Coursework 1 Brief – Value Management
The Royal Borough of Perth and Kinross are seeking joint funding through the grant system from the
Scottish & UK government for an Early Childhood multi-million pound project. The Royal Borough of
Perth and Kinross has received information that Value Management is a tool that can enhance their
chances of securing funding as it enables achieving value for money invested in projects. The
information suggests that its application is one of the requirements for funding. The information also
states that Value Management can only be applied to projects; therefore, knowledge of what
constitutes a project is fundamentally important. Furthermore, the information suggests that a
construction project is an example of one larger (financially and physically) projects which
an organisation or person can undertake. The information also states that in a project, it is important
to distinguish between strategy, programmes and projects. The same information before the Royal
Borough of Perth and Kinross states that “The composition of public sector clients is varied and tends
to lack a coherent value system. As a result, it is difficult to identify the primary function of some public
sector buildings”. Further, other available information suggests that consideration of the business
case would aid public organisations like the Royal Borough of Perth and Kinross in making decisions
about new projects or programs. Therefore, consideration of business case in the grant application
would likely enhance chances of securing funding for the project. Stakeholders at the Royal Borough
of Perth and Kinross are unsure though about what all these issues imply and more specifically for
example: what Value Management is; what the briefing process is; the place of value management in
the business case development; VFM etc., amongst many other issues. An understanding of these
issues is therefore crucial.
You have been tasked as a consultant by the Head of Human Resources Development, Education
Services at the Royal Borough of Perth and Kinross to write a report critically discussing the
following statements:
Part 1:
– “It is often stated that Value Management can only be applied to projects; therefore,
knowledge of what constitute a project is fundamentally important.” – Discuss
– “There is difference between strategy, programmes and projects” – Discuss
Part 2:
– “The composition of public sector clients is varied and tends to lack a coherent value
system. As a result, it is difficult to identify the primary function of some public sector
buildings”. – Critically assess the validity of this statement.
Part 3:
– “One way public sector agencies make decisions about new projects or programs is to
consider a Business Case”. – Discuss.
– “Value Management activity is relevant to the development of strategic outline business
case” – Discuss
– “Value Management activity is relevant to the Value for Money(VfM) process(s) in UK
public sector projects” – Discuss
– “Value for Money (VfM) performance assessment process for public sector infrastructure
procurement is fraught with barriers and limitations” – Discuss
Part 4:
– Report structure, style graphics, referencing and presentation
Word Limit: 2500 Words
Coursework 1 Brief – Value Management
Marking Schedule
Part 1: [15 Marks]
– “It is often stated that Value Management can only be applied to projects; therefore,
knowledge of what constitute a project is fundamentally important.” – Discuss (10 marks)
– “There is difference between strategy, programmes and projects”. – Discuss (5 Marks)
Part 2: [15 Marks]
– “The composition of public sector clients is varied and tends to lack a coherent value
system. As a result, it is difficult to identify the primary function of some public sector
buildings”. – Critically assess the validity of this statement.
Part 3: [60 Marks]
– “One way public sector agencies make decisions about new projects or programs is to
consider a Business Case”. – Discuss. – (10 Marks)
– “Value Management activity is relevant to the development of strategic outline business
case” – Discuss – (10 Marks)
– “Value Management activity is relevant to the Value for Money (VfM) process(s) in UK
public sector projects” – Discuss – (20 Marks)
– “Value for Money (VfM) performance assessment process for public sector infrastructure
procurement is fraught with barriers and limitations” – Discuss – (20 Marks)
Part 4: [10 Marks]
– Report structure, style and presentation – (10 Marks)
Report Writing
The University Learning Development Centre (LDC) gives very sound advice on the writing and
structuring or coursework in general and reports in particular and can be consulted.
http://www.gcu.ac.uk/ebe/ldc/supportforstudents/academicstudiessupport/academicwriting/
1. The report should NOT be an assembly of referenced material from which the reader may infer an
answer. Referenced material should be used to reinforce or substantiate a point being made in the
report. The explanations given should be explicit and focused on the case study problem. Material
should be synthesised in the context of the case study and recommendations given.
2. Use bullet lists carefully. Do not end a section within the report or even the report itself with a
bulleted list. Lists must always be rounded off with a sentence or paragraph summarising the final
point of that section.
3. Every report should have a conclusion and every report of this nature should have
recommendations. The client will be seeking assistance from the expert, understanding of specific
issues.
4. Read over the report before submission.
5. Check your reports for no page numbers, obvious spelling mistakes and font changes (a classic
sign of block copying).
6. Make sure you include your name, especially if one is submitting online or via email.
Coursework 1 Brief – Value Management
7. If appendices have been included then they should be referred to in the text. It is not for the reader
to discover them and wonder at their relevance.