Learning Objectives

• To apply the concepts of project and project manager to authentic situations.
• To reflect on the applicability of the concepts of project and project manager to a student’s project.

Part A – Projects (35 marks)

Word count 700-1100 words

You have learnt the key characteristics of projects in Module 1. Part A requires you to apply this knowledge and any further research to a real project.

1. Select and describe ONE project that is presently or was recently in the news. A project has numerous characteristics. Justify why you consider your selected example is a project. Support your justifications with references. Students cannot choose the Perth Stadium, the Forrestfield link, or the Perth Children’s Hospital.

(400-500 words)  (15 marks)

1. Go to ONE organisation’s website (but not your employer) and identify and describe ONE project it has or will be undertaking (cannot be the same project as covered in I above)

(100 words, no marks)

Explain:

1. The beneficial change (note: not the deliverable!) this project will bring about by using the deliverable. To receive a passing mark you must identify the beneficial change from the performing organisation’s point of view.

(150-300 words) (10 marks)

1. How the project links to the organisation’s

(150-300 words) (10 marks)

Part B – Project Manager (65 marks)

Word count 1200-1700 words

There is extensive literature on the desirable abilities/characteristics/skills for an effective project manager.

1. Describe THREE abilities/characteristic/skills that would help to make a project manager effective. Use academic references to support your reasoning. You must use at least 3 references to support each abilities/characteristic/skills.  You must establish why each of the abilities/characteristic/skills helps to make a project manager effective.  Simply explaining what the ability/characteristic/skill is or how it is performed will not be enough to receive a passing mark.  (NOTE: you CANNOT chose LEADERSHIP as this is an assignment in the unit Project & People)

(900-1200 words in total) (45 marks)

1. Explain how the three abilities/characteristics/skills you addressed in the previous section would help you to manage the following project: You are the project manager for a project that involves moving the call centre of a major Australian insurance provider from their current location in New South Wales to an overseas location in order to reduce operating costs. The insurance provider provides home, auto, renters, health, income protection and life insurance to residents of all states in Australia. The call centre handles all inquiries, claims, etc. for all of the company’s products. Some of the main elements of the project are as follows:
   • Identify suitable overseas location and complete/satisfy all regulatory requirements for operation overseas
   • Training of overseas staff
   • Redundancies for 150 current call centre staff

(500-700 words) (15 marks)

Points to note:

• All source material MUST be acknowledged and any form of plagiarism will result in the appropriate measures being taken. Do not copy other student’s work or assist by showing your work to others.
• Assessments must be submitted online through the correct Turnitin drop-box on Blackboard (not through email or in person).
• Late submissions will be penalised as per the Curtin Late Assessment Policy in the Unit Outline.

Marking Guide