Assessments Handbook

(Version 4)
Managing Projects and Technologies
N1503 – 2019/20
UG Year 2

U NI V E R S I T Y OF S U S S E X B U S I NE S S S C H O OL
University of Sussex | Jubilee Building | Brighton BN1 9SL | United Kingdom
T +44 (0)1273 872668 | business-school@sussex.ac.uk
ww w.sussex.ac.uk/business-school
 Table of Contents
Module Assessments Breakdown ......................................................................................... 3
Assessments 1 – Observation (OBS) .................................................................................... 3
Link to Module Learning Outcomes ................................................................................... 3
Assessment Procedure ..................................................................................................... 3
Calculating the OBS mark ................................................................................................. 3
Assessment 2 – Project Plan (PRJ) ...................................................................................... 4
Link to Module Learning Outcomes ................................................................................... 4
Available project plan topics .............................................................................................. 4
Preparing the Project Plan ................................................................................................. 4
List of Project Chunks........................................................................................................ 4
Project Planning Groups .................................................................................................... 5
Submitting the Project Plan ............................................................................................... 5
Evaluating the Project Plans .............................................................................................. 6
Interpreting the Marks for Project Plans ............................................................................. 7
Assessment 3- Unseen Examination (UEX) .......................................................................... 7
Link to Module Learning Outcomes ................................................................................... 8
Description ........................................................................................................................ 8
Generic marking criteria..................................................................................................... 8
Preparation ........................................................................................................................ 8
Sit / Resit / Alternative Assessments ................................................................................... 10
PRJ as Sit/ Resit/Alternative Assessment ........................................................................ 10
UEX as Sit/Resit .............................................................................................................. 10
Writing Well and Avoiding Academic Misconduct ................................................................ 11
Marking Process and Ensuring Marking Fairness ............................................................... 11

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 Module Assessments Breakdown
This module uses three assessment modes:

% of The
Mode Brief Description Length
Module Mark
Observation 20% Observation (OBS) Workshops
participation, all 11
weeks
Coursework 50% Project Plan (PRJ) 1500 words

Unseen Examination 30% Unseen Examination (UEX) 1 hour

In the following, each of these assessments is explained in detail.

Assessments 1 – Observation (OBS)

Link to Module Learning Outcomes
● The workshops of this module are highly interactive, and a great deal of learning
happens by participating in them. They provide an opportunity to reflect on the theories
explained in the weekly lectures and put them into practice.
● In this module, a significant part of Assessment 2 could be done during the workshops,
receiving formative feedback from the workshop tutors. Therefore, workshop
participation matters and will be assessed.

Assessment Procedure
● Accordingly, the first assessment of this module is an observation of students’
participation in workshop activities.
● About 5 minutes into each workshop, a simple activity related to the concepts of that
week will be distributed. The activity sheet contains a unique identifier to ID the student
completing it. The activity last for about 10 minutes.
● The tutor will collect the sheets and uses the following marking criteria.
Mark Descriptor Mark
The student was absent, and/or arrived after the quiz had finished, and/or did not 0
reasonably attempt most parts of the activity, and/or exhibited academic
misconduct during the quiz.
The student was present and attempted the quiz, but a better engagement with the 1
activity was expected (e.g., to complete all quiz sections with a reasonable
answer) and/or the student was more than 10 minutes late.
The student was present and reasonably engaged with the activity, showing good 2
engagement with the related theories.
The student was present, reasonably engaged with the activity, and demonstrated 2.5
mastery of subject and skilful engagement with related theories.

Calculating the OBS mark

● Eleven such quizzes will be carried out over the 11 workshops of the module. The sum
of the 8 best quiz marks for each student will be used to calculate the observation mark.
● Please contact your tutor ASAP if you will miss more than 3 workshop sessions
throughout the term due to a legitimate reason. For the University policy on what makes
an eligible evidence for such considerations, see section 5a in this FAQ page:
http://www.sussex.ac.uk/adqe/standards/examsandassessment/ec

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 Assessment 2 – Project Plan (PRJ)
Link to Module Learning Outcomes
● This assessment evaluates students’ ability to plan a project, which is a key learning
outcome of this module.

