project management extension certificate program - mount royal

Final Assessment Learner Information Guide – PMBOK® Guide – Fourth Edition

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Project Management Extension Certificate Program

Final Assessment Learner Information Guide (Online Final Assessment Paper Course) XPRM 20001

PMBOK® GUIDE - FOURTH EDITION

Based on the Project Management Institute, A Guide to the Project Management Body

of Knowledge - FOURTH EDITION

PMBOK is a registered mark of the Project Management Institute, Inc.


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This publication is a derivative work of A Guide to the Project Management Body of Knowledge (PMBOK® Guide) – Fourth Edition, which is copyrighted material of and owned by, Project Management Institute, Inc. (PMI), Copyright 2008. This publication has been developed and reproduced with the permission of PMI. Unauthorized reproduction of this material is strictly prohibited. The derivative work is the copyrighted material of and owned by, Mount Royal University, Copyright 2013.


PMBOK is a registered mark of the Project Management Institute, Inc. MRU PM EXTENSION CERTIFICATE PROGRAM 1 UPDATED: AUGUST 2014

PROJECT MANAGEMENT – FINAL ASSESSMENT PAPER IMPORTANT: This Final Assessment Learner Information Guide is based on the A Guide to the Project Management Body of Knowledge (PMBOK® Guide) - Fourth Edition. If you are writing your paper based on the Fifth Edition, please use the Fifth Edition version of this Final Assessment Learner Information Guide. Final Assessment papers submitted in the Fall term of 2013 or any term of 2014 may be written based on either the Fourth or the Fifth Editions of the PMBOK® Guide. Any Final Assessment paper submitted after January 1, 2015 must be written based on the PMBOK® Guide - Fifth Edition only. NOTE: Please ensure you clearly identify on the FRONT COVER PAGE of your paper, along with your name, whether you have based your paper on the Fourth Edition or the Fifth Edition of the PMBOK® Guide course materials. The Project Management Final Assessment paper is the final component in the Mount Royal University (MRU) Project Management Extension Certificate Program. Participants are expected to complete a final paper incorporating project management fundamentals, practices and principles learned throughout the six core courses or three online modules, as they apply in the PMBOK® Guide - Fourth Edition. Outlined below are the main criteria for completing the Final Assessment paper. 1. Project Paper: Students will develop a project paper applying the project management processes

found in a typical project life cycle. The paper is to be no longer than 25 pages of content (including all support materials and/or Appendices, but excluding any Table of Contents pages, title pages, Appendix title pages or white space due to section breaks). NOTE: For papers longer than 25 pages of content, marks will be deducted or the paper submission may even be refused, in which case, the learner will be asked to follow the rewrite procedure (see the “Paper Rewrite” item below). Once the paper meets the length requirement, it can then be re-submitted, (subject to the rewrite fee). All papers must use Arial 12 point font-type, single line spacing for the main text. A larger size font for headings is encouraged and the use of Arial 10 point font is acceptable in appropriate charts and tables.

2. Project Selection: Students, in consultation with their assigned course advisor / paper grader, will be required to choose a project. The project must have sufficient scope and complexity that will allow you to demonstrate application of the required project management processes. You are cautioned though, not to choose a project that is too large or complex for you to document within the 25 page content limitation.

Some suggestions for projects include a:

• Future, current or past work project • Conference or Seminar • Fundraising campaign for a charity • Community or special event Note: Although the tense used throughout this document to describe the various requirements of the Final Assessment paper will refer primarily to a project that has not yet started, it is also acceptable to document a project that is completely finished or one that is currently underway. When documenting anything that has been completed, you are encouraged to also describe what you might have done differently, now that you have taken Mount Royal University’s Project Management Extension Certificate Program courses.


MRU PM EXTENSION CERTIFICATE PROGRAM 2

3. Application of Project Management Processes: In this Program, you learned that all the project management processes can be aggregated into five Process Groups. Exactly when and how the project management processes are applied in a given project can vary significantly, depending on industry and company specific requirements. Thus, it is not possible to prescribe any specific template that must be used when writing this paper. However, it is expected that appropriate tools and templates used throughout the Mount Royal University Project Management Extension Certificate Program courses (or from other suitable sources) will be incorporated in your paper, demonstrating your understanding of how to apply the project management processes. It is further expected that through the application of these various Project Management processes, your paper will demonstrate the integration and interaction between the processes and the purpose each serves in managing a project.

4. Confirmation of Registration and Contact Information: Upon registering over the phone, in person, or by mail, you will receive a Confirmation of Registration in the mail. This receipt will include IMPORTANT INFORMATION for contacting the MRU Student and Program Liaison and who will assist as applicable, with logging into the online Blackboard platform and into the Final Assessment Paper course. Note that a current e-mail address is required to access the online course information. No other details about the paper itself will be sent to you in the mail. All other required information regarding paper criteria, grading system, and Frequently Asked Questions can be found in this Final Assessment Learner Information Guide document. NOTE: If you register online you will NOT receive a mailed Confirmation of Registration. At the time you register online, you MUST print your own confirmation as directed. This will contain the required information to contact the MRU Student and Program Liaison.

5. Final Assessment Learner Information Guide: The latest version of this document can always be found at Mount Royal University’s Continuing Education website at: www.mtroyal.ca/conted . Once you are on MRU’s website, click on the “Certificates / Diplomas” link to view the “Certificate and Diploma Programs” page. Then click on either the Project Management Extension Certificate or Project Management Online Extension Certificate link. At the left, click on the “PM Final Assessment” link. Then click on the link for the version of the latest Final Assessment Learner Information Guide you require for your paper.

OR: Simply access the www.mtroyal.ca/conted home page and type Project Management Final Assessment Paper in the Search box and click GO. The link for the Final Assessment Paper course webpage will appear towards the top of the list. OR: Once you have registered in the Final Assessment Paper course, you will be provided with information and a Mount Royal University login to access the online Blackboard course environment. Once you have logged into the Blackboard course, click on the Content link found at the left on the main menu. Then click on the link for the version of the latest Final Assessment Learner Information Guide you require for your paper.



