Assessment Information/Brief 2019/20

Module title Lean Production and Lean Construction

CRN 54084/55669 (Jan)

Level 7

Assessment title
Lean Production and Lean Construction
– Coursework Assessment Brief
Weighting within module This assessment is worth 100% of the overall module mark.

Submission deadline date 4pm (UK Time), Friday 1st May 2020
and time

Module Leader/Assessment set by

Andrew Fleming should be contacted via email (DL students) or during the drop-in
sessions/office hours (On-campus students) for questions and support related to this
coursework. On campus drop-in sessions are specified on Blackboard.

Contact Details:
Andrew Fleming Email: a.j.fleming@salford.ac.uk, Maxwell 414

How to submit
The Microsoft Word or PDF file MUST be submitted electronically through Turnitin®. The final
version of the completed assignment must be submitted to the correct Turnitin FINAL
submissions folder when it is ready for marking. Files mistakenly submitted to the DRAFT folder
will not be marked. The Microsoft Word/PDF filename should have the following format
YourSurname_YourName (e.g. Smith_John.docx). Further information and support on Turnitin
submission can be found here: 
http://www.salford.ac.uk/library/help/blackboard-and-collaborate

Assessment task details and instructions

The Concept of the Assessment.

The assessment has been developed as an integral part of the module and as one of the
principal drivers to learning. The assessment has been designed to align to the learning
materials in being innovative and related to the student’s workplace and/or profession. In all

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 assessment activities, students are encouraged to apply what they have learnt to their own
(project or business) organisation (if available). The assessment will be on the basis of the
extent to which a student has been able to apply subject material to gain new insight and create
or envisage the start of new innovations within the organisation or profession.

It is the intention of the module team that as much flexibility should be allowed within the
specification of a project to allow students to negotiate a project brief that meets the academic
requirements of the module. These negotiations should take the form of a discussion between
the student, Module Tutor and, where appropriate, the student’s employer.

Specification of the project

Background - The Toyota Production System and derivative approaches such as lean
production have contributed towards sustainable competitive advantage for their adopters.
New understanding and practices for designing, controlling and improving integrated design and
production processes are at the heart of the Toyota Production System.

Scenario - In relation to your own workplace and a project, with which you are familiar, identify
a specific process. If you have no access at the moment to a work context, please use scenarios
given by the tutor as the starting point – you can modify and expand these scenarios in such
ways that the application of lean principles can be considered in more depth. The process could
be the requirements capture process, the design process, the process of structuring and
managing the production system, or some other process system that is clearly identifiable
within your business. For the identified process system conduct a critical evaluation of the
process with the particular emphasis of lean principles and prepare a report for senior
management that addresses the following issues:

 Rehearsal of the lean principles

 Critical evaluation of the current process
 Development of a target process / system based on consideration of alternative
approaches

 (Alternatively, you may wish to evaluate a current or recent policy initiative in your
business or project organisation. In this case please consult with the Module Tutor.)
Format

 The assignment is to be submitted in report format and as such should have a formal
structure and layout.
 The report should be structured as a management report in three main sections linked
to the issues above.
 All submissions should have a cover sheet (identifying the module, the date, the
student’s name and roll number, and the total number of words included in the main
body of the report). A table of contents and a reference list should be included.

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  It should be submitted as a single document. The report is to be individually prepared;
this is NOT a group submission.
 In-text citations and the APA 6th (Harvard) Style of referencing must be used (see
guidance on blackboard). The report must identify, apply and fully reference
(Harvard/APA style) appropriate sources, concepts and models.

Assessed intended learning outcomes

On successful completion of this assessment, you will be able to:

Knowledge and Understanding (including practical, professional or subject specific skills)

1. Critically appraise the foundational concepts underlying traditional and Lean managerial
methods.
2. Critically appraise Lean production and construction principles.

Transferable Skills and other Attributes

3. Identify opportunities in construction and project organisations for lean improvement.
4. Convey lean production and construction principles to construction and project
organisations.
5. Produce reports identifying and discussing the benefits of lean approaches in construction.
6. A high level of problem solving and analytical skills.
7. A high standard of appreciation and understanding of lean production and lean construction.

Module Aim
To develop a knowledge and understanding of lean production and lean construction principles
and their importance to the successful management of projects.

