BM170 Project Management Assignment Brief 2025 | QMU

BM170 Instructions:

1. Note that this assignment brief consists of 11 pages, including the cover page. Candidates are NOT supposed to attach this document along with the assignment answer uploaded on the LMS.

2. When a candidate submits the assignment answer, it implies the candidate’s agreement with the ‘Statement of Originality and Student Declaration’ on page 2.

3. Files must be renamed using the following format: StudentID(QMU ID) StudentName

Module Name E.g., 24000000 Test Student Test Module

In the case of group assignments, GroupID ModuleName
E.g., Group A Test Module

4. Assignment answers must be submitted in .doc/.docx (Word Document).
5. The deadline for the submission of your assignment will be 04:59 PM on the due date stated above.

6. You are recommended to submit your assignment answer well ahead of the deadline to avoid last- moment issues due to technical glitches (power outages, data issues, etc). Note that email submissions and/or answers submitted under the incorrect module will NOT be accepted.

BM170 Assessment Task

You will demonstrate your ability to identify requirements, plan a project comprehensively, and communicate effectively with stakeholders. The assignment requires you to create a complete project management package for a hypothetical project of your choice.

The project you select should be substantial enough to warrant formal project management approaches but manageable within the constraints of this assignment. Potential project types include:

• Development of a new product or service
• Construction or infrastructure project
• Technology implementation or system upgrade
• Event planning for a major corporate function
• Business expansion or market entry project 
• CSR project

Once you have identified the project, please discuss it with your module lecturer to get an idea about its appropriateness.

Your submission must address all three tasks detailed below, demonstrating comprehensive knowledge of project management principles and their practical application in a business context

Task 01: Project Initiation Document (30%)

1. Project Definition

• Present a clear statement of the project’s purpose and objectives, ensuring they are Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-bound (SMART).
• Provide background information and justify the business need for the project.
• Define the project scope, including what is included and excluded, and specify project boundaries. 
• List all critical constraints and key assumptions underpinning the Project

2. Business Case

• Demonstrate how the project aligns with the strategic goals of the organisation.
• Conduct a cost-benefit analysis, detailing both the costs and the anticipated benefits.
• Identify and explain both tangible and intangible expected benefits.
• Apply at least one investment appraisal technique and interpret the results.

3. Project Organisation

• Illustrate the project governance structure, showing reporting lines and oversight mechanisms.
• Identify all key stakeholders, analyse their interests and influence, and present a stakeholder analysis matrix
• Define the project management team structure, detailing the roles and responsibilities of each member.
• Outline the procedures for decision-making and escalation of issues within the project.

4. Quality Management Approach

• Specify the quality standards and acceptance criteria that will guide the project.
• Describe the mechanisms and tools for quality control.
• Outline the processes for approval of deliverables and regular review cycles.

Task 02: Project Planning and Management (40%)

1. Time Management

• Develop a comprehensive Work Breakdown Structure (WBS) for the project, breaking down all major tasks and deliverables.
• Prepare a project schedule that includes milestones, dependencies, and a Gantt chart or similar visual representation.
• Perform a critical path analysis and highlight critical activities.
• Justify the time estimation techniques used for planning the schedule.

2. Resource Management

• Identify all required resources (human, financial, material) and justify their necessity.
• Develop a resource allocation plan, including a responsibility assignment matrix.
• Address resource loading and levelling, explaining how conflicts or overallocations will be managed.
• Create a product breakdown structure (PBS) with detailed descriptions and specifications for each delivery. Set and explain the quality criteria for each item.

3. Work Management

• Define each project task, assign responsibilities, and explain the process for task ownership.
• Select and describe performance measurement approaches.
• Explain the mechanisms for tracking project progress.
• Justify the chosen development approach and methodology (if applicable).

4. Risk Assessment

• Identify and categorise potential project risks using appropriate tools.
• Conduct both qualitative and quantitative risk analyses.
• Propose risk response strategies for the most significant risks.
• Develop a plan for monitoring and controlling risks throughout the project lifecycle.

Task 03: Project Closure, Communication, and Team Management (30%)

1. Project Closure Planning

• Outline the formal process for closing the project, including obtaining sign-off and archiving documentation.
• Describe the procedures for handing over deliverables to clients or end-users.
• List the administrative closure activities.

2. Post-Completion Audit

• Propose an audit methodology and approach for post-project evaluation.
• Recommend mechanisms for continuous improvement based on audit findings.

3. Communication Management

• Develop a stakeholder communication plan, mapping out communication needs, frequency and expectations.
• Specify communication methods, channels, and frequency for all key stakeholders.
• Design information distribution strategies and feedback collection mechanisms.

4. Team Formation and Management

• Propose a strategy for team structure and composition, including recruitment and selection criteria.
• Outline the approach for team development.
• Define procedures for resolving conflicts within the team.

5. Project Manager Role

• List and explain the essential skills and competencies required for the project manager.
• Clearly define the project manager’s key responsibilities and duties.
• Describe the preferred leadership approach and the manager’s authority boundaries.

6. Contingency and Slippage Management

• Identify early warning indicators for potential project slippage.
• Develop contingency planning approaches and schedule recovery strategies. 
• Establish changing control procedures for managing scope, time, or budget changes.

Please Note

Your work will be assessed on:

• Depth of analysis and critical evaluation
• Application of project management theory to practice
• Integration of planning, execution, and closure elements
• Professional quality of presentation and structure with original content
• Use of credible academic and professional sources (minimum 20)

You must follow the guidelines and directions given during live sessions to complete this a