Assessment 2 Major written essay - guidance and assessment rubric (45%)

This assessment addresses the following Learning Outcomes and Program Learning Goals:
Course Learning Outcomes
• LO2 Identify, research, and critically analyse issues in project management practice and use research and theory to propose appropriate and well-justified solutions.
• LO3 Identify organising principles of the project management function and specify supporting organisational capabilities.
Program Learning Goals
• GA1 Business Knowledge: Students will make informed and effective selection and application of knowledge in a discipline or profession, in the contexts of local and
global business.
• GA2 Problem solving: Students will define and address business problems, and propose effective evidence-based solutions, through the application of rigorous analysis
and critical thinking.
• GA3 Students will harness, manage, and communicate business information effectively using multiple forms of communication across different channels.
Assessment structure and submission
You are asked to write an academic essay (2,500w) in which you apply the theory and concepts discussed in the course to respond to one of the provided essay questions
(below). You must formulate an argument and use academic literature when creating your response. Sources and material that you use in your essay must be appropriately
cited and referenced, using the APA referencing style. There are links about how to apply the APA style in Moodle.
Your document must be submitted via Turnitin, so please make sure that your essay is written in your own words and not extracted from other sources.
Please make sure that you read the marking criteria below. The rubrics outline the broad assessment criteria for each grading category. Where your paper ultimately sits
within these categories is a decision made by the assessor using their subject matter knowledge and academic expertise. The High Distinction criteria describes a paper that
would be acceptable at an academic conference (i.e., that has come up with an original contribution to project management thinking, supported convincingly with evidence
from the literature).
Essays must be in Standard Australian English (see Oxford Dictionary). Words exceeding the word limit will not be read or considered part of the assessable content.
You are expected to conform to high standards of literacy and academic practice, including literature research and full documentation of sources. This means you must use
references and you mist cite those references both in the body of your essay and provide a reference list at the end of the document. You are required to reference using
the APA method. Failure to do so is likely to result in a failed paper.
Be sure to express the ideas you read about in your own words but acknowledge their source by citing the reference. Avoid using rhetorical questions and / or direct quotes
as they do not demonstrate to the marker your understanding of the concepts and reading material.
Essay questions:
1. Traditional project management is less effective when project scope and technology are not well known. Do you agree or disagree with this statement? Argue a case supported by
evidence from the academic literature.
2. Project success is a multi-layered concept, with definitions that extend beyond traditional PMBOK determinants of project success (i.e., cost, time, quality, and scope). Do you agree or
disagree with this statement? Argue a case for your position and support your argument with evidence from the academic literature.
3. Project management is the most successful way to implement quality improvement programs because it provides a holistic approach to organisational change. Do you agree or disagree
with this statement? Argue a case for your position, supported by evidence from the academic literature.
4. Academic literature asserts that organisational culture is an intangible notion that can have a significant impact on organisational processes, including selecting and managing projects
in a project portfolio. Do you agree or disagree with this statement? Argue a case for your position, supported by evidence from the academic literature.
5. Project management is sometimes described as an ‘accidental profession,’ with project managers thrust into highly specialised and specific projects based on their technical skills and
with limited career opportunities after the project ends. This means that there is not a set career path in project management. Do you agree with these statements? Argue a case for
your position, supported by evidence from the academic literature.
6. Project management systems as a means of organising work focus on hard skills and ‘scientific’ methodologies. However, managing people is a crucial component for successful
projects, and managing people means managing emotion. A fundamental weakness of project management is a failure to address emotion processes in planning, control, management
and/or success determinations. Do you agree or disagree with this statement? Argue a case for your position, supported by evidence from the academic literature.
Marking Criteria – Assessment 2 Major Written Essay 45%
Program Goal
Problem Solving (40%)
LO2 - Identify, research, and
critically analyse issues in
project management practice
and use research and theory
to propose appropriate and
well-justified solutions.
Problem Solving GA2 -
Students will define and
address business problems,
and propose effective
evidence-based solutions,
through the application of
rigorous analysis and critical
thinking.
Knowledge (30%)
LO3- Identify organising
principles of project
governance and supporting
organisational capabilities.
GA1 - make informed,
effective selection,
application of knowledge in a
discipline or profession, in
the contexts of local and
global business.
Business Communication
GA3 (15%) - Students will
harness, manage, and
communicate business
information effectively using
multiple forms of
communication across
different channels.
Literature Review (15%)
Students will conduct a
literature review into the
academic literature. Students
will correctly apply approved
referencing style (APA).
*Use and selection of quality references refers to effective evaluation of appropriate sources, applied to present a critical analysis of source material to develop a persuasive argument and is NOT assessed on the number of references
included. **Quality references refers to peer-reviewed journal articles from reputable journals.
