Project Management PRJM6002

School of Design and the Built Environment

Project Planning, Estimating and Schedule Management Assessment 2 Brief Unit PRJM6002 and PRM530

Assessment Type

Report on the creation of a Project Plan for a selected Project Scenario.

Assessment Mark Value

45% of the overall Unit Mark.

Assessment Due Week/Date

Please refer to the PRJM6002 or PRM530 Unit Outline (Submission Schedule) on Blackboard for details relating to the week number, dates and times for all Assessment submissions. Click on the Unit Information tab under ABOUT THIS UNIT.

Information on Assessment due dates and times can also be found on Blackboard by reviewing the relevant Announcements or by clicking on the Assessments tab under ASSESSMENTS AND FEEDBACK.

Assessment Policy

Please review the latest Assessment and Student Progression Manual, which can be found on Blackboard by clicking on the Assessments tab under ASSESSMENTS AND FEEDBACK.

Where permitted, the extension must be formally applied for and assessed according to Curtins Assessment Extension Policy. Details of which can be found in the Unit Outline under the heading Assessment Extension .

Late Assessments will be penalised as per Curtins Late Assessment Policy.

Details of which can be found in the Unit Outline under Late Assessment .

Only 1 Assessment submission via Turnitin on Blackboard is permitted.

Important Assessment Information

Assessment Word Count

Minimum and maximum word count as per the Task requirements.

Word Count Exclusions

Cover Page

Contents Page

Executive Summary

Images

Appendix A

o Embedded Project Plan Artefacts

Appendix B

o References

Word Count Inclusions

Response to Tasks 3 and 4 only in both Project Scenarios 1 and 2

Assessment Must

Haves

Cover Page with the following information clearly displayed:

o Unit Number: PRJM6002 or PRM530

o Assessment Heading: Report on the creation of a Project Plan for a selected Project Scenario

o Student Name and Student Number; and

o Total Word Count per Task section and for the Assessment overall excluding sections noted above.

Table of Contents clearly indicates the following:

o Executive Summary

o Task Description Headings

o Appendix A Embedded Project Plan Artefacts

o Appendix B References must be in Alphabetical order

o Corresponding Page Numbers, bottom right of each page

Appendix B - References

o In total, a minimum of five (5) required peer-reviewed journals and/or scholarly articles.

o In addition to the required peer-reviewed journals and scholarly articles noted above, you may also reference primary reference textbooks as defined in the Unit Blackboard Reading List.

Assessment Format:

o Microsoft Word 2016 and above format only (not PDF)

o Page Size A4

o Line Spacing 1.5

o Font Style Calibri

o Font Size 11

o Margins Standard

Strict adherence to the Chicago Reference Standards:

o Access to the latest Chicago Reference Standard can be found by following this link: https://libguides.library.curtin.edu.au/uniskills/referencing/chicago17

Information that has been previously submitted either on this or any other unit must be declared on the cover page of the Assessment. See Blackboard Announcement for correct wording.

Assessment Must Not Haves

Do not use references older than ten (10) years other than if the reference is a foundation reference, i.e., a reference from a founding authority such as the Project Management Institute (PMI) for example.

Do not use references from sources such as Wikipedia, Google or other grey

sources.

Do not use images that are of poor quality as they will not be marked.

You are not permitted to use Generative Artificial Intelligence (Gen-AI) software in any assessment task unless written permission is explicitly granted by your Unit Coordinator.

About The Assessment

Assessment Type

Individual (not a group) Assessment

Assessment 2 must be prepared and submitted as a Report .

For guidance on preparing and submitting a Report-style Assessment and following expected academic standards, please click on the LEARNING SUPPORT option in Blackboard and follow the links.

Assessment Instructions

1. Review the two Project Scenarios and select only one project scenario from the selection of 2 project scenarios to respond to. See Assessment Tasks listed below.

2. Assessment 2 requires you to conduct your own research on each of the tasks of your selected project scenario.

3. Certain tasks will require you to respond using your own research and review current literature (no older than 10 years).

4. You are required to include in total, a minimum of five (5) references, some from scholarly journals, peer-reviewed articles, and foundation books.

5. You must support your arguments with evidence from your research and use examples, which may include images and diagrams to illustrate your understanding of the issues.

