Project Management Assessment 1 - Desklib

This Project Management Assessment for students includes self-audit, skills, and abilities. It also covers how to handle challenges in projects and prepare for industry. The assessment is designed to help students gain practical knowledge and experience in project management. The study material is available on Desklib, which offers a wide range of solved assignments, essays, dissertations, and more.

Project Management Assessment 1
PROJECT MANAGEMENT ASSESSMENT
Student’s Name
Course
Professor’s Name
Institutional Affiliation
City
Date
1

Project Management Assessment 2
1. Comparing to the baseline
Complete the five values, dream job and skills audit again (you will use this to compare
changes to your baseline submitted earlier).
1.1. Five Values (1 mark)
Value group 1 Value group 2 Value group 3 Value Group 4 Value group 5
Leadership
Passion
Boldness
Ambition
Daring
Encouragement
Teamwork
Challenge
Professionalism
Love
Caring
Kindness
Friendship
Relationship
Family
generosity
Motivation
Success
Honesty
Trustworthy
Mindfulness
Dedication
Ambition
Commitment
brilliance
Spirituality
Health
Wealth
Power
ethics
Fun
joy
Adventure
Freedom
Balance
Being the best
Level of
importance
Value
1st (Most important) Ambition
2nd Family
3rd Honesty
4th Health
5th Freedom
Have your values changed since completing the unit? Provide a statement as to how and why
these have changed or not.
Slightly, My high regard for the values of ambition, family, honesty, and health remain
unchanged. However, after completing the unit I tend to rank freedom higher than
adventure having realized that working in private practice as a project manager would give
me more satisfaction. My high regard for ambition, family, honesty, and health remain
unchanged because I believe that my if I pursue my ambitions honestly while maintaining a
healthy relationship with my family. I would be a happy man. Without good health also, it
would not be possible to fulfil my plans.
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Project Management Assessment 3
1.2 PMI Talent Triangle Self Audit
1.2.1 Technical Project Management (1 mark)
Not
competen
t
Somewha
t
competent
Uncertai
n
Competen
t
Highly
Competen
t
Agile practices 
Data gathering and
modelling

Earned Value Management 
Governance 
Lifecycle management 
Performance management 
Requirements management
and traceability

Risk management 
Schedule management 
Scope management 
Time, budget, and cost
estimation

Other
(if adding another skill type
what it is here)
______________________
_
Has your Technical Project Management competence changed since completing the unit?
Provide a statement as to how and why these have changed or not.
Yes, my technical project management competence has greatly improved. Previously, I am
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Project Management Assessment 4
now competent at agile practices and schedule management. Agile practices ensures
continuous improvement and team input which are key in provision of quality products
(Stettina and Hörz 2015, p.5).The ability to manage time is essential for me as a project
manager. I also improved in data gathering and modelling and earned value management
that would enable me to identify variances from plans and address them effectively. I am
however still unsure of my technical capability in governance. These changes are as a
result of the teachings I have acquired through studying the unit and my increased
awareness about project management.
1.2.2 Strategic and Business Management (1 mark)
Not
competen
t
Somewha
t
competent
Uncertai
n
Competen
t
Highly
Competen
t
Benefits management and
realisation

Business acumen 
Business models and
structures

Competitive analysis 
Customer relationship and
satisfaction

Industry Knowledge and
standards

Legal and regulatory
compliance

Market awareness and
conditions

Operational functions (e.g.
finance, marketing)

Strategic planning, analysis,
alignment

Other
4

Project Management Assessment 5
(if adding another skill type
what it is here)
______________________
_
Have your Strategic and Business Management competence changed since completing the
unit? Provide a statement as to what these are and why you think these have changed or not.
Yes, my strategic and business management competence has improved significantly. My
technical skills in benefits management and realisation, business acumen, competitiveness
analysis, and industry practices including relevant operational laws have improved. As a
project manager, my skills in strategic and business management would enable me to
manage projects profitably, and according to industry practices at the same time being
competitive in the market. The knowledge imparted on me in this unit have contributed a
lot to this progress.
1.2.3 Leadership (1 mark)
Not
competen
t
Somewha
t
competent
Uncertai
n
Competen
t
Highly
Competen
t
Brainstorming 
Coaching and mentoring 
Conflict management 
Emotional intelligence 
Influencing 
Interpersonal skills 
Listening 
Negotiation 
Problem solving 
Team building 
5

