Project Analytics

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PRM7003

Project Analytics

Report

Date for Submission: Please refer to the timetable on ilearn

(The submission portal on ilearn will close at 14:00 UK time on the date of submission)

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Assignment Brief

As part of the formal assessment for the programme you are required to submit a Project

Analytics assessment. Please refer to your Student Handbook for full details of the

programme assessment scheme and general information on preparing and submitting

assignments.

Learning Outcomes:

After completing the module, you should be able to:

1. Advise an organisation on appropriate strategies to assist their management of projects

through the application of analytical techniques.

2. Critically analyse data to support the project management function. 3. Demonstrate critical understanding of metrics and Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) within a project management context. 4. Critically analyse secondary and primary data to drive project management performance. 5. Apply various metrics in order to best evaluate project and project performance. 6. Use statistical techniques to support the management of projects at different stages of the life cycle.

Graduate attributes If applicable

Discipline Expertise

Knowledge and understanding of chosen field. Possess a range of

skills to operate within this sector, have a keen awareness of current

developments in working practice, being well positioned to respond to

change.

Maximum word count: 3,000 words

Please note that exceeding the word count by over 10% will result in a reduction in grade by

the same percentage that the word count is exceeded.

You must not include your name in your submission because Arden University operates

anonymous marking, which means that markers should not be aware of the identity of the

student. However, please do not forget to include your STU number.

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Assessment Task (Learning outcomes 1, 3, 4, 5 & 6)

This assignment counts for 60% of the total grade for this module. Create a 3,000 word report supporting your presentation on a project of your choice from your organisation, or one you are familiar with. This assignment gives you an opportunity to develop and demonstrate skills in project management analytics. You will be able to apply theories and concepts learnt from this module to measuring project performance and providing recommendations for its improvement. The analysis will be based on the state of the art approaches to business analysis which specifically include:

• Stakeholder management

• Project value measurement

• Efficient dashboard design NB: Organisation name, other business or stakeholder particulars and any personally identifiable information can be fully anonymised.

If you are re-sitting this assessment for the first time, you may re-work your original

submission if you wish. However, if this is your third attempt at this assessment, you must

submit a piece of work which is substantially different from your first two attempts.

Your report must communicate project analytics to a company delivering the chosen

project. It must include the following elements.

Question 1 (Learning outcomes 3 and 6)

Develop a hierarchical, but effective and efficient dashboard. This must include:

• Identification of each stakeholder’s objectives in this project, as well as consideration of potential conflicts of interests amongst them

• Identification of project metrics and KPIs, based on the project value measurements

• Explanation of which metrics should be presentable to which specific stakeholders. Note: This should be consistent with element (3) of your presentation focusing one such stakeholder.

• A variety of graphs generated using Excel. 33 marks

Question 2 (Learning outcomes 3, 5 and 6)

Comprehensively analyse the project performance to date based on question 1. 33 marks

Question 3 (Learning outcomes 1, 4 and Graduate Attribute)

Provide specific recommendations for improvement and lessons learned at both project and organisation’s levels. 34 marks

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Formative Feedback

You have the opportunity to submit an outline and up to 50% of each task to receive

formative feedback.

The feedback is designed to help you develop areas of your work and it helps you develop your skills as an independent learner. If you are a distance learning student, you should submit your work, by email, to your tutor, no

later than 2 weeks before the actual submission deadline. If you are a blended learning student,

your tutor will give you a deadline for formative feedback and further details.

Formative feedback will not be given to work submitted after the above date or the date specified

by your tutor - if a blended learning student

Student Guidelines

Development of academic skills:

You MUST underpin your analysis and evaluation of the key issues with appropriate and

wide ranging academic research and ensure this is referenced using the AU Harvard

system. The My Study Skills Area contains the following useful resources:

Guide to Harvard Referencing

http://moodle.bl.rdi.co.uk/guides/HarvardRef/AU_Harvard_Quick_Ref_Guide.pdf

Guide to Harvard Citation

http://moodle.bl.rdi.co.uk/guides/HarvardRef/AU_Guide_to_Harvard_Citation.pdf

You must use the AU Harvard Referencing method in your assignment.

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Word Count:

Students are required to indicate the exact word count on the title page of the assessment.

The word count excludes the title page, executive summary, tables, figures, diagrams,

footnotes, reference list and appendices. Where assessment questions have been

reprinted from the assessment brief these will also be excluded from the word count. ALL

other printed words ARE included in the word count. See ‘Word Count Policy’ on the

homepage of this module for more information.

Submission Guidance:

Assignments submitted late will not be accepted and will be marked as a 0% fail.

Your assessment should be submitted as a single Word (MS Word) or PDF file. For more

information please see the “Guide to Submitting an Assignment” document available on the

module page on iLearn.

You must ensure that the submitted assignment is all your own work and that all sources

used are correctly attributed. Penalties apply to assignments which show evidence of

academic unfair practice. (See the Student Handbook which is on the homepage of your

module and also in the Induction Area).

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Assessment Criteria (Learning objectives covered - all)

Level 7 is characterised by an expectation of students’ expertise in their specialism. Students are semi-autonomous, demonstrating independence in the negotiation of assessment tasks (including the major project) and the ability to evaluate, challenge, modify and develop theory and practice. Students are expected to demonstrate an ability to isolate and focus on the significant features of problems and to offer synthetic and coherent solutions, with some students producing original or innovative work in their specialism that is potentially worthy of publication by Arden University. A clear appreciation of ethical considerations (as appropriate) is also a prerequisite.

Grade Mark Bands

Generic Assessment Criteria

Distinction 70%+

Excellent analysis of key issues and concepts/. Excellent development of conceptual structures and argument, making consistent use of scholarly conventions. Excellent research skills, independence of thought, an extremely high level of intellectual rigour and consistency, exceptional expressive / professional skills, and substantial creativity and originality. Excellent academic/intellectual skills. Work pushes the boundaries of the discipline and demonstrates an awareness of relevant ethical considerations. Work may be considered for publication by Arden university

Merit 60-69% Very good level of competence demonstrated. High level of theory application. Very good analysis of key issues and concepts. Development of conceptual structures and argument making consistent use of scholarly conventions. Some evidence of original thought and a general awareness of relevant ethical considerations

Pass 50-59%

A satisfactory to good performance. Basic knowledge of key issues and concepts. Generally descriptive, with restricted analysis of existing scholarly material and little argument development. Use of scholarly conventions inconsistent. The work lacks original thought. Some awareness of relevant ethical considerations. Satisfactory professional skills (where appropriate).

Marginal Fail

40-49%

Limited research skills impede use of learning resources and problem solving. Significant problems with structure/accuracy in expression. Very weak academic / intellectual / professional skills. Limited use of scholarly conventions. Errors in expression and the work may lack structure overall.

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Fail 39% and below

A poor performance in which there are substantial gaps in knowledge and understanding, underpinning theory and ethical considerations. Little evidence of research skills, use of learning resources and problem solving. Major problems with structure/ accuracy in expression. Professional skills not present. Very weak academic / intellectual / professional skills. No evidence of use of scholarly conventions