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ASSIGNMENT BRIEF
Qualification

Unit number, code and title

Pearson BTEC Level 5 HND Diploma

Business

H/601/1036 Unit 42 Project Management for Business

Module Leader:

Lecturers:

Christian U
Distribution date

Submission deadline

WC 22/09/2014

03 December 2014

Assignment title

Learning Learning
Outcome outcome
Understand
project
management
principles
LO1

PMB Project Management for Business

In this assessment you will have the

Assessment
opportunity to present evidence that
Criteria
shows you are able to:
1.1
Describe the background and principles

LO2

1.2
1.3

success/failure criteria
Explain the principles

to2.1

behind

project

roles

and

responsibilities

of

participants
2.2

Control and co-ordinate a project

2.3

Assess project leadership requirements and

Be able to
3.1
apply project
processes and
procedures
3.2

1
1
1

management system and procedures

Explain the key elements in involved in
terminating projects and conducting post1
project appraisal
Identify the most appropriate organizational
structure,

2.4
LO3

of

project managemen
Appraise the viability of projects, developing

1.4

Be
able
manage
projects
human
resources

Task
no.

2
2

qualities
Plan and specify human resources and
2
requirements for a project
Prepare project plan and establish the project
3
organization
Apply project scheduling, estimating and cost 3
control techniques

Evidence
(Page no)

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3.3

Analyze the methods used to measure project

3
performance

3.4

Eexplain project change control procedures,

evaluate the completed project

Learner declaration
I certify that the work submitted for this assignment is my own and research sources are fully
acknowledged.
Student signature:

Date:

Introduction
Project management in business is the application of knowledge, skills and techniques to execute projects
effectively and efficiently enabling them to tie project results to business goals. Project management
focuses on five key process; initiation, planning, execution, monitoring & controlling and closing in
consideration of costs, scope, quality, time, human resources requirements, communication, risk
management and stakeholders objectives. This unit will sharpen learners understanding of the necessary
skills and tools required to manage a project within an organization.
Scenario: Model business network Ltd (adapted)
Model business networks Ltd is a London based organisation working with Redbridge borough to build
and deliver a new public library for the need of the community. The new community library is meant to
provide a new state-of the art infrastructure in line with ever changing technology. The contract for the
building of the library complex was won after a competitive bid by many business organisations at the
cost of 8.5m. The project agreement which Model business networks signed with the borough stipulates
the a time frame of 2 years under which the project will be completed. This time frame takes into
accounts external and environmental influences and other projects requirements in determining
completion deadline. The management of Model networks is currently undertaking an IT project in
Manchester and hence is considering either to outsource the project to another company or to set up a
new project team for the new library project. However, the last board meeting the management decided
to directly undertake the project and appointed Mr Bell as the new project manager who will then
prepare the project plan and appoint other project support team roles. The plan will detail the phases of

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the project and all requirements for each phase. See the project management structure below:-

The project plan would detail the project teams and their roles, the scope of the project, the cost and
time criteria, the product breakdown structure (PBS) and the work breakdown structure (WBS), the
resource requirements for each stage of the projects, project controls and information communications
(i.e. reporting controls processes and procedures). The plan would also define outcomes for project
stages (initiation, planning, execution, monitoring & controlling, closing) and product and end user
acceptances criteria including risk management criteria. Equally, the project plan will clearly define the
project baseline and the expected benefits/outcomes, project schedules and resourcing techniques,
project initiation and start-up.
Project management stages

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The new library project is now in the later stage of its lifecycle but there are uncertainties about the
entire project based on escalating costs of the materials and resources. The manager has reported that
the last end product could not meet the user specification and is thinking of escalating the project issues
to the project board. A number of factors are said to be responsible for the problem. These include,
increase in the costs of materials, poor project co-ordination and control, lack of skills amongst the
project teams, lack of understanding of individual team roles and conflicts on roles definition. The
management of Model business network thinks that a creep in terms of scope, time and costs are not in
the best interest of the various stakeholders and attrinbuted the uncertainties to inappropriate leadership
skills and styles. The board is mandated to take a second look at the various appraisal techniques used
in assessing the viability of the project and determine the benefits and viability of the project. This will
enable the board to make decision on whether escalating the costs of the project will still deliver the
expected benefits/outcomes to the stakeholders or else the project would go through a controlled
process of termination/closure.
ABC Consortum Ltd (adapted case)
ABC is considering initially investing 100,000 each in two mutually exclusive projects, with a cost of
capital of 10 percent, and expect the projects to last for the next seven years with the projected
cashflows as seen below and requires an expert advice on the viability of the projects
Project A
Years
Cashflows
Project B

1
20,000

2
15,000

3
25,000

4
10,000

5
5,000

6
30,000

7
45,000

Years
cashflows

1
15,000

2
35,000

3
10,000

4
10,000

5
40,000

6
25,000

7
30,000

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The students are expected to read the scenario carefully and use the information to answer all listed task
criteria questions below.
Task 1 (L.O. 1: 1.1, 1.2, 1.3, 1.4) [P1,P2,P3,P4]
P1 Describe the background and the principles of project management using the scenario case above
(AC1.1)
P2 Appraise the viability of projects, developing success/failure criteria. Explain at least two appraisal
techniques that ABC Consortum could use in projects above (AC1.2)
P3 Explain the principles behind project management systems and procedures (AC1.3)
P4 Explain the key elements in terminating projects and conducting post-project appraisals (AC1.4)
To achieve M1, you will make effective judgment about what constitute the principles of project
management, systems and procedure [P1 & P3] And submit the assignment within deadline
To achieve M2, you will have to show suitable and appropriate techniques in terminating a project
including post-project appraisals [P4]

