Network Project Proposal: Planning, Resources & Risk Management

The assignment requires students to plan and resource a network project from a given proposal, creating a project plan, resources plan for costs, risk log, and critique of potential difficulties and their mitigation. The learning outcomes assessed include planning and resourcing a project, understanding tools and techniques for managing staff and resources, and critically evaluating options for procurement and deployment of resources.

FD Sc Communication Technologies: Network Engineering
Level: 5
Module: Managing Network Projects
Assessment: Assessment 1: Project Proposal
Module Tutor: xxxxx
Weighting in Module: 50%
Hand out: Friday 4th November 2016
Hand in: on or before 12.00, Friday 9th December 2016
[to Assessment Centre, WF 1st floor or SafeAssign
Please make sure you obtain and keep a receipt]
Learning outcomes to be assessed:
1. The ability to plan and resource a project from a given project proposal are demonstrated.
2. An understanding of the tools and techniques available for managing and scheduling staff
and resources is shown through the presentation of appropriate tools and techniques for the
given proposal.
3. A valid critical evaluation of the options available for the procurement and deployment of
resources for a given project scenario is presented.
Assessment Brief.
See the attached brief.
What is required?
 A project plan detailing the schedule of work and resources required
 Risk log
 1500 work critiques assessing the problems you may encounter and the means by which
each might be resolved
Assessment & Grading Criteria:
See overleaf

FdSc Communication Technologies: Network Engineering Managing Network Projects: Assignment 1
Assessment Criteria
To achieve a Pass in this Assignment, the stated Pass criteria must be achieved
Learning Outcomes Assessed in this Assessment PASS criteria
1. Demonstrate good knowledge and
understanding of the essential facts and
concepts relating to the planning of projects.
2. Use appropriate terminology for a network
technologist developing a network centric plan.
3. Demonstrate the ability to identify and select
suppliers by investigation and critical analysis of
publically available data and information
4. Show an understanding of risk management
5. Make effective use of information retrieval
skills.
6. Manage your own learning and development.
Grading criteria follow…….

FdSc Communication Technologies: Network Engineering Managing Network Projects: Assignment 1
To achieve a higher grade it is the quality of work that will be considered, rather than the amount of work done, and will be assessed against the given
criteria:
Generic Grading criteria for Level 5
Knowledge and Understanding Good Pass Merit Distinction
Management skills appropriate to the
management of network projects
Appropriate and consistent
application of relevant
knowledge.
Demonstrate the accurate and
consistent use of technical
terms and notation.
Make clear and appropriate
use of relevant theories and
techniques.
Validate and evaluate results and products effectively
using appropriate theories or frameworks.
Cognitive Skills
Carries out cognitive tasks
more than once
Demonstrate the appropriate
and consistent application of
relevant skills and knowledge.
Express a deep understanding of the context of the
problem set, the limitations on the solution
methodologies, and the evaluation of the final
deliverables.
Research, interpret and analyse non-
technical information, and be able to
communicate the results appropriately to
specific audiences
Research, interpret and analyse technical
information, and be able to communicate
the results appropriately to specific
audiences
Subject Specific Skills
Consider or use more than one
solution method or technique
where appropriate.
Use technical skills effectively
to produce complete
products/artefacts which
substantially meet the defined
requirements.
Use technical skills effectively to produce complete
products/artefacts which completely meet the defined
requirements.
The use of specialist applications software
to support the project management process
Key/transferable skills
Be presented or documented
clearly.
Show evidence of independent
learning and activity.
Be presented in a professional
manner suitable for the
intended audience.
Demonstrate an individual approach towards the
presentation of results and discussion, and towards the
solution of the problems involved.
Be concise and focussed, with well justified
discussions and, where appropriate, useful and
accurate illustration.
Make effective use of information-retrieval
skills

FdSc Communication Technologies: Network Engineering
Managing Network Projects: Assignment 1
Assignment Brief
You have now received your Invitation to Tender from A&E Old Iron Ltd and must begin your response.
You work for a prestigious IT consultancy/contractor specialising in the design and installation of
networks. Your consultancy has the full range of design and installation skills in house and so you have
no need for external contractors.
Choose your own company name.
You have few resources at your disposal, you and no more than four workers at any time. The workers
you choose can have the precise skills you need at the time you need them, their being drawn from a pool
of labour available as required. You may assume no constraints.
For your final submission you can present your work in any format as long as your files can be opened on
a machine similar in applications to those in room A2.08.
You are required to present:
1. Project plan (for the network and cabling only, do not concern yourself with the detail of software)
2. Resources plan for costs (equipment), labour (hours) & cabling (materials costs & labour time)
3. Risk log
4. Critique of the difficulties you expect to encounter and their mitigation
Your lecturer will act as both your immediate manager and MD of A&E Old Ltd. These are your two
sources of information.
There will be a contractors’ meeting for clarification of the requirement on Thursday 10th October 2016.