Available project plan topics

● Each student must develop a Project Plan.
● To do so, first, they choose one of these project topics by Workshop 03:
1. Organizing a conference/exhibition/training event about some business
information technologies
2. Developing a business information technology product (e.g., a software/an
app) and bringing it to the market
3. Deploying (via building or buying) a new business information technology in
an organization to transform their operations
4. Changing the culture/perceptions/behaviours regarding a particular business
information technology in a society/organization
5. Using business information technologies for social/humanitarian purposes.

● Then, they specify the project topic further and develop a detailed project plan.
● Some business information technologies that could be used include but are not limited
to:
- Artificial Intelligence (AI) including voice recognition, speech, chatbot, image and
video processing
- Mobile apps on productivity, healthcare, etc.
- Consumer products mass customization (printing name on shoes)
- Internet of Things (IoT) – Connected everything
- Data Analytics (small or big data collection and processing)
- Geospatial – location trackers such as GPS, RFID, barcode scanners
- An enterprise-wide system (e.g., an ERP)
- Virtual reality
- Robotics and automation
- Social media networks
- Retail technologies (interactive ordering touch screens, finding the best clothing fit)

Preparing the Project Plan

● To prepare your project plan, you should briefly complete and include all seven Project
Chunks covered in the module. These project chunks are available throughout the
PowerPoint files of workshops slides available on Study Direct.
● To succeed, make sure that your project plan fully addresses all seven project chunks.
● You should provide references to the articles, books, and other sources of information
that you use.
● Avoid wordiness. The word count excludes the text in the tables, the references list,
and appendices. The main project plan text should be a standalone narrative, without a
need to read the tables. To enable this, for each table, explain the key item of it in the
text. The purpose of a table is to include a short list of additional information, not long
sentences and paragraphs that belong to the main text, so do not misuse tables.
● The length of the submission, 1500 words, can go 10% either side.

List of Project Chunks

1. Project Introduction and Justification
a. Project Introduction: Describe the Project
b. Project Introduction: Describe the parent organization of your project

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 c. Project Introduction: Justify your project
d. Project Introduction: List similar projects in the past
2. Project Stakeholders
a. Identify key stakeholders of your project
b. Develop a communication management plan for your project
c. Plan for influencing your project stakeholders
d. Explain the origin of the core project team
e. Identify a project champion for your project
3. Project Scope
a. Define a SMART project objective
b. Create phased deliverables
c. Define DUMBS work packages
d. List key scope exclusions
e. Outsource some work packages
4. Project Schedule
a. Estimate the duration of each work package
b. Define the dependencies of all work packages
c. Schedule the work packages and identify the critical path
5. Project Budget
a. Plan outgoing cash for your project
b. Determine cost reserves for your project
c. Plan incoming cash for your project
d. Analyse the cash flow of your project
e. Analyse the financial performance of the project
6. Project Risk Management
a. Identify key risk factors in your project
b. Analyse the impact potential (risk exposure) of the identified risk factors
c. Plan risk mitigation strategies for top risks
7. Project Execution, Control, Closure and Evaluation
a. Plan coordination of key integration points in the project
b. Plan key progress control tollgates
c. Plan for evaluating and demonstrating project success

Project Planning Groups

● Students should form informal groups of 4 to 5.
● They perform workshop activities in these groups.
● Students can provide each other with feedback, help each other perform sound project
estimations (e.g., rate risks), and share references and data sources related to project
planning within these groups. However, the planned projects must be completely
different, and any plagiarism should be avoided.
● They can change the planning groups if a tutor sees fit to rearrange.

Submitting the Project Plan

● Please refer to your assessment timetable on Sussex Direct for the submission date.
● The assessment must be submitted online via an E-submission.
● For your convenience, the submission method is updated: The submission will be
done in two steps. First, submit your Project Plan document on Canvas via Turnitin (an
MS Word document). Then, use a file upload link that will be provided on Canvas to
submit your MS Excel file. Name both files after your candidate number (e.g.,
123456.docx to be uploaded on Canvas and 123456.xlsx to be uploaded using the file

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 upload link that will be provided). Failing to submit any of these files before the deadline
will be considered as non-submission.

