BUSINESS SCHOOL
Discipline of Business Information Systems
INFS6071 Project Management in Business Semester 1
2024
Individual assignment 1
Part 1 (24%) and Part 2 (6%)
Due date: 11:59 pm 26 Apr 2024
General instructions
There are two parts to the assignment. To undertake the assignment, students should follow the
instructions below:
• The maximum length of the assignment is 2000 words comprising 1600 words for Part
1 and 400 words for Part 2. You can exceed the word count by 10% for each part.
The length of document does not include cover page, list of references and table of
contents.
• For further information, please refer to the business school policies:
http://sydney.edu.au/business/currentstudents/policy.
• Final report submission: The report should be submitted via Canvas by due date. Please
include course name, title of the report and student ID on the front page (cover page) of
the submission. The link for the submission can be found on Canvas in the Assessment
section. You should name the submission file as follows: SID.pdf, e.g. 123456.pdf.
Please note that you SHOULD NOT provide name (first name or family name) in the
assignment document.
• Please submit the assignment as a pdf file.
• Use Arial font, size 11 points.
• Use 1.5 spacing.
• Use A4 paper and portrait orientation.
• Proof-read and sense-check your report before submitting it.
• Use the Business School Referencing Guide (APA 6th or 7th edition is fine).
• Please see marking guidelines on pages 4-6 of this document.
• IMPORTANT: You can submit the assignment only once! Please make sure that the file
that you submit is the final version.
Part 1 (24 marks)
Requirements
Download and read the case study (pdf file) found at the following link:
https://www.audit.nsw.gov.au/sites/default/files/documents/Final%20Report%20-
%20Health%20capital%20works%20-%20website%20version.PDF
Then analyse the findings on infrastructure projects delivered by NSW Health from the
perspective of the formal project management methodology, PMBOK6 (i.e. PMBOK 6th edition).
Based on your analysis, respond to the following questions:
2
1. Where and how there is evidence of such a methodology being applied and its contribution.
Please provide your answer in the form of a table outlining the relevant PMBOK knowledge
areas, evidence of application, and contribution. (6 marks)
2. Where and how such a methodology might have helped avoid or mitigate identified
problems. Please provide your answer in the form of a table outlining the relevant
knowledge areas and PMBOK processes that could have been applied. Give concrete
examples of what kind of tools and techniques could have been applied. (10 marks)
3. If there were problems that appear to be outside the scope of PMBOK, discuss these
problems. Conduct your own academic research and research about the project to
provide ideas on how these problems could have been mitigated. (8 marks)
General requirements:
• Clear, well-structured and written presentation that captures the major aspects of the report
in a succinct manner.
• Consider all aspects of PMBOK and apply those that are relevant. Please use PMBOK 6th
edition. Do not use PMBOK 7th edition.
• Conduct your own research to support your arguments and to understand the project context.
• Apply a structure to each section of your report to guide the reader and demonstrate you
have applied a comprehensive and systematic approach.
• You are required to use third-party references to support your arguments for question 3
above.
A useful starting point for online research is Google Scholar, scholar.google.com. If you are
working off-campus you can access Google Scholar from the university library web page and
access articles and other resources: http://www.library.usyd.edu.au/databases/
Remember the instructions for scientific writing, particularly referencing!
Part 2 (6 marks)
Application of analytical techniques in professional project management
Critical Path Analysis
MoneyMachine plans to establish an online finance business focused on advancing small value
personal loans. A mobile app supported by state-of-the-art analytics will be a key feature of the
proposed business. The activities involved in this project are given below.
ID Activities Predecessors Duration
(weeks)
1 Establish office premises - 4
2 Undertake detailed market analysis 1 3
3 Employ and train staff 1 4
4 Undertake system development 2, 3 10
5 Complete acceptance tests 4 4
6 Release beta version to select users 5 5
7 Make improvements to the system 6 5
8 Undertake promotion of the business 7 4
9 Hire more staff 7 7
10 Commence normal operations 8, 9 3
4(a) Draw a network diagram using the activity on node (AON) notation representing the
project. What is the critical path and how long is it? You may use PowerPoint to draw
the diagram and then copy it into your assignment document. You should not use
Microsoft Project or any other project management software for this part of the
assignment. (4 marks)
3
4(b) In the context of the above project at MoneyMachine, explain possible key challenges in
managing projects using critical path. Please use appropriate references to support
your explanation. (2 marks)
Presentation requirements for Q4(a)
• Prepare network diagram for the project including identification and measurement of
critical path – including evidence of having performed a forward and backward pass (i.e.
include your workings, for example, in the form of a table).
• Make sure you identify the critical path and its duration in your answer.
4
MARKING GUIDELINES
Part 1
Q1 (6 marks) <3 marks 3-4 marks 4-4.5 marks 4.5-5 marks >5matks
Where and how
there is evidence of
such a
methodology being
applied and its
contribution.
Major weaknesses in
justifications for
selecting PMBOK
area/process. The
evidence provided is
limited and does not
adequately support
the arguments. Weak
analysis of the
contributions. Major
weaknesses in clarity
of the presentation.
PMBOK area/process
selections need more
justification. More
analysis and
supporting evidence
are required.
Contributions require
more specific details.
The explanations are
provided but lack clear
focus and structure.
Justification of the
PMBOK area/process
selections is provided.
The justification of the
evidence used
requires more analysis
and more analysis.
