PROJ5003 – Project Management: Initiation & Planning
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Contents
Key Contacts ………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………… 2
Assessment Overview …………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………… 2
Artificial Intelligence (AI) Tools within Project Management core units …………………………………………………………. 2
Coversheets ……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………… 2
Word Limits & Tolerances………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….. 2
Turnitin Reports………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………… 2
Reference Style…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………. 3
References Required …………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………. 3
Assessment 1: Case Study – Capability Assessment …………………………………………………………………………………………. 4
Overview………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….. 4
Learning outcomes ……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………. 4
Task details ………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………. 4
Submission format ……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………. 5
Assessment 1 Rubric Checklist……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………. 6
Assessment 2: Project Report – Charter…………………………………………………………………………………………………………… 7
Overview………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….. 7
Learning outcomes ……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………. 7
Task details ………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………. 7
Submission format ……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………. 7
Assessment 2 Rubric………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….. 8
Assessment 3: Discussion Board – Project Success…………………………………………………………………………………………… 9
Overview………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….. 9
Learning outcomes ……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………. 9
Task details ………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………. 9
Submission format …………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..10
Assessment 3 Rubric…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………11
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Key Contacts
Jen Ulichny (Unit Assessor/Facilitator), Megha Nath (Marker) Chris Lawler (MPM Course Coordinator)
Assessment Overview
Please refer to the Unit Outline on BlackBoard for further details including the exact time and due date for each
assessment item, the unit Learning Outcomes and the alignment to each of the assessment activities.
Artificial Intelligence (AI) Tools within Project Management core units
Tools such as ChatGTP present both benefits and complex challenges for students and staff. This unit will always
adhere to current SCU policies regarding the use of any AI tools when undertaking your assessment activity. Unless
individual assessment details expressly state whether you can or cannot use AI, you are free to choose. The use of AI
may assist you in developing or improving your work. However, you will need to follow principles of Academic Integrity
and accept accountability for any use and understand the possible consequences. Submitting an assignment that is
not genuinely your work is never appropriate.
Consider the below so that you can make informed decisions about whether or when you use AI as a tool.
• While the AI may assist you in structuring or refining your writing or in creating a starting point, the assignment
submission will still need you to draw on your critical analysis skills.
• Examine the accuracy of the information, the use of academic citations (plus references when required), and
how well it addresses the assignment requirements.
• When you submit an assignment as a representation of your work, you should feel you can confidently assert
that it is the culmination of your efforts.
• If you choose to use an AI tool, you are encouraged to retain a copy of the AI output. This can be compared to
your final submission if questions arise around ownership or academic integrity.
• An acknowledgement of the use of the AI tool on your title page is also advised.
Coversheets
The old-style university coversheets are not required and they drive up your Turnitin similarity score unnecessarily.
The BlackBoard system tracks your submission without need for a coversheet. Unless there is a specific request, a
professional-looking title page is satisfactory. It also helps to note your Word Count (when relevant).
Word Limits & Tolerances
For this unit, there is a pragmatic view of word length and limits. Please treat them as guides to help gauge your degree
of effort. Tables, Exec Summary, References are not included in word counts (although please be sensible in the
amount of text you place in a table, on a screen or slide). For Video activities, there is provided a range for the duration.
Please remain within this timing to ensure there is enough time allocated to adequately assess your work.
Turnitin Reports
All assignments in this unit may be submitted multiple times up to the official due date. All assignment will be
reviewed for similarity, and you can repeatedly review your Turnitin similarity report; however, please remember that
Turnitin is an external system and there may be a delay of 24 hours or so before reports are available. Note that
assignments must be submitted in the correct format and via Blackboard (as noted within each of the Submission
Criteria) to avoid technical issues that can delete your submission and marks.
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Reference Style
Only use SCU Harvard. SCU transitioned to an updated version of Harvard which is simplified. While similar to generic
Harvard, pay close attention to the correct use of things like commas, full stops, italics and single quotation marks.
https://libguides.scu.edu.au/harvard . SCU Library is available for additional support if needed.
References Required
There is rarely a set number of references. You are expected to be thoroughly researching and citing your sources
when undertaking an academic assignment. In your theory-based assignments (or subsections in the combined
practice + theory activities), any statement, evidence, data etc must be supported by quality academic sources. The
number of references grows fast when you do this well.
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Assessment 1: Case Study – Capability Assessment

Overview
Prepare and complete a simple assessment for your selected organisation to determine if it has the capability to
undertake a project.
This assignment is designed be completed somewhat swiftly and does not need to be further researched, referenced
or polished. Note the simple rubric checklist for evaluation.
Learning outcomes
The purpose of this assessment task is aligned to the following learning outcomes:
• Assess the alignment of project goals with organisational capabilities
Task details
Step 1. Create an assessment matrix
a. Refer to the dot point list in your set text of things to consider when determining if an organisation has the
ability to perform projects.
• Refer to section 2.3.a (or 2-2d in the 4th edition) Assessing an organisation’s ability to perform projects in
your set text: Kloppenborg TJ, Anantatmula V and Wells KN (2022) Contemporary Project Management:
Plan-Driven and Approaches, 5th edn, Cengage, Boston, MA, USA, ISBN-13 978-0357715734 or ISBN-10
035771573X .)
b. Create an assessment matrix that uses these dot points down the left, and then across the top create 3 to 5
possible responses.
• You are welcome to shorten the wording of the dot points (as per example below).
Example layout shortening the wording of the dot points. (You must create your own scale.)