Word count/ duration (if applicable)

Your assessment should be a Microsoft Word / PDF report of a maximum 3000 words. Cover
sheet, table of contents, reference list, bibliography (optional) and appendices (optional) are
not considered in the word count. Students are expected to decide for themselves the
appropriate word length of each section by considering the assessment criteria specified in this
assignment brief.

Feedback arrangements
You can expect to receive feedback via Blackboard / Turnitin after 15 working days of the
submission deadline.

The module tutor will be available to review one assignment draft per student and to clarify any
doubt related to the coursework and the module in general. On-campus students can show a
draft of their work during the Coursework Consultation session, the drop-in sessions and during

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 the module tutors office hours specified on Blackboard. Distance learning students should send
their draft to the module tutor via email at least 2 weeks before the submission deadline.

Support arrangements

On-campus students can obtain support during the Coursework Consultation session, drop-in
sessions and during the module tutor office hours specified on Blackboard.

Distance learning students can receive support at the end of online sessions, during the
Coursework Consultation session and by sending an email to the module tutor. A reply can be
expected within three working days. As mentioned, one draft can be sent via email (distance
learning students only) at least 2 weeks before the submission deadline. Please note that,
depending on the number of drafts received, feedback on drafts might take longer. It is
therefore suggested to send your draft well in advance of the submission deadline. More
information and time for questions related to the assignment will be provided during the online
sessions.

Further information is available under Assessment on Blackboard (e.g. referencing

guidelines).

askUS
The University offers a range of support services for students through askUS.
Good Academic Conduct and Academic Misconduct
Students are expected to learn and demonstrate skills associated with good academic conduct
(academic integrity). Good academic conduct includes the use of clear and correct referencing
of source materials. Here is a link to where you can find out more about the skills which
students require http://www.salford.ac.uk/skills-for-learning.
Academic Misconduct is an action which may give you an unfair advantage in your academic
work. This includes plagiarism, asking someone else to write your assessment for you or
taking notes into an exam. The University takes all forms of academic misconduct seriously.
You can find out how to avoid academic misconduct here https://www.salford.ac.uk/skills-for-
learning.

Assessment Information
If you have any questions about assessment rules, you can find out more here.

Personal Mitigating Circumstances

If personal mitigating circumstances may have affected your ability to complete this assessment,
you can find more information about personal mitigating circumstances procedure here.

Personal Tutor/Student Progression Administrator

If you have any concerns about your studies, contact your Personal Tutor or your Student
Progression Administrator.

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 Assessment Criteria

You should look at the assessment criteria to find out what we are specifically looking at during
the assessment. Marks for your assessment will be allocated based on the following assessment
marking criteria.

1.An explanation of the Lean production and Lean

Construction Principles and associated benefits. 30%

2. A clear and concise explanation of the context

within which the project is being undertaken
and a clear and critical evaluation of the current process. 30%

3. An account of a systematically developed target process

and demonstration of critical thinking in the choices made. 30%

4. Structure, presentation and referencing of report 10%

MARKING SCALE
At Postgraduate Level 7 the following marking scale shall be used:

Outstanding 90% – 100%

Excellent 80% – 89%
Very good 70% – 79%
Good 60% – 69%
Satisfactory 50% – 59%
Unsatisfactory 40% – 49%
Inadequate 30% – 39%
Poor 20% – 29%
Very poor 10% – 19%
Extremely poor 0% – 9%

GRADE DESCRIPTORS

Outstanding 90% – 100% Assignments in this mark range will demonstrate outstanding clarity
of focus, include what is important, and exclude irrelevant issues.
Outstanding understanding of the topics requested in each task with
critical awareness of relevance of issues will be evident as well as
exceptional expression of ideas and evidence of originality.
Outstanding ability to structure the report and to successfully