6. Course Advisor / Paper Grader: Communication with your assigned course advisor / paper grader via email, discussion board or phone is strongly advised as early as possible in the term. It is recommended you contact your advisor to discuss your choice of a project. Your advisor can counsel you on choosing a suitably sized project to document in your paper. Refer to the Frequently Asked Questions section for more details on what information about your project to communicate to your advisor. You are also encouraged to contact your advisor if you have any questions about the paper itself. Please optimize the time with your advisor by preparing specific questions beforehand and keeping conversations or emails brief and on-topic. The advisor’s time for discussions and email replies is limited, as their primary role is to assess and grade the paper.

7. Paper Grading: Students must receive a minimum of 70% (70 points out of a possible 100 points or at least a letter grade of B-) in the Final Assessment paper to successfully fulfill course requirements. Please refer to the Grading System information given later in this document for details on how the marks are awarded.

8. Paper Rewrite: A rewrite can only be requested if you receive a grade less than 70% (or a letter grade below B-). A maximum of two rewrites can be requested. Individuals who are unsuccessful on the second rewrite will be required to wait a year and re-take, or take additional, Project Management courses before applying to write again. The deadline to apply for the rewrite is 60 days after notification of the original paper grade. The fee for a rewrite is $189 plus GST. Only one rewrite can be requested per term.

9. MRU Contacts: Information regarding the paper requirements and the grading system are given later in this document. As indicated above, the latest version of this document can always be found on the MRU Continuing Education website at: www.mtroyal.ca/conted . Follow the links as described earlier. For further information or questions, please feel free to contact the MRU Project Management Program Coordinator at (403) 440-6865 or the Student and Program Liaison at (403) 440-8770 and fax of (403) 440-7270.

10. Paper Due Date and Submission: The DUE DATE for completing the Final Assessment paper for each term is stated in the Mount Royal University Continuing Education calendar and on the www.mtroyal.ca/conted website. All papers must be submitted by:

4:30 P.M. ON THE DUE DATE

IMPORTANT: A PDF version of the paper must be submitted through the Assignment Dropbox in the Assignment area within the online Final Assessment Paper course you are registered in. A “hard copy” of your paper will NOT be accepted.

It is essential you submit your Final Assessment paper by the due date!

Late submissions will NOT be accepted. If there are extenuating circumstances that arise, preventing a student from submitting the paper by the due date, she/he must contact the Program Coordinator at (403) 440-6865 immediately.

All students are asked to ensure they have made a “backup” hard/paper copy as well as an electronic copy of their complete Final Assessment paper prior to submission. Early submission of your paper is encouraged.



11. Application to Graduate Form: Once your Final Assessment paper has been marked, your final mark and comments from the course advisor / paper grader will be posted online in your Assignment Dropbox area, in the Final Assessment Paper - Results sheet attachment. If you achieved 70% (or a letter grade of B-) or more on your paper, an “Application to Graduate” form is available in the online Blackboard environment in the Information area. In order to obtain your official Mount Royal University Project Management Extension Certificate, you are asked to complete this form and submit it (by mail, in person, by fax, or by email with an attached completed form in PDF file format) to the Student and Program Liaison (address/fax/email information as given below).

By Mail:

Student and Program Liaison, Project Management Program, Mount Royal University Faculty of Continuing Education and Extension,

4825 Mount Royal Gate SW, Calgary, AB T3E 6K6

In Person:

Please address the envelope: “Attention: Student and Program Liaison, Project Management Program” and deliver to:

Mount Royal University

Faculty of Continuing Education and Extension, Room EC 3100 4825 Mount Royal Gate SW, Calgary, AB

(Located on the 3rd Floor of the Roderick Mah Centre for Continuous Learning - East C Building)

(map link: http://www.mtroyal.ca/ProgramsCourses/ContinuingEducation/contact/index.htm#map)

By Fax:

Attention: Student and Program Liaison: Fax (403) 440-7270

By Email:

Send an email with the completed “Application to Graduate” PDF attachment to the Student and Program Liaison contact who is identified in your Confirmation of Registration.

12. Course and Program Evaluation: Once you have completed the Final Assessment paper, you are

asked to log into the online Final Assessment course environment and complete the Evaluation Survey, found in the Content area. This survey asks for your comments about the Final Assessment paper itself as well as the overall MRU Project Management Extension Certificate Program. We appreciate your input.



NERVOUS ABOUT WRITING A PAPER? The Student Learning Services centre at Mount Royal University is available to assist you with writing assignments. Contact a Learning Consultant by using the following FREE services:

One-on-one appointments Web handouts Telephone appointments Small group appointments Drop-in sessions Workshops E-mail instruction

You may book a 30 minute appointment with a Consultant by calling (403) 440–6452. For more information re: the Student Learning Services centre, visit their website at http://www.mtroyal.ca and follow the links for “Academic Support” then “Student Learning Services”. Be aware that the Student Learning Services centre is not familiar with the criteria for the content of the MRU Project Management Extension Certificate Program Final Assessment paper but will be able to assist you in the organization and the writing of the paper itself, once you have decided on the appropriate content. SESSION: Preparing for the Final Assessment Mount Royal University offers a three hour classroom session in Calgary (and elsewhere, as arranged) entitled Preparing for the Final Assessment, which is designed to provide additional support beyond what is offered in the Certificate courses. This session gives you the opportunity to work with an instructor who marks Final Assessment papers so you can obtain further insight into what is required to be successful. Note: This session has a separate fee and is offered as an optional session to help learners prepare for writing the Final Assessment paper and is not a required session for the MRU Project Management Extension Certificate. To find out the session dates and fees for the current term, refer to the information given in the MRU Continuing Education Calendar or on their website at: www.mtroyal.ca/conted . Follow the links as described earlier.



