Semester August 2019 Module Code STA2205

Module Title Methods and Systems for Business Decisions

Coursework Structure Report Assignment Weighting 20%

Assignment Title Project Management

Coursework Submission Date: By Week 12 (22 November 2019)

Deadline Method: SafeAssign via Blackboard

Assessment Criteria
Learning Outcomes: Knowledge and Understanding tested in this assignment:
 The application of quantitative techniques and information systems to address a wide variety of management
and business problems
 How to summarise and analyse data in a business context and use it to understand and solve management
and business problems
Learning Outcomes: Skills and Attributes tested in this assignment:
 Build quantitative models to represent the structure of management problems
 Use information systems and quantitative methods software to solve management problems
 Work in a group to analyse a business problem and make decisions
General Coursework Rules
 Written Assignment must be submitted online through SafeAssign (or other plagiarism checker) via Blackboard
for originality check.
 Oral Presentation must be recorded and securely uploaded to YouTube (or other online video platform) for
moderation purpose. The private link to video must be given to the lecturer during submission.
 Assignment submitted after the deadline will be subject to a penalty. Please refer to the guidelines on
Coursework Submission that can be found in the INTI-UH Student Guidebook.
 Suspected academic misconduct will be handled according to the Policies and Procedures for Academic
Dishonesty and Misconduct that can be found in the INTI-UH Student Guidebook.
 Assignment Brief

1.0 DESCRIPTION
This coursework will enable students to understand variety of quantitative techniques commonly used in analysing
and solving business and management problems in the modern organisation. The module will involve the use of
a variety of statistical and management science software in order to structure, formulate, and solve business
problems. Students will also learn to apply the technique taught in the module.
This is a group assignment requiring students to work in a group of 3 to 4 students. Students are required to work
as a team and document how decisions are made and to support their decisions with cogent academic
references/justifications. After the completion of their work, the students will then be required to submit a written
report.
(Marking Rubric: Refer the GROUP ASSIGNMENT - Marking Rubric with Feedback Sheet)

2.0 TASK
Work in a group of 3 to 4 students, present a report covering the following areas. Include a TITLE (include topic
& site of study) for your report. You are required to choose a project from the list of projects below:

List of projects (choose one only):

 Start a new business
 Plan a university study trip
 Construction of residence
 Organise fundraising campaign
 Boost brand awareness for a business
 Organise Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) activities for a company

Your project MUST have at least 10 activities and at least 3 parallel paths.

The following notes give some suggestions as to the sort of information you may want to include in your group
project report. It is intended only as a starting point and should be used in conjunction with the Methods and
Systems for Business Decisions Group Assignment Notes and spreadsheet/SPSS example.

(a) Introduction
 Give a clear statement of the industry that you want to analyse.
 Briefly outline the analysis tools and methods that are appropriate for the data chosen.

Rules for project selection:

 Each group of students has to submit a brief proposal to subject lecturer by Week 7.
 Brief proposal to include:
Group members’ names, industry that they plan to analyse
  The project has to be unique and no overlapping with the type of project from another group of
students. If there is, student has to redo and find another project. The selected project needs to be
approved by the subject lecturer.

(b) Precedence table

 Briefly explain what the table will show and how it will help.
 Draw table to include activities, precedents, duration and human resources for each activity.
Support your activities by using appropriate/ credible sources, such as books, academic journals or
credible sources from the Internet.

(c) Network Diagram & Critical Path

With the use of Microsoft Excel or Microsoft Project, develop and determine the following;
 Explain why you need a network, what it shows and what you will be able to deduce.
 Explain the parts of the network – include a key explaining what the figures on the nodes mean.
 Draw the network – highlight the critical path in red.

i. EST, EFT, LST, LFT & Float Summary Chart:

 Draw table. Them, explain briefly on why this is helpful.

ii. Analysis:
 Analyse your network. For example:
- Comment on the critical path. What does this mean?
- Comment on what the network tells you about
 The relative timings of activities. Which sets of tasks can be done concurrently? How
do you know?
 The overall length of the project.
 The effect of delays.
 Analyse your findings in the context of your project.
For instance, comment on how the float relates to the start/finish times. What does zero float mean?
What about non-zero floats? How and where could you use floats?

(d) Activity Gantt Chart

 Draw chart. Then, explain on what does this show and why is it helpful.
 Comment on chart, for e.g. What does it indicate about the flexibility of your project?

