KB7033 Project Change Risk and Opportunities Management

Assessment Details

 

 

 

• Evaluate the impact of client requirements, scope and external stakeholders upon value and risk management decisions in the project process

 

 

• Analyse the overall facets of project value and evaluate approaches to value management that are applicable to project management. 

 

• Critically analyse and apply appropriate techniques to understand the key drivers for change. 

 

• Develop and evaluate governance frameworks and their ability to deliver strategic objectives within project orientated organisations 

 

Personal Values Attributes (Global / Cultural awareness, Ethics, Curiosity) (PVA):

 

• Appreciate the complexity and diversity of behavioural dynamics

 

 

 

• Evaluate the impact of client requirements, scope and external stakeholders upon value and risk management decisions in the project process

 

 

• Analyse the overall facets of project value and evaluate approaches to value management that are applicable to project management. 

 

• Critically analyse and apply appropriate techniques to understand the key drivers for change. 

 

• Develop and evaluate governance frameworks and their ability to deliver strategic objectives within project orientated organisations 

Personal Values Attributes (Global / Cultural awareness, Ethics, Curiosity) (PVA):

 

• Appreciate the complexity and diversity of behavioural dynamics

 

 

This module allows you the chance to “live” the challenges of managing an organisational change initiative with the support of a computerised simulation. The simulation is based on a comprehensive model of how and why human beings react to change which includes a range of commercial, personal, emotional and ‘political’ factors.

The deliverable of this coursework is a strategic plan based on the simulation and the scenario information you will receive as an appendix to this specification.

 

The scenario revolves around the integration of two organisations after an acquisition has been agreed. You will be challenged to make decisions on a series of integration options (e.g. staff reduction and IT systems, see the Project Brief File for the full list of decisions) that have different cost saving and revenue growth impacts. These choices will also have implications on human reactions to the strategic change, and it is the careful balance of these business and human (hard and soft) factors, together with the political and cultural playing field, which determines the final success of the initiative.

 

 

From the scenario information, independent research and from the knowledge that you acquire as a result of this module, you will prepare a strategic plan addressing relevant issues, in consideration of the different theoretical areas of the module. When writing this report you will be acting as the Project Manager (Chris Wycliffe), your target audience is the banks board of directors and, as such, your report should be written accordingly. The geographical context of the banks is entirely at your discretion; however, you will need to indicate this at the start of your report as it will impact on the political, environmental, social, legal and economic factors of your report

 

The content of the report should include the following; however, this list is a guide and is not exhaustive;

a. Identify and appraise the current position of the banks, both internally (organisational) and externally (market),. Use these drivers when making the integration decisions.

 

b. Identify, map and rank the stakeholders associated with the acquisition in terms of their power, and interest along with the political and emotional factors that could impact on the business strategy. Perform a Network Analysis to understand the formal and informal relationships between each stakeholder. Evaluate their needs and requirements, 

c. Prepare an effective stakeholder engagement strategy based on the above analysis, that will ensure that the stakeholders are kept informed of progress during the change process. Create a strategy that will indicate the appropriate communication channels, the frequency of communication and how they will be monitored.

 

d. Critically evaluate the business decisions regarding the integration, as outlined in the Project Brief file, and conclude which decisions will derive the most value and why.

 

e. Identify the key risks of the decisions that you have made and evaluate the impact on the resources (human and physical) and the governance/culture of the organisation.

 

f. Summarise key areas of the report and outline additional governance frameworks and considerations that would enable a positive integration based on the decisions that you have proposed.

Whilst your strategic plan is to primarily draw upon, and refer to, the body of academic work in this area, it is also reasonable to expect that some elements in your review will be informed by material issued by credible, relevant, professional institutes within Project Management as these organisations will be useful in highlighting current issues and offering supporting information. 