PROJECT MANAGEMENT – FINAL ASSESSMENT GRADING SYSTEM

PLEASE INCLUDE THE FOLLOWING COMPONENTS IN YOUR FINAL PAPER While the information presented here is intended as a guide only and is not totally prescriptive, a few recommendations may help you organize and plan your paper better. For the overall organization of your paper, you are asked to use the section headings as given below (except of course for the “Presentation and Organization” heading) and organize the sections in the same order. It will also be helpful to include informative dialog that helps tie sections and items within sections together. Simply collecting together a number of pages containing copies of the various tools and techniques or outputs shows little evidence of how you are actually applying these to your project. Also, by keeping the point value of each section in mind, the number of pages for each section should be roughly proportional to the possible marks in a given section. For example, using this method of estimation, the Planning Processes section would be somewhere in the region of 10 to 12 pages. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY 10 POINTS In the context of this Final Assessment paper, the Executive Summary should serve as a “stand-alone” section, targeted to a busy executive or manager who is not necessarily directly involved in the project. This summary will provide a general overview of the key aspects of the project and will typically include the following areas: the purpose, the business need / justification of doing the project, a brief description of the project, general approach to the project, the most important stakeholders, estimated duration and budget, key constraints and assumptions, major risks, types of resources needed (human, equipment, etc.), and the overall approach to measuring and evaluating success and quality of the project. You are advised to write the Executive Summary AFTER you have completed all other sections of your paper and it should be placed at the beginning of your submitted document. This section should contain no new information but should summarize, at a high level, the key elements of the Final Assessment paper for an executive level audience. INITIATING PROCESSES 15 POINTS Information included in this section should state the project purpose, justification and high-level description, define the objectives and related success criteria, determine the project requirements, describe the organization and authority, summarize resources, budgets, schedule milestones and risks, and assign the project manager. Students will be expected to utilize and show application of the appropriate tools and techniques and outputs from the processes in this Process Group that were covered in the Project Management Extension Certificate Program courses. These may include (but are not limited to) the following: Project selection criteria Force Field Analysis

Project Charter SWOT technique

Stakeholder Analysis/Register



PLANNING PROCESSES 40 POINTS Develop a comprehensive project plan. Be sure to define the project scope, subdivide the project into major deliverables, identify relevant activities, estimate activity durations, determine resource requirements, construct and analyze the project network. Describe how you will estimate resources, recruit and organize the project team, their schedule and document their work. Determine a project schedule and show evidence of cost estimation and budgeting. Students will be expected to utilize and show application of the appropriate tools and techniques and outputs from the Planning Processes that were covered in the Project Management Extension Certificate Program courses. These may include (but are not limited to) the following: Collecting requirements Project Scope Statement Work Breakdown Structure (WBS) Network diagram Project schedule Cost estimating Organizational and resource planning Quality planning

Human resource requirements / assignments Communications planning Risk planning, identification, analysis and

response planning Procurement planning Other subsidiary Management Plans as

required Other supporting details as required

EXECUTING AND MONITORING & CONTROLLING PROCESSES 15 POINTS Describe and demonstrate, by possibly using sample processes and forms, what needs to be measured and/or verified / validated and how, how changes will be managed and controlled, how project performance and budget will be tracked and reported, how contracts will be obtained, signed and administered, how you will execute risk management and quality assurance and control measures, how the project team will be acquired, developed and managed, how other key stakeholder’s expectations / engagements will be managed, and how issues will be tracked. CLOSING PROCESSES 10 POINTS Describe and demonstrate, by possibly using sample processes and forms, how you will turn the project over to the customer, obtain acceptance and close contracts, what project documentation will be archived, where and how, and what information the final Close-out Report will contain, including lessons learned. PRESENTATION AND ORGANIZATION 10 POINTS The ability to communicate your knowledge and understanding of the key processes in the project management Process Groups in this final assessment is critical. You will be assessed on the overall presentation of the paper as well as: clarity, organization and flow of the content, readability (including font type and size), terminology, writing mechanics and language used to convey meaning. TOTAL POINTS: 100 POINTS



FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS 1. Question (Q): Where do I find out about the details of the requirements for the Final

Assessment paper?

Answer (A): This document is the definitive source for all the Final Assessment paper requirements. The most current version of this document can be found on the Mount Royal University Continuing Education website at: www.mtroyal.ca/conted . Follow the links that were given earlier in this document for the Final Assessment Learner Information Guide information.

OR: You can simply access the www.mtroyal.ca/conted homepage and type Project Management Final Assessment in the Search box and click on GO. You will see the required link listed. Just click on this link to access the details on the Final Assessment paper course. OR: As described earlier, log into the Blackboard online Final Assessment Paper course, click on the Content link found at the left on the main menu. Then click on the link for the version of the latest Final Assessment Learner Information Guide you require for your paper. You will also be given more details in various courses, for example: An Overview and the Integration and Scope classroom courses and/or Modules 1 through 3 in the online Program. If you are in the Calgary region (or other Centre as arranged), you might consider attending the session entitled Preparing for the Final Assessment. Refer to the details that were given earlier about this session. If you have any other questions regarding the Final Assessment paper, do not hesitate to ask (or email) any of your Project Management Extension Certificate Program instructors or call the Mount Royal University Project Management Program Coordinator's office at (403) 440-6865 or the Student and Program Liaison at (403) 440-8770.

2. Q: When should I apply for registration in the Final Assessment course? A: You should apply after you have successfully completed your six courses (or the three online

modules for those registered in the online Program). It is advised you time your application for the Final Assessment paper so that you can start to finalize your paper once you have finished all six classroom or the three online courses (see also the next Question and Answer below). You must complete the paper by the stated due date for the term in which you are registered.

