Learning Outcomes assessed by this assignment
- Understand and critique project management theoretical frameworks and apply to practice in an international context.
- Critically evaluate organisational cultures that encourage creativity, innovation and risk acceptance in the context of the management of international projects
- Critically evaluate the risk management strategies that project managers adopt to help organisations succeed in an uncertain or turbulent environment in an international context.
- Understand the concept of stakeholder management and how it is applied to international projects.
- Critically evaluate from a cross-cultural perspective the behavioural issues influencing the management of international projects.
Assessment Weighting
This assignment represents 75% of the module overall mark.
The task: write an essay discussing the La Venta III project by answering the two questions below using the Vestas Case study available on BB. You are expected to read more about the case from material available in public domain.
- Answer to Question 1 should be between1500 (min) and 1700 (max) words
- Answer to Question 2 should be between 1000 (min) and 1300 (max)words
- The total word count should not exceed3000 words (excluding references, graphs, andappendices). If you use tables, these will be included in the word count. Type in an essay format.
- Use at least 5 references per question. References should include textbooks and journal articles.
- There is a +/-10% allowance on the word count (on both max and min).
- Abstract is NOT needed. A table of content is required.
Question 1: Discuss what went wrong in terms of stakeholder management in the case study. Using your own analysis of the case study and material found in the literature:
a) What would be your recommendation to improve the current situation with the stakeholders, particularly, the indigenous community?
b) Based on your recommendations, develop a schedule (plan) to show specific tasks to be taken with their estimated duration, to perform proper stakeholder management for the project La Venta III. Use a network diagram and a Gantt chart to present the schedule visually. No need to consider resources or cost. Make required assumptions.
Question2: Discuss what type of leadership style would be most appropriate in the context of the Vestas project in Mexico and why it is the most appropriate. Using your own analysis of the case study and material found in the literature, discuss the importance oftrustand how to build it in international projects with particular reference to the situation in the case study between Vestas on one hand and the local stakeholders including the indigenous communities on the other hand.
Appendix 1: Submission of Coursework
All coursework on this module is submitted via Blackboard only. It will automatically be scanned through a text matching system (designed to check for possible plagiarism).
- DO NOT attach a CA1 form or any other form of cover sheet;
- YOU MUST include your name and student ID on the first page of your assignment.
To submit your assignment:
- Log on to Blackboard at http://learning.westminster.ac.uk;
- Go to the relevant module Blackboard site;
- Click on the ‘Submit Coursework’ link in the navigation menu on the left-hand side, as advised by the module teaching team;
- Click on the link for the relevant assignment;
- Follow the instructions.
You will be given details by the module teaching team about how and when you will receive your marks and feedback on your work.
Please note the conditions listed below:
- You should use the same software versions as those running in the computer labs of Marylebone campus. If you use different version or different software, you will be doing so at your own risk and technical support will not be available.
- There should be no zipped files.
- Your university email address must be included in the documentation, in the event the lecturer marking the work needs to contact you.
- You should always keep a copy of the submitted work
APPENDIX 2: Marking Scheme
|
Element
|
Mark allocated %
|
|
Introduction
|
10%
|
|
Question 1 (a)
|
25%
|
|
- Analysis of what went wrong
|
10%
|
|
- Recommendations
|
15%
|
|
Question 1 (b)
|
30%
|
|
A list of tasks as bullet points with duration estimated for each task
|
10%
|
|
Explaining why these tasks are chosen by linking this to the recommendations in part (a) and to the theory of stakeholder management.
|
10%
|
|
Establishing tasks dependencies by producing a network diagram and a Gantt chart (either manually or by using MS Project). The dependencies used should be stated and explained.
|
10%
|
|
Question 2
|
25%
|
|
The appropriate type of leadership and why
|
13%
|
|
The importance of trust and how to build it
|
12%
|
|
Conclusion
|
10%
|
