MG2130 Coursework 2010-11

Brunel Business School

Bachelor of Science

TITLE Project Management MODULE CODE MG2130

Introduction
This document describes the coursework assessment for MG2130. There are two elements (one formatively assessed) that are
integrated such that the individual element draws heavily on the group work element. The group work allows students to apply theory
espoused in reading matter, lectures and seminars/labs to be applied to problems thrown up by the group work, and through the use of
project management tools and techniques to learn experientially about project management. The individual work then builds on this
experience to allow students to bring together theory and practice so that they gain valuable insights into how these domains match (or
do not match) each other. While contributing to the BSc degree in Business and Management, the insights, personal competencies and
the general project management experience gained in this module are attributes much sought after by employers.

Learning outcomes

Whatever module or programme of study you are undertaking at Brunel University, there are learning outcomes that you must achieve
in order to be awarded the necessary credits that comprise the module and programme of study. The learning outcomes you must
demonstrate for this module are:

1. to demonstrate understanding of problems, principles and methods and apply appropriate techniques to planning, co-ordination
and control activity.
2. to reflect and discuss on the skills relevant to project-related roles
3. to demonstrate understanding of the technical analysis, systems and staffing aspects of project-based programmes.
4. to discuss the relations between project management and performance imperatives including:
quality, productivity, efficiency, information processing and scheduling.

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Coursework
The coursework comprises two elements: 1) groupwork and 2) individual essay. Though the group work attracts summative
assessment, failure to take an active part in the group work has been found to correlate strongly with poor performance and failure in
the individual essay. It is advisable that you set about forming groups as early as possible.

Element One
In teams of between 4 and 6 people, you are required to prepare a presentation package to demonstrate how you would manage the detail of a
project through which a French firm could expand into the UK with the launch of a leisure complex in Uxbridge called ‘Fit as a Fiddle’.

Submission
This element is to be submitted as two files: a) one Powerpoint .ppt file and b) one Microsoft Project .mpp file. No other files are required. Only
one submission is required per group. Ensure you identify all group members with name and student ID on the first presentation slide.

The Case
With thirty outlets throughout France and a proven business model that they feel sure has potential elsewhere, a French firm called Bonne Santé
has attracted new investment funds and wishes to undertake expansion in the UK. As part of the strategy Bonne Santé has identified the need for a
commercial partner to undertake the project management of the new leisure complexes so that the owners are free to concentrate on the
operational and marketing aspects of their business. However they have not identified a specific firm to undertake this project work as yet, and
thus they have commissioned a number of firms to tender for the business. In order to create a standard by which competencies can be evaluated,
each firm’s team is asked to provide documentation on how it would approach project planning for a pilot leisure complex in Uxbridge. From
these submissions ‘preferred supplier status’ will be adjudged. Needless to say the quality of the submission will reflect the quality of project
planning and thinking undertaken by each team.

Capital for the project is limited to £300,000 and the costs for all projected activities in the establishment of the new ‘Fit as a Fiddle’ complex
must be cognisant of this. Provision must be made for all materials and equipment (with one exception) required by the project and to meet all
labour costs and the hiring and scheduling of specialists such as a health and safety expert, IT expert, etc. The firm has secured a 10-year lease on
what was a small manufacturing enterprise located near the town centre with some 400 sq metres on two floors (i.e. 800 sq metres in all), and a
further 200 sq metres on a top floor. Floor to ceiling dimensions are 5 metres for the ground floor, 4 metres for the first floor, and 3 metres for the
second floor. There is access to the street on two sides of the building. The general ‘look’ of the place is somewhat old with the utilities last

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‘updated’ in 1981 and the relative quality of the fabric showing signs of decay such that a major refurbishment of the building is required before
anything new can be done with it. The Bonne Santé strategists are keen to tap into imaginative thinking in the development of this new leisure
complex so the actual design of the facility is up to the team concerned. However projects must expect to include the planning and costs of
installing new electrics, telecoms, plumbing, heating and ventilation systems on all floors. Bonne Santé also expect the installation of a new
alarm/security system, a local IT system with access to the Internet (and hence to their server near Lyon) using web-based applications, and a
music and public address system. The complex will have a gymnasium on the ground floor complete with changing rooms, toilets and a reception
area. The second floor has other facilities typical of a leisure centre in addition to a small cafeteria. The second floor is given over to offices and
staff quarters. Though the installation of standard gym equipment is to be planned for, the capital costs for such equipment is to be met by Bonne
Santé. Apart from the preparation of the premises, the project plan should also account for recruitment and training of 15 staff (including a
manager and three deputy managers). The project should account for a marketing campaign using a number of different media to help launch the
new ‘Fit as a Fiddle’ complex in addition to a supporting launch event at the ‘grand opening’. Teams are expected to identify realistic market
prices for all activities and resources from secondary sources (i.e. DO NOT APPROACH PROFESSIONAL FIRMS for prices, etc – source such
data from the Web or through personal observation in retail outlets, etc). A risk assessment evaluation and a quality plan for the project are
advisable. No provision for costs of staff salaries (i.e. staff recruited to run the leisure centre) is required in the project budget as these will be met
by the operations side of the business.

