use of Project Management

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Faculty of Science, Engineering and Computing
Assessment Form

Submissiondetails: Upload to Canvas by the stated deadline
Module Learning Outcomesassessedinthispieceofcoursework
• Critically analyse and explain the concepts, strengths, limitations and suitability of
agile development techniques;
• Develop appropriate use of Project Management qualitative techniques within an
Agile framework, such as Feasibility Study, Planning, Control and Estimating,
Risk Management and Configuration Management and quantitative techniques
such as PERT and CPN
• Apply management and team building techniques to appropriately managing an
information systems development project
• Critically discuss social and professional issues associated with Information
systems Project Management.
• Select and apply object-oriented development techniques within an agile
development environment;
• Manage the development of a system by applying an agile framework.
Assessment 2 Brief and Assessment criteria
Assessment 2 Report will be submitted as 1 pdf document containing 3 parts
Part A will take the form of a PROJECT INITIATION DOCUMENT (PID) for a specific project,
using the PRINCE 2 approach
Part B will take the form of using AgilePM in the development of the specific project
chosen
Part C Will be a research paper comparing, contrasting and discussing the strengths
and limitations of Prince 2 and AgilePM in context to the project chosen
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Introduction
Technology andinformation technologyin particular, can nowprovide help inmany ways thatwere not
possible in the past. However, as more and more information and business and personal transactions are
delivered or managed online, so it is increasingly important to ensure that users are not disadvantaged by
thetechnology.Indeed,thereislegislationthatnowrequiresorganizationstoprovidebothphysicaland
virtual access so that no special needs group is disadvantaged.
Yourprojectshouldbearesponsetooneoftheissuesidentifiedonthenext page,andshouldtakeadvantage
of some of your design and technical skills and should help aspecific group or organization, for example, by
raising awareness, increasing membership or activity, raising funds, or providing services, developing new
productsor interfaces, ortrainingprograms for users or their supporters or somecombinationof these.
Interfaces to computer programs, or other IT tools are areas where there are many opportunities for small
projects. It may also be possible for you to consider ways of developing these or exploiting new
technological developments such as mobile computing, wireless communication, digital imaging, new
media, or electronic business processes in appropriate ways. You should develop an application or
website prototype that will allow users to benefit from your project.
You are invited to propose a project that will help a small organization, group of users, or people who
support your users. For example, there are a large number of organizations that provide support or advice
to people, attached to local or national health, educational or community establishments. You will need to
dosomeresearchonyourchosenorganizationorusergroup,butyouarenotrequiredorexpectedtocontact
them directly.
One of the project criteria is to decide the scope of the project. You may decide to limit your project to a
specific local organization, a specific group of users, or a national organization. You must identify a specific
area where such a project development would be useful and feasible and justify your choice.
You are required to submit a Project Proposal and Project Initiation Document (PID). You will get
feedback on your initial proposals during the sessions during the taught module, and youwill then be
expected to work these up into a full Project Plan, with illustrative supporting material. In addition to
your PID, you will be asked to submit a small “look and feel” prototype or walkthrough, and slides for
boardroom presentation that describe the business case for your deliverables.
Any proposal will need to be constrained within a small budget for startup funds and development costs of
anominal(virtual)£100K.Itisexpectedthattheproject,willbeupandrunningwithin6months,andresult
insomesustainablebenefittothechosenusersororganizationwithinoneyear.Itisexpectedthatthese
startup funds, possibly with further funds from other identified sources, will enable any new long-term
venturetobecomeself-supportingafteraninitialperiodofupto12months.Ifyoudecidethatyourproject
will requireadditional fundingbeyond the£100K, youwillneedto showhowthismoneymightberaised
and spent, and howitcouldberecoveredover atwo-yearperiod.Youcanapplyforfurther funding.
Consider a project related to ONE of the following issues:
(a) Changing UK demographics
“The population of the UK is ageing. Over the last 25 years the percentage of the population aged 65 and over
increased. Thistrendisprojectedtocontinue.By 2034,23percentofthepopulation isprojectedtobeaged65
and over compared to 18 per cent aged under 16. The fastest population increase has been in the number of those
aged 85 andover.
Aspeopleget older, manysufferfromimpairmentinsensory, cognitiveormotorskills–forexample,fromimpaired
hearing and vision, reduced dexterity or cognitive abilities, dementia or Alzheimer, and many other medical or
psychological conditions that require specific support. In the current economic climate, a growing elderly
population is also likely to experience, social isolation, and reduced access to local shops, libraries, health and
social services.
(b) Graduate employment opportunities
In 2018-2019 there were 2.38 million students studying at UK higher education institutions, following a
steady increase over the past decade. Identify a project to help these graduates find appropriate
employment.
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(e) Brexit
Will there beasmoothtransitionfortheUKeconomyafter Brexit. WillBrexit createthenext UK recessionor is
thereawayofbenefitingfromthisandcreatingatimeofprosperityfortheUK.Couldyoudevelopsomeideasto
help the economy grow over the next few years.
(f) Student research funding and scholarships. Identify a project to create funding opportunities to
carry out research at universities taking into consideration venture capitalists and innovative ideas.
