Project Management
1 June 2016
Marking Scheme
This marking scheme has been prepared as a guide only to markers. This is not a set of
model answers, or the exclusive answers to the questions, and there will frequently be
alternative responses which will provide a valid answer. Markers are advised that, unless a
question specifies that an answer be provided in a particular form, then an answer that is
correct (factually or in practical terms) must be given the available marks.
If there is doubt as to the correctness of an answer, the relevant NCC Education materials
should be the first authority.
Throughout the marking, please credit any valid alternative point.
Where markers award half marks in any part of a question, they should ensure that
the total mark recorded for the question is rounded up to a whole mark.
Answer any FIVE (5) questions
Marks
Question 1
Quality planning is vital to project success. However, the level of quality delivered
must be appropriate to that specified in the project requirement definition or the PID
(Project Initiation Document) document.
20
Select a tool or technique which helps deliver quality assurance and explain its use
within the context of the project lifecycle.
Hopefully candidates will appreciate the breadth of coverage required to
answer this question and the dynamic and on-going nature of quality planning.
Differences in the nature of projects require differing approaches to quality
management, reporting, controlling and creating the deliverable to the desired
quality standard. Candidates are not expected to consider projects which need
to conform to external quality or kite mark standards but they should not be
penalised if they do. Candidates are expected to demonstrate an understanding
of quality, quality planning and quality assurance issues – award up to 6 marks
for this work. Award up to 6 marks for the understanding shown of quality
issues throughout the project lifecycle. Award up to 8 marks for a functional
description and evaluation/explanation of the tool selected if appropriate.
Bullet points should only attract limited marks, award the highest marks to
candidates who write coherent and detailed responses.
Total 20 Marks
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Marks
Question 2
a)
WBS stands for Work Breakdown Structure. It is a tool used in the project
planning process. Outline TWO (2) uses for the tool and TWO (2) associated
benefits.
WBS can help with estimation. When estimating ‘bottom up’, each
individual task duration is calculated and the total project effort is found by
adding all the task times up. However, WBS is essentially top down and
considers the whole project, breaking it into sub-projects and then groups
of associated or related tasks. Starts at the high level and stops when an
acceptable level of detail or understanding is achieved.
WBS can be used in estimation, project planning, project subdivision, to
aid understanding, assign responsibilities, to support resource allocation
and many more.
All appropriate benefits identified are acceptable and the range of
acceptable answers wide. Answers may include: improving accuracy,
understanding, communication, etc.
Candidates must identify at least two distinct uses and two benefits (2
marks each) to achieve the full 8 marks available for this question.
8
b) Illustrate and discuss a simple example of a WBS.
Any simple inverted tree structure is acceptable. However, there must be
clear evidence of decomposition. Award up to 6 marks for the illustration
and the further 6 marks for the discussion if it shows a clear understanding
of how to apply the tool.
12
Total 20 Marks
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Marks
Question 3
‘Setting KPIs (Key Performance Indicators) and CSFs (Critical Success Factors) for a
project can often help communication and avoid unrealistic expectations between the
project team and the sponsor stakeholders.’
20
Discuss this statement. Include in your answer simple KPI and CSF examples to
illustrate some of the points you make.
Candidates are expected to explain what KPI and CSFs are and to provide
illustrative examples. Again the possible answers are limitless but for
illustration
KPI – for an online system – the screen refresh time should not exceed 3
seconds
CSF – for a retail system – technical expertise in POS (point of sale)
software/systems might be crucial for success
Award up to 3 marks each for the discussion of KPIs and CSFs. In addition
award 3 marks for an example of each given. The final 8 marks should be
awarded for an explanation as to how these tools might help aid
communication and avoid setting unrealistic expectation for stakeholders.
Total 20 Marks
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Marks
Question 4
a)
Discuss the content of a project quality plan and demonstrate, using examples,
how it can contribute to successful project outcomes.
