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.

Project Charter: Outline the project’s objectives, stakeholders, scope, assumptions, and constraints (300-400 words).
Work Breakdown Structure (WBS): Create a hierarchical WBS diagram with at least three levels, detailing tasks and deliverables.
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.
Risk Management Plan: Identify 5-7 risks, assess their impact/probability, and propose mitigation strategies (400-600 words).
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

Project Charter (20 points): Clear objectives/stakeholders (10); Scope/assumptions (10). Excellent: Comprehensive and aligned; Good: Mostly clear; Needs Improvement: Vague or missing elements.
WBS (20 points): Hierarchy/detail (10); Relevance to project (10). Excellent: Detailed 3+ levels; Good: Basic structure; Needs Improvement: Incomplete.
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.
Risk Plan (20 points): Identification/assessment (10); Mitigation strategies (10). Excellent: Insightful and prioritized; Good: Adequate; Needs Improvement: Superficial.
Integration/Reflection (10 points): Connections/challenges (5); Regional context (5). Excellent: Thoughtful; Good: Basic; Needs Improvement: Lacking depth.
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

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
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
Herzing, I. (2024). Project Management Education in U.S. Higher Education (2015–2024): A Thematic Curriculum Review. International Journal of Education & Research.
Gray, P. J. (n.d.). Developing assessment rubrics in project based courses: four case studies. CDIO Conference Proceedings.
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