Project Management Assessment 6
Other
(if adding another skill type
what it is here)
______________________
_
Have there been any changes to your Leadership Skill Set since completing the unit?
Provide a statement as to what these are and why you think these have changed or not.
Slightly, my problem solving skills have improved. The rest have stagnated. I believe that
leadership skills are more practical than theoretical. Through team work and leading these
project management groups I would improve my skills in leadership since leadership skills
are a virtue that every project manager should possess in order to lead projects
successfully.
2 Reflecting on Performance
2.1 Defining success and failure (2 marks)
a) What does success mean to you personally? (0.5 marks)
Success to me means fulfilling my ambitions in life. I would count myself successful if I
would own my own successful company. Being in private practice would enable me to
explore my creativity in pursuit of my dreams while making my opinions count through
leading the companies. An entrepreneur has a high possibility of creating huge wealth than an
employee who works just for salary with little possibility of growth (Yozgat and Kamanli
2016, p.24)
b) How did your project perform in relation to Cost, Time, Scope and Quality? (0.5 marks)
My low cost housing project in Australia performed fairly well. We managed to complete the
project according to the set schedule and at the same time in accordance to the required
quality standards. Quality control and safety standards were adhered to. Project scope
involves project management activities that include project documentation, task planning, and
budgeting (Heagney 2016, p.34). It also includes the objectives for which the project was
undertaken. The project was professionally managed to fulfil all goals for which it was
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Project Management Assessment 7
launched. However, there existed notable challenges such as failure to achieve time schedules
for some parts of the project, for which we solved by doing the succeeding activities faster
without compromising on project quality.
c) What can you learn from failures and can they ever be a positive thing? (0.5 marks)
Failures are negative situations that occur against the expectation of an individual. I believe
that failure should not only be looked at from a negative point of view. Failure comes with
lessons which when harnessed prevent their reoccurrence in future (Hu, McNamara and
Piaskowska 2017, p. 4). People should not desist from trying what they believe because they
fear failure. The more one tries, the higher the chances of succeeding. This attitude is
essential for project managers.
d) How successful was your project in terms of how you define success for you? (0.5 marks)
I define success as achieving the goals I had set. The whole process of project management
form initiation, planning, execution, controlling, and closure were in done right. The project
goal to provide low cost housing to the low class people of Australia was achieved and thus
generally, the project was successful.
2.2 What I achieved in PPMP20018 (2.5 marks)
a) What did you hope to achieve (skills/knowledge/personal insights/ contacts etc.) during
your time in this unit? (0.5 marks)
My hope while undertaking the project was to obtain skills that include analysing and
identifying the project management requirements that ensure successful completion of a
project management project. Learning on how to minimize construction costs and the types of
materials that could facilitate the same were the personal insights I was seeking.
b) What did you achieve by participating in this unit? (0.5 marks)
I learnt a lot with respect to the practical aspects of project management. These involved
project initiation, planning, execution, controlling, and closure. Communication,
organizational culture and structure affect the way the project is carried out. Project
management success highly depend on the overall communication effectiveness (Kerzner
2018, p.20) .Effective and efficient communication between different stakeholders backed by
professionalism ensured that the project was successful.
c) Reflecting on your answers above fill in the following table (1.5 marks)
Compare and discuss your
answers to (a) and (b). Is
there a difference between
the two? What are the
potential causes of any
difference or similarity?
How does this made you
feel?
What lessons I have learnt
about myself from this
experience?
Yes, there exists differences.
(a) Gives what I hoped to
Undertaking the project
makes me feel more
I enjoy practicals than
theory. The practical project
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Project Management Assessment 8
achieve before undertaking
the project while (b) express
the lessons I learnt after
taking part in the project.
However, I managed to