Task 2 (LO2: 2.1, 2.2, 2.3, 2.4) [P5, P6, P7, P8]
P5 Identify the most appropriate organisational structure, roles and responsibilities of participants within
a project (AC2.1)
P6 Control and co-ordinate a project. As a project manager show how projects are controlled and coordinated (AC2.2)
P7 Assess project leadership requirements and qualities (AC2.3)
P8 Plan and specify human resources and requirements for a project (AC2.4)
To achieve M3, you will have able to communicate and present the roles and responsibilities of
participants within a project in a suitable format, demonstrate project control principles and project
leadership requirements [P5-P7]
To achieve D1, you will have to synthesize ideas and draw valid conclusions and demonstrate link
between project planning, execution & controlling and closing using the case of Model business Networks
ltd [P9-P10]

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Task 3 (LO3: 3.1, 3.2, 3.3, 3.4) [P9, P10, P11, P12]
P9 Prepare project plans and establish a project organisation (AC3.1)
P10 Apply project scheduling, estimating and cost control techniques (AC3.2)
P11 Analyse the methods used to measure project performance (AC3.3)
P12 Explain project change control procedures , evaluate the completed project (AC3.4)
To achieve D2, you have to demonstrate effective research approach showing effective use of references,
and citations within the text and reflecting, such in a bibliography list in Harvard style
To achieve D3, you will show evidence of creative thinking in your approach in project completion
evlaluation for Model Business Networks Ltd [P12]

Evidence
checklist

Evidence
presented

Summary of evidence required by student

A theoretical work showing the principles of project management,

Task 1

project viavility and the success and failure criteria of a project,

Task 2

A theoretical work and presentation showing organizational structure

and the leadership requiremets

Task 3

A theoretical
measurement

work

on

project

plan

and

project

performance

In addition to the above PASS criteria, this assignment gives you the opportunity to submit evidence in order to achieve the following MERIT
and DISTINCTION grades
Grade Descriptor
M1 Identify and apply strategies to find
appropriate solutions

Indicative characteristic/s
Effective judgements have been made.
An effective approach to study and research
has been applied.

Contextualisation
To achieve M1, you will make effective judgment about what
constitute the principles of project management, systems and
procedure [P1 & P3] And submit the assignment within the
deadline

M2 Select / design and apply appropriate

methods / techniques

To achieve M2, you will have to demonstrate using suitable

Appropriate learning methods/techniques have
and appropriate techniques in terminating a project including
been applied.
post-project appraisals [P4]
M3 Present and communicate appropriate
To achieve M3, you will have to be able to communicate and
findings
Communication is appropriate for familiar and present the roles and responsibilities of project participants in
unfamiliar audiences and appropriate media
a suitable format, demonstrate project control principles and
have been used.
project leadership requirements [P5-P7]
D1 Use critical reflection to evaluate own
work and justify valid conclusions

Conclusions have been arrived at through

synthesis of ideas and have been justified.
Realistic improvements have been proposed
against defined characteristics for success.

D2 Take responsibility for managing and

organising activities

To achieve D1, you will have to synthesize ideas and draw

valid conclusions and demonstrate link between project
planning, execution & controlling and closing using the case
of Model business Networks ltd [P9-P10]
To achieve D2, you have to demonstrate effective research

Activities have been managed appropriately

approach showing effective use of references, and citations

within the text and reflecting, such in a bibliography list in
Harvard style

D3 Demonstrate convergent /lateral /

creative thinking

To achieve D3, you will show evidence of creative thinking in

Effective thinking has taken place in unfamiliar
your approach in project completion evlaluation for Model
contexts
Business Networks Ltd [P12]

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Achievement Summary
Qualification
Unit Number and
title

Criteria
Reference
LO 1
1.1
1.2
1.3
1.4

LO 2
2.1

Pearson BTEC Level 5 HND

Diploma in Business

Assessor
name

Unit 42: Project Management

for Business

Student
name

To achieve the criteria the evidence must show that

the student is able to:

Achieved?
(tick)

Describe the background and principles of project

managemen
Appraise the viability of projects, developing success/failure
criteria
Explain the principles behind project management system and
procedures
Explain the key elements in involved in terminating projects
and conducting post project appraisal

Identify the most appropriate organizational structure, roles

and responsibilities of participants

2.2

Control and co-ordinate a project

2.3

Assess project leadership requirements and qualities

2.4

Plan and specify human resources and

project

LO 3
3.1

requirements for a

Prepare project plan and establish the project organization

3.2

Apply project scheduling, estimating and cost control

techniques

3.3
3.4

Analyze the methods used to measure project performance

Eexplain project change control procedures, evaluate the
completed project

Higher Grade achievements (where applicable)

Grade descriptor

Achieved?
(tick)

Grade descriptor

M1: Identify and apply strategies

Achieved?

Grade descriptor

8 Assignment brief- Project management for business

Achieved?
(tick)

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to find appropriate solutions

M2: Select/design and apply

appropriate methods/techniques

M3: Present and communicate

appropriate findings

(tick)

D1: Use critical

reflection to evaluate
own work and justify
valid conclusions
D2: Take responsibility
for managing and
organising activities
D3: Demonstrate
convergent/lateral
/creative thinking

9 Assignment brief- Project management for business

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Assignment Feedback
Formative Feedback: Assessor to Student

Action Plan

Summative feedback

Feedback: Student to Assessor

Assessor
Signature

Date

Student

Date

10 Assignment brief- Project management for business

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Signature

11 Assignment brief- Project management for business