ASSIGNMENT 1: Group Project Proposal
Due Week 6 at beginning of class
Weighting: 15% of course weighting
Marks allocated: 50 (Check requirements against Marking Criteria given
below)
Identify an organisation and a managerial problem. Gain permission from the
organisation for the project. Prepare a proposal showing agreement between the
organisation and the project group. The project proposal will look to resolve an
issue/problem facing its management, for example:

Resourcing

Organisational structure/restructure

Systemic change

Business process re-engineering

Other
1) Introduction: Introduce the business, its organisational purpose, structure, and roles
performed by managers. Briefly discuss activities and operational activities, e.g. people,
products/services, formal systems, leadership, teamwork, and communication as
appropriate and relevant.
Include key issues in the general and business operating
environments.
2) Problem Identification with rationale: Clearly identify the problem and indicate issues
around the problem
3) Project Plan: Provide the scope of the project, identify resources required (e.g. time,
costs, manpower, equipment, and time frame.
4) Problem solving model(s) and management concepts: Provide suitable problem solving
model(s) and other management concepts and/or tools to be used.
5)
Research design and process to be used. Identify and clearly explain the specific
research goals of the project. List the objectives using ‘SMART’.
6)
Application of theory: The application of theory must be provided to support
approaches to the proposal content
7) Citations and references: Make sure that you cite any information that is not your own
ideas. Detail all sources of external information used to compile the proposal in a
reference section. Your references must be in the correct APA format.
It is critical to refer to the marking schedule, given below, when preparing the assignment
to ensure you have covered all areas of the proposal.
MARKING SCHEDULE
ASSIGNMENT 1: PROJECT PROPOSAL
CONTRIBUTION TO FINAL GRADE: 15%
Note: If your Project Proposal is unsatisfactorily prepared you will need to resubmit it
to enable you to continue with the course.
Weighting
Cover Page
Title page
Presentation
quality
Introduction
Cover page provided and correctly filled-out
Proposal accurately typed, professionally presented and has
a high standard of grammar and spelling. Marks may be
deducted if students do not comply to these requirements
Name of organisation and brief nature of the business given
(1 marks)
5
Identifies the problem (2 marks) & consent form
Identifies key issues in the general and business operating
environments that may impact on the solution to the
problem. (2 marks)
Problem
Identification and
rationale
Describes the nature of the problem. 2 marks)
Project Plan
Provides scope of the project, resources required (e.g. time,
costs, manpower, equipment etc.). (4 marks)
Problem Solving
Model(s) and
management
concepts
4
Provides the rationale by indicating the significance of the
problem and its effect on the organisation. (2 marks)
Provides a timeline for managing the project e.g. Gantt chart,
or table, with rationale (2 marks)
A suitable problem solving model(s) is/are provided
(4 marks)
Other management concepts and/or tools to be used
(3 marks).
6
7
Research Design
Research Aim: Clearly identifies and explains the specific aim
and Process
of the project (4 marks)
17
Research goals and key objectives: Overall goals and key
objectives needed to achieve these goals. Use of the SMART
objective approach i.e. Specific, measurable,
attainable/achievable, relevant, time oriented (5 marks)
Research Design: Indicates (i.e. explains) how the
investigation of the problem will be carried out e.g.
Questionnaire, interview (who and why?), observation,
primary data and secondary data (5 marks)
Explains how the data analysis will be undertaken. (3 marks)
Application of
Discuss how citations are used in the proposal to support the
Theory
approaches to proposal content. (3 marks)
7
A general overview of use of theory in assisting resolution of
problem. (4 marks)
References
Total Marks
Citations are used and are accurate. Full details of all sources
of external information used to compile the proposal–
references are in the correct APA format.
4
50
ASSIGNMENT 2: Group Major Project REPORT
Due Week 13 at beginning of class
Weighting: 50% of course weighting
Marks allocated: 100 (Check requirements against Marking Criteria given
below)
For the major project the group will report on the team’s findings and the application of
management concepts in recommending solutions to the identified management problem
from the proposal outlined in assignment 1.
The report should include the following:
(a) Cover Page, Title Page, Table of Contents, Appendices
(b) Attach copies of the proposal and consent form (as appendices)
(c) Executive Summary - a maximum one-page summary of report outcomes designed to
give the reader an overview of the whole report.
(d) Introduction - Your introduction must state for whom the report is prepared, importance
of the investigation, the report objectives, and what is covered in each report section.
(e) Situation Analysis
A brief profile of the organisation: Purpose of business, structure, issues in the general and