The launch date for the ‘Fit as a Fiddle’ complex is targeted for May 1st 2011 with access to premises gained at 12.00 midday on April 1st when
the old leaseholders hand over the keys.

Assumptions
You are expected to organise yourselves into teams of between 4 and 6 people by which to undertake the task, making use of the MG2130 U-Link
to facilitate these processes where necessary. How each team approaches the task is up to the team itself but all team members are expected to take
an active part in the work. Teams do not have to come from the same lab group. Project planning will require the use of Microsoft Project. Be
prepared to look at notices placed on U-Link and to read and to contribute to discussions about the course work. Your team can assume that
planning permission for the new complex has been granted by the London Borough of Hillingdon.

PLEASE NOTE: you are expected to find realistic market prices for activities and resources but not through direct engagement with supplier or
service provider personnel.

Project Presentation Package

For formative assessment purposes, each team is required to put together a presentation of no more than 10 slides explaining your team’s approach
to the project. Additionally you will need to submit a Microsoft Project document to support your slides. Please ensure you include the student IDs
of all members of the group along with a statement on individual contributions to the group effort on the first slide.

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Assessment Scheme for Element One

A: The work shows excellent structure and detailed planning that is comprehensive in terms of development activities for the ‘Fit as a Fiddle’
complex and that demonstrates an excellent grasp of Project Management tools and imperatives including realistic duration / cost estimates, task
dependencies and milestones.

B: The work shows sound structure and detailed planning that is comprehensive in terms of development activities for the ‘Fit as a Fiddle’
complex and that demonstrates a sound grasp of Project Management tools and imperatives including realistic duration / cost estimates, task
dependencies and milestones.

C: The work shows a reasonable structure and detailed planning that is comprehensive in parts in terms of development activities for the ‘Fit as a
Fiddle’ complex and that demonstrates a reasonable grasp of Project Management tools and imperatives including realistic duration / cost
estimates, task dependencies and milestones.

D: The work shows some structure and planning, detailed in part, that shows how some elements of the development activities for the ‘Fit as a
Fiddle’ complex and that demonstrates some grasp of Project Management tools and imperatives including realistic duration / cost estimates, task
dependencies and milestones.

E: The work shows limited structure with a lack of detailed planning in the development activities for the ‘Fit as a Fiddle’ complex and that
demonstrates a limited grasp of Project Management tools and imperatives with unrealistic duration / cost estimates, task dependencies and
milestones.

F: The work is marked by a lack of structure and planning in the development activities for the ‘Fit as a Fiddle’ complex and that demonstrates a
poor grasp of Project Management tools and imperatives with unrealistic duration / cost estimates, task dependencies and milestones.

Element Two: Individual Essay (1500 Words)

You are required to produce an individual essay that reflects on the project management process as experienced by you and your team in the ‘Fit
as a Fiddle’ project but which is informed by published commentary and theory. The title for this course work is: “The fit between published
theory on project management and personal practice as a result of my participation in the Fit as a Fiddle project”. Drawing on the groupwork, the
object of this element is to get you to identify and discuss how theory published in academic sources fits (or does not fit) your own personal
experience when you take part in the ‘Fit as a Fiddle’ group work. So be aware that Element Two is not asking for a recasting per se of the plan
defined above for Element One.

Word Count
Include a word count at the end of your account (which will not include the references section or any appendices (if used)). Note that on no
account should the word count exceed 1500 words.

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Referencing
Please ensure that you cite all your references within the text using the Harvard method. At the end of your account, include all references in a
bibliography.

Plagiarism
Please note that plagiarism – the unattributed use of the work of others – will result in severe penalties. If in doubt on what constitutes plagiarism,
please refer to your student handbook and/or relevant Brunel University web pages.

Marking Scheme for Element Two

A: The work shows excellent structure and exposition in an account that evinces a strong understanding of factors that influence project outcomes
as illustrated by a highly focused narrative that discusses relevant theory in relation to observed practice.

B: The work shows good structure and exposition in an account that evinces a sound understanding of factors that influence project outcomes as
illustrated by a focused narrative that discusses relevant theory in relation to observed practice.

C: The work shows reasonable structure and exposition in an account that evinces a reasonable understanding of factors that influence project
outcomes as illustrated by a narrative that discusses relevant theory in relation to observed practice.

D: The work shows some structure in an account that evinces some understanding of factors that influence project outcomes as illustrated by a
narrative that discusses some relevant theory in relation to observed practice.

E: The work shows some limited element of structure in an account demonstrating a limited understanding of factors that influence project
outcomes and which is illustrated in a meandering narrative that offers a partial view of theory in relation to observed practice.

F: The work is marked by a lack of structure in an account demonstrating a poor understanding of factors that influence project outcomes and
which is illustrated in a meandering narrative that offers a partial and incorrect views of theory in relation to observed practice.

UG grades and marks bands are: A (70% and above), B (60-69%), C (50-59%), D (40-49%), E/F (39% and below)

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