Arguments to support
the contributions
require more critical
analysis. The
presentation requires
some more clarity or
structure. Overall
good analysis.
Good justification of
the PMBOK
area/process
selections. The
justification of the
evidence used is
clearly provided, but
more specific
evidence will be
useful. The
contributions are
analysed, but some
more specific details
will be helpful. Overall,
a very good analysis.
Excellent justification
of the PMBOK
area/process
selections and
succinct presentation
of evidence. The
justification of the
evidence provided is
well-argued. The
contributions are
critically analysed and
articulated with
specific details.
Overall, a very clearly
structured analysis
that is well presented.
Q2 (10 marks) <5 marks 5-6.5 marks 6.5-7.5 marks 7.5-8.5 marks >8.5matks
Where and how
such a
methodology might
have helped avoid
or mitigate
identified problems.
Major weaknesses in
justifications for
selecting PMBOK
area/process. The
evidence provided is
limited and does not
adequately support
the arguments. Weak
analysis of the
benefits. Major
weaknesses in clarity
of the presentation.
PMBOK area/process
selections need more
justification. More
analysis and
supporting evidence
are required. The
selection of tools
requires more specific
justifications.
Arguments to support
the benefits need
more specific details.
Moderate level of
weaknesses in
presentation or
structure.
Justification of the
PMBOK area/process
selections is provided.
The justification of the
evidence used
requires more analysis
and more analysis.
Arguments to support
the benefits require
more critical analysis.
The presentation
requires some more
clarity or structure.
Overall good analysis.
Good justification of
the PMBOK
area/process
selections. The
justification of the
evidence used is
clearly provided, but
more specific
evidence will be
useful. The tools and
techniques are
appropriately selected,
but some more
specific details to
justify them are
required. Benefits are
analysed clearly;
Comprehensive
justification of the
PMBOK area/process
selections and
succinct presentation
of evidence. The
justification of the
evidence provided is
well-argued. The
selection of tools and
techniques is well
justified. Benefits are
critically analysed and
articulated with
specific details.
Overall, a very clearly
5
some more specific
details are required.
Overall, a very good
analysis.
structured analysis
that is well presented.
Q3 (8 marks) <4 marks 4-5 marks 5-6 marks 6-7 marks >7matks
If there were
problems that
appear to be
outside the scope
of PMBOK, discuss
these problems.
Major weaknesses in
justifications in
identifying the
problems. The
evidence provided is
limited and does not
adequately support
the arguments. Weak
analysis of the ideas
to mitigate the
problem. Major
weaknesses in
research, clarity of the
presentation or
structure.
Identified problems
need more
justification. More
analysis and
supporting evidence
are required.
Arguments to support
the ideas to mitigate
the problem need
more specific details.
Moderate level of
weaknesses in
research,
presentation, or
structure.
Justification of the
identified problems is
provided. The
justification requires
some more
analysis/evidence.
Arguments to support
the ideas to mitigate
the problem require
more analysis and
some more research.
The presentation
requires some more
clarity or structure.
Overall good analysis.
Good justification of
the identified
problems. The
justification of the
evidence used is
clearly provided, but
more specific
evidence will be
useful. The ideas to
mitigate the problem
are argued clearly and
supported by good
research. Overall, a
very good analysis.
Comprehensive
justification of the
identified problems
and succinct
presentation of
evidence from the
case. The justification
of the evidence
provided is well-
argued. The ideas to
mitigate the problem
are well-argued and
supported by excellent
research. Overall, a
very clearly structured
analysis that is well
presented.
Part 2
Q4(a) (4 marks) <2 marks 2-2.5 marks 2.5-3 marks 3-3.5 marks >3.5matks
Draw a network
diagram using the
activity on node
(AON) notation
representing the
project. What is the
critical path and
how long is it?
Major errors in the
network diagram or
the presentation
requires major
improvement in clarity.
Some major errors in
the correct
identification of the
critical path/the
calculations of the
critical path show
major errors.

A moderate level of
errors in the network
diagram or the
presentation requires
significantly more
clarity. Some errors in
the correct
identification of critical
path. The calculations
of the critical path
show errors.
Minor errors in the
network diagram or
the presentation
requires more clarity.
Correct identification
of critical path. The
calculations of the
critical path lack
clarity.
The network diagram
is accurately drawn,
and the presentation
requires some
improvement. Correct
identification of critical
path. Some
improvement is
needed in presenting
the calculations of the
critical path.
The network diagram
is accurately drawn
and presented in an
excellent fashion.
Correct identification
of critical path.
Calculations of the
critical path are clearly
presented.
6
Q4(b) (2 marks) <0.5 mark 0.5-0.75 mark 0.75-1.0 marks 1-1.5 marks >1.5 marks
In the context of the
above project,
explain key
challenges in
managing a project
using critical path.
Discussion of the
challenges requires
significantly more
research and
significantly more
clarity in
understanding the
concepts and
applications of project
management.
Discussion of the
challenges requires
more research and
more clarity in
understanding the
concepts and
applications of project
management.
Discussion of the
challenges
demonstrates very
good research and a
clear understanding of
the concepts and
applications of project
management.
Discussion of the
challenges
demonstrates good
research and a clear
understanding of the
concepts and
applications of project
management.
Discussion of the
challenges
demonstrates
excellent research and
an excellent
understanding of the
concepts and
applications of project
management.