business operating environments impacting on the organisation, products/services. Discuss
the leadership style within the organisation, its culture, teamwork, communication, and
other relevant organisational components.
(f) Identify the management problem or issue being investigated and its current impact on
the organisation
(g) Research Strategy, Data Collection, and Data Analysis Discuss the research strategy,
secondary and primary research and data gathering processes used in the investigation.
Provide information about data gathering and approach to analysis of the data. In the
appendices attach a copy of the questions asked of the organisation, managers/personnel
to assist in solving the problem.
(h) Findings and Discussion
Provide your findings and discuss your findings in detail, but do not make any
recommendations at this stage of the report.
(i) Conclusions
Write your conclusions, and make sure that they flow from the body of the report. Do not
include any new material.
(j) Recommendations and Implications
Provide your recommendations, the rationale for the final recommendations (ie. why you
chose them), and likely implications/consequences of your recommendations on the
organisation.
Provide a plan of action to implement the solution and develop appropriate control
measures to monitor and evaluate its implementation.
(k) The application of management theory must be provided to support your approach to
the report content.
(l) Timeline: Provide a detailed breakdown of key tasks involved in implementing the
recommendations and give each task a specific completion date.
(m) Presentation of report, Citations, and References
Your report may contain supporting charts, maps, tables, and diagrams where appropriate.
MARKING SCHEDULE
ASSIGNMENT 2: MAJOR GROUP REPORT
Contribution to final grade: 50%
MAJOR GROUP PROJECT REPORT
Group project: Report Format and Marking Schedule
Cover Page
Title Page
Table of Contents
Weighting
Includes name of course and course number; project title,
student names and ID numbers, lecturer name, submission
date.
Lists section headings, any subheadings used, and any
graphics included – gives page numbers for each report
component
Relevant supporting material not included in the body of
the report is attached
Appendices
Are linked to the relevant sections in the report
Project Proposal
Copies of the proposal and consent form are attached as
appendices
5
Executive
Summary
A one-page (maximum length) summary of report outcomes
to provide the reader with an overview of the report
content.
5
Introduction
States who the report is prepared by and for whom,
importance of the investigation, the report objectives, and
what is covered in report sections.
4
Situation Analysis
Profile the organisation: Discuss purpose of business,
structure, issues in the general and business operating
environments impacting on the organisation,
products/services. (7 marks)
Discuss the leadership style within the organisation (5
marks)
12
Identify the
problem or issue
being investigated
Clearly identifies a management problem in the
organisation.
5
Research strategy,
data collection and
data analysis
Research strategy is clearly given (4 marks)
(This is an in-depth explanation of what was briefly
highlighted in the proposal)
14
The data gathering process is explained and discussed. (5
marks)
Data analysis is well performed. (5 marks)
Findings and
discussion
The findings of the investigation are provided and well
discussed.
14
Conclusions
The conclusions flow from the body of the report, and with
no new material.
7
Recommendations
and implications
Provides recommendations, the rationale for the final
recommendations, and likely implications of the
recommendations on the organisation. (5 marks)
14
Provide a plan of action to implement the solution (4
marks)
Develop appropriate control measures to monitor and
evaluate the implementation. (5 marks)
Application of
Management
theory
Discuss the relationship of theory to practice when
answering questions
12
Timeline
Provides a detailed breakdown of key tasks involved in
implementing the recommendations, and gives each task a
specific completion date
4
Presentation,
Citations,
References
Report is accurately typed, professionally presented and has
a high standard of grammar and spelling.
4
Provides full details of all sources of external information
used to compile the report using correct APA format.
Citations are given, are accurate, and have correct format.
Fully detail all sources of external information used to
compile the proposal– references are in correct APA format.
Total
100
ASSIGNMENT 3: Individual Reflective Review
Due Week 14 drop off to assignment box by 5.00pm
Word limit: (Approx. 1500 words)
Weighting: 25% of course weighting
Allocated marks: 100 (Check against marking criteria below)
The purpose of this exercise is to critically review the completed project proposal process
and research outcomes of the completed project. Marks are allocated in the Reflective
Review for journal submissions and meeting minutes submitted throughout the course. A
copy of the journals and Minutes copies of which should be attached to the Reflective
review as an appendix
THE REFLECTIVE REVIEW WILL PROVIDE:
1. A CRITICAL REVIEW OF:
a.
Effectiveness of yourself and other team members’ role
b. Project proposal and Main Project:
c.

