BUS353: (Project Management) Students need to compose an individual written report to demonstrate the necessary technical skills and knowledge of project management.
Module / Subject / School:
BUS353: Project Management
Singapore University of Social Sciences (SUSS)
Requirements:Â
Question 1
(a) What is a Project Portfolio Management (PPM) System? Discuss three (3) possible problems faced by RIT that may impacts its survival. For each problem, appraise how the PPM system can help to eliminate or minimise its impact.
Note:
- You shall assess RIT’s business and operations, and relate them to the question.
- Maximum word count is 400 words and the number of words should be indicated at the end of the answer.
(23 marks)
(b) Explain five (5) environmental drivers that motivate organisations towards implementation of project management practices and examine how one RIT’s potential project can be related to each driver.
You shall present you answer in the format below:
Environmental driver # (fill in a number 1 to 5) is ___________ (state the driver). This is because ________ (explain the driver). Project ___ (state the project number and name) is related to this driver because ________ (relate the project to the driver, either to address or as a result of the driver).
Repeat the above for all five drivers.
Note:
- Â Every project must be related to one unique driver, i.e., the project cannot be repeated for a different driver. You shall examine any five out of the six listed projects.
- Â Maximum word count is 400 words and the number of words should be indicated at the end of the answer.
(*Challenge Question)
(35 marks)
(c) Categorise Project A to F (individually and in sequential order) into one (1) of Compliance, Strategic or Operational categories with justification on how the project will affect RIT.
Note:
- To address this question, it will be useful to research on the nature of similar
- projects.
- Maximum word count is 400 words and the number of words should be indicated at the end of the answer.
(42 marks)
What we score:
70%
Our Writer’s CommentÂ
This assignment is designed to assess students’ understanding of business practices.
To secure an A+ grade, adhere to these guidelines and make sure your work aligns with the grading criteria:
Question 1(a): Project Portfolio Management (PPM) System (23 marks)
1. What is PPM?
You need to start by clearly defining what a Project Portfolio Management (PPM) system is. Keep it concise: PPM is a framework used by organizations to prioritize, manage, and align projects with their business objectives. It helps in resource allocation, risk management, and ensuring strategic alignment.
2. Identifying Problems at RIT
You are expected to identify three problems that RIT might face, which could threaten its survival. Examples might include:
- Resource Allocation Issues: RIT might struggle to allocate resources effectively across multiple projects.
- Strategic Misalignment: Projects might not align with RIT’s long-term goals, leading to wasted efforts and poor performance.
- Risk Management Deficiencies: RIT could face risks such as project delays, cost overruns, or market changes.
For each problem:
- Explain how the PPM system can help. For example, PPM can ensure that resources are allocated efficiently by reviewing project performance and prioritizing projects that provide the highest return on investment (ROI). It can also help mitigate risks by identifying and managing potential issues early on.
Tip: Keep your explanation tight and focused on how PPM can solve each issue. Make sure to clearly link each problem back to how PPM addresses it.
Question 1(b): Environmental Drivers for Project Management (35 marks)
For this section, you’re being asked to connect environmental drivers to specific projects at RIT. Here’s a structured way to approach it:
1. Environmental Driver
You need to explain five different environmental drivers. Examples could include:
- Technological Advancements: Organizations are motivated to adopt new technologies to stay competitive.
- Regulatory Changes: New laws or regulations can drive project initiatives to ensure compliance.
- Market Competition: Organizations might need to launch new projects to stay ahead of competitors.
2. Relating Projects to Drivers
For each driver, link it to a specific project at RIT. Here’s a sample structure:
- Environmental driver #1: Technological advancements. This driver refers to the need for organizations to adopt new technologies to stay competitive. Project X is related to this driver because it involves implementing cutting-edge technology to improve operational efficiency.
Tip: Keep each explanation brief but ensure the connection between the driver and the project is clear. Use unique projects for each driver—don’t repeat the same project for different drivers. Make sure to cover a wide range of environmental factors (e.g., economic, social, technological, regulatory).
Question 1(c): Categorizing Projects into Compliance, Strategic, or Operational (42 marks)
In this section, you need to categorize each project into one of three categories: Compliance, Strategic, or Operational. Here’s what you need to do:
1. Define the Categories:
- Compliance: Projects driven by the need to comply with regulations, legal requirements, or industry standards.
- Strategic: Projects that help the company achieve its long-term strategic goals, such as entering a new market or developing new products.
- Operational: Projects focused on improving day-to-day operations, increasing efficiency, or reducing costs.
2. Categorize Each Project
For each project (A to F):
- State the category (compliance, strategic, or operational).
- Justify your decision by explaining why the project falls under that category. For example:
- If Project A involves upgrading IT systems to comply with data security regulations, it would fall under compliance.
- If Project B involves launching a new product to capture market share, it would be categorized as strategic.
- If Project C involves improving internal processes, it would fall under operational.
Tip: Research similar projects to see how they are categorized. Ensure your justifications are logical and clearly connect the project’s objective to the chosen category. Avoid generalizing—be specific about why each project fits the category you’ve selected.
General Tips to Improve Your Score:
- Be concise and focused: You have a 400-word limit for each section, so make sure every word counts. Don’t include unnecessary details—stick to the question’s requirements.
- Use structured explanations: For each question, clearly label each part (e.g., Problem #1, Environmental Driver #1) and make your answers easy to follow. This will help you score higher for clarity and organization.
- Link back to theory: In each answer, try to incorporate project management theories or frameworks that were covered in your course. This shows a deeper understanding and application of the material.
- Justify your answers: Especially in question (c), provide a solid rationale for why you categorized each project the way you did. Don’t assume the reader will understand—spell it out clearly.
By focusing on clear, structured answers that link theory to practice, and making sure your justifications are well-supported, you’ll improve your score in future assignments!
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