figures, but excluding the reference list. All figures and tables should be consecutively numbered, and captions provided. (I Prefer Construction – ECRL project as an example)
| Category | Skills |
|---|---|
| Organisation | defining work objectives, outcomes and performance standards, structuring and managing time and priorities, planning or coordinating with a range of stakeholders, understanding personal planning style, adjusting plans, identifying and assessing risks, developing a contingency plan, managing tasks across time zones, allocating resources to tasks |
| Communication | speaking clearly and confidently, appreciating people with different languages and cultures, expressing things clearly in writing, presenting ideas or proposals, influencing and convincing others |
| Teamwork | contributing to team results, confidence to share information or make suggestions, openness to the ideas of colleagues, building trusting relationships between colleagues, giving constructive feedback, working in a virtual team with colleagues in remote locations |
| Learning & Adaptability | setting personal goals and objectives, balancing work and personal life, evaluating and monitoring own performance, working honestly, with integrity, ethically, in a fair and balanced way, demonstrating a high level of dedication, a strong work ethic, working with little or no supervision, understanding preferred learning style, using peers to develop |
| Leadership | taking responsibility, defining the purpose and objectives of a work group, recognising the efforts of others, creating a shared vision, motivating others to achieve high performance |
| Problem Solving | identifying need or opportunity, clarifying root cause of a problem, generating imaginative/creative solutions, evaluating a range of options, making decisions where there is no perfect option |
Please follow these guidelines:
The portfolio (Parts 1 and 2) is limited to 3,500 words. The word count is an absolute limit (i.e. no +/-%) and includes everything in the main body of the text (including headings, tables, citations, quotes, etc). It does not include your reference list. The word count should be clearly stated on the first page of the assignment.
If you submit an assignment which exceeds the prescribed word limit, marking will cease at the point at which the limit has been exceeded and the mark will be awarded on the basis of the extent to which the criteria for assessment have been met up to that point.
Ensure that you have retained a back-up copy of the submitted portfolio. Note that the content of your submission will be treated as confidential and will only be accessed by the markers and the external examiner.
Ensure all sources referenced in your assessment are correctly listed, and that accurate Harvard referencing standards are applied. Include only sources that you have cited in the work. It is very important to use appropriate academic books/e-books and journals/e-journals as the basis for your research. While you may use the internet, take great care to ensure that the sites are valid and appropriate for academic purposes – sites such as Wikipedia, Businessballs.com, MindTools.com, etc. are inappropriate for academic research.