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 allocate the available words to the requested tasks, by considering
the assessment criteria, will be demonstrated.
Outstanding levels of communication and contextualisation of the
discussed information as well as outstanding levels of independent
secondary research, which reflect knowledge of current practices and
relevant theory will be demonstrated. Discussion will be conveyed
lucidly. Outstanding structure, compelling and persuasive argument
will be evident. The report will be exceptionally presented and
structured by using effective layouts, relevant chapters and sections,
informative titles/headings, relevant tables and figures.
Appropriate assumptions will be clearly stated. Outstanding and
effective use of good quality citations to support discussion and
correct use of the requested reference style will be evident.
Excellent 80% – 89% Assignments in this mark range will demonstrate excellent clarity of
focus, include what is important, and exclude irrelevant issues.
Excellent understanding of the topics requested in each task with
critical awareness of relevance of issues will be evident as well as
excellent expression of ideas and evidence of originality.
Excellent ability to structure the report and to successfully allocate
the available words to the requested tasks, by considering the
assessment criteria, will be demonstrated.
Excellent levels of communication and contextualisation of the
discussed information as well as very high levels of independent
secondary research, which reflect knowledge of current practices and
theory will be demonstrated. Discussion will be conveyed lucidly.
Excellent structure, compelling and persuasive argument will be
evident. The report will be exceptionally presented and structured by
using effective layouts, relevant chapters and sections, informative
titles/headings, relevant tables and figures.
Appropriate assumptions will be clearly stated. Excellent and
effective use of good quality citations to support discussion and
correct use of the requested reference style will be evident.
Very good 70% – 79% Assignments in this mark range will demonstrate very good clarity of
focus and include most of what is important.
Very good understanding of the topics requested in each task will be
evident. The level of critical analysis might need improvements. Very
good expression of ideas, potential for originality.
Very good ability to structure the report and to allocate the available
words to the requested tasks, by considering the assessment criteria,
will be demonstrated.
Very good levels of communication and contextualisation of the
discussed information will be demonstrated, with possible minor
limitations. Discussion will be conveyed lucidly. Very good structure
and generally persuasive argument will be evident. The report will be
very well presented and structured by using very good layouts,
relevant chapters and sections, informative titles/headings, relevant
tables and figures. Very good independent secondary research will
be expected. A wide range of relevant sources will be evaluated and
synthesized. Very good and effective use of good quality citations to
support discussion and correct use of the requested reference style
will be evident, with possible minor limitations. Appropriate

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 assumptions will be clearly stated.
Good 60% – 69% Assignments in this mark range will demonstrate clear scope and
focus, with some minor omissions or unnecessary issues.
Good understanding of the topics requested in each task, with some
awareness of relevance of issues, will be evident. The level of critical
analysis will need improvements. Generally good expression of
ideas, with some possible minor limitations will be evident.
Good ability to structure the report and to allocate the available
words to the requested tasks, by considering the assessment criteria,
will be demonstrated.
Good levels of communication and contextualisation of the discussed
information, with possible limitations, will be demonstrated.
Discussion will be generally clearly conveyed. Good structure and
convincing argument will be evident. The report will be well
presented and structured by using good layouts, relevant chapters
and sections, informative titles/headings, some relevant tables and
figures.
Good independent secondary research will be expected, with
possible deficiencies in choice and synthesis of secondary sources.
Good use of citations to support discussion and generally correct use
of the requested reference style will be evident. Assumptions will be
generally clearly stated.
Satisfactory 50% – 59% Assignments in this mark range will demonstrate evident and
satisfactory scope, with some omissions and unnecessary issues.
Satisfactory understanding of the topics requested in each task, with
some awareness of relevance of issues, will be evident. The level of
analysis will need improvements. Generally adequate expression of
ideas will be evident. Satisfactory levels of communication, with
possible limitations in terms of contextualisation and clarity of
discussion, will be demonstrated.
Adequate ability to structure the report and to allocate the available
words to the requested tasks, by considering the assessment criteria,
will be demonstrated. The report will be adequately presented and
structured. Although, some deficiencies in terms of layouts, relevant
chapters and sections, informative titles/headings, relevant tables
and figures might be evident.
Limited independent secondary research, with deficiencies in choice
and synthesis of secondary sources. The use of citations to support
discussion and/or reference style will need improvements. Some
assumptions will be stated.
Unsatisfactory 40% – 49% Assignments in this mark range will not be appropriately scoped, with
significant omissions and/or unnecessary issues.
Unsatisfactory knowledge and understanding of the requested topics,
with little awareness of relevance of issues will be evident. The level
of analysis will need major improvements. Lack of adequate
expression of ideas will be generally evident. Unsatisfactory levels of
communication, with limitations in terms of contextualisation and
clarity of discussion, will be demonstrated. Discussion will not show
acceptable awareness of relevance of issues. Vague discussion
displaying lack of focus. Although some relevant elements discernible
The report will show evidences that structure as well as clarity and