(e) Resource Gantt Chart & Resource Management

 What does this show? Why is it helpful?
 Draw chart.
 Comment on chart (Resource Management)
o Are some resources underused? Could these staff be used elsewhere?
o Are there any conflicts? How could you resolve these? What could be the implications?
 (f) Conclusion
This should include a summary of the overall aim of the project, a brief overview of the methods/ procedures
used and a summary of your key findings for each of the sections above. ALWAYS ensure that you link to the
aims and purposes of your project.

Other Specific Instructions for this Assignment

Students are required to adhere to the following instructions for the written report:
Front Page : Cover page
Page 2 : Assessment sheet
Page 3 : Executive summary or abstract (100 words), where the main points of the work
are highlighted
Page 4 : Table of contents
Page 5 : Table of diagrams
rd
3 last page : SafeAssign Report (Percentage only)
2nd last page : References
Last Page : Back cover

Note:
 Use Arial, 12 normal font
 1.5 single spacing
 Number all pages (at the bottom center) except the Cover Page
 Tables, graphs and other diagrams referred to and sourced
 Appropriate Harvard referencing. Footnotes may be used to direct readers to appropriate appendices
 DO NOT use COMB BINDING
 Save and send a copy of your report and analysis (EXCEL, if any) into Blackboard.
 Attachments (if any):
o Appendices
o Any other relevant materials

PLAGIARISM
Plagiarism may occur in either oral or written presentations. It is the presentation of the work, idea or creation of
another person, without appropriate referencing, as though it is one’s own. Plagiarism includes cutting and pasting
text from websites, and will be severely penalised. The use of another person’s work or ideas must be
acknowledged. Failure to do so may result in charges of academic misconduct which carry a range of penalties
including cancellation of results and exclusion from your program.
Examples of plagiarism include:
 Copying sentences or paragraphs word for word from one or more sources, whether published or
unpublished, which could include but is not limited to books, journals, reports, theses, websites,
conference papers, course notes, etc. without proper citation
 Closely paraphrasing sentences, paragraphs, ideas or themes without proper citation
 Piecing together text from one or more sources and adding only linking sentences
  Copying or submitting whole or parts of computer files without acknowledging their source
 Copying designs or works of art and submitting them as your original work
 Copying a whole or any part of another student’s work
 Submitting work as your own that someone else has done for you.
 From any one source up to 5%
 For full report up to 25%
 Penalties: Where SafeAssign report shows 25% or more similarity the following will apply the following:
o 25% - 45% - deduction of 50% of marks awarded
o 45% - 50% - ZERO marks
INTI International College Subang (IICS), INTI International College Penang (IICP) and INTI College Sabah (ICS)
strives to be a centre of academic excellence. As part of our Statement of Ethics, IICS, IICP and ICS strives to
preserve academic honour and integrity by repudiating all forms of academic and intellectual dishonesty, including
cheating, plagiarism and all other forms of academic dishonesty. Academic dishonesty is unacceptable and is
subject to a disciplinary response.

LATE SUBMISSIONS
Marks will be penalised for any late submissions is as follows:
 Within 1 week: Max Grade D
 Exceeding 1 week: Fail Grade F
No requests for extension of deadlines will be entertained (after it has been finally determined by the lecturer)
unless for extenuating circumstances for such matters as illness, severe and justifiable personal problems or other
factors over and above those normally experienced by students, which may have adversely affected their
performance (students must show evidence and proof of extenuating circumstances)

THE END

Student Support and Guidance

 For further help, contact your module leader/lecturer during consultation hours or by email.
 Use the Grading Criteria and Mark Scheme to help improve your work.
 Make full use of Library search to identify relevant academic material and find links to other Information
Databases and the Information Management contact details.
 For HBS students, you may go to CASE website www.studynet.herts.ac.uk/go/CASE/ for more student
support and guidance.

Marking Criteria and Feedback

 Performance will be assessed using UH Grading Criteria and Mark Scheme. These two
documents are attached to this assignment brief.
 Feedback will typically be given within 4 weeks from the submission deadline in a
written/typed/verbal form.
 CENTRE FOR UNIVERSITY OF HERTFORDSHIRE PROGRAMMES

Assignment Cover Page

Module Methods and Systems for Business Module
STA2205
Title: Decisions Code:
Assignment
Date:
Title:
Student Information: (Do not include your name unless your tutor has told you to do so.)
Name* Student ID*

☐
☐
☐
☐
☐

1. I (we) have submitted one printed copy of my (our) assignment bound together ☐
AND one electronic version via Black Board.
2. I (we) have read through my (our) work and to check for errors in spelling and ☐
grammar.
3. I (we) are happy for my (our) work to be shared with future students. ☐

*Tick () the box next to your name, agreeing to the ‘Academic Conduct’
Statement.

