ITECH2250_A2_S2_2018_Critique_of_PMP.pdf School of Science, Engineering and Information Technology ITECH2250 – IT Project Management Techniques CRICOS Provider No. 00103D...

ITECH2250_A2_S2_2018_Critique_of_PMP.pdf
School of Science, Engineering and Information Technology
ITECH2250 – IT Project Management Techniques
CRICOS Provider No. 00103D ITECH2250_A2_S2_2018_Critique_of_PMP Page 1 of 12
Assignment 2 – PMP Critique
Overview
The aim of this assignment is to gain understanding and insight into what is contained within a useful
and best practice Project Management Plan (PMP). You are asked to complete a report detailing your
critical analysis of a provided Project Management Plan.
Timelines and Expectations
Marks: Assignment will be assessed based on a mark out of 50
Percentage Value of Task: 20% of the course marks
Due: Week 7, Sunday 11:55pm
Minimum time expectation: 16 hours
This is an individual assignment. There is an expectation that no two submissions will be the same.
Learning Outcomes Assessed
The following course learning outcomes are assessed by completing this assessment:
 K2 - describe project management methodologies, such as the project management body of
knowledge;
 K3 - acquire a theoretical knowledge of the project management process groups model;
 K4 - explain the basic components of a project management plan and its importance in improving
the success of information technology projects;
 S3 - employ a systems thinking approach to identify critical roles and stakeholders in information
technology projects;
 S4 - demonstrate decision-making processes to solve a range of information technology project
issues;
 S5 - utilise a range of organizational and self-management skills, emulating real world practice of
information technology project managers;
School of Science, Engineering and Information Technology ITECH2250 – IT
Project Management Techniques Assignment 2 – PMP Critique
CRICOS Provider No. 00103D ITECH2250_A2_S2_2018_Critique_of_PMP Page 2 of 12
 A1 - adopt a project management framework to write (review) a project management plan, for a
simulated real world contemporary information technology project;
Assessment Details
Background
A critique or critical analysis is a review or appraisal based on careful analytical evaluation. Writing a
critical analysis requires you to read the selected document in detail and to also read other related texts
so that you can present a fair and reasonable evaluation of the selected document.
In this assignment, you are required to undertake a critical analysis of a fundamental document of the
PMBOK – the PMP. Critical thinking and analysis are important components of being a professional. If
you do not think critically you will only have a superficial view. To be a successful project manager you
need to sort out what's accurate and what's not, and you need to identify a solid, factual base for
solving problems and addressing issues on your project.
For assistance in critical writing techniques, see
Federation University’s General Guide to Writing and Study Skills, in particular pp. 27 – 29 on Critical
Thinking. For another example, try http:
www2.le.ac.uk/offices/careers/ld
esources/writing/writing-
esources/critical-writing/
The purpose of this PMP critique is to prepare you for developing your own PMP. After this PMP
critique, you should understand and appreciate the structure and content required for a good PMP so
that you are able to complete the construction of a PMP for assignment 3.
An electronic copy of the PMP for you to evaluate and critique -
ITECH_2250_A2_S2_2018_PMP_for_Critique – as well as this assignment, are contained in the zip file
- ITECH2250_A2_S2_2018_PMP_Critique.zip in the Assessment section of your Moodle shell.
School of Science, Engineering and Information Technology
ITECH2250 – IT Project Management Techniques Assignment 2 – PMP Critique
CRICOS Provider No. 00103D ITECH2250_A2_S2_2018_Critique_of_PMP Page 3 of 12
Assessable Tasks/Requirements
Your critical analysis will understand (interpret and summarise), analyse and evaluate (judge) key
aspects of the assigned PMP. You should adopt Schwalbe1 (2010, pp XXXXXXXXXX; 2014, pp XXXXXXXXXX;
2016, pp XXXXXXXXXXand the PMI’s (2013, p.77) PMBOK Guide as frameworks for comparison and
evaluation. In the Topic 3 section of your Moodle shell, under the Week 3: Additional Learning
Resources section you will find a copy of the Schwalbe 2010 layout - Week 3: Reading 1 (Schwalbe,
2010) and the PMI PMBOK Guide PMP contents – Week 3: Reading 4 (PMI, 2013).
You may also like to review Appendix A - PMP Critique Guide at the end of this document for some
suggestions or interpretations of Schwalbe’s understanding of what should be in a PMP.
When reviewing the PMP think about the following:
1. The common techniques and tools used in PMP presentation;
2. The most effective or the best techniques and tools for each component of the PMP;
3. the layout and usability of the given PMP;
4. The structure and components of the given PMP;
5. The content of the given PMP - how and why the particular information is used;
6. How each section and the overall content is presented, especially the conciseness, format, and
style;
7. what planning tools the authors have used;
8. any content that has been omitted;
9. any additional content that has been included – is it necessary? does it suit the purpose?;
10. the language and form of expression used;
11. the overall quality and professionalism of the PMP;
12. The usefulness of the PMP for guiding the project
Your PMP critique report should be presented in a business or management style and structured as
follows:
 title page;
 executive summary;
 table of contents;
 introduction;
1 Schwalbe, K XXXXXXXXXXInformation Technology Project Management (8th ed.). Boston, MA: Cengage Learning
School of Science, Engineering and Information Technology
ITECH2250 – IT Project Management Techniques Assignment 2 – PMP Critique
CRICOS Provider No. 00103D ITECH2250_A2_S2_2018_Critique_of_PMP Page 4 of 12
 critical analysis of PMP:
o introduction;
o organisation;
o management and technical approach;
o work to perform;
o schedule; and
o budget
 conclusions
 references; and
 appendices (if needed)
Support your analysis with concepts and references from the work of others. Gather these references
from various sources including the assigned text books and references, Course readings and reputable
and reliable internet sites.