Problem solving process

Decision making process

Research methods
Management of the project process
d. Application of management concepts
e. Contribution to discussions during the course
2. RECOMMEND PROJECT PROCESS IMPROVEMENTS.
Examination and discussion of key events, as noted in your journal and consideration of the
following points must be in your reflective review:

when difficulties/problems arose within the group, how were those
difficulties/problems resolved;

did you think a satisfactory outcome was achieved; if yes, explain why;

if a satisfactory outcome was not achieved explain why not;

explain the role you played in the outcome;

discuss whether different actions put forward by you could have led to a
superior outcome.

A learning journal is to be kept for the purposes of preparing the reflective
review to identify work undertaken in the group, whether any issues arose
among group members and how they were dealt with, attendance by group
members at meetings. A copy of the journal is to be submitted weekly starting
in week 3 and finishing in week 11.

Minutes must be taken at all group meetings with action points identified.

A copy of the Journals and Minutes are to be submitted as an appendix to the
Reflective Essay.
MARKING SCHEDULE
ASSIGNMENT 3: INDIVIDUAL REFLECTIVE REVIEW
Contribution to final grade: 25%
Reflective Review and Learning Journal
Cover Page
Title page
Presentation and readability
Effectiveness of yourself and
other team members roles
Includes name of course and course number;
project title, student names and ID numbers,
lecturer name, submission date.
Logical, fluent, succinct and correct (grammar and
spelling) expression
● Discuss your role in the group (6 marks)
-
18

Teamwork: highlight dynamics, problems,
conflicts, and approaches to resolution (6
marks)

Indicate how you will translate your individual
learning to future group situations (6 marks)
Critical evaluation of the project
proposal and research outcomes
of the completed major project
process

Problem solving process (6 marks)

Decision making process (6 marks)

Research methods (8 marks)
Management of the project
process
Critically review how the group managed the
overall project process.
10
Application of management
concepts
Discuss how, overall, the application of theory
assisted you in the project.
10
Recommend project process
improvements
Recommend changes and improvements to the
project process.
10
Reflect on the value of group participation (5
marks)
8
Group participation reflection,
group minute taking, group
setting action goals
Participation in class
18
Explain the importance of minute taking and
setting action points. (3 marks)
Participation in Class - article discussion, case
study report back as observed by lecturer (7
marks)
Presentations – Case studies
- Journal articles (7 marks)
14
Journals, group minutes
Submission copy of journals and minutes with
reflective essay (4 marks)
12
Submission of 10 journals & minutes on weekly
basis from week 2 – 11 (8 marks)
Total Mark
100
Assignment 4 - Group Oral Presentation
Delivered in class: Week 13
Worth: 10% of course weighting
Marks allocated: 30
The purpose of the presentation is to provide experience in presenting to an audience, and
to generate discussion about ‘real’ situations in business along with their relationship to
theory.
Each student in the group is required to verbally present an aspect of the major project
report with which they have been involved. The presentations should include an overview
of the situation analysis, the problem/issue, options investigated, key ideas, conclusions and
recommendations. Presentations will be made to classmates and invited guests (if any), and
the time available to the group is 20 minutes. Students will be individually assessed for
their contribution to the presentation.
The major project presentations will take place during week 13. The order for the oral
presentations for the major projects will be assigned by the lecturer.
OVERALL GUIDE FOR ASSIGNMENTS:

Students’ submitted projects should be handed to the lecturer at the beginning of class
time. Late submissions will not be accepted or marked.

Projects must be entirely the work of the nominated group of students, and no collusion
of any kind with other students is permitted.

Subject to group self-evaluations all group members will receive the same project grade.
However, the lecturer reserves the right to make a final decision regarding the
contribution made by individuals within the group.

In the event of self-evaluations revealing uneven individual contributions to the group
workload, individual student grades may be adjusted to reflect the extent of their
contribution. In addition, any individual who fails to contribute adequately to the group
performance may be excluded from that group and be asked to complete material
individually, and within the original time limitations.
MARKING SCHEDULE
ORAL GROUP PRESENTATION (10%)
Presentation Assessment Criteria:
Criteria
Overall Impression:
Possible
Mark
Member
1
Member
2
Member
3
Member
4
10
Introduction, summary, visual aids (7 marks)
handling questions, evidence of rehearsal (3 marks)
Logical development of content
10
Main points clearly given and linked together to
illustrate relationship. (5 marks)
Evidence of management concepts in the
development of the project. (5 marks)
Delivery of Presentation
10
Voice: tone is friendly and firm, variety of pitch,
power, pace and pause (2 marks)
Eye contact with the audience (2 marks)
Appropriate enthusiasm, emotion and smile, natural
gestures and body language, few distracting
mannerisms (2marks)
Presentation within time constraints. (2marks)
Presenter begins and ends confidently and strongly
(2 marks)
Total
30
Note: Students will be marked individually for this assessment
GRADING
For A grade or above: Presentation gives good depth of material coverage, clearly answers
questions posed, is well structured, confidently given.
For B grade or above: Presentation is well planned and delivered smoothly, confidently and
within the time constraints, material is well cited and has good coverage.
For C grade: Presentation is acceptable, but shows less skilled planning and confidence
within time constraint
Fail grades: Presentation falls outside time constraint, has mediocre structure and delivery
lacks confidence, material lacks depth, is not cited properly.