Evaluating the Project Plans

● Along with the marks, a detailed feedback will be provided (200 to 400 words).
● Various aspects of project plans will be assessed used the following marking criteria.
Criterion Detailed Criteria
Clearly describes the project and its objective?
Introduction,
Introduces the organization in which the project happens and the connection of the planner to
Description &
that organization (e.g., by explaining their location in the organizations’ structure)?
justification
10% Clearly justifies why the project is being carried out (using real data such as revenue
projections and linking to the organization’s strategy)?
Stakeholders Identifies key stakeholders?
10% Includes an appropriate communication management plan? (e.g., does the communication
technology make sense, appoints only one owner for each task)?
Discusses ways of reciprocating with key stakeholders?
Identifies a realistic project champion?
Scope 10% Presents a clear and SMART project objective?
Defines the project’s PHASED deliverables compatible with the project’s objective and also
the excluded activities?
Develops the several DUMBS work packages (Full WBS included as an appendix)?
Discusses some ways in which the project might suffer from scope creep and includes a
reasonable exclusions list related to the scope creep?
Outsources two work package using appropriate contract types?
Schedule 10% Provides a realistic project/task duration estimation given the scope of the project? Uses some
realistic estimation for different work packages using data, and explains the applied estimation
technique for one specific duration estimation example?
Defines appropriate task dependencies and explains an example?
Highlights the critical path and at least one float (slack) in the Gantt chart?
Includes a full, legible Gantt chart (as an appendix) with task names and task IDs (numbers)
corresponding to the included WBS?
Budget and Provides a sound and detailed bottom-up budget (cost/revenue) analysis without any obvious
resource 10% omissions? (Budgeting details included as an appendix)
Uses realistic project cost estimates given the scope of the project and compared to similar
real-world projects? Explains one cost estimate using some real data (i.e. real costs of
materials, salaries per hour) and estimation techniques?
Includes the outgoing cost of different required resources (e.g., human resources) for work
packages without any obvious omissions? (in the budgeting details) In doing so, considers
realistic reserves (contingency and management) in the budget according to the riskiness of
the project?
Identifies main sources of incoming cash and properly spreads them over time?
Includes a project cash flow analysis with a constantly positive cash flow and a financial
efficiency analysis?
Includes a financial performance analysis, discussing the ROI for for-profit projects and break-
even for not-for-profit projects?
Risk 10% Identifies main project risk factors without any obvious omissions?
Reports on risk analysis (i.e., estimation of likelihoods and impacts) to prioritize risks? Includes
an assessment of the overall riskiness of the project?
Proposes sound and effective risk response strategies for the top 2 risks?
Evaluation and Identifies and discusses an important integration point in the project (specifies the related work
control 10% packages and point in time) when a high level of work coordination is required?
Plans one critical point in time to measure and review the progress of the project and
discussed the corrective action to be taken (e.g., for senior management to release funds or to
evaluate project’s 'Go/no go')?
Explains ways of measuring and demonstrating the achievement (or lack thereof) of the
SMART project objective at the end of the project?
Coherence 10% • Is coherent among different sections of the document and in the diagrams?
• Are different sections integrated into a coherent story by adding a few transitioning
sentences on the importance of the section and how it relates to other parts?
• Addresses the "problems" that have been identified in the introduction?
Contains no discrepancies in the document (e.g., where the information in diagrams and the
writing were not consistent)?