learn the skills in
anticipated.
practical in my thoughts. I
feel good because I could
practically use the theory I
had learnt.
management part was
amazing since they were
impactful and full of
lessons.
2.3 Your skills and abilities (1.5 marks)
a) What do you believe are your major strengths? (0.5 marks)
Team playing, communication skills, and creativity. These virtues are among the key traits
of a successful project manager.
b) Discuss whether you able to utilise your strengths in the project. Include an explanation of
how you were OR why you were not able to demonstrate them during your project. (1 mark)
Yes. My strengths were so much useful in the project. I used my good communication
skills to interact and communicate effectively with team members. As a team player, I
successfully worked closely together with others towards fulfilling a common goal. My
creativity became useful in various stages where there was need to apply a creative solution
to tackle project challenges.
3 Experiencing challenges in projects (10 marks)
This unit was designed so you will experience a number of challenges that project managers
face. These include tight timeframes, diverse teams and requirements that are not necessarily
well defined. Being challenged places us under stress, to a certain point this increases
performance. However, as stress increases it will start to diminish our performance. The
challenging nature of the unit may have raised differing emotions, you may have felt
overwhelmed, excited, frustrated, or a sense of achievement. You may have felt different
emotions at different stages of the unit, this is perfectly normal when managing projects.
Reflecting on how we each react to stress is important. It enables us to recognise when we are
under stress and how we can manage our reactions effectively.
Experiencing challenges of project management in the university context, although
uncomfortable enables us to be better prepared for the realities of industry. For example, this
unit allows you to make mistakes that are better experienced for first time at university than
in industry. Can you think of something you wish you handled better this term?
However, we only gain value if we reflect on our experiences and understand how we can
utilise these learnings in future work environments.
Complete the following table:
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Project Management Assessment 9
Challenge Situation
Describe your
experience of the
following concepts in
the context of the
unit, including
whether you found
this challenging or
not.
Your Reaction
How did you react
(note both feelings
and actions) to the
challenges?
Industry readiness
How does having this
experience better
prepare you for
working in industry?
a) Dealing with
the pressures of
extremely tight
timeframes and
limited resources.
(2 marks)
Sometimes in the
pursuit of the unit, I
had many
assignments that I had
to finish within little
time frames. Time
here was the limited
resource.
I felt overwhelmed
and demotivated. But
I had no option but to
plan myself well in
order to finish them
within the deadline.
The industry has the
same challenges.
Taking a project for
instance, the scarcity
of labour, capital, and
time is a common
issue. These
challenges therefore,
train me on how to
handle industry
problems.
b) Dealing with
team dynamics
when team
members may be
diverse, have
differing
expectations and
commitment.
(2 marks)
Our teams consist of
people with different
traits and approaches
to issues (Rickards &
Moger 2017, p.43).
As a student, I am
sometimes faced with
the challenge of
relating with others
because they hold
different interests and
opinions.
Understanding the
traits of different
team members offers
the one the ability to
work with them with
less conflict. This
would include
learning how to
approach different
people and solving
conflict that arise
amicably.
In the industry we
meet people of
different characters
and ranks. Most
projects would
demand individuals to
work in teams.
Learning group
dynamics prepares me
to work effectively
with others in the
industry.
c) Defining an
innovative
solution for a
social issue that is
not your primary
area of expertise.
(2 marks)
Homeless especially
among children and
poor families renders
the affected to live in
deplorable
circumstances. Their
health and general
well-being is
threatened. The
construction of low
cost housing using
cheaper materials
would solve their
problem.
d) Achieving
project delivery
Delivering the low
cost housing project
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Project Management Assessment 10
Challenge Situation
Describe your
experience of the
following concepts in
the context of the
unit, including
whether you found
this challenging or
not.
Your Reaction
How did you react
(note both feelings
and actions) to the
challenges?
Industry readiness
How does having this
experience better
prepare you for
