Formal assessment of the module is partially made on the basis of a critical essay (2,000 words) to be submitted by the deadline indicated on Sussex Direct/Canvas.
Critical essays should be developed individually by the students. This can be done in consultation with the module convenor. The essay will give students the chance to more closely explore a topic from the module. Please use the module reading list and any supplemental readings you can find on your chosen topic. The critical essay will assess the student’s ability to identify, outline, and discuss a particular problem of his or her own interest related to one of the module themes presented in the lectures and/or discussed in classwork exercises/seminars.
The Critical Essay
The critical essay should be an analytical assessment of one of the module themes presented in the lectures and/or discussed in classwork exercises/seminars. Essays should be developed by the student (i.e. essay titles are not set by the module convenor).
The essay can critically evaluate the claims made by one of the articles in the module reading list. Think about conflicting theories and approaches, exceptions to the rule, competing hypotheses and the generalisability of your conclusions across different types of projects, firms and industries. If possible, try to provide empirical support for your argument, using data from various sources such as newspapers, industry sources, as well as the academic literature. A comparison between CoPS and high-volume industries can be a helpful way of emphasising the distinctive characteristics of CoPS. Also comparing and contrasting different levels of complexity in projects and their environment can be explored and exploited. A critique of the traditional approach to project management can also be developed: for example, a critique on the limitations of planning and control as the optimal solution to managing complex projects effectively.
The key criterion for the module evaluation of the critical essay is the ability to show an awareness of the challenges of managing complex projects, products and systems related to specific issues such as:
- product complexity and the dynamics of innovation
- project management capability, performance and strategies
- critical views/approaches of project management
- systems integration and competitive strategies
- project organisations and the innovation environment
- managing complex software development
- learning in temporary project organisations
- strategies, capabilities and organisations for delivering integrated solutions
- application of the lessons learned from CoPS to high-volume (and other industries
- innovative project management methods
- megaprojects
- sustainability in the management of projects
The structure of the critical essay is to be defined by the student considering the best way to present the argument(s) for the chosen topic. This critical essay accounts for 70% of the total mark for this module.
Wordcount: 2000 words (+/- 10%)
Assessment Criteria
This critical essay will be assessed considering the marking scheme as indicated in Appendix A for work which is considered as exceptional/outstanding/very good/good/satisfactory/unsatisfactory/poor/very poor.
Submission
Please refer to your own Assessment Deadlines in Sussex Direct and/or Canvas for all submission details.