3. Q: How long after finishing my sixth classroom course or third online course, do I have to

apply for my Final Assessment? A: It is strongly recommended you apply to write your paper in the term following your last

course. You will be permitted to register for the Final Assessment paper course up to two years from the date you took your last course (that is, after the sixth classroom course or the third online module) in the Program. Please contact the Program Coordinator if you are not able to meet this requirement.



4. Q: What is the pass mark for the Final Assessment paper? A: The pass mark is 70 % (equivalent to a letter grade of B-).

5. Q: Do I get my Mount Royal University Project Management Extension Certificate

automatically after I pass the Final Assessment paper?

A: No, there is an “Application to Graduate” form available specifically for applying for your official Mount Royal University Project Management Extension Certificate. Only after you have successfully met all the requirements for the Certificate, including completion of all six courses OR three online modules AND passing the Final Assessment paper requirements, can you apply for the Certificate. If your mark on the Final Assessment paper is 70% (or letter grade of B-) or more, then complete the “Application to Graduate” form that is available in the Information area of the online Blackboard Final Assessment Paper course.

6. Q: Have students failed the Final Assessment?

A: Yes, there are clearly defined requirements and if these are not met, the student will not be successful in passing the Final Assessment paper.

7. Q: What is the most common reason for failure of a paper or loss of marks?

A: The most common reason for failure or loss of marks is because key required items such as a budget or a schedule have not been included. You are advised to use the number of points identified for each section as a guideline in determining the relative importance of that section. For example, writing only a paragraph for the Closing Processes will not be awarded 10 points or similarly, only a paragraph for the Executing / Monitoring & Controlling Processes will not be worth 15 points.

Another area where candidates lose marks is that they just regurgitate the project management theory and do not show how they have applied this theory to their chosen project. Also, you are discouraged from including too much technical information about the project itself. Remember, the purpose of the paper is for you to show evidence of how you might apply the project management theory you learned in the courses to a specific project and not to just communicate pages of technical project information that is relevant primarily to the technical resources who are assigned to specific work on the project.

8. Q: What are my options if I fail (get less than 70% or a letter grade below B-)?

A: You may apply for a rewrite of your paper (at a cost of $189 plus GST) and attempt to obtain a pass grade. You are allowed one rewrite per term to a maximum of 2 rewrites. If you wish to rewrite the Final Assessment paper, you are required to apply within 60 days of receiving your original grade. Individuals who are unsuccessful on the second rewrite will be required to wait a full year and re-take, or take additional, Project Management courses.

9. Q: Can I ask to be assigned to a specific course advisor/ paper grader?

A: No. Each Final Assessment course advisor / paper grader is assigned papers on a rotational basis (depending on how many students have already been assigned to a given advisor /



grader). So, when your Final Assessment registration comes in, you are simply assigned to the next available course advisor / paper grader.

10. Q: How do I find out who has been assigned as my course advisor / paper grader?

A: Upon registering over the phone, in person, or by mail for the Final Assessment Paper course, a Confirmation of Registration receipt will be mailed to the address you provided to the Mount Royal University Registration department. This receipt will indicate your payment information as well as the contact information for the MRU Student and Program Liaison who can provide you with contact information for your assigned course advisor / paper grader. NOTE: If you register online you will NOT receive a mailed Confirmation of Registration. At the time you register online, you MUST print your own confirmation as directed. This will contain the required information to contact the MRU Student and Program Liaison who can provide you with the contact information for your assigned course advisor / paper grader. Regardless of how you register, you will only be able to obtain the contact information of your course advisor / paper grader on or after the start date of the Final Assessment Paper course for the term in which you have registered.

11. Q: Will the assigned course advisor / paper grader contact me or do I contact her/him first?

A: The onus is on the student to make the first contact with the assigned course advisor / paper grader, and it is recommended you do this as early as possible in the term.

12. Q: What is the role of my assigned course advisor/ paper grader?

A: As early in the term as possible, it is strongly recommended you email your assigned course advisor / paper grader for confirmation that the project you intend to choose will be a “suitable” project to document for your Final Assessment paper (see the Answers to other Questions given later for more details on what constitutes a “suitable” project).

It is recommended that when you email your advisor to confirm if your project is “suitable”, you include the following information about your candidate project: a couple sentences briefly describing your project number of people (human resources) to be assigned to the project and their estimated cost overall estimated cost of the project estimated duration of the project any other important considerations or comments regarding your selection of the project

Also, as the work on your paper progresses, your advisor can be contacted via email, discussion board posts, or phone to answer your questions as required. Once your paper has been submitted to Mount Royal University using the assignment dropbox in the online Blackboard Final Assessment Paper course environment, your paper will be available to the course advisor / paper grader to mark. Note: The advisor does not “approve” your project per se; she/he will be able to counsel you though, about whether or not the project you are considering for your paper will be “suitable” for the requirements of the paper.



13. Q: What type of project is “suitable” for my Final Assessment?

A: As indicated in the information found elsewhere in this document or discussed in the classroom courses or online modules, you can document a project from any number of possible areas. The key criteria is that it be complex enough for you to be able to illustrate your level of knowledge through the application of the principles learned from each of the six classroom courses or three online modules that you took in preparation for this Final Assessment paper. Your project also needs to be small enough so that you can easily summarize it within the 25 page limit. It can also be at any stage, that is, it can be completely finished, currently underway, or not even started yet. Before starting on your Final Assessment paper, you are strongly advised to obtain confirmation from your assigned course advisor / paper grader that the project you have chosen is “suitable” for documenting in your paper.

14. Q: Must the project I choose for my paper be a work-related project?

A: No, not necessarily. It would be prudent, though, to choose a work related project if your organization has paid for your courses.

15. Q: Am I able to meet in person with my assigned course advisor / paper grader?

A: No, since all necessary communication can easily be handled using either email, discussion board posts, or phone calls, there is no need for a face to face meeting to be held. Also, MRU does not contract the course advisors / paper graders to do this, nor would it even be feasible for them to meet with all the Final Assessment students in a given term, especially those who live outside the Calgary area.