working in industry?
for a social issue
that is not your
primary area of
expertise.
(2 marks)
requires planning and
proper management
in order to fulfil
objectives.
e) Engaging with
and eliciting
feedback from
stakeholders
(2 marks)
Involvement of the all
necessary
stakeholders
including project
financiers, local
authorities, project
managers, and the
expected beneficiaries
in decision making is
essential in order for
the project to be
successful and more
impactful.
4 Reflective practice for job applications (10 marks)
Use the table below and the STAR (Situation, Task, Action, Result) form of addressing
Selection Criteria to describe your application of one hard skill (technical project
management) and one soft (leadership/interpersonal) skill during the project.
4.1 Hard Skill (5 marks)
Demonstrated
Hard Skill
Here note the hard skill (e.g. technical project management skill) you
have demonstrated in project. Comment on whether the skill is the same
or different to the hard skill you wanted to improve (as noted in your
Baseline assessment – if different note what the baseline skill was) and
what insight this has provided you.
Schedule management is a skill that I wanted to improve because I was
incompetent on how to do it.
Situation The low cost housing project had timelines that had to be meet.
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Project Management Assessment 11
Task Foundation.
Walling.
Roofing
Action I used Ms. Project software to keep track of activities to make sure
schedules are met. Early planning of milestones to establish that every
participant had a clear role with stipulated timelines which has to be
complied with.
Result Generally, schedule management was successful with just a little
negligible variations.
4.2 Soft skill (5 marks)
Demonstrated
Soft Skill
Here note the soft skill (e.g. interpersonal skills, leadership etc.) you
have demonstrated in project. Comment on whether the skill is the same
or different to the soft skill you wanted to improve (as noted in your
Baseline assessment – if different note what the baseline skill was) and
what insight this has provided.
The problem solving skill is a soft skill that I was uncertain on whether
I possess. I wanted to learn it in this unit.
Situation Construction materials were less at the site.
Task Tackling the scarcity of materials
Action I asked the work men to proceed with the existing materials as I
organized the arrival of more. This did not affect work quality since the
present materials could be used.
Result The project went smoothly since the other materials arrived in time and
thus no interruption was witnessed.
5 Action and Next Steps (10 Marks)
5.1 Action (9 marks)
During the unit you were asked to embrace an action mindset. We are challenging you to do
the same. You must complete the actions and submissions for one of the options. Some
options will provide a choice of actions to complete. Submission act both as evidence of
completion of a task and need sufficient details to enable them to be checked, e.g. if you
speak to someone provide their details including name, organisation and contact details.
It is better to act in a small way that takes you one step further long your career path than
have big plans that are never actioned. Do not submit an extravagant plan or fictionalised
exaggeration, as it will waste your time and marks. Choose the option that you can gain value
from and is achievable.
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Project Management Assessment 12
Choose one of the following options:
1. Apply for a job
2. Build your profile
3. Improve your industry exposure and networks
The table below provides further information about each option:
Option Action Submit
Option 1
1. Apply for a job
Apply for a job in your chosen
discipline or one that will
enable you to develop
transferable skills.
i). A copy of the job
advertisement and a short
statement explaining why you
decided on this position.
ii).The completed application
you have submitted or plan to
submit, including supporting
documentation e.g. your
updated Curriculum Vitae.
iii) Discuss the dos and don’ts
of completing job applications.
Include at least one relevant
reference supporting your
statement.
Option 2.
Build your profile
Complete ONE of the
following:
a) Social Media
Write a positive social media
message about some aspect
related to the unit concepts and
what you have achieved that a
prospective employer would be
able to find e.g. Twitter post
“Embracing social innovation
mindset #PPMP20018 #CQU”
Submit the following:
i) Your post/article or profile
A copy of the social media post
/ article / LinkedIn Profile etc.
Include web addresses, screen
shots etc.
ii) Compliance and
Permission
A statement agreeing you have
read and complied with all
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Project Management Assessment 13
Option Action Submit
OR