6. Your Executive Summary must introduce the reader to your Assessment Topic.

7. Marks will be awarded according to the published Marking Rubric .

Assessment Context

As we have learned, projects can generally be categorised into three broad approaches Predictive, Adaptive and Hybrid. The focus of Assessment 2 will be on:

1. Predictive: also referred to as Traditional, Linear, Waterfall or Plan Driven approaches. These types of projects typically focus on detailed upfront planning in terms of scope, time, cost and quality. Controlled schedule execution, strict management of change control and deliverable-orientated progress tracking are also important characteristics of this approach.

2. Adaptive: also referred to as Agile, Iterative and/or Incremental approaches. These types of projects focus on light upfront planning, continuous delivery of value, rapid response and adaption to change, fast failure and customer- centricity.

Irrespective of the selected approach, all projects require some degree of planning, estimating and schedule management. This helps to manage stakeholder expectations, facilitates effective decision-making, supports collaboration and provides an expected roadmap for project teams.

Both predictive and adaptive project approaches benefit from planning, estimating and schedule management processes. Ultimately, projects that integrate planning, estimating, and schedule management are better equipped to navigate complexities, manage resources efficiently, and deliver stakeholder results that align with stated goals and objectives.

A key aim of Assessment 2 is to evaluate and assess your knowledge and skills in producing a Project Plan for one of the two Project Scenarios detailed below.

For a predictive project the following key components of a project plan typically exist:

Work Breakdown Structure (WBS)

Network Diagram and Critical Path

Project Schedule and Bar (GANTT Chart)

For an adaptive project the following key components of a project plan typically exist:

Project Timebox with Increments

Prioritised (MoSCoW) Product Backlog (Epic User Stories)

SPRINTS

SPRINT Prioritised (MoSCoW) Backlog

Assessment Scenarios and Related Tasks

Electric Vehicle (EV) Charging Station Design and Business Case Development Project

Scenario 1 describes a fictitious but realistic project where you must plan and manage a project as though you were the appointed Project Manager. You are also an active member of the project team and can be allocated to perform work on the project.

You work for an exciting start-up business (EV Retail Ltd.) that focuses its services on the design and retrofitting of standard shopping centre car park bays to accommodate the growing use of patrons now making use of electric passenger vehicles (EVs).

A leading shopping centre management organisation has approached your company to design and prepare a business case for the retrofitting of 50 existing car park bays into electric charging bays at one of its leading retail centres.

The investment board of the shopping centre management organisation is meeting on the 1^st Monday in July to consider feasibility, designs and business cases from various companies like yours to undertake the EV Charging Bays Retrofitting Project for them.

Your manager has asked you to prepare a Work Breakdown Structure (WBS) and MS Project Schedule that must contain the following scope:

1. A WBS that clearly shows the following five key areas of the project:

Project Initiation

Feasibility Assessment

Design and Planning

Business Case Development

Investment Board Presentation and Approval

2. An MSProject Schedule that represents all levels of the above-mentioned WBS and considers the following important date constraints:

Project Start 1^st Monday in February 2024

Approval of Project Charter 2^nd Friday in February

Completion of Feasibility Assessment 2^nd Friday in March

Completion of Planning and Design 2^nd Friday in April

Completion of 1^st Pass Business Case Development 2^nd Friday in May

Completion of Final Business Case Development Last working day in May

Completion of 1^st Pass Investment Board Presentation 2^nd Friday in June

Completion of Final Board Presentation Last working day in June

Project End 1^st Monday in July 2024 The following assumptions are important to note:

1. At this stage, the scope of your work as the project manager is to only construct a WBS and Project Schedule that reflects the requirements as noted above.