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 Quality of • Consists of clear expressions (e.g., accuracy, not too much or too little text)?
Writing and • Does not require much edition and proofreading (spelling, grammar, and punctuation)?
Professional • Avoids using too many footnotes?
appearance 10% • Includes and respects an overall word count (not exceeding the 1500-word limit by more
than 10%)?
• Properly uses citations in the document and includes comprehensive references?
• Selects and interprets data with confidence and imagination, using relevant tools and
techniques?
• Refers to and interprets tables and graphs (e.g., a stakeholder analysis table, a critical
path) in text rather than only including them with no explanation?
• Uses all available data to evaluate the options using clear criteria and demonstrates
reasons for final outcome?
• Takes account of complex context and selects appropriate techniques?
• Uses methods and techniques most appropriate to the aims and objectives of the task,
and executes them correctly with consideration to their limitations?
• Applies techniques/theories and reports on their results but not describing these
techniques/theories (e.g., avoids re-explaining concepts from the workshop slides)?
• Looks like a professional project plan but not an academic essay?
• Consistently uses a professional format (i.e., layout of pages, headings, paragraphs,
tables, graphs) throughout the document (e.g. proper margins, proper alignments, proper
printouts not low resolution/illegible screenshots)?
• Uses appropriate (not too many not too few) visual elements (photos, tables, graphs,
charts) and these elements are easy to read and follow (printed in an understandable
way, not too small font)?
• Uses colours (rather than B&W) when appropriate?
Overall fit with • Considers the purpose of the assignment comprehensively and imaginatively
purpose 10% (demonstrates good engagement and imagination to make the project seem real)?
• Presents content fit for the purpose and addresses key concerns of its audience?
• Inspires project stakeholders with confidence?
Demonstrates that students can engage effectively and in a professional manner to produce
detailed and coherent project plans?

Interpreting the Marks for Project Plans

● The overall mark for this assessment can be interpreted this way:
Mark Classification Description
90-100 Exceptional 1st An exceptional project plan, based on a substantial and demanding work with a
very high level of originality, initiative, independence, and thoughtfulness in
conception and planning.
80-89 Outstanding 1st An outstanding project plan, displaying a high level of originality, initiative,
independence and thoughtfulness in conception and planning, requiring only very
minor modifications.
70-79 Clear 1st An excellent project plan, displaying originality, initiative and independence
in conception and planning. Requiring some modifications.
60-69 2.1 A well-planned project, written up with clarity. Evidence of care and application
in conception and planning but one presented without the completeness of
those gaining marks at the higher bands.
50-59 2.2 A reasonably well constructed project plan, but one which indicates a lack of
attention to key features of the planning process.
40-49 3rd A basic description of the project plan, and some analysis of the detailed plan.
However, the project plan is problematic in terms of key features of the planning
process.
35-39 Marginal Fail A project plan falling in this band fails to include evidence of one or more of the
following: a) a well-grounded project plan, b) the provision of sufficient details on
project plan, and c) adequately conducted research and analysis. The project
plan is likely to have substantial shortcomings in crucial features of project
planning.
0-34 Absolute Fail Either no project plan submitted, or the project plan is seriously deficient in two
or more of the following: a) a well-grounded project plan, b) the provision of
sufficient details on project plan, and c) adequately conducted research and
analysis. The project plan is likely to have substantial shortcomings in crucial
features of project planning.

Assessment 3- Unseen Examination (UEX)

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Link to Module Learning Outcomes
This assessment evaluates all learning outcomes of this module.

Description
● The final exam covers everything presented in the PowerPoint slides of the 11
lecture/workshops throughout the term as well as the experience with the developing
Project Plans.
● Reading the book is optional.
● Exam duration: 1 hour
● The exam has two questions. Each question will ask students to apply a particular
project management concept (one of the seven project chunks) to a hypothetical
personal project scenario.

Generic marking criteria

If specific marking criteria for the content cannot be provided (e.g., for an unseen exam), a
more generic one like the one below can be included to communicate the exam expectations
with students.

Criteria Sub-criteria
Quality of Content • Attempting all required questions and all parts of each question.
• Providing direct answer to the questions.
• Supporting the answer by drawing from the concepts/theories discussed
in the module
• Demonstrating correct use/understanding of concepts/theories
• Comprehensively covering all aspects of a concept/theory
• Applying the concepts/theories to relevant examples and illustrations
when appropriate
Quality of Writing • Developing a coherent structure
• Writing efficiently (short and precise sentences)
• Using an appropriate academic tone
• Writing legibly

Preparation

● A sample of mock questions will be provided by Week 11.