Submission
An electronic copy of your PMP Critique r epo r t mus t be subm i t t e d via Moodle. Partner
students please refer to your course lecturer for submission instructions. Please refer to the Course
Description for information regarding late assignments, extensions, special consideration and
plagiarism. For further clarification you may consult the academic regulations which can be accessed via
the university’s website, see: http:
federation.edu.au/staff/governance/legal/feduni-legislation/feduni-
statutes-and-regulations
Plagiarism
Plagiarism is the presentation of the expressed thought or work of another person as though
it is one's own without properly acknowledging that person. You must not allow other
students to copy your work and you must take care to safeguard against this happening.
More information about the plagiarism policy and procedure for the university can be found
at http:
federation.edu.au/students/learning-and-study/online-help-with/plagiarism.
School of Science, Engineering and Information Technology
ITECH2250 – IT Project Management Techniques Assignment 2 – PMP Critique
CRICOS Provider No. 00103D ITECH2250_A2_S2_2018_Critique_of_PMP Page 5 of 12
Assessment
Criteria
Your work will need to comply with the following:
 A report of a minimum of 2000 words that provides evidence of critical analysis of the provided PMP
and that satisfies items within the marking ru
ic. You must include:
o a description of your understanding of the PMP’s purpose;
o a written interpretation and synthesis of key components;
o analysis and evaluation of key aspects of the PMP and the strengths and weaknesses
identified;
o your assessment of the usefulness of the PMP to guide the project
 In your discussion you must identify and analyse key issues. This must reference the content of the
various theoretical frameworks such as Schwalbe (2010; 2014) and the PMI XXXXXXXXXXPMBOK guide,
and must be supported by judgements based on sound academic reasoning.
 Multiple references (at least nine appropriate references are expected) should be used. These must
e acknowledged through the use of in-text citation and a Reference List. The citations and
References List must comply with the APA citation style (see Federation University’s General Guide
to Referencing). In-text references should be used in such a way as to provide support for the work
and these references should come from a wide variety of sources such as books, journals and
eputable and reliable websites.
 Your report should be presented as a business or management style report that adheres to
academic writing presentation standards. It must contain high quality academic presentation,
expression and features as outlined in:
o The University’s Assignment Layout and Appearance Guidelines;
o the University style guide - https:
federation.edu.au/cu
ent-students/learning-and-
study/online-help-with/study-skills-and-writing-guides - which covers Federation
University’s General Guide to Writing and Study Skills (above), General Guide to
Referencing (above); and
o Features of Academic Writing (from UEfAP.com)
School of Science, Engineering and Information Technology
ITECH2250 – IT Project Management Techniques Assignment 2 – PMP Critique
CRICOS Provider No. 00103D ITECH2250_A2_S2_2018_Critique_of_PMP Page 6 of 12
Marking Ru
ic/Assessment Feedback
Student No:
Student Name:
Criteria Maximum
Marks
Poor Excellent
0 XXXXXXXXXX5
Student Report Layout, Executive Summary, Table of Contents and Introduction 5.0
PMP Critical Analysis
– Introduction
5.0
– Organisation 5.0
– Management & Technical Approach 5.0
– Work To Perform 5.0
– Schedule 5.0
– Budget 5.0
Quality of Discussion and Conclusions 5.0
Academic Writing Standards 5.0
Reference List and In-Text Referencing 5.0
Total Mark [50 marks]
Total Worth [20%]
School of Science, Engineering and Information Technology
ITECH2250 – IT Project Management Techniques Assignment 2 – PMP Critique
CRICOS Provider No. 00103D ITECH2250_A2_S2_2018_Critique_of_PMP Page 7 of 12
Comments
Marked by
Date
Feedback
Feedback will occur through Moodle within two weeks of the submission date.
School of Science, Engineering and Information Technology
ITECH2250 – IT Project Management Techniques Assignment 2 – PMP Critique
CRICOS Provider No. 00103D ITECH2250_A2_S2_2018_Critique_of_PMP Page 8 of 12
Appendix A - PMP Critique Guide
The following details are designed to assist ITECH2250 IT Project Management Techniques students in
identifying and evaluating content and quality aspects of Project Management Plans (PMP) as outlined by
Schwalbe (2010, pp XXXXXXXXXX; 2014, pp XXXXXXXXXX; 2016, pp XXXXXXXXXXThis is a guide and is not a template.
Students are expected to use additional resources to help with their critique.
PMP Introduction Section The introduction should indicate the scope of the report, set
aims/objectives and present an overview of what is to
follow.
Name- This section should provide a discussion about the project
name. For example: Is it meaningful? Does it reflect the
nature of project?
Description This section should provide a