This assessment willbe exempt from anonymous marking as it falls within an exempt category under the University’s Anonymous Marking Policy.Assessment TaskThis unit has been developed to give students an opportunity to experience simulated work-related activities that represent practice that takes place in business organisations. As part of this assessment, students will be encouraged to develop and demonstrate a range of employability skills, including teamwork, problem solving skills, communication and critical thinking.Indicative areas of study for this unit include:• Project Management• Research Skills• Leadership and Management• Communication SkillsThe assessment task is to prepare a 3000 words project plan. In small groups, students will be required to provide a detailed plan that identifies all of the key information and stages needed to successfully execute their ‘Consultancy Pitch’ i.e. analysing a brief, requirements analysis, carrying out secondary research,project management, working onand directing activities within a team and pitching for business to a prospective client.You will begin working on your project plan in week 1, semester 2, when the unit commences. Your plan will be handed in on 10th February 2016 with a completed ethics form.Your project plan must be completed prior to you commencing work on your second assignment, the consultancy pitch.As a minimum, the following sections should be included in your project plan:? Overall Summaryo Purpose of projecto Project aim and objectiveso Key deliverableso Key milestoneso General project approacho Team overview? Roles and responsibilities? Team organisational structure? Research plano Research strategyo Research activities? Project management plano Project management strategyo Project management activitieso GANTT chart offering an overview of timelines and identifying taskso Risk management? ‘Selling’ the pitcho Pitch preparation strategyo Pitch preparation activitiesAssessment criteriaThis assessment is based on the company IBM, and will provide you with the opportunity of practising current business skills. You are to develop an indepth understanding of the organisation, and identify a key business issue for IBM. Once you identify the business issue, you are required to develop a project plan which describes, in detail, your approach to the issue.Each research group will need to demonstrate sound knowledge, clear written communication skills and an overall professional approach in the project plan that they submit.Please refer to the Groupwork Annex attached to this document for additional instructions relating to the operation of groupwork aspects of the assessment. The marking scheme is attached to this assessment brief and students are advised (both as a group and individually) to look at the different categories in detail.A summary of the marking categories is summarised below:• Overall Summary -15%• Research Plan – 15%• Project management plan – 15%• Selling the pitch plan – 15%• Overall clarity of ideas, layout, robustness of plan, presentation of information etc within project plan – 40%Students should note that 60% of this project plan will be assessed on content and 40% on the overall presentation and clarity of the information that you present.For this group assessment (project plan), students will be allocated one overall mark. However, at the discretion of the assessor, individuals may be allocated marks based on their level of contribution (ie based on the plan itself and the preparation leading up to the plan). Please refer to the Groupwork Annex attached to this document for additional instructions relating to the operation of groupwork aspects of the assessment.It should be noted that students who wish to obtain the Chartered Institute of Marketing or CAM Foundation awards at the end of their course may be required by those Awarding Bodies to meet a higher pass mark in their units. Currently this stands at 50% (Grade C3 or above). These requirements are outside the control of Southampton Solent University and may be subject to change.Learning OutcomesThis assessment will enable students to demonstrate in full or in part the learning outcomes identified in the unit descriptors.On successful completion of the unit, students should beable to:Knowledge and UnderstandingK1 Evaluate a wide range of aspects, issues and practices relating to the Project, including methods, concepts and theoretical underpinning in breadth and with depth in some aspectsCognitive SkillsC1 Synthesise relevant literature to research, manage and produce a consultancy planPractical and Professional SkillsP1 Reflect critically and constructively on own performance and that of others and devise strategies for improvementTransferable and Key SkillsT1 Exercise a team role responsibility, including a leadership role, taking some accountability for outcomesT2 Communicate information, ideas and data effectively in a range of media and contextsExtenuating CircumstancesThe University’s Extenuating Circumstances procedures are in place if there are genuine circumstances that may have affected your academic performance. Remember however you need to be ‘fit to study’, this means that you can either submit your assessed work or declare extenuating circumstances, but you cannot do both.A summary