2. You will be allocated full-time to work on the above-mentioned scope.

3. The project to retrofit 50 existing car park bays into electric charging bays will not be undertaken at this stage. All you are doing at this stage is preparing a WBS and MS Project Schedule for your manager that provides an indication of the scope and plan for undertaking the:

• Project Initiation - $3,000
• Feasibility Assessment - $15,000
• Design and Planning - $25,000
• Business Case Development - $15,000
• Investment Board Presentation and Approval - $2,500

At a recent workshop, you and your team brainstormed the following high-level and incomplete list of tasks and deliverables that might be considered part of the projects Work Breakdown Structure and MSProject Schedule (in no particular order):

• Define project objectives and scope
• Conduct site assessments and surveys
• Assemble the project team and assign roles
• Develop a project charter
• Conduct a kick-off meeting
• Analyse existing infrastructure and parking bay layout
• Review and obtain approval for the project charter
• Allocate resources and budget for the project
• Research local regulations and permits
• Identify potential charging equipment and technology options
• Analyse potential revenue streams
• Evaluate the environmental impact and sustainability considerations
• Determine potential funding sources
• Review and refine the business case
• Create an engaging presentation for the project board
• Identify and engage external vendors or contractors
• Develop a risk management plan
• Create a sustainability plan
• Conduct a practice run of the presentation
• Finalise project design and charging equipment selection
• Obtain required permits and approvals
• Calculate project costs, including equipment, installation, and ongoing maintenance
• Present the business case to the project board
• Perform a cost-benefit analysis
• Make necessary revisions based on feedback
• Conduct market research to assess demand for electric vehicle charging services
• Develop a financial plan and funding strategy
• Prepare a comprehensive business case report
• Address questions and concerns from the project board
• Obtain Investment Board approval for the retrofitting project

As the assigned Project Manager for this project you are required to add to the above-mentioned list in order to successfully respond to Task Numbers 2A and 2B below.

Project Scenario 1 Task Number

Task Description

Word Count

Mark

1

Copy and paste a Screenshot of your completed LinkedIn Learning MSProject 2019 Essentials into your Assessment 2 Submission Word document under the Task 1 Heading.

Do not embed your completed LinkedIn Learning certificates in PDF format.

You will receive a zero mark for Task 1 if you do not comply with the above instructions.

N/A

10 for all

of Task 1

2A

Identify a minimum of seventy-five (75) (up to a maximum of one hundred (100) tasks to be

represented in a tree structure Work Breakdown Structure (WBS).

Each of the seventy-five (75) or more tasks must be written as a mixture of verbs and nouns. Level 0,

i.e. the Project Level and Level 1 the Phase Level are not counted as tasks.

The Work Breakdown Structure (WBS) must be presented as a tree structure showing the decomposition of the project into a minimum of four (4) levels. More than four (4) levels are acceptable.

The Work Breakdown Structure (WBS) must be developed using applications other than MSProject such as PowerPoint, MSWord, Visio, Excel, Lucid, or WBS Schedule Pro.

The Work Breakdown Structure (WBS) must be saved in a PDF format and embedded in Appendix A of your Assessment 2 MSWord document.

N/A

20 for all of Task 2A

2B

Based on the Work Breakdown Structure (WBS) developed in Task 2A, develop a Project Schedule using Microsoft Project Professional 2019 , reflecting the following Gantt Chart columns:

• Task Number
• WBS Code
• Indented Task List
• Start Date, Duration, End Date
• Predecessors and Successors
• Free Slack or Float
• Critical Status
• Assigned Resource Name
• Budget

The Gantt Charts timeline must be shown in weeks,

and Milestones must be visible.

The Gantt Chart must be supported by a Network Diagram that has been logically structured and clearly shows the project's Critical Path .

The Gantt Chart must have a saved Baseline that must be visible on the Gantt Chart.

The saved MSProject baseline must be embedded into your Assessment 2 MSWord document (Appendix A) in an .mpp file format only.

Do not embed your saved MSProject schedule in PDF format, it must be embedded into your MSWord document as an .mpp file format only.

N/A

30 for all of Task 2B

3

Explain (with the help of academic sources) what constitutes a Project Assumption and a Project Constraint .

Using your Part 2B Project Schedule, identify four

(4) Project Assumptions and four (4) Project Constraints and highlight which of the identified Constraints is expected to have the most significant impact on your initial baselined Project Schedule developed in Part 2B.

There are a few assumptions and constraints in

Project Scenario 1 that should get you started.

Min 250 and

Max 350 for all of Task 3

15 for all

of Task 3

4

The sequence of tasks in a Project Schedule is based on dependencies, which may be either:

1. Hard (Mandatory)

2. Soft (Discretionary); or

3. External

Briefly define and describe (with the help of academic sources) each of these different types of dependencies.