● Here are some tips for preparing for the final exam. To prepare, practice each question
for 3 or 4 simple project topic that you can think of.
○ Questions related to Chunk 1:
○ Possible question type: For the project topic of [***], name a reasonable
and real parent organization and justify why they need to carry out this
project.
○ Tips: Reflect on which real-world organization needs to do such a project.
Name one. Show that you can link the project to their strategy (based on what
they usually do as an organisation) and performance. Use your personal
knowledge and imagination.
○ Questions related to Chunk 2:
○ Possible question type: You are planning a project on [***]. Apply theory
and discuss how you will manage your key stakeholders.
○ Tips: Give an example of at least five important stakeholders (don’t miss the
most obvious ones). Say who is key and who is not and why. Apply related
theory (i.e., stakeholder communication and reciprocity) to at least one of the
key stakeholders.
○ Questions related to Chunk 3:

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 ○ Possible question type: You are planning a project on [***]. Apply theory
and draw a simple WBS for this project.
○ Tips: Draw a WBS (as a table not a tree graph). Try to include a reasonable
number of work packages. Include at least 12 work packages (4 work
packages grouped under 3 deliverables). Apply related theory without
repeating it (ensure the objective is SMART, deliverables are phased (cover
the project lifecycle from execution to closure), and work packages are
DUMBS).
○ Questions related to Chunk 4:
○ Possible question type: You are currently planning a project on [***]. Apply
theory and draw a Gantt chart for this project.
○ Tips: Bring a ruler to the exam! Draw a Gantt chart. Include at least 8 very
good work packages (DUMBS). Apply Gantt chart development steps:
Estimate durations in a consistent unit of time (guesstimated but reasonable).
Define dependencies between them (predecessors). Create a realistic
calendar with at least 12 time periods. Mark the bar charts on the calendar.
Use little arrows to show the work package dependencies of the bar charts.
Identify and highlight the critical path. Have at least one work package with
slack.
○ Questions related to Chunk 5:
○ Possible question type: You are planning a project on [***]. One key work
package for this project is [***]. Apply theory and develop a realistic budget for
this work package.
○ Tips: Bring a University-approved calculator to the exam. Draw a simple
budgeting table for the work package. Include both cash outflow and cash
inflow. For cash outflow, name at least 5 key resources and detail your
calculation of the total cost by creating a small budgeting table that you
completed in your Project Plan. Include a cost estimation (a realistic
guesstimate) for each resource and the required quantity of each resource.
Calculate the subtotals and the total cost. For cash inflow, name 1 source of
income. Discuss and add a reasonable contingency reserve for the work
package.
○ Questions related to Chunk 6:
○ Possible question type: You are planning a project on [***]. Apply theory
and plan risk management for this project. Note that you have budget for
enacting only one risk response.
○ Tips: Identify at least 5 key risk factors. Rate them on probability and impact
and then calculate the impact potential. Indicate the top one risk factor.
Explain a reasonable risk mitigation (not acceptance etc.) for it.
○ Questions related to Chunk 7:
○ Possible question type: You are planning a project on [***]. Explain your
execution, control, closure, and evaluation activities.
○ Tips: Explain one key coordination activity about a work integration point
(when some teams need to work closely or handover a work output
between two work packages). Plan a stage gate (tollgate) and the decision
based on that (e.g., a go/no go decision when you decide to continue or
cancel the project). Name one key indicator of the success of this project and
your plan to evaluate and demonstrate it at the end of the project.