of guidance notes for students is given below:http://docman.solent.ac.uk/DocMan8/OCSFile?RNS=1234570925Academic MisconductAny submissions must be your own work and, where facts or ideas have been used from other sources, these sources must be appropriately referenced. The University’s Academic Handbook, includes the definitions of all practices that will be deemed to constitute academic misconduct. You should check this link before submitting your work.Procedures relating to student academic misconduct are given below:http://docman.solent.ac.uk/DocMan8/OCSFile?RNS=1234570157Ethics PolicyThe work being carried out by the student must be in compliance with the Ethics Policy. Where there is an ethical issue, as specified within the Ethics Policy, then the student will need an ethics release or an ethical approval prior to the start of the project.The Ethics Policy is contained within Section 2S of the Academic Handbook:http://docman.solent.ac.uk/DocMan8/OCSFile?RNS=1234569791Anonymous MarkingA copy of the University’s Policy on Anonymous Marking, process details and student guidance on submission sheet completion can be found on the following links, which are also uploaded on the Student Portal. The guidance ‘fact sheet’ will be available at Faculty Reception Points.Policy: http://docman.solent.ac.uk/DocMan8/OCSFile?RNS=1234574213Process: http://docman.solent.ac.uk/DocMan8/OCSFile?RNS=1234574215Fact Sheet: http://docman.solent.ac.uk/DocMan8/OCSFile?RN=1234574214Grade markingThe University uses a letter grade scale for the marking of assessments. Unless you have been specifically informed otherwise your marked assignment will be awarded a letter grade. More detailed information on grade marking and the grade scale can be found on myCourse. The guidance ‘fact sheet’ is available at the Faculty Reception Points.Policy: http://docman.solent.ac.uk/DocMan8/OCSFile?RNS=1234569864Fact sheet: http://docman.solent.ac.uk/DocMan8/OCSFile?RNS=1234576014Consultancy Preparation Unit Students:Project Plan Marking Criteria 2014 / 2015 Date:Criteria/Mark A1 – A2 A3 – A4 B1 – B3 C1 – C3 D1-D3 F1 – F3A1 (100) A2 (92) A3 (83) A4 (74) B1 (68) B2 (65) B3 (62) C1 (58) C2 (55) C3 (52) D1 (48) D2 (45) D3 (42) F1 (35) F2 (20) F3 (15)Overall Summary (15%)Learning Outcomes:K1, T1, T2 Overall project plan and approach is extremely well thought out and summarised. Project goals, objectives and deliverables are very clearly defined. Overall project plan and approach is very well thought out summarised. Project goals, objectives and deliverables are very clearly defined. Overall project plan and approach is well thought out summarised. Project goals, objectives and deliverables are clearly defined. Overall project plan and approach is generally thought out and summarised. Project goals, objectives and deliverables generally defined. Overall project plan and approach somewhat summarised. Project goals, objectives and deliverables are vaguely defined. Overall project plan and approach is minimally summarised. Project goals, objectives and deliverables are very limited. All aspects of project plan (including goals, objectives and deliverables) are minimal to non existent.Research Plan (15%)Learning Outcomes:K1, C1, T1, T2 Research plan is extremely well thought out and documented. All key areas documented to an extremely high standard, ensuring that Research plan will help to achieve overall project goals. Research plan is very well thought out and documented. All key areas documented to a very high standard, ensuring that research plan will help to achieve overall project goals. Researchplan is well thought out and documented. All key areas documented to a good standard, ensuring that Research plan will help to achieve overall project goals. Researchplan is generally thought out and documented. Most key areas generally documented, ensuring that Research plan should help to achieve most project goals. Researchplan is only somewhat thought out and/or documented. Some demonstration of how Research plan will help to achieve project goals, although not always in a clear manner. Research plan is only vaguely thought out and/or documented. Vague demonstration of how Research plan will help to achieve project goals. Research plan is not thought out and/or documented. Poor to no evidence of how Research plan will help to achieve project goals.Project Management Plan (15%)Learning Outcomes:K1, C1, T1, T2 Project Management plan is extremely well thought out and documented. All key areas documented to an extremely high standard, ensuring that Project Managementplan will help to achieve overall project goals. Project Managementplan is very well thought out and documented. All key areas documented to a very high standard, ensuring that Project Managementplan will help to achieve overall project goals. Project Managementplan is well thought out and documented. All key areas documented to a good standard, ensuring that Project Managementplan will help to achieve overall project goals. Project Managementplan is generally thought out and documented. Most key areas generally documented, ensuring that Project Managementplan should help to achieve most project goals. Project Managementplan is only somewhat thought out and/or documented. Some demonstration of how Project Managementplan