Min 200 and

Max 350

5

Using your Project Schedule developed in Part 2B, illustrate each of the dependency types mentioned above with the use of a specific example, including the WBS Code or Task Number reference.

Min 200 and

Max 350

5

Academic Writing, Referencing and Compliance with the Requirements of the Assessment Brief

Academic writing, English grammar, word choice, sentence structure, paragraphing and overall readability.

In-text citation referencing, use of quotations with page numbers, paraphrasing etc. and compliance with the Chicago 17B referencing standard.

5

5

Overall adherence to the requirements of the Assessment Brief.

5

Assessment Tasks

SmartHome Security System New Product Development Project

Scenario 2 describes a fictitious but realistic project for a small business enterprise based in Western Australia, that is engaged in the design, development and promotion of SmartHome Security Systems.

Innovative SmartHome Security Limited has recently adopted an Agile approach for undertaking New Product Development (NPD) projects.

The founder and CEO of Innovative SmartHome Security Limited performs an active Product Owner role on projects using the adaptive Agile approach. The CEO has recently appointed you as the Agile Project Manager for the development of an innovative Artificial Intelligence (AI) SmartHome Security System for small to medium-sized enterprises.

You have been tasked to prepare an Agile Project Plan for the Artificial Intelligence (AI) SmartHome Security System NPD project considering the following important constraints:

• Project Timebox is 9 months
• Value to be delivered over 3 Increments
• SPRINT Timeboxes to be no shorter than 2 weeks and not longer than 4 weeks
• The scope of the project (Prioritised Product Backlog) must cover both technical and non-technical product features
• The budget is set at $150,000

Following a recent Product Roadmap Workshop with the core Agile project team; which included the CEO as Product Owner, the following high-level Product Backlog was agreed upon.

Technical Scope:

• Develop the central hardware hub with connectivity options (Wi-Fi, Zigbee, Z-Wave).
• Implement basic security features: door/window sensors, motion detectors, and entryway cameras.
• Design a user-friendly mobile app for remote monitoring and control.
• Set up a cloud infrastructure for data storage and user management.
• Establish a basic notification system for alerts via the mobile app.
• Integrate advanced security components: smoke detectors, and glass break sensors.
• Enhance the mobile app with a more intuitive user interface.
• Implement automation capabilities: smart lighting and thermostat control.
• Enable two-way audio communication through cameras.
• Develop a web dashboard for users to manage their system settings.
• Incorporate facial recognition for more accurate security alerts.
• Expand automation features to include automated door locks.
• Implement machine learning algorithms for anomaly detection.
• Enhance the mobile app and web dashboard with real-time system status updates.
• Perform thorough testing, debugging, and performance optimisation.

Non-Technical Scope:

User Documentation and Training:

• Develop comprehensive user manuals and installation guides.
• Create video tutorials for users to set up and manage the system.
• Organize online webinars and training sessions for users to maximize system utilization.

Marketing and Sales:

• Design a product logo and branding materials.
• Create a product website to showcase features and benefits.
• Develop marketing collateral, including brochures and online advertisements.
• Plan a product launch event or webinar to generate interest and sales.

Customer Support:

• Set up a customer support system with multiple channels (email, chat, phone).
• Train a support team to address customer inquiries and technical issues.
• Establish a knowledge base on the website to provide self-help resources.

Budget Allocation:

• Hardware Development: $70,000
• Software Development: $40,000
• Design and User Experience: $15,000
• Marketing and Sales: $15,000
• Customer Support: $10,000

Project Management Approach:

The project will adopt the Scrum Agile Framework , with a minimum of 2-week SPRINTS. The Project Manager will act as Scrum Master and will facilitate the SCRUM process. The CEO will act as the Product Owner.

A dedicated cross-functional team comprising the Scrum Master, Developers, Designers, Marketers, and Customer Support Reps will work full-time and collaboratively for the duration of the project.

Daily Stand-Up Meetings, Sprint Planning, and Sprint Review sessions will ensure continuous progress tracking via Burn-Down and Burn-Up Velocity Charts. Sprint Retrospectives will take place at the end of every 2-week Sprint.

Project Scenario 2 Task Number

Task Description

Word Count

Mark

1

Copy and paste a Screenshot of your completed LinkedIn Learning MSProject 2019 Essentials and

Agile Project Management with Microsoft Project certificates into your Assessment 2 Submission Word document under the Task 1 Heading.