b) Article
Write a short article about your
experience in the unit. The
article should be written in a
style appropriate for online
publication e.g. CQU website
or newsletter. You can include
a copy of your poster (updated
considering any feedback.
OR
c) LinkedIn Profile
Create or update your LinkedIn
Profile. Research how to
optimise your Linkedin profile
and market yourself
professionally.
relevant CQU
polices/procedures relating to
social media and you (and your
group members – if including
the poster) give permission to
publish your article/poster.
Note: There is no guarantee of
publication. Publications may
be in the form of extracts and
edited.
iii) Online Presence
Describe how what you post
online can help or hinder your
future job prospects. Include at
least one relevant reference
supporting your statement.
Option 3.
Improve your
industry exposure and
networks
Note: this relates to
the industry of your
choice whether
project management
or domain specific.
Complete ONE of the
following:
a) Industry Body
Membership
Apply for membership to a
relevant industry body e.g.
PMI, AIPM or other industry
body relevant to your
discipline.
i) State your target industry and
why this is the industry you
want to build a career in.
ii) Describe what you have
done and include relevant
details e.g. contact details,
application or membership
numbers.
iii) Describe the benefits of
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Project Management Assessment 14
Option Action Submit
b) Apply for certification
Apply for an industry relevant
certification e.g. CAPM, PMP
etc.
c) Attend event
Attend an Industry Body or
other event relevant to your
industry.
d) Learn from those in
industry
Talk with a person within your
industry of choice. (this does
not have to be a face-to-face
meeting, but could be a phone
call, zoom meeting etc.). Use
the opportunity to seek advice.
If you do not have specific
questions ask what advice they
would give a graduate who
wants to get work in the
industry.
improving your industry
exposure and networks. What
have you gained from the
action you took? What advice
would you give a student who
will attempt this next term?
Ensure you include at least one
relevant reference as a source
to support your statement.
Solution.
I would build my profile on social media platforms such as twitter and post content that
showcase my skills in project management so that prospective employers would see. Social
media branding is a nowadays improves the chances of securing projects and jobs when used
well (Ashley and Tuten 2015, p.35). Companies who use social media promotion and
campaigns in this information era have huge potential for making sales.
5.2. Next Steps (1 mark)
Use the table to identify two actions you will complete in the next six months.
a) Building your CV
Work / career related action to add to your
Curriculum Vitae (CV).
I would Pursue the Certified Associate in
Project Management (CAPM) certification
in order to boost my professionalism in the
field. I would commit 23 contact hours of
formal education.
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Project Management Assessment 15
b) Finding Balance
Fun / exciting activity that you have never
done before (does not need to be work
related)
Having fun or exciting moments is good for
human health. I plan to add more of such
experiences to my life. Surfing is exciting
for mean and I would have to try it to add
Fun to my life this year.
OPTIONAL – email contact
Provide an email address that will be active
in six months if you wish to receive a
follow-up email (note if this is your last unit
the CQU email may not still be active).
.
References
Ashley, C. and Tuten, T., 2015. Creative strategies in social media marketing: An exploratory
study of branded social content and consumer engagement. Psychology & Marketing, 32(1),
pp.15-27.
Heagney, J., 2016. Fundamentals of project management. AMACOM Div American Mgmt
Assn.
Hu, Y., McNamara, P. and Piaskowska, D., 2017. Project Suspensions and Failures in New
Product Development: Returns for Entrepreneurial Firms in Co‐Development Alliances.
Journal of Product Innovation Management, 34(1), pp.35-59.
Kerzner, H. and Kerzner, H.R., 2017. Project management: a systems approach to planning,
scheduling, and controlling. John Wiley & Sons.
Kerzner, H., 2018. Project management best practices: Achieving global excellence. John
Wiley & Sons.
Stettina, C.J. and Hörz, J., 2015. Agile portfolio management: An empirical perspective on
the practice in use. International Journal of Project Management, 33(1), pp.140-152.
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Rickards, T. and Moger, S., 2017. Handbook for creative team leaders. Routledge.
Yozgat, U. and Kamanli, A.I., 2016. The effect of entrepreneur’s passion and transactional
leadership style on the performance of employees.
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