PROJ6004: Contracts and Procurement All

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ASSESSMENT BRIEF – Assessment 1a and 1b

Subject Code and Title PROJ6004: Contracts and Procurement

Assessment Assessment 1 Part A and Part B: Contracts and Procurement Discussion Board Participation review of the Case Study Project and other Learning Resources

Individual Assessment 1 Part A: Discussion Board Participation.

Assessment 1 Part B: Discussion Board Participation.

Length Part A: Approximately 250 words for the main post and minimum of 2 responses to other students.

Part B: Approximately 250 words for the main post and minimum of 2 responses to other students.

Learning Outcomes 1. Critically evaluate the risks associated with

contract and procurement management

approaches and make recommendations to

global project sponsors with regard to ‘best

practice’ in this area.

2. Apply judgement and initiative in the

development of ‘best practice’ contract and

procurement process for global project management,

identifying the external factors that need to be

considered and mitigated for in every instance.

Submission Part A: Due in Module 2 and Part B Due in Module 3

Weighting Part A - Module 2 = 15%

Part B - Module 3 = 15%

Total Marks 30 marks

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Context: General

Procurement and contracts are integral to successful project management. Planning for

purchases and acquisitions, requests for proposal, vendor selection, contract

administration, and contract closure are integral parts of the process. Learning from Case

Studies and benchmarking against better practices, standards and excellence is vital to

understand complexity of issues and successful strategies for procurement and contract

management. It will also ensure improved responsiveness to key issues, promote supplier-

client relationships through proactive management of risks and ultimately deliver higher

level of focus on performance-based outcomes.

Specific (Assessment 1 Part A and Part B Context)

The context of Assessment 1 is a further deep-dive discussion with other students of key

issues to better understand the principles of project procurement, challenges, risks, and to

develop key procurement themes and quantify financial exposure. Using blackboard and

class interaction to develop risk mitigation, to benchmark issues and capture lessons learnt.

Discussion Board Participation based on further review of the subject Learning Resources

and the Case Study.

Students are encouraged to look at the full suite of module Learning Resources as well as

other public documents associated with the Case Study.

Through a variety of contributing perspectives, Assessment 1 aims to encourage a further

understanding of the procurement and financial risk, mitigations and benchmarking against

better practices and excellence reports to ensure successful completion. The specific roles

and responsibilities of project manager and procurement manager in the completions effort

is also explored.

Students are also encouraged to understand and explore the related organisational issues,

stakeholders and the funding and other procurement aspects associated with the Case

Study drawing upon the learnings from similar procurement projects from the Essential

Learning Resources.

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Instructions:

There are 2 important aspects to Assessment 1 discussion board participation:

 Protocols for postings: As a minimum requirement the student will submit a main

post of approximately 250 words on the relevant topic, and then reply to at least 2

other students. The objective to create a fluent generation of ideas and authentic

perspectives on each topic.

 Rules for participation: a culture of mutual respect towards other students or

participants, being timely and relevant (staying on the topic), being creative and bringing

critical thinking and thoughtful approach in the interactions. It is expected that student

contribution to a particular discussion will be made within 3 days of start of a new

Module

Assessment 1 Part A and Part B will involve discussion board contribution by individuals

exploring the following key issues:

 Typical procurement and risks required to be managed for complex projects;

 Specific financial risks from the Case Study project (use research information,

initiative and judgement);

 Possible risk mitigation actions that relate to the Case Study project and how these

relate to better practice guidelines

 Areas for further vendor negotiations and management - to achieve a successful

contract completion.

 Areas of key accountability for Project Manager and Procurement Manager in facilitating

successful outcome for the Case Study project;

 The questions for discussion board are formulated to critique the above topics and

bring out ideas thoughts, develop solutions and ensure students active participation,

leadership, feedback, cooperation and time-management aspects.

It is expected that the students will undertake sufficient research and reading to effectively

contribute and share ideas individually during Modules 1 to 3 discussions, This is important

for discussions to achieve sufficient depth of analysis as to provide high quality of

information to satisfy the requirements for the case study analysis – based on the above

guidelines.

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Learning Resources:

 Resource on APA style:

The URL/page for the TUA referencing guides is

http://onlinelibrary.tua.edu.au/skills/referencing

 Resource on report writing:

Victoria University of Wellington (2013). How to write a business report. School of

Marketing and Internal Business and Student Learning Support Service, Wellington,

New Zealand.

http://www.victoria.ac.nz/vbs/teaching/publications/VBS-report-writing-guide-

2013-July.pdf

 Resource on writing case study reports

Monash University (2015). Case study report (sample). Learning Support, Language

and Learning Online, Melbourne, Australia.

http://www.monash.edu.au/lls/llonline/writing/general/report/1.xml

Assessment Criteria: Assessment 1 - Discussion Board Participation (30%)

 Participation (20%)

 Leadership (20%)

 Feedback (20%)

 Cooperation (20%)

 Time Management (20%)

See learning rubrics in the following pages for details.

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Learning Rubrics – Assessment 1: Individual Participation in Discussion Board

Assessment Attributes

Fail (0-49)

Pass (50-64)

Credit (65-74)

Distinction (75-84)

High Distinction (85-100)

Participation

(20%)

Participates in group activities.

Participates in group activities but works on unrelated materials.

Participates in group activities but is rarely on task.

Participates in most group activities and is on task most of the time.

Participated fully and actively. Is always on task. Provides constructive input.

Leadership

(20%)

Fails to assume leadership.

Assumes leadership but in a non- productive manner.

Assumes leadership and allows others to do but often dominates the group.

Assumes leadership by helping members stay on track and encourage group participation.

Assumes leadership by helping members stay on track and encourage group participation, posing solutions to problems.

Has a positive attitude.

Feedback

(20%)

Fails to offer any feedback.

Offers feedback but rarely constructive or useful.

Offers feedback that is sometime constructive or useful.

Offers constructive feedback regularly

Always offers detailed constructive feedback that is specific and appropriate.

Offers suggestions to guide peers

Cooperation

(20%)

Treats group member(s) disrespectfully. Does not share the workload fairly.

Treats group member(s) respectfully but does not always share the workload fairly.

Treats group member(s) respectfully and share the workload fairly

Treats group member(s) respectfully and share the workload fairly. Shows sensitivity to others and encourages

Treats group member(s) respectfully and share the workload fairly.

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the participation of others.

Shows sensitivity to the feelings and learning needs of others.

Encourages the participation of others. Values the knowledge, opinion and skills of all members.

Time Management

(20%)

Fails to complete assigned task on time. Often forces the group to make last-minute adjustments and changes to accommodate missing work.

Often fails to complete assigned task on time and held up completion of work.

Completes only half of the assigned task on time.

Completes most assigned task on time.

Always completes all assigned task on time.