Do not embed your completed LinkedIn Learning certificates in PDF format.

You will receive a zero mark for Task 1 if you do not comply with the above instructions.

N/A

10 for all

of Task 1

Embed into your Assessment 2 Submission Word document a copy of your completed LinkedIn Learning MSProject 2019 Essentials and Agile Project Management with Microsoft Project certificates of completion.

Marks for Assessment 2 will be withheld if your submission has not fully complied with the requirements of Task Number 1.

2

Using Microsoft Project Professional 2019 develop the following Agile Project Artefacts:

1. Project Timebox indicating the timeline of the project, including the total number of Increments and the planned number of SPRINTS per Increment.

2. Prioritised (MoSCoW) Product Backlog using all the Product Features as noted in the Technical and Non-Technical Project Scenario scope.

3. A Prioritised (MoSCoW) SPRINT Backlog for the first 2 SPRINTs only.

4. Documented User Stories for the first SPRINT Backlog Only. Each User Story in the first SPRINT Backlog must contain the following:

User Story Title

User Story Description

User Story MoSCoW Priority

User Story Point Value

User Story Definition of Done

The saved MSProject Agile Plan must be embedded into your Assessment 2 MSWord document (Appendix A) in an .mpp file format only.

Do not embed your initial saved MSProject Plan in PDF format, it must be embedded into your Assessment 2 MSWord document as an .mpp file format only.

N/A

40 for all

of Task 2

3

Explain (with the help of academic sources) the following:

1. Characteristics and Benefits of a Predictive Project Lifecycle; and

2. Characteristics and Benefits of an Adaptive Project Lifecycle

Min 500 and

Max 600 for

Task 3

20 for all

of Task 3

4

Explain (with the help of academic sources) the following:

1. Overview of the Agile SCRUM Framework; and

2. The function of the Product Backlog

Min 400 and

Max 500 for all of Task 4

15 for all

of Task 4

Academic Writing, Referencing and Compliance with the Requirements of the Assessment Brief

Academic writing, English grammar, word choice, sentence structure, paragraphing and overall readability.

In-text citation referencing, use of quotations with page numbers, paraphrasing etc. and compliance with the Chicago 17B referencing standard.

Overall adherence to the requirements of the Assessment Brief.

5

5

5

IMPORTANT INFORMATION ABOUT EMBEDDING PDF FILES AND USING MAC COMPUTERS

1. How do I save and embed a PDF file into my MSWord document?

Please ensure you know how to embed and not link the required 'PDF Files' into your Assessment 2 MSWord submission document.

The following YouTube Tutorial on successfully inserting a 'PDF File' into an MSWord document will show you how. Review the Tutorial to the 1 minute and 11-second point - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SOtftBEjyr0

Once you have inserted your 'PDF Files' into your MSWord Assessment document, double-click on the PDF icon to make sure the PDF file opens. I strongly suggest emailing the whole MSWord file to yourself, a family member or a friend and asking them to open the MSWord document and click on the PDF icons to see if they can open the embedded files.

When you are confident, your inserted PDF Files can open in your Assessment 2 MSWord document, and progress to submit your Assessment 2 via Turnitin. If I cannot open your PDF files, I will unfortunately not be able to assess and mark that section of your Assessment submission.

2. How do I save and embed the MSProject .mpp extension file into my MSWord document?

You would need to follow the same instructions and process as you would for a PDF file. The only difference is that you would need to embed the saved initial and revised MSProject.mpp files.

Review this Tutorial to see how to embed a file and not link a file - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q1vZbJORl-s

When you are confident, your inserted MSProject .mpp files can open in your Assessment 2 MSWord document, progress to submit your Assessment 2 via Turnitin. If I cannot open your .mpp files, I will unfortunately not be able to assess and mark that section of your Assessment 2 submission.

3. I use a Mac Computer, will MSProject run and operate on my systems?

MSProject is compatible with Windows only. If you have a Mac computer, you will need to run Windows on Mac by

either booting to Windows using Apples Bootcamp or running in a virtual machine using Parallels or VM Ware .

For technical support when using a Mac Computer, please contact Curtins IT Help Desk.

