Assignment: Project Plan

Course Information

Course Code: MGMT 331

Course Title: Project Management

University: American University of the Middle East (AUM), Kuwait

Semester: Spring 2026

Instructor: Dr. Ahmed Al-Farsi

Department: College of Business Administration

Credits: 3

Prerequisites: Introduction to Management (MGMT 201) or equivalent

This assignment aligns with program learning outcomes focused on applying project management frameworks to real-world scenarios, emphasizing practical skills in planning and risk assessment as per AACSB standards.

Assignment Overview

This individual assignment requires you to develop a comprehensive project plan based on the Project Management Body of Knowledge (PMBOK) framework. It builds on concepts covered in Modules 1-6, including initiation, planning, and risk management. The goal is to simulate managing a local project relevant to Kuwait or the Gulf region, such as launching a mobile app for sustainable tourism or a small-scale construction initiative in an urban area.

Word Count: 1,500–2,000 words (excluding appendices, charts, and references)

Format: APA 7th Edition

Due Date: Week 8, Sunday, March 22, 2026, 11:59 PM via Moodle submission

Weight: 25% of final course grade

Late submissions will incur a 10% deduction per day, up to 5 days; after that, zero marks.

Learning Objectives

• Apply PMBOK processes to initiate and plan a project.
• Develop key project documents like charters, WBS, and risk plans.
• Use tools such as Microsoft Project or equivalent for scheduling.
• Incorporate regional context, such as cultural or regulatory factors in the Gulf.
• Demonstrate critical thinking in risk identification and mitigation.

Task Description

Select a hypothetical project from a provided list or propose your own (subject to instructor approval by Week 4). Examples include organizing a community event in Sabah Al Ahmad Sea City or implementing a digital transformation for a small business.

1. Project Charter: Outline the project’s objectives, stakeholders, scope, assumptions, and constraints (300-400 words).
2. Work Breakdown Structure (WBS): Create a hierarchical WBS diagram with at least three levels, detailing tasks and deliverables.
3. Schedule and Gantt Chart: Develop a timeline using MS Project (or free alternatives like ProjectLibre), including critical path method (CPM) calculations. Export as PDF or image.
4. Risk Management Plan: Identify 5-7 risks, assess their impact/probability, and propose mitigation strategies (400-600 words).
5. Integration: Discuss how these elements connect to ensure project success, with reflections on potential challenges in a Middle Eastern context (400-500 words).

Include appendices for diagrams, charts, and any supporting data. Ensure all sections reference PMBOK or course materials.

Requirements

• Submit as a single Word document or PDF, with a cover page including your name, student ID, course code, and assignment title.
• Use 12-pt Times New Roman font, double-spaced, 1-inch margins.
• Cite at least 5 sources (2 from course readings, 3 external peer-reviewed).
• No AI-generated content; plagiarism check via Turnitin (over 20% similarity results in zero).
• If proposing a custom project, email a 200-word summary by Week 3 for approval.

Grading Rubric

Total: 100 points

1. Project Charter (20 points): Clear objectives/stakeholders (10); Scope/assumptions (10). Excellent: Comprehensive and aligned; Good: Mostly clear; Needs Improvement: Vague or missing elements.
2. WBS (20 points): Hierarchy/detail (10); Relevance to project (10). Excellent: Detailed 3+ levels; Good: Basic structure; Needs Improvement: Incomplete.
3. Schedule/Gantt/CPM (25 points): Accuracy of timeline (10); Tool usage/export (10); CPM analysis (5). Excellent: Professional and error-free; Good: Functional; Needs Improvement: Errors in logic.
4. Risk Plan (20 points): Identification/assessment (10); Mitigation strategies (10). Excellent: Insightful and prioritized; Good: Adequate; Needs Improvement: Superficial.
5. Integration/Reflection (10 points): Connections/challenges (5); Regional context (5). Excellent: Thoughtful; Good: Basic; Needs Improvement: Lacking depth.
6. Format/Citations/Overall Quality (5 points): APA adherence, writing clarity, no errors.

Feedback will be provided within 2 weeks via Moodle.

The project charter for launching a sustainable tourism app in Kuwait begins by defining the primary objective as enhancing local eco-tourism awareness through user-friendly features like interactive maps and event listings. Stakeholders include the Kuwait Tourism Board, app developers, and end-users such as residents and visitors. Scope covers app design, testing, and initial rollout, excluding ongoing maintenance. Assumptions involve stable funding and regulatory approval, while constraints note a six-month timeline and budget of 50,000 KWD. Risks like data privacy issues in the region require compliance with local laws (Fernandes et al., 2022, https://doi.org/10.1007/s10961-021-09915-9). Mitigation could involve early legal consultations to align with Gulf standards.

References

1. Fernandes, G., Pinto, E. B., Araújo, M., & Machado, R. J. (2022). Project management practices in major university-industry R&D collaboration programs – a case study. The Journal of Technology Transfer, 47, 361–391. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10961-021-09915-9
2. Souza, M., & Ocampo, C. (2022). Rubric’s Development Process for Assessment of Project Management Competences. Education Sciences, 12(12), 902. https://doi.org/10.3390/educsci12120902
3. Herzing, I. (2024). Project Management Education in U.S. Higher Education (2015–2024): A Thematic Curriculum Review. International Journal of Education & Research.
4. Gray, P. J. (n.d.). Developing assessment rubrics in project based courses: four case studies. CDIO Conference Proceedings.
5. Taylor, B., Kisby, F., & Reedy, A. (2024). Rubrics in higher education: an exploration of undergraduate students’ understanding and perspectives. Assessment & Evaluation in Higher Education, 49(5), 799-809. https://doi.org/10.1080/02602938.2023.2299330