16. Q: How much consultation time do I get with my assigned course advisor / paper grader?

A: MRU is not able to mandate any particular length of time any specific course advisor / paper grader is available, but our goal is to ensure each student is able to obtain the help she/he requires to complete the Final Assessment paper. It is important though, that you optimize the time with your advisor by ensuring you are well prepared before any contact and that you remain focused on the questions you need answered. Your assigned advisor will be able to guide you through difficulties you have in understanding the assignment. In preparation for the Final Assessment Paper course, you are also encouraged to ask questions in EACH of the six core classes / three online modules as you take them.

17. Q: When I email a question or leave a phone message for my course advisor / paper grader,

what should my expectation be for a reply?

A: Course advisors / paper graders are asked to try and reply within three business days of receiving an inquiry (excluding weekends). Students must appreciate that a course advisor / paper grader may, on occasion, be unavailable for periods of time due to either personal or business reasons. So, if you do not hear back within the expected three business days, you are asked to contact the MRU Student and Program Liaison (contact information was given earlier) as this person will have information



regarding your course advisor’s status. In cases where there will be an extended absence of an advisor, coverage will usually be arranged to reply to any inquiries. You will find, though, that there is no single question / inquiry that will prevent you from still continuing to work on other sections of your paper until your inquiry has been answered.

18. Q: Can I submit a draft of my paper or major components of my paper to my course advisor / paper grader to see if I am on the right track?

A: Absolutely NOT! That would be like “pre-marking” your paper before you submit it. You are expected to submit only a PDF formatted file of your completed final paper to the Assignment Dropbox within the online Blackboard course environment. No separate components of your paper submitted earlier will be accepted or even viewed by your course advisor / paper grader. If you submit any separate components of your paper and ask for the course advisor / paper grader to give feedback on questions such as “Am I on the right track?” or “How am I doing so far?”, these items will not be reviewed. If you need confirmation that you are on the right track, you should formulate specific questions to ask of your assigned advisor.

19. Q: May I submit my paper directly to my course advisor or MRU via email or hard copy?

A: No, a PDF version of your paper needs to be submitted through the online Blackboard Final Assessment Paper course environment you are registered in. Emailed or hard copies will not be accepted either by the course advisor / paper grader or Mount Royal University. (Refer to the paper submission details given earlier in this document and in the online course environment.) By submitting your paper online as indicated, Mount Royal University will be able to record the fact that a specific student has submitted her/his Final Assessment paper on a specific day and time.

It is essential a PDF formatted file of your paper be submitted because there are often several software applications used in the preparation of a paper and the contracted course advisors / paper graders may not have these same applications that are required in order to view the contents of the various sections. As well, there are far too many security / virus issues surrounding the emailing of files over the internet for Mount Royal University or your paper grader to be responsible for the safe receipt of all components that might make up a student’s final paper expect for a paper submitted in PDF format within the secured online Blackboard course environment.

So, please ensure your Final Assessment paper is submitted using the secured Blackboard online course site only. This will ensure the submission date and time will formally be logged by the system, a grader is available and the paper is in a predictable and reliable format that can be marked by all graders.

IMPORTANT: As emphasized earlier, all students are asked to ensure they have made their own “backup” hard/paper and electronic copies of their completed Final Assessment paper prior to submission.

20. Q: May I submit my Final Assessment Paper earlier than the due date?

A: Absolutely! YES, you certainly may. In fact you are encouraged to submit it early. It is always appreciated when a learner submits her/his paper BEFORE the final due date which avoids the



end of term "crush". In most cases, when a paper is submitted before the due date, the turnaround time is very often much less because the course advisor / paper grader is simply not as busy marking papers during the term as she/he is at the end of the term. You must appreciate the fact that all PM Program instructors do have other employment (sometimes full time) so often have other commitments throughout the term. So, if you are able to submit your paper before the due date, it is advised you give a "heads-up" to the course advisor / paper grader so she/he can confirm availability and can look out for it.

21. Q: Will the paper grader mark up my paper submission with comments?

A: This is up to the discretion of each individual paper grader. If comments have been written within your paper, a copy of your paper with the corresponding comments will be scanned in and made available to you electronically in your dropbox. Regardless of whether or not comments have been written on your paper submission, comments (when appropriate) and your corresponding grade will still always be recorded on the Final Assessment Paper - Results sheet that will be made available for your viewing in the online Assignment Dropbox area.

22. Q: May I ask for an extension if I am having difficulty completing the paper by the due date?

A: In the information given earlier, it was stated that “Late submissions will NOT be accepted.” How individuals navigate the demands of the Final Assessment paper is a reflection of their overall skills as a Project Manager and how well they have integrated the information from the course material. Project Management is all about planning for and delivering on commitments and the completion of the Final Assessment paper is no different. It is expected people will plan for and submit their Final Assessment paper on or before the due date. It is understood, though, there may be extenuating circumstances that arise which were totally unforeseeable. If this is the situation, it is important to contact the Program Coordinator immediately and advise her/him of the specific circumstances that have arisen. Options on how to proceed can then be discussed. The Program Coordinator will communicate with the assigned course advisor / paper grader regarding any such requests.

23. Q: What is the turnaround time of my Final Assessment paper once I submit it for marking?

A: This will always depend on a number of circumstances, including the immediate availability of your assigned paper grader, (who may, for example, be called out of town with her/his job). In general, we are finding that the turnaround time for you to receive your mark is within approximately four weeks of submission. If your Final Assessment paper results are not available to you for viewing within this time period, please contact the Student and Program Liaison to inquire about the status of your paper.

24. Q: Does the paper grader give comments on areas that were missed or need improvement?

A: Yes, a Final Assessment Paper - Results sheet is completed by the grader which includes comments as appropriate.

25. Q: Can I obtain my mark from the course advisor / paper grader via email?



A: No, it is not appropriate to give a mark via email. You can view your mark within the Tools area using the My Grades link as well as in the Final Assessment Paper - Results sheet found in the Assignment Dropbox area, both of which, are in the online Blackboard course environment.

