Assessment 2 & 3

Assessment 2

For this assessment, you will create a project scope statement for the project you selected in Assessment 1.

Note: In this course, you will develop a project plan by completing a different component of the plan for each assessment. Therefore, you will need to complete the assessments in the order in which they are presented.

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During these early stages of project planning, you are likely to face skepticism about the benefits of project management from stakeholders. Project success depends on setting and actively managing the project scope. The project scope statement specifically describes what a project does and does not include.

By successfully completing this assessment, you will demonstrate your proficiency in the following course competencies and assessment criteria:

• Competency 1: Analyze current approaches and concepts for developing a project plan.
  • Describe project background and business objectives.
  • Describe the project scope in a clear and concise manner.
  • Analyze project milestones and deliverable dates.
• Competency 6: Communicate in a manner that is professional and consistent with expectations for members of the business profession.
  • Communicate in a manner that is professional and consistent with expectations for members of the business profession.

Project Scope Definition

The project scope details what you will and will not do during the project. Indicating the types of tasks that are out of scope is just as important as listing the tasks that are in scope. This process often takes the form of a project scope document, which is a formal contract between the project sponsors and the project team. After the scope is defined and accepted, all key stakeholders should sign the document to indicate their approval.

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Project Scope Changes

As you consider the scope boundaries for your project, you must identify your plan for changes to the scope after the project begins. Without proper scope management, projects can exceed the timeline and budget and require more resources than you originally allotted. Putting a change management plan in place at the beginning of the project allows you to outline how you will deal with the various constraints imposed on your project.

Note: In this course, complete the assessments in the order in which they are presented.

For this assessment, create the project scope statement for the project you selected in Assessment 1. Be sure to use the following resources as you complete your assessment:

• Review the Concept Map (linked in the Resources under the Capella Multimedia heading) to see how the project scope statement fits into the project management life cycle.
• Read the Assessment 2 Coaching document (linked in the Resources under the Required Resources heading) for expert tips and advice on how to create a project scope statement. This document references the Vasa PowerPoint as an example of a failed project, demonstrating the importance of project scope.
• Refer to the Project Scope media piece (linked in the Resources under the Capella Multimedia heading) for information on scope documents.

Using the Project Scope Statement Template, linked in the Resources under the Required Resources heading, create a project scope statement in which you complete the following:

• Describe the background of the project and the details of how it was initiated.
• Describe the business objectives for the project.
• Describe the project scope.
• Analyze the project to identify all milestones and determine deliverable dates.

Be sure to fill in all sections of the template and to include as many specific details as possible.

Additional Requirements

• Written communication: Ensure that your writing is free of errors that detract from the overall message.
• Number of resources: No resources are required for this assessment.
• Font and font size: Times New Roman, 12-point.

Describes the project background and business objectives and includes additional relevant supporting information to provide a comprehensive view of the project.

Analyzes the project scope, identifying dependencies, assumptions, constraints, and mitigating strategies.

Estimates project milestones and deliverable dates and outlines a communication plan and comprehensive plan that takes into account stakeholder needs.

Communicates in a manner that is professional, scholarly, and consistent with expectations for members of the business profession.

For this assessment, you will use Microsoft Project to create a preliminary schedule for the project you selected in Assessment 1. You will include a minimum of 20 tasks in your schedule.

Note: In this course, you will develop a project plan by completing a different component of the plan for each assessment. Therefore, you will need to complete the assessments in the order in which they are presented.

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In the previous assessment, you defined the scope of your project. Based on the project scope you created, you will now identify tasks, milestones, and timelines for the project. The more carefully you specify what is and is not in scope, the fewer problems you are likely to experience during the project life cycle.

By successfully completing this assessment, you will demonstrate your proficiency in the following course competencies and assessment criteria:

• Competency 4: Develop a project schedule with current project software.
  • Determine predecessors and completion dates for project tasks.
  • Determine deliverables for each project phase.
  • Justify the schedule design and deliverables appropriate for the project.
  • Incorporate industry best practices to successfully meet schedule plans.
• Competency 5: Evaluate a project to identify proper closing and lessons learned. 
  • Describe a review for each project phase.
• Competency 6: Communicate in a manner that is professional and consistent with expectations for members of the business profession. 
  • Communicate in a manner that is professional and consistent with expectations for members of the business profession.

Note: In this course, complete the assessments in the order in which they are presented.

For this assessment, use Microsoft Project to create a preliminary schedule for the project you selected in Assessment 1. Microsoft Project is provided through a Toolwire virtual desktop for your use to create the project schedule. If you already have Microsoft Project (2007 or later) on your computer, feel free to use your own version.

For tutorials on using Microsoft Project, refer to the Computer Skills section under the Supplemental Resources link in the left navigation menu of the courseroom.

Be sure to use the following resources as you complete your assessment:

• Review the Concept Map (linked in the Resources under the Capella Multimedia heading) to see how the project schedule fits into the project management life cycle.
• Read the Assessment 3 Coaching document (linked in the Resources under the Required Resources heading) for expert tips and advice on how to create a project schedule.
• Refer to the Project Schedule media piece (linked in the Resources under the Capella Multimedia heading) for information on project schedules.

Your schedule should include tasks, dependencies, and resources. Even the smallest projects have at least 20 tasks; include a minimum of 20 tasks in your schedule to get full credit for the assessment.

Complete the following:

• Have tasks driven by duration (that is, do not enter a start or a stop date, but let Microsoft Project calculate the time required).
• Use summary tasks to organize the schedule into project phases. Note that:
  • Summary tasks do not have duration.
  • Microsoft Project rolls-up the sub-tasks or "sums" them in the summary task.
• Include tasks that start as soon as possible.
• Provide adequate detail to describe the project.
• Determine predecessors and completion dates.
• Determine deliverables ending with a milestone.
• Develop a review (either technical or executive) for each phase.
• Incorporate industry best practices to successfully meet schedule plans.

Submit your project schedule as a Microsoft Project file.

Determines predecessors and completion dates for project tasks. Includes precedence relationships, dependencies, and completion dates.

Determines the applicable deliverables for each project phase ending with a milestone.

Justifies the review for each project phase.

Justifies the schedule design and deliverables appropriate for the project. Includes predecessors, precedent relationships, and completion dates.

Incorporates industry best practices to successfully meet schedule plans; evaluates why best practices are the most appropriate for a project.

Communicates in a manner that is professional, scholarly, and consistent with expectations for members of the business profession.