How to Guide

Professional Diploma in Project Management Assessments

The Professional Diploma Project Management is awarded through a combination of

an assignment and an in-class exam. Students must complete a Project Assignment
called a “Portfolio of Work” which represents 75% of total marks and a Skills
Demonstration made up of an exam covering 10 key areas represents 25% of total
marks.
The project must be submitted on or before the deadline date. Late submissions will
not be accepted.

Exam 25%
A 60 minute test comprising of 50 multiple choice questions will demonstrate your
knowledge of Project Management theory and processes covering all of the following
areas:
1. Project Fundamentals
2. Project Environments
3. Role of the Project Manager
4. Project Scope
5. Project Schedule
6. Project Cost
7. Project Resources
8. Project Communications
9. Project Risk
10. Project Stakeholder Management

Portfolio of Work - Project: 75%

A Portfolio of Work is a collection of applied knowledge reflecting the key learning
outcomes. The minimum word count for the project is 3,000 words.

Prepare a Project Management plan based on a project you are involved in through
Work or Life Experience or choose from one of the suggested list below:
1. 2-Storey Extension to your home
2. Improvement plan for your local play park
3. IT improvement project for your company
4. New Software application install for your company
5. New Clothing line project for a retail company
Marking Rubric
In this rubric you can see what you will be assessed on
No attempt Clear fail Fail Pass Merit Distinction
1. Executive No attempt. Significant Section is Section is included Some areas are A comprehensive approach,
Summary elements are missing key Basic project summary referenced, there is all sections are covered with
not included references (clear, concise, clear reference to additional
A statement of the or the definition of any project budget, reference to Risks,
problem or proposal section is organisational specific schedule and Resources, Communications
covered in the main absent technical terms) scope
document(s),
background
information, concise
analysis and main
conclusions
2. Introduction No attempt. Significant Section is Section is included Enhanced details A comprehensive section
elements are missing key Basic project of: major drivers includes enhanced details
A business case and not included references Background (clear, for the project, (well-rounded industry /
a benefits realisation or the concise, puts the strategic sector perspective). Business
management is section is project in context) imperative clear case and benefits realisation
included absent management are excellent

Relevant academic
references are included
3. Scope No Attempt Significant Section is Reference to Enhanced details Comprehensive detail of:
Management elements are missing key 1) Project Deliverables of 1) Well drafted Work
not included references 2) Project Assumptions 1) Well drafted Breakdown Structure
A comprehensive or the 3) Exclusions Work Breakdown Dictionary
scope management section is 4) Requirements Structure 2) Requirements Traceability
plan is integrated absent Traceability Matrix 2) Details of Scope Matrix
with other sections of 5) Work Breakdown Management / 3) Roles and Responsibilities
the project Structure Control for Scope Management
management plan
Relevant academic Relevant academic
references are references are included and a
included relationship between section
is included and explained.

2
4. Schedule No attempt. Significant Section is Reference to Enhanced details Comprehensive detail of:
Management elements are missing key 1) Methodology for
not included references constructing schedule 1) Gantt Chart - 1) Critical Path
A comprehensive or the including 2) Roles and Responsibilities
schedule section is 2) Well drafted Responsibility for for Schedule Management
management plan is absent Schedule Details Table each activity, start
integrated with other (ideally linked to WBS) date / end date, % Relevant academic
sections of the complete references are included and a
project management 2) Milestone Table relationship between section
plan 3) Details of is included and explained
Schedule
Performance
Management
(method used,
thresholds for
variance)

Relevant academic
references
5. Cost Management No attempt. Significant Section is Reference to Reference to Comprehensive detail of:
elements are missing key
A comprehensive not included references 1) Methodology for 1) Cost 1) Well drafted S Curve to
cost management or section is constructing budget Performance demonstrate budget cash
plan is integrated absent 2) Reserves Management flow
with other sections of (contingency, (method used, 2) Reference to Funding
the project management) thresholds for Reconciliation Limit /
management plan 3) Well drafted Cost variance) Funding Sources
Breakdown Table a) Cost and 3) Roles and Responsibilities
(ideally linked to WBS) Schedule Variance for Cost Management
b) Cost and
Performance Index Relevant academic
c) BAC, BTC, TCPI references are included and a
d) S-Curve relationship between section
is included and explained
Relevant academic
references are
included