I (We) certify that this piece of in-course assignment is my (our) own work, that it
has not been copied from elsewhere, and that any extracts from books, papers or
other sources have been properly acknowledged as references or quotations. In
addition, I(we) agree that the electronic version of this assignment may be subject
to electronic analysis for the detection of collusion, plagiarism and other forms of
unfair advantage.
UG Grading Criteria for HBS Coursework (Group Report)
GROUP Presentation & structure
REPORT
Task details Follows report structure &
keeps to word limit of ...
80-100 Outstanding... Presentation &
report structure, with numbered
Outstanding paragraphs, list of
contents/figures &appendices.
Articulate & fluent academic
writing style with ideas cross
referenced. No grammatical /
spelling errors.
70-79 Excellent ... Presentation &
report structure, with numbered
Excellent paragraphs, list of
contents/figures, appendices &
cross referencing.
Articulate & fluent academic
writing style. Only a minor error.
60-69 Very good... Presentation &
report structure, paragraphing,
Very Good use of numbering, list of
contents/figures, appendices &
cross referencing.
Fluent academic writing style.
Very few grammatical errors &
spelling mistakes.
50-59 Good... Clear presentation &
report structure, use of
Good numbering & appendices.
Writing is mainly clear but some
spelling &/ or grammatical errors.
40-49 Satisfactory... Basic report
structure.
Satisfactory Not always written clearly & has
grammatical & / or spelling errors.
30-39 Weak... Report format, limited or
poor structure.
Marginal Fail Muddled work with many spelling
& / or grammatical errors.
20 – 29 Inadequate... Report format and
poor paragraphing / signposting.
Clear Fail Inappropriate writing style
Poorly written &/or poor spelling
& grammar. Must see CASE
1 – 19 Nothing of merit... Poorly
written work, lacking structure,
Little or paragraphing / signposting.
Nothing of Many inaccuracies in spelling &
merit grammar. Must see CASE
Use & presentation of Harvard
Referencing
Follows Harvard style for in-text
citation & Reference List
Use a minimum of ... sources
Outstanding... Standard of
referencing within text & consistent
use of Harvard referencing system.
Accuracy of in-text references & full
details shown in Reference list.
Excellent... Standard of referencing
within text & consistent use of
Harvard referencing system.
Accuracy of in-text references & full
details shown in Reference list.
Very good... Standard of
referencing within text & consistent
use of Harvard referencing system.
Accuracy of in-text references & full
details shown in Reference list.
Good... Standard of referencing
within text & consistent use of
Harvard referencing system.
Accuracy of in-text references & full
details shown in Reference list.
Satisfactory... Basic referencing
within text & consistent use of
Harvard referencing system.
Accuracy of in-text references & full
details shown in Reference list.
Weak...Use of Harvard referencing
system with errors & inconsistently
applied. Limited referencing within
the text. Limited accuracy of in-text
references compared to those in the
final Reference list.
Inadequate... Use of Harvard
referencing with many errors &/or
inconsistencies.
Must see CASE
Nothing of merit... No or little
attempt to use the recommended
Harvard referencing system.
Must see CASE
Content/ Terms/ Findings/
Definitions/ Calculations/Log
Content included - specify task
requirements as in module guide &
coursework guidance
Outstanding... Exploration of topic
showing excellent knowledge &
understanding through thorough &
appropriate research.
Impressive choice and range of
appropriate content.
Excellent ... Level of knowledge &
understanding demonstrated.
Evidence of appropriate reading.
Covers all relevant points & issues.
Very good... Level of knowledge &
understanding demonstrated.
Covers most relevant points &
issues.
Few errors / omissions in
content/calculations.
Good... Grasp of the topic & some
of its implications presented.
Knowledge & understanding is
demonstrated.
Minor errors / omissions in content/
calculations.
Satisfactory... Content / level of
knowledge of the topic. Addresses
part of the task. Some errors /
omissions in content/ calculations.
May benefit from further research.
Weak... Limited content /
knowledge/ calculations. Limited or
muddled understanding of the
topic/question.
Does not meet all the learning
outcomes.
Inadequate... Lacking in relevant
content/ knowledge/calculations.
Content irrelevant / inaccurate.
Does not meet all the learning
outcomes.
Nothing of merit... Unsatisfactory
level of knowledge demonstrated.
Content used irrelevant / not
appropriate/ to the topic. Does not
meet the learning outcomes.
Business Application &
Integration of Data /Literature
Integration & application of
information - from coursework
guidance /module guide
Outstanding... Business insight
& application.
Breadth, depth & integration of
literature/data into work.
Excellent ... Business insight &
application.
Breadth, depth & integration of
literature/data into work.
Very good... Business insight &
application.
Breadth, depth & integration of
literature/data into work.
Good... Business insight &
application.
Breadth, depth & integration of
literature/data into work.
Satisfactory... Business insight &
application. Limited integration
with literature/ data.
Use of literature/data but limited in
breadth OR depth.
Weak... Unsatisfactory evidence
of business application & insight
Work needs to show better links
between practical application and
theory.
Inadequate... Lacks evidence of
business application & insight.
Some literature irrelevant to topic.
Nothing of merit... No evidence
of appropriate business
application & insight.
Discussion /Analysis /Critical
evaluation &/or Reflection
Line of argument, development of
discussion add instructional verbs
to suit the task & level
Outstanding... Level of
discussion/analysis/ critical
evaluation &/or reflection.
Highly developed/ focused work.
Excellent... Level of
discussion/analysis/ critical
evaluation &/or reflection clearly
developing points in the appropriate
way with thorough consideration of
all possibilities.
Very good... Level of
discussion/analysis/ critical
evaluation &/or reflection & a few
ideas/points could benefit from
further development &/or
evaluation/comparison.
Good... Level of
discussion/analysis/ critical
evaluation &/or reflection but more
ideas/points could be addressed
/developed further.
Satisfactory... Basic evidence of
discussion/analysis/ critical
evaluation &/or reflection but some
points superficially made so need
further development.
Weak... Limited evidence of
discussion/analysis/ critical
evaluation &/or reflection.
More development & comment
needed. May need to do more than
describe.
Inadequate... Lacking / inadequate
level of discussion/ analysis/critical
evaluation & /or reflection.
Descriptive.
Must see CASE
Nothing of merit... Unsatisfactory
level of discussion/analysis/critical
evaluation &/or reflection
Must see CASE
Team Work/ Group contract/
Log/Wiki
Evidence of preparation, team
building, communications, team co-
operation, contribution
Outstanding… Contribution to
every meeting. Resolved any
weaknesses. Collaborated well.
Listened effectively. Respected
others’ opinions & ideas.
Demonstrated effective team
management (contract, log, wiki
etc.). Vital team member.
Excellent… Contribution to every
meeting. Resolved weaknesses.
Collaborated well. Listened
effectively. Respected others’
opinions & ideas. Demonstrated
effective team management
(contract, log, etc.)
Very good… Contribution to most
meetings. Helped to resolve
weaknesses. Listened to and
respected others’ opinions & ideas.
A very good team player.
Good… participation in meetings.
Listened to others opinions & ideas.
A good team player.
Satisfactory… team member
Generally attended meetings.
Demonstrated some participation.
Weak… Did not attend enough
meetings. Rarely contributed and/or
communicate effectively
Inadequate… Appears
disinterested, disengaged,
uncommitted.
Nothing of merit… Did not
contribute or participate.
Group Report Marking and Feedback Sheet
Module Code &Title STA2205 – Methods and Systems for Business Decisions
Topic Date & Time
Name (CAPS) 1. ID No. 1.
2. 2.
3. 3.
4. 4.

