Submission Deadline

Marks and Feedback

Before 10am on:

21/05/2021

20 working days after deadline (L4, 5 and 7)
15 working days after deadline (L6)
10 working days after deadline (block delivery)

04/06/2021

Unit title & code

Risk and Procurement Management BSS054-6

Assignment number and title

Assessment 2

Assessment type

Written Report

Weighting of assessment

50%

Size or length of assessment

3,000 words

Unit learning outcomes

1. Demonstrate the following knowledge and understanding

MSc Project Management

• critically informed knowledge of Risk and Quality framework and standards alongside related tools and techniques in the context of Project Management

MSc Purchasing, Logistics and Supply Chain Management

• critically informed knowledge of Risk and Quality Management framework and standards alongside related tools and techniques in the context of Operations Management

1           Demonstrate the following skills and abilities

• the ability to analyse contractual issues and design procurement frameworks in different organisational settings

What am I required to do in this assignment?

Intheassignmentyouwillberequiredtoproduceanindividualreport,whichinvestigatestheroleof procurementinachosen industry, demonstrating how procurement processes, methods, and best practices can be used to manage procurement (3000 words).

The assignment will involve a review of academic theory on the aspect of procurement covered. You will be assessed on the quality and depth of your analysis and argument. Bullet points alone will not achieve a high grade. Where appropriate your answers should be illustrated with sensible examples which relate to the points being made.

You need to choose one procurement management case for your individual report from companies in sectors such as construction, aerospace, manufacturing, ship building or any company of your choice. You will discuss this further with your tutor before finalising the case study. Critical analysis of the case study you have chosen will help you to answer the following procurement questions:

Pick a product or project from the company and hypothetical or actual work packages to be studied.

Q1 Identify a detailed bespoke state of the art procurement process for the work package from the general stages of a procurement process.

In particular detail three stages and methods of a bespoke procurement process. For example, a procurement stage might be solicitation, or a procurement method is Make or Buy. Critically examine the procurement process and methods for the chosen work package.

Identify challenges and state of the art methods within the case study you have developed.

How is risk managed by the bespoke procurement process and methods you have developed?

Comment on the detail of your procurement process and methods. Is the detail you have provided sufficient and why?

Q2

Using the literature, compare and contrast two different types of contractor and form of collaboration for the work package discussed in Question 1.

For example, strategic or bottleneck suppliers.

Develop a prototype contract for the case study scenario and justify the terms and conditions. How do the terms and conditions manage risk in detail?

Q3

Identify four types of contract breach that may occur in your contract using examples from the literature and how they might be resolved.

Note: Introduction and conclusion should be 300 words in total

The report will be 3000 words in length (not including references and appendices). It should include answers to all the questions (given above) and should use relevant procurement management theories and concepts. Your first submission is the final.

What do I need to do to pass? (Threshold Expectations from UIF)

• Demonstrate engagement with the literature
• Use appropriate procurement tools and techniques as outlined in the unit to analyse a Case Study.
• Give some constructive recommendations appropriate to present to senior managers about procurement contracts.

How do I produce high quality work that merits a good grade?

We will be filling this section in together in class onClick or tap to enter a date.make sure you have downloaded/printed out the Assignment Brief and bring it to the session with you.

How does assignment relate to what we are doing in scheduled sessions?

You will need to apply the concepts and models covered in class regarding a multi-stage procurement management process applied to a case study which is hypothetical and informed by the literature. You will be needed to refine your understanding of the procurement processes, methods; and types of contract and collaboration; and also, terms and conditions in contracts during class exercises and discussions and demonstrate this in your written report.

How will my assignment be marked?

Your assignment will be marked according to the threshold expectations and the criteria on the following page.

You can use them to evaluate your own work and consider your grade before you submit.

3^rd Class – 40-49%

Lower 2^nd – 50-59%

Upper 2^nd – 60-69%

1^st Class – 70%+

40%

Only 1 method identified in detail. The procurement process is insufficiently described for the specific work package. The critical analysis is satisfactory.

Partial or minimal identification of risk management through procurement

Some critical analysis of the challenges and state of the art methods.

Some of the main features of the procurement process are described for the specific work package.

Some of the challenges and state of the art methods are identified to a satisfactory quality.

Some of the risk is explained

Supported by good amount and quality of evidence.

Good critical analysis of the challenges and state of the art methods.

Procurement process is described with the main features identified for the specific work package.

Good explanation of risk

Three methods identified for the work package. Procurement process described in relation to the specific work package.  Challenges and state of the art methods involved in a comprehensive critical analysis of the procurement process and the three methods using strong evidence and high-quality academic sources.

Risk is comprehensively explained using the literature

25%

Different types of collaboration and contractor are described but discussion lacks evidence. Discussion narrow and possibly not well argued or supported.

Minimal definition in the contract and link to risk is vague.

Different types of collaboration and contractor are described. An ability to use ideas which are easily accessible. No evidence of a student’s attempt to go beyond the obvious. Discussion accurate but shallow.

Some terms and conditions are identified but not explained. The link to risk is weak.

A good understanding of different types of collaboration and contractor are considered, supported by evidence.

A good number of terms and conditions are explained and linked to risk

A comprehensive answer that shows a sound evaluation of the collaboration and contractor, supported by evidence and appropriate examples.

A detailed contract is developed and risk is fully explained.

25%

Three contract breaches and resolutions are described but discussion lacks evidence. Discussion narrow and possibly not well argued or supported. 

Four contract breaches and resolutions are described. An ability to use ideas which are easily accessible. No evidence of attempt to go beyond the obvious. Discussion accurate but shallow.

A good understanding of at least four contract breaches and resolutions of the case considered, supported by evidence.

A comprehensive answer that shows a sound evaluation of at least four contract breaches and resolutions supported by evidence and appropriate examples.

10%

Structure and presentation of the report is satisfactory.

Readability is acceptable, though some grammar.

Harvard reference format used correctly; referencing is limited.

Good report structure and presentation.

Some referencing is used to support discussion.

A good logical structure is evident.

Presentation of the report and readability are very good.

Good references are used to support the discussion.

A well-structured report, where the arguments are presented in a logical order.

Professional presentation with excellent readability.

Wide range of high-quality references to support the discussion.