will help to achieve project goals, although not always in a clear manner. Project Managementplan is only vaguely thought out and/or documented. Vague demonstration of how Project Managementplan will help to achieve project goals. Project Managementplan is not thought out and/or documented. Poor to no evidence of how Project Managementplan will help to achieve project goals.BIS249 – Consultancy Preparation Unit Students:Criteria/Mark A1 – A2 A3 – A4 B1 – B3 C1 – C3 D1-D3 F1 – F3A1 (100)A2 (92) A3 (83)A4 (74) B1 (68) B2 (65) B3 (62) C1 (58) C2 (55) C3 (52) D1 (48) D2 (45) D3 (42) F1 (35) F2 (20) F3 (15)Selling the pitch plan (15%)Learning Outcomes:K1, C1, T1, T2 Selling the pitch plan is extremely well thought out and documented. All key areas documented to an extremely high standard, ensuring that selling the pitch plan will help to achieve overall project goals. Selling the pitch plan is very well thought out and documented. All key areas documented to a very high standard, ensuring that Selling the pitch plan will help to achieve overall project goals. Selling the pitch plan is well thought out and documented. All key areas documented to a good standard, ensuring that selling the pitch plan will help to achieve overall project goals. Selling the Pitch plan is generally thought out and documented. Most key areas generally documented, ensuring that Selling the Pitchplan should help to achieve most project goals. Selling the Pitchplan is only somewhat thought out and/or documented. Some demonstration of how Selling the Pitchplan will help to achieve project goals, although not always in a clear manner. Selling the Pitchplan is only vaguely thought out and/or documented. Vague demonstration of how Selling the Pitchplan will help to achieve project goals. Selling the Pitchplan is not thought out and/or documented. Poor to no evidence of how Selling the Pitchplan will help to achieve project goals.Overall Clarity of ideas, layout, presentation etc of information (40%)Learning Outcomes:T1, T2 Project Plan is superbly presented in an extremely professional manner. Overall clarity of ideas, layout and presentation of information is to an extremely high standard and suitable for a business context. Project Plan is very clearly presented in professional manner. Overall clarity of ideas, layout and presentation of information is to a very high standard and suitable for a business context. Project Plan is very well presented in professional manner. Overall clarity of ideas, layout and presentation of information is to a very good standard and suitable for a business context. Project Plan is well presented in professional manner. Overall clarity of ideas, layout and presentation of information is generally adequate and suitable for a business context. Project Plan is somewhat presented in professional manner. Overall clarity of ideas, layout and presentation of information is somewhat adequate but not necessarily suitable for a business context. Presentation of Project Plan detail is limited and vague at best. Overall presentation of information etc is not suitable for a business context. Presentation of Project Plan detail is poor to non- existent. Overall presentation of information etc is not suitable for a business context.Project Plan Marking Criteria 2014 / 2015BIS249: Groupwork Annex – Project PlanAdditional Instructions relating to the operation of groupwork aspects of the assessmentGroup size of this assessment will be: 3/4students per group (ie 3/4 from second year) (groups of two or five will not be authorised)Groups will be formed by: Tutor/unit leader allocation, in consultation with second year students. Final decision by tutor/unit leader.Students not initially in a group should inform the unit leader by Monday January 2015. The seminar leader will be responsible for reallocating any group members or allocating anyone not in a group (which will be completed by 8th February 2016 January 2015)As part of the process of working as a group it is necessary to : 1. Work with the group to ensure that the deadlines outlined below are met (by the group).2. Work with the allocated group to agree roles and responsibilities3. Complete and sign Group Contract (with other group members)4. Meet as a group as a minimum 2 times/week5. Attend all designated seminar classesand meet with tutor during those classes so that feedback can be obtainedEach group must meet the following deadlines By Friday 6 FebruaryHave draft project plan readyBy 12th FebruarySubmit project planWeek commencing 7th March:Deliver Consultancy Pitch to clientsIf the group is not functioning effectively students should: 1. Arrange a meeting with the whole group to discuss the issue2. Identify actions to be undertaken by each member of the group3. Actions to be emailed to group as a whole4. Inform the unit leader immediately if problems are not resolvedAt the end of the assessment member of the group will All be given the same gradeIf individual grades are allocated the evidence used to make these judgements will be 1. Evidence of contribution as outlined during meetings with tutor and/or2. Evidence of issues from written emails to group and/or3. The section of the presentation delivered by each studentNature of peer assessment undertaken Formative feedback for presenting skills