 

 

The coursework and assessment is an individual piece of work; however, you will be expected to work as a group of approximately FOUR people during seminars/workshops. This process will stimulate creativity, further discussions and also support and enhance your understanding and learning during the module.You will form your own groups, provided that the group size of 4 is achieved. Groups should inform the tutors (in person or by e-mail) of their membership and nominate a single contact member – no later than 6pm on Friday 8th October 2021. If there are any difficulties with group formation, the tutors reserve the right to allocate individuals to a group

 

 

Groups of 4 are required during the simulation, these groups will be the same groups you formed during the seminars and workshops. Groups are necessary during the simulation due to the number of licences being restricted. The outcome and the learning during the simulation will be shared amongst the team members to inform their individual assessment. The online project simulation that will last approximately 3 hours. The day and time of the simulation will be communicated to you as part of the module plan

 

The simulation will require the group, acting as the Project Manager (Chris Wycliff), to take responsibility for the successful integration of two Banks. The simulation will act as an opportunity to consult with the key stakeholders. The information that you derive from interacting with the stakeholders will add another dimension to the decisions that you need to make and give you an insight into the behavioural, political and cultural issues that are experienced during the change process. It is expected that you include this information in your final assessment.

 

More information on the simulation will be given during the module

 

 

? The work should be formatted as a professional academic report with numbered headings and subheadings 

? The work should be formatted using ‘Arial’ font, of font size ‘11’, with 1.5 line spacing.

 

? The work shall be a maximum of 4,000 words which excludes the abstract, references/bibliography and appendices section.

 

? Figures and tables (diagrams, illustrations, photographs etc.) and tables are welcome to support the text. Figures, tables etc must be the authors own and must add value to the report.

 

? The work must form a structured and coherent whole. It must contain a contents page and a basic front sheet that identifies the student number (not name), the total number of words used (excluding references, abstract and appendices section), and the number of figures/tables used.

 

? The work should be formatted as a professional academic report with numbered headings and subheadings

 

4 The full word limit policy is accessible here: https://www.northumbria.ac.uk/about-us/university-services/academic-registry/quality-and-teaching-excellence/assessment/guidance-for-students/

 

 

You are to write your coursework using the Cite Them Right version of the Harvard referencing system. An online guide to Cite Them Right is freely available to Northumbria University students at:

• Abstract and Introduction – The abstract will be assessed on its content and structure and whether the abstract includes and describes; the purpose, problem, methods, results, and conclusion of your work. The introduction will be assessed on how well you have understood and deliberated the complexities of the scenario and how you have positioned it within a practical context: (10%)

 

? Main subject matter – Related to the focus, appropriateness, quality, and originality/creativity. The overall narrative should be coherent, and remain relevant to the scenario. Tables and Diagrams are an integral part of this report but must also remain relevant and useful: (40%)

 

? Quality of Conclusion and Considerations – Conclusion and Considerations should be realistic and contribute to the preceding narrative adding value to the overall report. (10%)

 

? Relationship with existing literature - The entire review should demonstrate adequate understanding of the relevant literature in the field, cite an appropriate range of literature sources and not ignore any significant work: (20%)

 

? Quality of Communication - The work should clearly express its case. Attention should have been paid to the clarity of expression and readability, such as sentence structure, jargon use, acronyms, etc: (10%)

 

? General structure and formatting of the work, and the References section – The structure is to be presented logically and formatted as an academic report with numbered headings and subheadings: (10%)

 

Total: 100%

 

 

The Referral Attempt opportunity will generally take place after the end-of-level Progression and Awards Board (PAB). If you become eligible to complete a Referral Attempt but are subsequently unable to undertake the opportunity when required, you will be permitted to re-sit the module at the next scheduled sitting of the module assessment. This will typically entail the suspension of your progression on your programme of study until such time that you have completed the level and become eligible to proceed.

 

 

The University has several policies for assessment. The following information, which is available to you from the link below, provides guidance on these policies, including relevant procedures and forms.

 

(1) Assessment Regulations and Policies

 

(a) Assessment Regulations for Taught Awards

 

(b) Group Work Assessments Policy

 

(c) Moderation Policy

 

(d) Retention of Assessed Work Policy

 

(e) Word Limits Policy

 

(2) Assessment Feedback

 

(a) Anonymous Marking Policy

 

(3) Late Submission of Work and Extension Requests

 

(4) Personal Extenuating Circumstances

 

(5) Technical Extenuating Circumstances

 

(6) Student Complaints and Appeals

 

(7) Academic Misconduct

 

(8) Student Disability and Unforeseen Medical Circumstances