26. Q: What resources should I be using to assist me with the Final Assessment?

A: You are advised to review the Learner Manuals (classroom format) or Module PDF files (online format) from all the courses in the MRU Project Management Extension Certificate Program as well as the PMBOK® Guide version you are using for your paper (see the next question / answer below). You are also welcome to use any other references or resources you may have access to within your organization.

27. Q: Where do I look in the PMBOK® Guide for assistance in writing the Final Assessment

paper?

A: Although most of the PMBOK® Guide has relevance, the most important information can be found in Chapter 3 of the PMBOK® Guide – Fourth Edition. At the beginning of this chapter (Page 43) you will find the cross referencing of all the Knowledge Area Processes mapped against the five Process Groups of Initiating, Planning, Executing, Monitoring & Controlling, and Closing. Since the marking scheme for the paper is based on these five Process Groups, the information in Chapter 3 is essential in understanding how you should organize your Final Assessment paper.

28. Q: Do I have to show evidence of application of ALL the process inputs, tools and

techniques or outputs found in the PMBOK® Guide?

A: No. There is certainly not the space within the 25 page content limitation to include all such information. You are encouraged to use the Tools & Techniques and Outputs of the processes in the PMBOK® Guide as a guide, but you need only include those that apply specifically to your project and in some cases only to a summary level. The content material provided and the workshop exercises within the courses in the MRU Project Management Extension Certificate Program will be an invaluable source for what information or documents you should include in your paper.

29. Q: Are there certain components that are mandatory to include in my paper?

A: Yes, there are certain components such as a Project Charter, Stakeholder Analysis/Register, information on collecting requirements, Project Scope Statement, WBS, schedule, cost estimating, quality and communications planning, risk planning, identification, analysis, and response planning, change control process and supporting form, resource assignments, performance reporting, and Close-out Report that are essential for any project. But, the exact content and level of detail within each component will depend entirely on the project you are documenting. As you learned in the PM Extension Certificate Program courses, there are also other components that may need to be included, depending on the specific requirements of the project.



30. Q: What is expected in the Final Assessment paper for the Collect Requirements process? Isn’t it really someone like a Business Analyst who collects the requirements? I thought this paper is supposed to be from the perspective of the Project Manager.

A: Yes the information you include in the paper for the Collect Requirements process is to be from

the perspective of the Project Manager, NOT from the perspective of the resource (for example a Business Analyst) who will be assigned to actually collect the requirements. Your information can include such elements as who (what project resource) will actually be responsible for collecting the requirements, how the requirements be collected, and what key elements or components will make up the Requirements Documentation. Note: This is NOT the actual detail of WHAT the requirements are themselves, but rather a high level outline of the key components or items that you the PM, will look for, to represent the requirements. You will need to indicate how the requirements, once collected, will be validated as far as being correct and are of the quality expected for the type of project being undertaken. Also, who will approve or make the decision that the requirements are indeed final and correct? It is always helpful when planning this process to indicate how changes / updates to the requirements will be tracked or monitored, (for example, using a Requirements Traceability Matrix; which would not necessarily need to be included, though).

31. Q: Should I include some of the separate documents that I learned about, for example, the Project Charter, Project Scope Statement, Work Breakdown Structure and other items that may be contained within an overall Project Management Plan?

A: Yes, it is appropriate to include some of these specific project documents within your paper, but

exactly what you include and how or where will depend on the format of your paper and the size, context and complexity of your project. (See also the next Question/Answer below.)

32. Q: My paper is documenting a project that has not yet started. Since nothing has happened in this project yet, can I just include sample templates that are blank (for example Change Request form, Status Report, or the Close-Out Report)?

A: It is appreciated that if the project hasn't happened yet, then you won't have any sample content

to include in some of the forms you intend to use in your paper. Some learners choose to fictionalize content to illustrate what a sample template might contain. If you do not wish to spend time fictionalizing content for these sample templates we suggest that you make the effort to "annotate" or input comments in certain key fields that will help when it comes time to actually use the template.

Some of the standard project information can be completed in the templates, as that won't change, but any field that requires information for a specific situation or result, you might make a comment explaining what information needs to go in the field and where or who it might be obtained from, or how... Anything that shows you have an understanding of how to apply the template is better than just copying a blank template from the course material into your paper. Doing this communicates to the paper grader that you know what to put in the template. If you include only a blank template all this says is that you can find a template in the course material and include it in a section that may contain the same name or type of information.... It does not communicate that you actually know how to apply the template in a real project situation.



33. Q: I am confused about some of the names of the documents that should be included in my paper. What is expected?

A: Do not be confused by the variety of names documents may have across the various

organizations. You are advised to follow the PMBOK® Guide and the supporting course material to help you find a consistency in the names. You must still apply judgment in designing the documentation for your project. For example, remember that the Project Charter is primarily to establish the Project Manager’s mandate and authorize the project to begin. That must be done early in the project, perhaps before any detailed planning data is available, so it is often a good idea to focus on business objectives and roles/responsibility and release this document early.

On the other hand, a consultant dealing with an outsourced project might simply offer one document (a proposal), that will contain the result of pre-sales work, including a Project Charter, Statement of Work (SOW), and other project initiating and planning items. The important point is to look at the CONTENT and PURPOSE of these documents and to ensure the appropriate content is covered for the required purpose. How it is arranged into documents and approved, is a question of approach.

34. Q: The Develop Project Management Plan process of Chapter 4, Project Integration

Management of the PMBOK® Guide, emphasizes the output of Project Management Plan. Where or how do I include this in my Final Assessment Paper?