Award marks as follows:
 up to 4 marks for the content of the quality plan
 up to 4 marks for selecting appropriate examples
 up to 2 marks for demonstrating how the contents of the plan can
contribute to successful project outcomes
The quality plan is concerned with the maintenance of quality standards
and the testing of deliverables against standards. Contents may include:
 How quality criteria will be set
 Measures taken to detect faults/problems
 Measures taken to correct faults
 Tests
 Review criteria
 Who will perform quality control work
b) Critically examine TWO (2) approaches to coping with the dynamic and uncertain
aspects of project management practice. Use examples to support your
discussions.
Award marks as follows:
 up to 2 marks for each of two approaches
 up to 2 marks for each approach discussion
 up to 2 marks for an effective critical discussion using supporting
examples
Candidates need to provide a critical discussion, not just a list. Approaches
can vary from detail issues like contingency estimates and planning to
broad approaches such as adopting agile principles. Between detail tools
and a full-blown agile approach we have planning issues like splitting
project down to sub-projects and phased delivery… or using pilot projects.
10
10
Total 20 Marks
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Marks
Question 5
a)
Draw a PERT/CPM diagram based upon the information in the following table.
Task/activity
A
B
C
D
E
F
G
H
I
Immediate Predecessor
None
A
A, B
A
C
D
F
E, G
H
8
Duration (weeks)
2
3
4
6
2
4
15
2
6
Maximum of 8 marks for a fully correct diagram. Deduct 1 mark for each
error identified, even if minor.
b) From your diagram, work out the project duration.
The project duration is 35 weeks.
3
c)
3
Name the critical path for this project.
The critical path is ADFGHI.
d) Explain, with justification, the impact if task D is delayed by 2 weeks.
The impact of a delay to D delays the project completion date as task D is
on the critical path.
Award 1 mark for the correct answer and 1 mark for the explanation.
2
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e)
Marks
Explain, with justification, the impact of an extra activity K that takes 6 weeks and
4
happens after A and before C, with no dependencies on any other activity.
The impact of a new activity K changes the earliest, latest, start and finish
times for activities C and E but has no impact on the overall project
duration. Award 1 mark for identifying the impact on C, another 1 mark for
the impact on E and up to 2 marks for the explanation.
Total 20 Marks
Question 6
a)
Analyse the role that leadership and individual contribution have in achieving
project success.
This question is aimed at eliciting an appreciation of how leadership and
individual contributions support project success. Thus, a well built and
motivated team will be able to mobilise resources to help one another,
perhaps by spending additional time and effort willingly, perhaps by
helping colleagues who face technical challenges when they need support.
We could consider the importance of having a well-established and
coherent team when difficulties need to be overcome. (Tuckman, forming,
storming, norming, etc.). Also, the importance of different skills and
temperaments in a team (Belbin).
Overall, we wish people in teams to react positively to challenges and
changing circumstances and be motivated and capable of overcoming
difficulties.
Award marks as follows.
Identifies the role of leadership in motivating the team (1 mark)
Identifies the role of leadership in developing the individual in the team (1
mark)
Identifies the role of the individual in contributing skills to the project (1
mark)
Identifies the importance of the individual in supporting the team (1 mark)
A good analysis with examples supporting (1 mark)
Some critical discussion around the relationship of individuals skills,
leadership and motivation (1 mark)
Good critical discussion with examples supporting it (2 marks)
Use of theoretical material to support discussions (2 marks)
10
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Marks
b) How can research techniques contribute to project management? Use TWO (2)
10
examples to support your answer.
Research can precede project initiation and proposal and can also inform
parts of the project and sub-projects. It may be most sensible to think in
terms of research being focused on a number of topic areas, including
organisation, potential users (of an IT system), technology and comparable
projects. Methods such as surveys, interviews, observation, document
research, pilot projects and technology application research can be applied
across organisations and people depending on the nature of possible
projects. Candidates need to discuss at least two examples (techniques) of
how research can contribute to project management.
Award marks as follows.
For a discussion/description demonstrating an appreciation of ways in
which research can contribute to project management, award up to 4
marks.
Award up to 3 marks each for up to two well-articulated examples
describing the research technique, contribution and rationale.