(g) Volunteering and charity work – you may have further ideas which you are free to suggest
(h) Economic Recovery projects post COVID pandemic – Identify a project to get the nations
economy back on track
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Specification of Deliverables for Part A: Prince 2
Marking scheme Criteria & Weightings Part A
You are required to produce a Project Initiation Document (PID) .
The PID document should contain information to be used as part of a business and project case to the
chosen organization, plus any other potential partners who might support your venture. You should make
a plausible and convincing case with a well-specified project plan.
A good submission will have:
Project Title
Aims and Objectives of Project: This should indicate [8%]
1 the objectives, and the deliverables of this project
1 the expected sustainable benefits that will result from the project
1 any assumptions on which the plan is based
1 what measuresthatyoumightusetoenableyouryou todemonstratethesuccess
of the project
1 Legal, Social and Ethical issues that might effect the project and how you would
address theseissues.
Summary of Project Justification and anticipated Outcomes. [8%]
1 reference to any relevant research performed and criteria used to select the project
1 Abriefoutlineofhowtheresultswillbeachieved,andexplanationofthe choiceof
approach.
1 A brief description of the methods to be used to develop the final applications.
Detailed analysis or system design is not required.
1 TotalBudgetrequested-Thisshouldexplainbrieflyhowfundswouldbeallocatedand
scheduledoverthe lifetime ofthe project. Whereotherfunding orresourcesare
relevant, they should be mentioned in the bid.
1 Detailed Costs and Benefits You should identify main costs and benefits, showing
development, start-up, and operational costs for the first year, with indications of where
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extrafunding(ifneeded)willcomefrom.Youshouldalsoshowanydirector indirect
benefits.Youmaycommentonany intangiblebenefitsoftheproject.
Product breakdown structure and Product Descriptions: [8%]
1 a top-level breakdown by Product (Deliverable)
1 A full product description, including quality criteria and an outline of how quality is
assessed
1 adetailedProductbreakdownthatshouldshow lowerleveldetailsofthree ofthemain
products and their associated resources
Project Activities plans: These should include [8%]
1 A product flow diagram, showing the sequence in which products will be produced
1 A Gantt chart and a Critical Path Analysis to show the overall project plan,
including Prince2 stages, as appropriate. The main activities should take place in
the 6 months from January to June after the initial planning period.
Risk Analysis & Contingency plans: these should include [8%]
1 An evaluation (in terms of likelihood and impact) of any internal factors (project risks)
andexternalfactors(businessrisks)thatmayaffecttheproject(atleast3ofeach)
1 risk handling and mitigation plans – and an indication of the steps or procedures you
wouldrecommendtoreducethelikelihoodofeachoftheserisksshouldtheyoccur.
1 contingencyplans–showinghowyouwouldreducetheimpactofeachoftheserisksor
recover from them should they occur.
END of Part A
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Specification of Deliverables for Part B : Agile Development of your project
Marking scheme Assessment Criteria & Weightings Part B
After several facilitated workshops some useful information has been put together as described in your PID
above. From those sections above you must submit a report that includes the following:
A good submission will have:
o Explanation of why Moscow technique is used. Present a list in a table format of high-level MoSCoW
prioritised business process requirements in a table format (Prioritised Requirements List [PRL]).
Include estimates for each requirement as number of days. The requirements should form the basis for
four separate High Level Use Case Diagram, including the users of the system. [10 %]
o Total of 4 users stories based on the MUST HAVE requirements. One User story for each of the 4
subsystems for the use cases identified. Use the template: “As a <role>, I want <goal/desire> so that
<achievement/benefit>” and the associated Acceptance Criteria for each user story. [8 %]
o Choose 2 user stories to focus on from the 4 user stories above. Develop two paper prototypes, one
for each of these 2 user stories. [8 %]
o For 1 of the prototypes present a description of the iterative development that takes place. Show the
time-box planning or sprint planning for the development of this prototype. Show some changes to
prototypes as a result of user feedback. Include filled in change request form. Also show the final
prototype after the changes. [9 %]
o A first cut class diagram showing only the class names and attributes and relationships that will form
the basis of the database for the information system that will be developed. [5 %]
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END of Part B
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Specification of Deliverables for Part C : Research Paper
A short academic research paper (approx. 4 pages) comparing, contrasting and discussing the
strengths and limitations of Prince 2 and Agile and suggesting which approach is best for this
project or is a hybrid approach Marks will be based on:
o Appropriate content, criticalevaluationoftheliteratureandformingyourownconclusions.
o Academic journals, conference papers, appropriate books and Internet site with clear
standard referencing style and citation. [5%]
Higher marks will be achieved for:
o depth,detail,accuracy,succinctness,completeness,academicvigor,writingstyle
o referringdirectlytoyour specific projectthroughout. [5%]
END of Part C Brief
Overall Quality of the whole report:
o Language (Spelling, Grammar, Style) – Are spellings and use of grammar correct?
o Is writing style clear and concise?
o Logical Coherence and flow (Clarity of Expression and Explanations)
o Quality of Formatting, structure – Is title page, headings and sub-headings font and line spacing
consistent?
o Quality of Diagrams – Are diagram readable, clearly labelled?
10%