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Laksamana College of Business Centre Code: 92047

Programme Title Unit No. Assignment No. Assessor Date Given Student ID Batch Code QCF0213C | QCF0913C

Edexcel BTEC Higher National in Computing and Systems Development 8 1 Unit Title Assignment Title Management of Projects Principles of PM

Mr David Philip Falla

2 October 2013
th

Date Due Student Name Group No

23 October 2013

rd

Date Submitted

A | B | PT

(Please circle)

UNIT OUTCOMES
Outcome Evidence for The Criteria 1.1 Explain the principles of project management LO1 Understand the principles of project management 1.2 Discuss viability of projects with particular emphasis on the criteria for success/ failure 1.3 Explore principles behind project management systems & procedures 1.4 Explain key elements involved in terminating projects and conducting post-project appraisals D1 Identify realistic improvements using alternative project management principles to the PRINCE 2 methodology Feedback Assessors Decision & Page No.

Distinction: Use critical reflection to evaluate own work and justify valid conclusions LO3 Be able to manage project processes and procedures Distinction: Take responsibility for managing and organising activities Merit: identify and apply strategies to find appropriate solutions

3.3 Report the methods used to measure project performance

D2 Manages specific activities by creating a personal study plan, using specific project management techniques

M1 An effective approach to study and research has been applied

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Page 2 of 7 Merit Grades Awarded inc. Page No. (Assessor) Merit Grades Awarded (Internal Verifier) Distinction Grades Awarded inc. Page No. (Assessor) Distinction Grades Awarded (Internal Verifier) NB: For detailed feedback please refer to individual script annotation Internal Verification of Assignment Brief (Approved / Final Version) IV Name (print) Mr Mahendran Supparamaniam Date 1/10/13 D1 D2 D2 M1 M2 M3

I Student Signature _________________________________________________________ affirm that the attached work is entirely my / our own except where the words or ideas of other writers are specifically acknowledged through the use of inverted commas and in-test references. This assignment has not been submitted for any other Unit at LCB (or any other institution). I have revised, edited and proofread this paper prior to submission.

Date

General Comments/ Action Plan

Assessor Signature: Student Agreement:

Date

I understand the feedback given to me and agree to carry out the action required by the dates indicated Student Date Signature:

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Page 3 of 7 Introduction

Assignment one aims to identify the learners understanding of the principles of Project Management (LO1). Lastly, learners will use project scheduling to further develop the project plan (LO3). Learners will work on project development, identifying key information that a new project manager will find useful to his own personal development. In this assignment you will have the opportunity to provide evidence towards the following criteria: LO1: 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 LO3: 3.3 Explain the principles of project management. Discuss viability of projects, with particular emphasis on the criteria for success and failure. Explore principles behind project management systems & procedures Explain key elements involved in terminating projects and conducting post-project appraisals. Report the methods used to measure project performance. Scenario You are working for a local IT company and your boss has given you your first opportunity to manage a new and exciting project. Your organisation has won the contract to supply Laksamana College with a new computer suite. Your role as a project manager is to ensure the project is managed successfully within the constraints of the contract.

Task 1: Explain the Principles of PM (1.1 & 1.2) Learning Outcome: 1.1: Explain the principles of project management. 1.2: Discuss viability of projects, with particular emphasis on the criteria for success and failure. The first step in project development is the planning phase. Since you are new to project management it is essential that you understand the requirements to successfully deliver a project. Explain the following in detail: 1. The principles of project management (use PRINCE2 methodology) 2. Viability of projects and the criteria for success and failure Emphasis should be given on explaining how the key principles help you, as the project manager. Evidence format: Task 1 should be completed in paragraph form and word-processed.