Some examples:
Technique: user focus group/group development session.
Contribution: informs planning for requirements gathering by helping
understand the scope of the work to be done.
Rationale: time efficient, accesses users early and creates awareness of
the potential project.
Technique: research new software technology.
Contribution: informs planning, particularly functionality and timing.
Rationale: helps with current project management and reduces the
potential future cost of redundancy in systems and technology.
Technique: review past projects.
Contribution: improvement of management processes, improvement of
estimation and planning.
Rationale: knowledge and capacity building within the organisation.
Total 20 Marks
End of paper
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Learning Outcomes matrix
Question
Learning Outcomes
assessed
1
2
3
4
5
6
1, 4, 6, 8
1, 2, 3, 4
1, 2, 4
6, 8
3, 5, 6, 8
1, 6, 7, 9
Marker can differentiate
between varying levels of
achievement
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Grade descriptors
Learning
Outcome
Be able to
critically appraise
key project
management
principles and
processes
Pass
Merit
Distinction
Demonstrate a
reasonable
understanding and
assessment of the
subject;
Demonstrate some
sound critical skills
Show adequate
development
Demonstrate a strong
understanding and
assessment of the
subject; Demonstrate
consistently sound
critical skills
Demonstrate a
consistently strong
understanding and
assessment of the
subject; Demonstrate
highly developed critical
skills
Show innovative and
highly appropriate
development
Be able to
develop a
business case for
an IT project
Be able to
Provide a
evaluate a
reasonable
project proposal
assessment of the
subject; Ideas are
generally coherent
Be able to
develop a project
proposal
Be able to
develop and
evaluate risk
plans
Show adequate
development
Show adequate,
appropriate
development;
Provide a
reasonable
assessment of the
subject; Ideas are
generally coherent
Show sound and
appropriate
development
Provide a generally
strong assessment
with some wellreasoned
assumptions; Ideas
are consistently
coherent
Show sound and
appropriate
development
Show sound and
appropriate
development; Provide
a generally strong
assessment with
some well-reasoned
assumptions; Ideas
are consistently
coherent
Provide a consistently
strong assessment with
well-reasoned and
original assumptions;
All ideas are highly
coherent
Show innovative and
highly appropriate
development
Show innovative and
highly appropriate
development; Provide a
consistently strong
assessment with wellreasoned and original
assumptions; All ideas
are highly coherent
Grade descriptors continue on next page
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Project Management
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Learning
Outcome
Be able to
develop and
evaluate quality
plans
Pass
Merit
Distinction
Show adequate,
appropriate
development;
Provide a
reasonable
assessment of the
subject; Ideas are
generally coherent
Show innovative and
highly appropriate
development; Provide a
consistently strong
assessment with wellreasoned and original
assumptions; All ideas
are highly coherent
Understand the
complexities of
the project teambuilding process
Be able to
critically evaluate
elements of
uncertainty within
the project
management
function
Demonstrate
adequate level of
understanding
Show sound and
appropriate
development; Provide
a generally strong
assessment with
some well-reasoned
assumptions; Ideas
are consistently
coherent
Demonstrate robust
level of understanding
Provide a consistently
strong assessment with
well-reasoned and
original assumptions;
All ideas are highly
coherent; Demonstrate
highly developed critical
skills
Be able to
critically evaluate
the outcomes of
a project
Provide a
reasonable
assessment of the
subject; Ideas are
generally coherent
and demonstrate
some sound critical
skills
Provide a generally
strong assessment
with some wellreasoned
assumptions; Ideas
are consistently
coherent;
Demonstrate
consistently sound
critical skills
Provide a generally
strong assessment
with some wellreasoned
assumptions; Ideas
are consistently
coherent;
Demonstrate
consistently sound
critical skills
Provide a
reasonable
assessment of the
subject; Ideas are
generally coherent
and demonstrate
some sound critical
skills
Demonstrate highly
comprehensive level of
understanding
Provide a consistently
strong assessment with
well-reasoned and
original assumptions;
All ideas are highly
coherent; Demonstrate
highly developed critical
skills
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