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 Sit / Resit / Alternative Assessments
Initial attempt Mode Resit Mode and Resit length Resit submission
and Weight Weight
OBS at 20% PRJ at 20% 750 words e-submission
PRJ at 50% PRJ at 50% 1,500 words e-submission
UEX at 30% UEX at 30% 1 hour -

PRJ as Sit/ Resit/Alternative Assessment

● The description of this assessment is very similar to your Assessment 2 (Project Plans),
except for its word length, which is
○ 750 words for the sit/resit of OBS (20%),
○ 1500 words for the sit/resit of PRJ (50%), and
○ 1000 words for alternative/V&E assessments.
● As for your project plan’s topic, you should pick a topic that is clearly different from
the one that you have used for your assessment 2 (e.g., if you were developing an
app, you cannot select that topic again).
● The description of this assessment is very similar to your Assessment 2 (Project Plans).
● To prepare your project plan, you should briefly complete and include all seven Project
Chunks covered in the module. These project chunks are available throughout the
PowerPoint files of workshops slides available on Canvas.
● To succeed, make sure that your project plan covers all chunks, and for each chunk
include only the most important things and avoid wordiness.
● To simplify some of these Project Chunks, use this information:
○ Stakeholders: Limit the number of stakeholders to 3.
○ Scope/Schedule/Budget: Include a Work Breakdown Structure (WBS) that
comprises 3 deliverables and a total of 10-12 work packages and use these as the
foundation for the schedule and budget analysis.
○ Risk: Discuss 5 risk factors and plan risk response for one top risk
● The word count excludes reference list and the text in tables. The length of the
submission can go 10% either side.
● You should provide references to the articles, books, and other sources of information
that you use.
● Check your assessment timetable for the deadline.
● This will be an E-submission, you must submit one file that merges the project plan and
its appendices (WBS, Gantt chart and cash flow analysis, budgeting details). You should
merge everything into one PDF file and failure to do so in unacceptable.
● The same criteria as Assessment 2 will be used to mark your project plan, considering
the length difference and the allowed Project Chunk simplifications explained above. You
can use it as a checklist to make sure that you have covered the key things that project
chunks ask for.

UEX as Sit/Resit
The structure of the sit/resit exam is identical to that of the main final exam explained above.

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 Writing Well and Avoiding Academic Misconduct
● Plagiarism, collusion, and cheating in exams are all forms of academic misconduct which
the University takes very seriously.
● Every year, some students commit academic misconduct unintentionally because they
did not know what was expected of them. The consequences for committing academic
misconduct can be severe, so it is important that you familiarise yourself with what it is
and how to avoid it.
● The University’s Skills Hub guide to study skills gives advice on writing well, including
hints and tips on how to avoid making serious mistakes. You will also find helpful guides
to referencing properly and improving your critical writing skills. Make use of the
resources there.
● If you are dealing with difficult circumstances, such as illness or bereavement, do not try
to rush your work or hand in something which may be in breach of the rules. Instead you
should seek confidential advice from the Student Life Centre. The full University rules on
academic misconduct are set out in the Examination and Assessment Regulations
Handbook.
● If you do not think that you should be taking this assessment, or if you have any
additional questions, please get in touch as soon as possible.

Marking Process and Ensuring Marking Fairness

● The University takes several steps to ensure marking fairness.
● Assessment Convening: The module convenor is usually the lead marker, designs the
assessment, and specifies the marking criteria.
● Calibration: When there are several markers:
● They calibrate their marking expectations and scale, usually in a meeting before the
marking begins. They usually mark a few submissions together and discuss the
characteristic of poor to excellent works using the marking criteria.
● The module convenor checks the marks and distributions by each marker to ensure
similarity and fairness across groups. By analysing the data, any unexplained anomalies
are identified and compensated.
● Moderation: A sample of the marked submissions/scripts (including some from each
mark classification) is then looked at by a moderator to confirm the accuracy of the
marking (if they feel there is a problem, they may recommend a third person to review all
scripts).
● External Examination: The sample is then sent to an external examiner to confirm that
the marking has been appropriate and internal procedures have been followed.
● Finally, a Module Assessment Board (MAB) then considers the overall distribution of
marks, taking into account any complaints or problems raised concerning each module,
and a Progression and Award Board (PAB) agrees awards for successful candidates and
resit/sit opportunities for failed modules/assessments.

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