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Page 4 of 7 Distinction: D1 D1 will be awarded for task 1, if the learner can: identify realistic improvements using alternative project management principles to the PRINCE 2 methodology. You should identify alternative principles and methodologies that could be used to deliver a project successfully. Evidence format: Your work should be in paragraph form and word-processed. Task 2: Terminating projects and conducting post-project appraisals (1.4) Learning Outcome: 1.4: Explain key elements involved in terminating projects and conducting post-project appraisals. During the project the project manager must consider project termination. This could be a result of successful completion of the project or because of premature project termination. Explain the following key elements involved in project terminiation: 1. The key elements involved in project termination, following its successful completion. 2. The key elements involved with a projects premature termination (Why could a project be terminated prematurely?). 3. The importance of conducting a post-project appraisal. (Why should a project manager ensure a post-project appraisal is conducted?).

Evidence format: Your work should be in paragraph form and word-processed. Task 3: Reporting methods used to measure project performance (3.3) Learning Outcomes: 3.3: Report the methods used to measure project performance. Measuring project performance is critical to keeping control of the project. Failure to measure performance could result in delays, cost overruns and in some cases, project failure. Report the following: 1. Why do we measure project performance? 2. What can we measure to monitor project performance? 3. What benefits does this bring to the project manager? Evidence format: Your work should be in paragraph form and word-processed. [LCB/92047/08MOP(DPF)/0913/A1/ QCF0213C & QCF0913C]

Page 5 of 7 Distinction: D2

D2 will be awarded for Task 3, if the learner: manages specific activities by creating a personal study plan, using specific project management techniques The learner should demonstrate the use of a Gantt Chart in project planning by creating a study plan, for this subject only, using a Gantt Chart.

Evidence format: Present your study plan using a Gantt Chart.

Task 4: Exploring principles of Project Management Systems and procedures (1.3) Learning Outcome: 1.3: Explore principles behind project management systems & procedures Project management systems are designed to support the project manager with his/her day-to-day task of keeping the project on track and within budget, etc... A wide range of project management systems are out on the market today but identifying the most suitable for your project is often a challenge. Explore two project management systems currently on the market, identifying the following: 1. What are the key features of the system? 2. What performance monitoring techniques can be used? 3. What are the benefits of the system? Evidence format: Present your work in paragraph form and word-processed.

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Merit : M1 M1 will be awarded for assessment 1, if the learner: applies an effective approach to his/her study.

The learner must correctly reference all researched work that has been used to develop his/her submission.

Evidence format: Work should be correctly referenced using Harvard APA referencing. Sources of Information www.apm.org.uk www.prince-officialsite.com www.prince2.com http://www.computerweekly.com/feature /Project-management-software-Essential-Guide www.pmi.org http://www.pmi.org/Knowledge-Center.aspx www.bbc.co.uk/learning/subjects/ www.ft.com/business-education www.bized.co.uk www.educationbusinessuk.net www.hmrc.gov.uk/bst www.ecbe.eu http://referencing.port.ac.uk/apa/ index.html Association for project management PRINCE2 project management Useful project management documents to download Essential guide to project management software

Project management institute (PMI) PMI knowledge centre BBC education page Business education page Business education website for further learning Business education page HMRC Business page European Council for Business Education Guidance on Harvard APA referencing system

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Page 7 of 7 Report Format

Use a standard report structure. Word-process the report. Use 11/12 point Arial or Times New Roman script. Use the Harvard referencing system. Complete the title page and sign the statement of authenticity. All documentation should be binded together to keep the pages of your work together. Plagiarism and Collusion

Any act of plagiarism and collusion will be seriously dealt with according to the regulations. In this context 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. Collusion occurs when, unless with official approval (e.g. in the case of group projects), two or more students consciously collaborate in the preparation and production of work which is ultimately submitted by each in an identical, or substantially similar, form and/or is represented by each to be the product of his or her individual efforts. Collusion also occurs where there is unauthorised co-operation between a student and another person in the preparation and production of work which is presented as the students own.

Extension and late submission If an extension is necessary for a valid reason, requests can me made using a course work extension request form available from the college. Please note that the lecturers do not have the authority to extend the coursework deadlines and therefore do not ask them to award a coursework extension. The completed form must be accompanied by evidence such as a medical certificate in the event of you being sick.

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