Overall
The major essay should be
underpinned by research into
the academic literature.
The major essay should
demonstrate the ability to link
different theoretical concepts
to form an argument, rather
than just describing the
material or focusing on one
concept at a time.
The major essay should
demonstrate extensive
knowledge and understanding
of project management theory
and concepts. Students apply
that knowledge to the essay
question to consider organising
principles of project
governance supporting
organisational capabilities.
The essay should be an
example of excellent written
expression, with clear, concise,
and persuasive
communication.
Evidence of research into the
academic literature needs to
be apparent in extensive in-
text referencing using APA
referencing style. A minimum
of 6 quality references** are
expected, but there is no
upper limit.
<50% (Fail)
The major essay does not
appear to be underpinned by
research into academic
literature.
Irrelevant essay content OR
does not address the essay
question OR covers a different
topic AND/OR presents
assertions or opinions,
inappropriate, discriminatory,
prejudiced, polemic,
anecdotal.
Limited knowledge of topic.
Does not apply knowledge to
identify organising principles of
project governance and
supporting organisational
capabilities.
Poor written expression.
Sentence and paragraph
structure is poor. Language is
rambling; jargon laden; difficult
to follow. Many errors in
spelling, punctuation, or
grammar.
Over reliance on prescribed
textbook, or websites, limited
use* of additional quality
references**, lots of
assertions. Does not reference
sources appropriately or
accurately in-text, or in
reference list.
50% - 64% (Pass)
The major essay appears to be
underpinned by some research
into academic literature.
Evidence lacks logical
organisation AND/OR lacks
justification supported by
evidence.
Theoretical concepts are
presented, but further
refinement is needed AND/OR
summarises material, relies on
assertions or opinions, or lacks
balance.
Basic knowledge of topic,
linkages could be explained
more clearly.
Applies knowledge to identify
organising principles of project
governance and supporting
organisational capabilities, but
further refinement is required.
Clear and comprehensible
written expression. Sentences
and paragraphs are adequately
structured. Language is clear.
Some errors in spelling,
punctuation, or grammar.
Limited selection and use* of
quality references**, lots of
assertions, or overuse of
websites or mainly limited to
prescribed textbooks.
References sources in-text and
reference list mainly accurately
in APA style, with some errors.
65% - 74% (Credit)
The major essay is
underpinned by sufficient
research into academic
literature.
Evidence arranged logically but
lacks a strong integrative
argument linking theoretical
concepts AND/OR lacks
justification with evidence OR
with some gaps AND/OR
summarises material, lacks
overall synthesis and analysis.
Good knowledge of topic but
summarises material and lacks
critical analysis.
Good application of knowledge
to identify organising principles
of project governance and
supporting organisational
capabilities but lacks analysis.
Good written expression.
Sentences well-formed and
paragraphs well structured,
but there is a need to improve
overall synthesis between
sections. Clear and persuasive
language. Minor errors in
spelling, punctuation, or
grammar.
Appropriate selection and use*
of quality references** AND
mostly covers crucial points.
Consistently references
sources in-text and reference
list in APA style, with minor
errors.
75% - 84% (Distinction)
The major essay is
underpinned by
comprehensive research into
academic literature.
Highly logical presentation of
evidence supported by critical
analysis of theory and
evidence. Links different
concepts to form an integrated
argument.
Comprehensive knowledge of
topic cogently applied to essay
question.
Comprehensive application of
knowledge to identify
organising principles of project
governance and supporting
organisational capabilities,
with critical analysis of
strengths / weaknesses.
Very good written expression.
Sentences and paragraphs are
very well-formed. Language is
clear, concise, and very
persuasive. Virtually no errors
in spelling, punctuation, or
grammar.
Good selection of quality
references** some in addition
to those from course AND
used* to substantiate most
crucial points. Sources
integrated effectively into text
throughout. Consistently
references sources in-text and
reference list in APA style, with
few errors.
≥ 85% (High Distinction)
The major essay is
underpinned by extensive
research into academic
literature.
All evidence presented
logically, well supported by
critical analysis of theory. Links
different concepts to form a
sophisticated argument AND is
strongly justified by evidence.
Extensive topic knowledge
AND originality in ideas
critically applied.
Sophisticated application of
knowledge to identify
organising principles of project
governance and supporting
organisational capabilities,
sophisticated analysis of
strengths / weaknesses.
Excellent written expression,
polished and imaginative. All
sentences and paragraphs are
very well-formed. Language is
clear, succinct, unambiguous,
and highly persuasive. No
errors in spelling, punctuation, or
grammar.
Excellent selection* of
references including quality
references** AND used* to
substantiate nearly all crucial
points. Sources are integrated
extremely effectively into text
throughout. Consistently
references multiple sources in-
text and reference list in APA
style, with no errors.