A: As indicated in the MRU Project Management Extension Certificate Program course material,

other names used for the Project Management Plan can be the Project Execution Plan, the Project Implementation Plan or simply the Project Plan. Since you are documenting in your Final Assessment paper what you would do, or are doing or have done in the project you have chosen, you might consider all the Planning section components of your paper (along with procedural-based content in the Executing, Monitoring & Controlling and Closing sections), collectively, make up your Project Management Plan. You therefore do not need to include the Project Management Plan as a separate component in your Final Assessment paper.

35. Q: I am having difficulty deciding whether a particular topic / item or use of a tool goes in the Initiating Processes section or in the Planning Processes section. Do I have to repeat everything in each section?

A: No, if you have included the essential tool or template (to an appropriate level of detail) in a

given section and cross-referenced it from another section, this is adequate. In Project Management, because so much of what you do is “progressive elaboration”, there are no clearly defined lines or boundaries between process groups, for example. If it makes sense to include specific information in one section versus another, then this is acceptable, as long as you keep the reader informed as to the layout of where specific items can be found. Also, as you write your paper, it may “seem” like you are repeating certain information. For example, your Project Scope Statement may contain some level of the same information you have in the Project Charter, but the Project Scope Statement, by definition, should be more detailed than the Project Charter. This is because the Project Charter is done very early and at a higher level with less specific information available.



As emphasized above, it is important to appreciate that the development of the Project Charter and then the Project Scope Statement, for example, are all representative of the “progressive elaboration” characteristic of projects. This means that the project management team develops a better and more complete understanding of the project objectives and deliverables as the project progresses. Learners are encouraged to demonstrate this “progressive elaboration” where possible in their papers.

36. Q: Are there sample Final Assessment papers that can be viewed?

A: No. Sample Final Assessment papers are not available for learners to review. First of all, there is the problem that the information in most papers received and marked is confidential and can therefore NOT be released. Also, it is felt that by releasing a "sample template" of a paper a number of learners would simply use this as a "recipe" or "cookie cutter" template for the paper and NOT think about what is or is not appropriate for their particular project. All projects are unique and therefore require different treatment when responding to the requirements of the Final Assessment paper. Of the papers that have been submitted for the Final Assessment in this Program, there has been a wide range of content in the successful papers. Due to the variety of projects that exist, we do not want anyone to be disillusioned into thinking that "one template fits all". If you have severe English language / cultural barriers or physical barriers that you feel may compromise your ability to write a successful paper, please contact the Program Coordinator to discuss this concern before registering in the Final Assessment Paper course.

37. Q: What is Mount Royal University’s policy on plagiarism with regards to the Final

Assessment paper?

A: While it is often the practice, and in fact, it is encouraged for Project Managers to “cut and paste” from previously used templates for similar projects so you do not have to “re-invent the wheel” for each new project, there is a line that can be crossed where it would be considered plagiarism for the purpose of the Final Assessment paper. If you “cut and paste” exact contents for sections from a previous candidate’s paper, this would be considered plagiarism. You are advised to visit the links below for information related to this topic. Detecting Plagiarism: http://www.mtroyal.ca/Library/ and then type “Detecting Plagiarism” in the “Find Articles” field and click on the “Go” button. Code of Student Conduct: http://www.mtroyal.ca/wcm/groups/public/documents/pdf/code_student_conduct.pdf



38. Q: Am I required to use project management software, such as MS Project in order to submit my Final Assessment for marking?

A: No. We cannot require a student to have this software to complete the Final Assessment paper.

There is a requirement to submit at least some form of project schedule, but it is possible to create this in other applications (for example MS Word or Excel or even neatly on graph paper), so it is not essential to use project management software. For those students who have access to project management software, they are welcome to use it.

39. Q: Do I need to include a network diagram if I already have a Gantt chart showing my

schedule? If I do include a network diagram, do I need to show all the Critical Path Method (CPM) calculations?

A: If the Gantt chart you have included in your paper for the schedule shows activity sequence

arrows (as is often the case when a Project Management software package is used), NO, you do not have to include a network diagram. If your Gantt chart does not show activity sequence arrows, then yes, you do need to include a simple network diagram using the Precedence Diagramming Method (which uses activity sequence arrows). If you choose to include a network diagram, no, you do not need to show all the Critical Path Method calculations from a forward pass and backward pass. Somewhere, though, most likely on your schedule, you need to show at least the “early start / early finish” schedule for each activity.

40. Q: Is it permissible to include my Gantt chart (schedule) on 8 ½ x 14 inch paper?

A: Yes, this chart is acceptable on a legal size page, that is 8 ½ x 14 inch. The remaining pages of your Final Assessment paper must be on 8 ½ x 11 inch pages. Remember, your entire paper needs to be submitted as a single PDF formatted file.

41. Q: I have printed my Gantt chart on an 8 ½ X 14 inch page as permitted but am having

difficulty scanning this page into my PDF file along with the rest of my paper. Can I just submit my Gantt chart in the assignment dropbox as a separate PDF file?

A: It is very much preferred that you insert the separate PDF file containing your Gantt chart into

the appropriate location within the rest of your Final Assessment paper. Do not hesitate to ask someone else to help you do this. If you are absolutely unable to incorporate your Gantt chart page within the file that contains the rest of your paper, then you may submit this second file in the Assignment Dropbox separately from your main paper PDF file. Note that this page still counts within the permitted maximum of 25 pages. Be sure to indicate with a note to your paper grader in the “Submission” box that you have submitted a separate PDF file that contains your Gantt chart.

42. Q: What if I do submit a paper that is over 25 pages of content?

A: Marks will be deducted for papers that exceed 25 pages of content. In fact, if a paper exceeds the 25 page content limit by a considerable amount, the paper may not be accepted by the paper grader / Mount Royal University and the student may then be asked to revise the paper so that it meets the stated requirement of 25 pages of content.



In this situation, the learner will need to follow the "Paper Rewrite" procedure given earlier in the first section of this document in order to re-submit the paper for marking. Note: The paper numbering of the pages in your paper will most likely be higher than 25 because the title page and Table of Contents pages, for example, will be included within the page numbering. This is acceptable, as long as there are only 25 pages of content in your paper.