Please refer to Grading Criteria when awarding marks (upon 100). Each criteria weightage is given below (X%).
Grading Criteria 100m X% Comments / Feedback / Feed Forward
C1. Introduction
Provide precise introduction to the project selected and definition to the terms used /100 /10
in the project. Display the understanding of the whole project.
C2. Precedence Table
/100 /10
Demonstrate correct logic in the Precedence Table.
C3. Network Diagram and Critical Path
/100 /15
Provide correct network diagram and critical path.
C4. EST, EFT, LST, LFT & Float Summary
Provide correct EST, LFT, LST, LFT and Float Summary.
/100 /5
C5. Analysis
/100 /10
Demonstrate clear level of analysis. For eg. the effect of delaying critical activities.
C6. Activity Gantt Chart
/100 /10
Provide an accurate Activity Gantt Chart.
C7. Resource Gantt Chart
/100 /10
Provide an accurate Resource Gantt Chart.
C8. Resource Management
Demonstrate level of understanding on resource management.
/100 /10

C9. Conclusion
Cover all relevant points and issues. Evidence of appropriate reading.
/100 /10

C10. Presentation of Report

Presentation & report structure, with numbered paragraphs, list of contents/figures, /100 /10
appendices & Harvard referencing. Articulate & fluent academic writing style. Only
minor error.
Total (Assessor) - Convert to 100 marks /100
Total (Peer Reviewer/Moderator) /100
UH Internal Moderator Comments External Examiner Comments (if applicable)

*Marks indicated are provisional and are subject to moderation process.