Reference no: EM134043129
Assessment - Practical Project Management Portfolio
Assessment Description
Assessment 1 is a progressive practical portfolio. Students select one realistic project scenario and continue with the same project across four labs. Each lab aligns directly with the corresponding weekly topics and combines project management theory with authentic tool-based artefacts.
Generative AI is permitted in all four labs only for designated critical-evaluation activities. Students create the project artefacts first using the required tools, then use AI to review or challenge selected decisions. Students evaluate at least two AI claims/recommendations, classify each as Accepted, Modified or Rejected, and justify the decision using project context, course concepts and/or evidence from the required tools. Students identify at least one limitation or uncertainty where reasonably applicable; students are not required to invent errors.
Tool Access and Alternatives
diagrams.net/draw.io is an approved alternative to Miro. Google Sites is not required in Assessment 1. For other tool-access problems, students must seek lecturer approval before using an equivalent process or platform. Lecturers should provide a brief setup demonstration or starter guide for each required tool before it is assessed.
Assessment 1 Integrity Statement
Open Lane does not mean unrestricted AI use. The final project artefacts, analysis, and decisions must remain the student's own work. AI-generated text must not replace required software evidence or professional reasoning.
Assessment 1 - Lab 1
Project Initiation, Life Cycle & Stakeholder Management | Open Lane
Primary tools: Excel/Google Sheets; Miro or diagrams.net/draw.io
AI: Permitted for designated critical evaluation
Purpose
Establish the project foundation by applying project initiation, project life cycle/development approach, charter and stakeholder concepts to one approved project scenario. The same project continues across Labs 1-4.
Required Tasks
Part A - Project Context and Life Cycle
Summarise the project problem/opportunity and intended business value.
Select a predictive, agile or hybrid development approach and justify its suitability.
Identify the main project life-cycle stages and key decision points.
Part B - Project Charter
Project purpose and background/business need.
3-5 measurable objectives.
Major deliverables, in-scope and out-of-scope items.
Key assumptions, constraints and success criteria.
Sponsor and project manager.
Part C - Stakeholder Register and Power-Interest Analysis
Identify 8-10 relevant stakeholders/stakeholder groups in Excel or Google Sheets.
Include role, interest, power/influence, expectations or concerns and engagement approach.
Plot stakeholders on a power-interest matrix using Miro or diagrams.net/draw.io.
Explain the engagement approach for priority stakeholders.
Assessment: Project Initiation, Life Cycle & Stakeholder Management
Project: Select one approved project scenario and continue with the same project across Labs 1-4.
Required Tools
Microsoft Excel or Google Sheets - Stakeholder Register
Miro or diagrams.net/draw.io - Stakeholder Power-Interest Matrix
One approved generative AI tool - required critical-evaluation activity only
Part A - Project Context and Development Approach
Select one approved project scenario.
Provide:
Project title
Organisation/project context
Business problem or opportunity
Proposed project solution
Project sponsor
Project manager
Main users/customers
Proposed development approach:
Predictive/waterfall
Agile
Hybrid
Brief justification for the selected development approach
The selected project will continue through the remaining Assessment 1 labs.
Part B - Project Life Cycle
Explain how the selected project will move through the main project life-cycle stages:
Initiation
Planning
Execution
Monitoring and Controlling
Closing
For each stage, briefly describe the major activities that would occur in the context of the selected project.
Part C - Project Charter
Develop a professional Project Charter containing:
Project title
Background/business need
Project purpose
3-4 measurable project objectives
Major deliverables
In-scope items
Out-of-scope items
Key assumptions
Key constraints
High-level timeline
Major success criteria
Project sponsor
Project manager
The Charter must be specific to the selected project. Avoid generic statements that could apply to any project.
Part D - Stakeholder Register
Using Microsoft Excel or Google Sheets, identify approximately 8-10 important stakeholders or stakeholder groups.
Include:
Stakeholder
Role
Internal/External
Main Interest/Expectation
Power/Influence
Key Concern
Engagement Approach
The stakeholder analysis should be consistent with the project context and Project Charter.
Part E - Stakeholder Power-Interest Matrix
Using Miro or diagrams.net/draw.io, develop a Stakeholder Power-Interest Matrix.
Place stakeholders into the appropriate categories:
Manage Closely
Keep Satisfied
Keep Informed
Monitor
The positions shown in the matrix must be consistent with the power and interest ratings recorded in the Stakeholder Register.
Include a clear screenshot or export of the completed matrix in the report.
Part F - Critical and Ethical Use of Generative AI
After completing your own project artefacts, use one approved generative AI tool to critically review part of your work.
For example, ask AI to:
Review whether your project objectives are measurable.
Critique the Project Charter.
Review the selected development approach.
Identify a stakeholder you may have overlooked.
Critique your stakeholder classifications.
Evaluate the proposed stakeholder engagement approach.
You must critically evaluate at least two AI claims, suggestions or recommendations.
For each one, classify your decision as:
Accepted
Modified
Rejected
Justify the decision using:
Your project context
Project management concepts
Your own professional judgement
Evidence from the project artefacts you created
Where reasonably applicable, identify a limitation, uncertainty, weakness or assumption in the AI response.