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Step 2. Conduct an assessment
a. Select an example project in an organisation. This may be your own current work context or based on an
imaginary scenario. Be sure to frame this in context of a future project.
• You may find it helpful to choose a moderately complex project and one that the organisation may not be
fully capable of currently delivering as this will help to show your analysis using the capability matrix.
b. Use your assessment matrix and undertake and assessment of your chosen project case study.
• Note that this is not assessing the reality of your current role (as we do not know your own context). This
assignment is looking at how realistic and logical your completed assessment appears.
Submission format
Submissions may be Word, Excel, or PDF formats via the Assessment submission page within Blackboard.
Do NOT use any macros, formulas, or embedded objects.
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Assessment 1 Rubric Checklist

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Assessment 2: Project Report – Charter

Overview
Create an original project charter template with no more than 10 sections and includes both instruction text for the
user and academic justifications for the sections included.
Learning outcomes
The purpose of this assessment task is aligned to the following learning outcomes:
• Manage project budgets, assumptions, resource constraints against stakeholder needs
Task details
a. Create an original template for a project charter that could be used by an organisation seeking to have clarity at
the start of its projects (e.g. for future projects).
• The template should be suitable for organisations that undertake most of their projects internally.
b. Decide what are the most important sections/headings to include, but do not exceed 10 sections. (Note the
cover, title, table of contents do not count towards the 10.)
• The layout and sections can be based on your study as well as other sources, but must be original.
c. For each of your sections/headings you must include:
• Guidance (direction) to the user so they know what to include within that section / under that heading.
• Justification (reasoning) for why you selected each heading. Justifications should include the use of citations
and references from academic and high-quality sources (e.g. research journals, textbook and PMI).
Note: You should create this template from a blank Word document and not adapt from an example. Similarity to
other sources (Turnitin report) will be used to help determine originality.
Example template heading, with instructions. (Please use your own wording and format.)
Submission format
Submissions are to be as a Word document via the Assessment submission page within Blackboard
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Assessment 2 Rubric

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Assessment 3: Discussion Board – Project Success

Overview
Research and analyse project success factors to identify where any aspect of initiation or planning can set a project
up to be successful and sustainable. Share four (4) separate posts to the A3 Success Factors Forum:
• Two (2) posts are to be new conversation starters that include your academic sources and your key points.
• Two (2) posts should be reflective responses to two (2) other students about their success factors posts.
Learning outcomes
The purpose of this assessment task is aligned to the following learning outcomes:
c. By drawing upon peer reviewed academic sources to inform practice, and real-world implementation based on
evidence-based learning, consolidate unit learning and apply to developing successful and sustainable project
management plans.
Task details
Step 1: Create New Posts
a. Identify a project success factor and present evidence (e.g citations) with your analytical view. This could include:
o why you agree or disagree with what the article recommends
o how the success factors can be implemented in practice
o how or why this success factor contributes to setting a project up for success
o how or why this success factor contributes to sustainable project practices
o how or why this success factor helps projects contribute to the organisations goals
b. Create a separate and new thread within the designated Discussion Forum Submission for each of your posts.
The topics can be related, but must be based off separate core articles and be able to stand alone.
EACH NEW Post (original threads):
• Must include your citations and references with your topic posts. Evidence should come from recent, quality
academic journal articles but can be further supported by professional industry or the set text.
• Can be posted at any stage of the term (earlier posts usually generate more responses!) however must be
contributed by due date to enable other students time to reflect and respond.
• Should be a professional paragraph or two e.g. approx. 150-350 words long.
• Should only focus on one specific success factor.
• Must be a new, separate, and original thread to receive credit for the criteria.
• Note you CANNOT edit – consider creating in word or similar first and then cutting and paste (keep formatting)
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Step 2: Create Reply Posts
a. Prioritise responding first to students that have no responses AND have posted by the due date.
o If all students have at least one reply, you may reply to an original thread with multiple responses.
o After you provide a minimum of 2 well-considered replies, you may provide brief responses to other
conversations.
b. Be sure to respond to the student’s article. While you can note the articles you selected for Step 1 to support
your thinking, you must cite and the information must make sense within the reply without requiring the reader
to read your original article to understand.
EACH REPLY Posts (to existing threads):
• Should clearly reflect and respond to the original post and/or the ongoing discussion of other students.
• Should include your citations and references to support your point (when relevant).
• Should be an informed view (not emotive opinion or personal argument).
• Should contribute to the analysis and conversation (not just merely agree or compliment).
• Should be a minimum of 150 words but may be longer.
• May support a counter view (as long as polite and constructive).
• Note you CANNOT edit – consider creating in word or similar first and then cutting and paste (keep formatting)
• Note replying to your own initial post does not count as a reply.
Submission format
All work must be via the Discussion Forum on Blackboard via the A3 Success Factor Forum, and in separate posts –
do NOT bundle your posts together.
In the A3 Success Factors Forum on Blackboard, you will post 4 separate times:
c. Two (2) posts must each be new threads (Create Thread).
d. Two (2) further posts must be replies to other students (see details above).
You do NOT need to upload anything else / separate to the Assignment area.
If NOT submitted correctly, the assignment will be unable to be assessed or receive points.
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Assessment 3 Rubric