PROJECT PROCESSES AND SYSTEMS

PROJECT PROCESSES AND SYSTEMS
ASSIGNMENT 2

The context
You are currently reviewing a project you have worked on. As part of this review it is necessary to reflect on (critically analyse) the organisational processes and systems adopted to deliver the project.

If you do not have a workplace project that you can draw upon, find a project in the literature that you can critique. The findings of your critical analysis are to be presented in a report format that includes the findings of your investigation and subsequent recommendations. You are required to examine the appropriate project management literature* on scope, time, cost, and quality to inform your critical analysis. It is suggested that you use figures and tables where relevant to support your analysis and recommendations.

The total length of your report is to be approx. 3,500 to 4,000 words.
Please follow the formatting guidelines for reports as outlined in the Communication Skills Handbook (Summers & Smith 2014).

The structure of your report is as follows:

Mark sheet (download from the study desk)
Cover sheet (course details, author details, date, etc.)

Executive summary [200 to 300 words as a guide, but not counted in word count] • To indicate the nature of the report, background details, findings and recommendations where appropriate, and to function as a stand-alone document.

Table of Contents / List of Figures / List of Tables
• Refer Communication Skills Handbook for details of style.

1. Introduction [150 – 200 words] • Provide an explanation of the reason for preparing the document, your approach, and a brief summary of the contents.

2. Background and environment of the project [150 – 200 words] • Provide details of the project and its environment to understand the context of the analysis.

3. Scope management actual approach [350 – 400 words] • Describe the scope management approach adopted in the project. Be sure to use actual examples of the decision support tools. For example, Work Breakdown Structure if a more structured systematic approach was used, or sprint backlog if a more flexible agile approach was used. Critically reflect on the advantages and disadvantages of the adopted approach for the particular environment. Draw on the literature to justify your analysis.

4. Scope management alternative approach [350 – 400 words] • Describe an alternative scope management approach for the project. Be sure to use actual examples of the alternative decision support tools. Critically reflect on the advantages and disadvantages of the alternative approach for the particular environment. Draw on the literature to justify your analysis.

5. Time management actual approach [350 – 400 words] • Describe the time management approach adopted in the project. Be sure to use actual examples of the decision support tools. For example, a Gantt chart if a more structured systematic approach was used, or a burn-down chart if a more flexible agile approach was used. Critically reflect on the advantages and disadvantages of the adopted approach for the particular environment. Draw on the literature to justify your analysis.

6. Time management alternative approach [350 – 400 words] • Describe an alternative time management approach for the project. Be sure to use actual examples of the alternative decision support tools. Critically reflect on the advantages and disadvantages of the alternative approach for the particular environment. Draw on the literature to justify your analysis.

7. Cost management actual approach [350 – 400 words] • Describe the cost management approach adopted in the project. Be sure to use actual examples of the decision support tools. For example, Earned Value Management if a more structured systematic approach was used, or product backlog if a more flexible agile approach was used. Critically reflect on the advantages and disadvantages of the adopted approach for the particular environment. Draw on the literature to justify your analysis.

8. Cost management alternative approach [350 – 400 words] • Describe an alternative cost management approach for the project. Be sure to use actual examples of the alternative decision support tools. Critically reflect on the advantages and disadvantages of the alternative approach for the particular environment. Draw on the literature to justify your analysis.

9. Quality management actual approach [350 – 400 words] • Describe the quality management approach adopted in the project. Be sure to use actual examples of the decision support tools. For example, quality checklists or audits if a more structured systematic approach was used, or user stories if a more flexible agile approach was used. Critically reflect on the advantages and disadvantage of the adopted approach for the particular environment. Draw on the literature to justify your analysis.

10. Quality management alternative approach [350 – 400 words] • Describe an alternative quality management approach for the project. Be sure to use actual examples of the alternative decision support tools. Critically reflect on the advantages and disadvantages of the alternative approach for the particular environment. Draw on the literature to justify your analysis.

11. Findings and recommendations [300 – 400 words] • Describe the findings of your critical analysis, determining whether the adopted or alternative approach would be the best fit for the environment. In your recommendation you may suggest the alternative approach or refinement to the existing approach.

Reference list
• It is recommended that you use at least 12 quality references in your critical analysis. These should be resources you have actually cited in your critical analysis.

Summers, J & Smith, B 2014, Communication skills handbook, 4th edn, John Wiley and Sons Australia, Ltd, Brisbane.

*Unlike Assignment 1, the meaning of the term ‘literature’ can extend beyond peer-reviewed journal articles and academic book chapters, and can include industry practice guides such as the Project Management Body of Knowledge (PMBOK), APM Guide, MSP, PRINCE2, ISO Standards, and Referenced Textbooks.