3
6. Resources No attempt. Significant Section is Reference to Enhanced details Comprehensive details of:
Management elements are missing key 1) Well drafted of
not included references Resource Details Table 1) Methodology for Project
A comprehensive or the (ideally linked to WBS) 1) Resources and members to join / leave the
resource section is resource allocation project (matrix organisation)
management plan is absent 2) Roles and including SEAM 2) Roles and Responsibilities
integrated with other Responsibilities and RACI matrix for Resource Management
sections of the 2) Well drafted
project management Resource Details
plan Table (ideally
linked to WBS) -
included Roles and
Responsibilities
detailed
7. Risk Management No attempt. Significant Section is Reference to Enhanced details Comprehensive detail of:
elements are missing of
A comprehensive risk not included key 1) Methodology for 1) Definitions for Probability,
management plan is References identifying Project Risks 1) Risk descriptors Impact and Status
integrated with other or the 2) Methodology for 2) Risk Matrix 2) Reference to Risk
sections of the section is ranking Project Risks 3) Risk Register Management and Control
project management absent linked to WBS Methodology
plan a) Risk 3) Reference to Risk Attitude
Description for the Project/Organization
b) Impact 4) Reference to Overall
c) Probability Project Risk Score
d) Score 5) Roles and Responsibilities
e) Mitigation for Risk Management
f) Status
g) Owner Relevant academic
references are included and a
Relevant academic relationship between section
references are is included and explained
included

4
8. Communication No attempt. Significant Section is Reference to Enhanced details Comprehensive detail of
and Stakeholder elements are missing key of
Management not included references 1) Communications and 1) Power / Interest Grid
or the communications 1) Table of 2) Roles and Responsibilities
A comprehensive section is strategy meetings (format, for Communications
communications and absent 2) Communications participants, Management
stakeholder Details Table (ideally frequency) 3) Stakeholder Engagement
management plan is linked to Stakeholders) 2) Table of reports Assessment Matrix
integrated with other (format, 4) Schedule of Meetings and
sections of the participants, configuration management
project management frequency)
plan 3) Draft Highlight Relevant academic
Report references and a relationship
between section is included
Relevant academic and explained
references are
included
9.Portfolio No attempt. Significant Section is All sections included - Enhanced details Enhanced details throughout
elements are missing key including project throughout
not included references processes High level of insight,
or the Project Processes originality and relevance
section is Well written report with section is very well
absent good continuity defined Relevant academic
between sections references and a relationship
Entire plan has between section is included
Grammar and tense of synergy and flow and explained
report is consistent with including cross
professional standard referencing
and academic practice.
Harvard style Relevant academic
referencing and style references
are included

5
Feedback and Results
Feedback and your grade will be provided within 8 weeks of submission and this
information will be available online where you access your course notes.

Submitting the Portfolio of Work:

Formatting for assignments, unless otherwise specified, is to be typed using a 12-point
font and 1.5 line of spacing. Grammar, punctuation, style and overall presentation are
included in the overall mark for the course. It must include a cover sheet providing:

● Student’s Name
● Full Course Title
● Due Date of the Portfolio of Work

An index must be included as the second page, detailing sections and page numbers
for each individual piece of the Portfolio of Work e.g Executive Summary Introduction,
Scope Management etc. Section dividers may also be used within the Portfolio of
Work.
Additional Information

It is suggested you use the Harvard System of Referencing when citing anything
within your work. More information on how to do this you can find here:
https://libguides.ucd.ie/harvardstyle

Please look at the How To Guides course page visible on your LMS Dashboard when
you login. This is where you will find your student handbook, assessment regulations
including important information regarding plagiarism.
There is also a wealth of information and frequently asked questions on our
Knowledge Base.