43. Q: Can I hand in a paper that is less than 25 pages of content?

A: Yes, you may, but be aware, that a paper containing much less than 20 to 25 pages of content, really cannot do justice in showing application of the required project management process that were covered in the course material.

44. Q: Does my front cover title page, Table of Contents pages and Appendices title pages count

within the 25 page content limit? What about white space created when I start a new section on a new page?

A: No, papers will not be penalized if these are the only pages above the 25 page content limit.

Also, any white space is not counted within the page limit. In fact, you are encouraged to start new sections on a new page as this improves readability and the professional appearance of the paper. IMPORTANT: The Appendix content pages count within the 25 page content limit. It is ONLY the Appendix title pages that do not count.

45. Q: Should I single space or double space the text lines in my paper?

A: The text in your paper should be single spaced, except of course where you have section and paragraph breaks.

46. Q: Can you please clarify? Do the attachments I have in my Appendices count as part of the

permitted 25 pages of content or is it 25 pages plus the pages in my Appendices? A: Yes, we are repeating ourselves here, but this specific question is very often asked! Worse yet

... papers continue to be submitted that are not counting their Appendix pages within the 25 page content limit, so marks are deducted, sometimes even resulting in failure. Just to emphasize again, if the page has content on it such as text, graphs, charts or diagrams, then it counts as a page within the limit of 25 pages of content, regardless of where the page is located in your paper. The only pages that do NOT count within the 25 pages of content are title pages, Table of Contents pages, Appendix title pages or portions of pages that have white space due to section breaks.



47. Q: My paper is already well over 25 pages of content and my Gantt chart alone is almost five pages! I guess I must have chosen too large / complex a project for my paper. Since the complete Final Assessment paper has a limitation of 25 pages of content, what can I do?

A: It is recommended you "roll up" some of the detail of your Gantt chart display so that one can see only the higher-level tasks and the overall schedule within one page. You can then include samples (as room permits) showing the level of detail you did go into for your project. It is important to ensure you do at least show a “high level” view of your project and then give details as space permits (and not the other way around). Again, it is emphasized that you should discuss the size and complexity of your project with your course advisor BEFORE you formally begin to write your paper. This way you will be documenting a project that will lend itself better to summarization within the required maximum of 25 pages of content.

48. Q: In reality, when I do project work, I am not limited to 25 pages of content for all my project documentation, so how can this limit of 25 pages of content be justified?

A: It is agreed, there is usually no single project document in reality that replicates the Final

Assessment paper except possibly a project summary in preparation for a project audit. In a "real" project, all documents are completed in whatever length or fashion as required by the specific project being undertaken. The requirement of the 25 page content limit for the assignment is necessary because there needs to be a consistent way for all candidates to show evidence of their learning, regardless of the size or complexity of their chosen project. Imposing this limit on the number of pages provides one way to fairly judge all papers using the same criteria. Also, it would simply not be practical or even financially possible to "mark" the volumes of project documentation that can be generated and thus submitted for some projects.

49. Q: If I need more room within the limit of 25 pages for the content, can I reduce the font size of the text and set the margins to the extreme edges of each page?

A: Absolutely NOT! The requirements for font size and readability have very clearly been defined

earlier. It is admitted that some Final Assessment paper submissions have tried this tactic to "squeeze" more content into the paper, but you are reminded of the Arial 12 point font requirement (except for tables and charts which can have a font size as small as Arial 10 pts.). If these requirements are not met, marks will be deducted. Also, if you are setting margins to the extreme edge of a page, you will lose marks for exceeding the maximum of 25 pages since this results in you being able to include more content than other candidates, which is not fair.

Margins should be set no less than 1.25 cm or 0.5 in. on any edge of the page.



50. Q: I thought of a great idea of how I could include more content in my paper.... The requirements indicate I can use a smaller size font for tables, so I will put ALL of my paper content in tables and can thus use a smaller font. Will I be deducted marks for excess pages if I use this tactic?

A: Absolutely YES! The requirement for font size in the main body of text of your paper has been

very clearly defined. By using the tactic of embedding all your text within tables with a smaller Arial font size than Arial 12 point font gives you the advantage of including more content over all other candidates, which, as emphasized earlier is not fair, so will definitely be penalized.

51. Q: What is the basis for awarding the 10 marks for the Presentation and Organization

section?

A: When marks are awarded for this section, the paper grader looks at whether the paper is well organized as far as the various sections and the required process group areas. It was recommended earlier that the section headings and their order match the sections found in the Grading System information, namely Executive Summary, Initiating Processes, Planning Processes, Executing and Monitoring & Controlling Processes, and Closing Processes. You might also ask yourself, “Can the key items or information be easily found or are they buried deep within various places throughout the paper?” Are the sections and subsections clearly identified with understandable titles? Is everything readable (e.g. font size of charts, tables, etc.)? Are diagrams, figures, tables, charts, etc., labeled or referenced? If you have appendices or attachments are they clearly labeled and also referenced from within the main text? In general, if you were to preview your Final Assessment paper “package”, does it present itself as being professionally assembled; that is, does it "look good"?

As a project manager it is important to be able to put a project summary package together that "presents" itself well, especially to management or sponsors. This is the primary basis for marks being made available in this area.

52. Q: As was the case for all courses taken in the MRU Project Management Extension Certificate, we were given the opportunity to complete an evaluation survey in order to give MRU our feedback. I would also like to give some comments on the overall Program. Can we do this?

A: Yes, in the online Blackboard course environment, in the Content area, you will find a short Evaluation Survey on the Final Assessment Paper course itself as well as the overall MRU Project Management Extension Certificate Program. Click on the link to view and then complete the survey. Your individual responses will be totally anonymous to MRU and to the course advisor / paper grader as they will only be able to view the consolidated results. We appreciate your time to give us any feedback you may have.

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