Project Management
Assignment Guidelines
(70% of Module Mark)
1 Introduction
The assignment is an important part of this module’s assessment scheme. It counts 70% towards the overall mark. You are required to read carefully the case study provided. In order to prepare your assignment and on the top of the information provided, you should also read the material provided in class, and a couple of additional references, as well.
Assignments are individual pieces of work that should reflect your own opinions. You should therefore restrain from getting outside assistance or copying and pasting material from the internet or other sources in order to construct your arguments. Assignments are checked for plagiarism as part of the submission process.
2 Background
Managing projects in decentralised organisations is challenging. This case focus on IHO, a medium-sized international humanitarian organisation. To improve fleet management in IHO, the goal is to implement vehicle tracking technology. A successful pilot project is followed by a failed rollout. The case examines the managerial and organisational issues affecting the project’s performance.
By studying this case, students will sharpen their skills on project management challenges.
3 Key Points
Read the provided case. You have been hired as a consultant to advise IHO on a future course of action regarding the new fleet management project.
You have to prepare a report with your own views, addressing the following key points:
1. Critical analysis – Evaluate the current situation and explain, in your opinion, why the project is not obtaining the expected results. What went wrong and where (in what areas?)
2. Strategic recommendations – What corrective actions would you recommend to bring the project back on track? What will be the impact of those corrective actions? Can you identify any foreseeable difficulties?
4 Learning Objectives
This case is an interesting opportunity for students to critically assess the business case for a project and recommend a strategy with a course of action to address various managerial challenges.
5 Marking Criteria
The marking criteria for this assignment is:
# Issues Marks (%)
1 Critical analysis (Key Point 1) 50
2 Strategic recommendations (Key Point 2) 35
4 Extra readings 10
5 Report organization, clarity, spelling, presentation, punctuation, page numbers, references, etc. 5
TOTAL 100
6 Submission and Deadlines
Assignments plus cover sheets must be submitted to the MBA Registrar, in accordance with the deadlines and rules setup for this effect.
7 Length
In terms of effort, I expect a maximum of a 3,500 word written report (7 to 8 pages). The 3,500 word report includes headings and the body text. References, annexes, tables, charts and other additional elements should be counted in addition to that.
Penalties can be applied for those exceeding the 3500 word limit!
8 Assignment Format
The assignment should be written in a business-style report format rather than following a typical academic essay format. I expect to find, above all, good business thinking and recommendations based on sound/logical business arguments as well as the contents delivered in the classes. I also expect to find evidence on the use of some references or bibliography. Because this module is focused on management practices, I expect students to use tables, charts and other visual elements to support their views and analyses, since this is common practice in all business environments.
9 Writing the Assignment
The assignment should follow a certain structure, containing, at least, four important parts:
1. Introduction
2. Objectives
3. Answering the Key Questions
4. Conclusions
References or Bibliography
Most professional business reports also include an executive summary at the very beginning highlighting the main points in the report. However, since this assignment is quite small (3,500 words), such part should be skipped. At the very end, if necessary, annexes can be added. Tables and charts should be combined with the main text when necessary.
Good luck with your assignment!
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