Please make sure you have a backup plan if you cannot use your Mac for the MSProject component of this Assessment. Make use of the Curtin Windows computer lab, your local library or a friend or family members computer.

4. What applications can I use to develop my Work Breakdown Structure (WBS) other than in MSProject?

You may think about using the following tools to help with the development of your Work Breakdown Structure (WBS). Most of these tools integrate into MSProject, so as you develop your WBS, it then builds the Indented Task List' in MSProject.

• WBS Chart For Project (https://www.projectmanager.com/work-breakdown-structure); or
• Critical Tools (https://www.criticaltools.com/wbschartprosoftware.htm).

Some of the tools mentioned above may charge you for the use of their full versions. You may also use MSWord, Excel or PowerPoint to develop your WBS. However, these tools do not automatically transfer your WBS to MSProject.

Assessment Pre-Submission Checklist

Please use this checklist to ensure you have complied with all the requirements of this Assessment Brief before submitting your Assessment response via Turnitin.

Compliance Check:

Tick

I have read and fully understood this Assessment Brief

Report Style Assessment Structure

Cover Page, including Word Count (per question section and overall) declaration

Contents Page with Numbered Task Description Headings and Sub-Headings

Executive Summary

References in Alphabetical Order

Word count between the required minimum and maximum values.

All MUST HAVEs in the Brief complied with

All MUST NOT HAVEs in the Brief complied with

In total, a minimum of five (5) references, some from scholarly journals, peer- reviewed articles, and textbooks, used

References used are no older than ten (10) years other than where foundation references have been cited

All references comply with Chicago 17B Reference and Gen AI Guidelines

Embedded file formats comply with requirements of the Brief

Microsoft Word 2016 and above format only ( not PDF )

• Page Size A4
• Line Spacing 1.5
• Font Style Calibri
• Font Size 11
• Margins Standard
• Spelling, grammar and punctuation checked

FAQ

5. What is Critical Thinking?

Academic work is intended to be 'scholarly' . This means it should be of a high standard and appropriate to the particular level of study it represents.

A meaningful way to demonstrate the quality of your arguments or evidence in your academic writing is by referring to work by others. The status of this work depends on how authoritative it is.

If you are a critical reader, you look for 'authority' in the form of references to relevant supporting work, which has been published in academic journals, or textbooks. To find out more about critical thinking, see the Curtin Learning Centre Introduction to Critical Thinking. http://studyskills.curtin.edu.au/thinkingmatters/section-2-introduction-to-critical-thinking/

6. What does a Peer-Reviewed source mean?

A peer-reviewed source has been independently evaluated by other qualified academics who would have read it critically to ensure that the material it contains is factually accurate and that the reasoning behind it is logically sound.

This is unlike the material found in newspapers, magazines or many online sources, where the content may not have been checked by anyone else or where the work simply puts forward one person's opinion.

7. How do I find Peer-Reviewed journal articles?

The most straightforward way of finding peer-reviewed literature is using the Curtin Library catalogue search with a peer-reviewed filter. Go to https://catalogue.curtin.edu.au and type in your search terms (e.g., Project Planning, Project Estimating and Project Schedule Management). Once the search results appear, click Peer-reviewed articles on the right-hand side column, under Availability.

Google Scholar is another widely used and popular research database. However, use caution because Google Scholar may not filter results for only peer-reviewed academic journals. More information about Google Scholar can be found on the Curtin Library website: http://libguides.library.curtin.edu.au/c.php?g=202422&p=1332806

8. How many peer-reviewed journal articles do I need?

You are required to incorporate a minimum of five (5) scholarly peer-reviewed articles in your Assessment. References from other sources such as textbooks, and reputable magazines (e.g., Harvard Business Review) can be used as long as you have five (5) scholarly references.

Websites are not acceptable as a reference unless they are an online version of a reputable publication (e.g., Project Management Journal). Wikipedia is not acceptable as it has minimal credibility since anyone can go in and change a Wikipedia page.

9. How will you mark my Assessment?

The marking structure for this Assessment is as per the published Rubric.

10. Are there any other resources to help me out?

On Blackboard, under the Learning Support menu, you will find tabs for the Student Support Centre and the Learning Centre .

11. Can you check my Assessment for me before it is due?

Given that your lecturer will be the one marking your work, they are not allowed to review draft Assessments before submission.