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 precision of communication need to be strengthened. Insufficient
ability to allocate the available words to the requested tasks might be
demonstrated. The presentation and structure of the report will need
major improvements. Deficiencies in terms of layouts, relevant
chapters and sections, informative titles/headings or relevant tables
and figures might be demonstrated.
The report will demonstrate lack of satisfactory independent
secondary research, with major deficiencies in choice and synthesis
of secondary sources. The use of citations to support discussion
and/or reference style will need major improvements. Relevant
assumptions might be missing or not clearly stated.
Inadequate 30% – 39% Assignments in this mark range will be inadequately scoped and
focused, with major omissions and unnecessary issues.
Relevant discussion will tend to be very brief with no adequate
analysis. Inadequate knowledge and understanding of the discussed
topics, lack of awareness of relevance of issues will be evident.
Unsatisfactory levels of communication will be demonstrated,
discussion will lack clarity and adequate contextualisation. Discussion
will be generally vague, displaying lack of focus. Although some
relevant elements might be discernible. The report will show
evidences that structure as well as clarity and precision of
communication need to be strengthened.
Lack of ability to allocate the available words to the requested tasks
will be generally demonstrated. The presentation and structure of
the repost will need major improvements. Deficiencies in terms of
layouts, relevant chapters and sections, informative titles/headings,
relevant tables and figures will be evident.
The report will demonstrate inadequate levels of secondary research,
with major deficiencies in number, choice and synthesis of secondary
sources. Inadequate use of citations and/or reference style will be
evident as well as major omissions or unnecessary issues.
Poor 20%– 29% Assignments in this mark range will demonstrate poor knowledge
and understanding of the requested topics, with no awareness of
relevance of issues.
Relevant discussion will be very brief with some significant
misunderstandings which prevent coherent discussion. Extremely
limited and largely unsuccessful attempt at analysis. Poor levels of
communication will be demonstrated, discussion will lack clarity and
contextualisation. Discussion will be generally vague, displaying lack
of focus.
The report will be poorly structured and will demonstrate lack of
ability to cover all requested tasks. Major deficiencies in terms of
layouts, relevant chapters and sections, informative titles/headings,
relevant tables and figures will be evident.
The report will demonstrate poor/no research or inclusion of
irrelevant/inappropriate sources. Poor use of citations and/or
reference style. Major omissions or unnecessary issues will be
evident.
Very poor 10%– 19% Assignments in this mark range will show significant
misunderstandings which prevent coherent discussion and analysis of
relevant topics. Discussion will be irrelevant or extremely brief and

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 vague with various contradictions/errors/omissions. Very poor
knowledge and understanding of the discussed topics, with relevant
elements omitted, will be evident.
The report will be very poorly structured and will demonstrate lack of
ability to cover all requested tasks. Extremely limited communication
skills will be demonstrated. Discussion will be difficult to understand
and will demonstrate no meaningful use of any secondary source
material. The report will be very poorly organized and presented.
Extremely 0% – 9% Assignments in this mark range will show no awareness of scope of
poor topic or any relevant issues. The report will show significant
misunderstandings which prevent coherent discussion and analysis of
the requested topics. Extremely poor knowledge and understanding
of the requested topics, with major relevant elements omitted will be
evident.
No ability to discuss all the requested tasks will be demonstrated.
Lack of communication skills. Discussion will be extremely brief or
difficult to understand and will demonstrate no meaningful use of
any secondary source material. No attempt to present work in
acceptable format.

In Year Retrieval Scheme

Your assessment is not eligible for in year retrieval.

Reassessment
If you fail your assessment, and are eligible for reassessment, you will need to resubmit on
the prescribed time and date. You will be asked to resubmit the same coursework (i.e. same
tasks and requirements).
For students with accepted personal mitigating circumstances, this will be your replacement
assessment attempt. Students should be aware that there is no late submission period at
reassessment (this includes those students who have an accepted PMC request from a
previous attempt).

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