Each year approximately half a million people in the UK will develop at least one pressure ulcer

Project Management and Risk
Project Plan / Review

Learning Outcomes:
1. Critically evaluate different approaches to the management of projects, key
dimensions of contractual risks and risk management strategies
2. Distinguish between types of projects and the responsibilities of those involved
3. Identify, apply and critically evaluate legal and non-legal solutions to minimise risk
4. Apply principles of leading and managing project teams to solve complex problems

Graduate Attributes: Discipline Expertise
Knowledge and understanding of chosen field. Possess a range of skills to operate within this
sector, have a keen awareness of current developments in working practice being well
positioned to respond to change.

Maximum word count: 4,000 words.

Assessment Task
This assessment is worth 100% of the total marks for the module.
Scenario:
Each year approximately half a million people in the UK will develop at least one pressure
ulcer. Pressure ulcers usually affect people with an underlying health condition, often with
high levels of frailty. Most pressure ulcers develop while patients are in their own homes.
However, research and technology has tended to focus on the hospital setting.
Cornwall has a higher than average elderly population. Around five to seven severe pressure
ulcers are reported each month. Some patients have said they are reluctant to use pressurerelieving equipment as it can be uncomfortable, hot and noisy.
Continuous pressure monitoring technology can be used to identify ‘hot-spots’ of pressure,
generated when patients sit in one position for long periods. For people in the community
who have limited mobility, this innovative technology can identify pressure ulcer risk much
earlier, allowing the patient to adjust their position accordingly and so help prevent actual
damage occurring.
This project by Peninsula Community Health will focus on older people living in the community
in Cornwall. By introducing continuous pressure monitoring, coupled with patient and carer
education, it will be possible to determine if pressure ulcer risk can be self-managed by
patients.
It is anticipated that over an 18-month period around 50 patients from across Cornwall will be
recruited to the project. Improvements will be measured by investigating changes in incidence
of pressure ulcers, size of ulcer formation, nursing time, level of patient/carer engagement in
ulcer prevention behaviours, and satisfaction with the new technology.
You are selected as a project manager to deliver this project. The local authority has,
however, asked that the training, designed for the 30 project staff, be enhanced for use by
selected care partners in the borough after project completion. This will form a resource bank
for supporting care worker inductions and refresher trainings. [Adapted from the Health
Foundation]

Reference:
The Health Foundation, 2020. Improving pressure damage detection in the community
using continuous pressure monitoring. [Online]. Available at: https://www.health.org.uk/
improvement-projects/improving-pressure-damage-detection-in-the-community-usingcontinuous-pressure (Accessed: 22.01.20).

Using the scenario above, prepare a project plan which addresses the following:

NOTE: This assignment must be written in the third person and should display good to excellent ability to write academically. Unless specified, all effort should be made to avoid using pronouns i.e., no use of “I, Me, We, Us”. Also pay attention to general key words useful in demonstrating at this level of study – for instance; critical evaluation, analysis, critical discussion, application and synthesis.

Introduction:
Here you should introduce and briefly discuss the main concept(s) discussed within the body of your assignment. Also remember to add a signpost of what the assignment will cover. This part should not be more than 5% of the total word count. –(150 Words.)

Main Body:
• You have been asked to prepare a project plan using the case study provided.
Task 1: Critically discuss the rationale and project scope and analyse the project life cycle and methodologies best suited to the project. Discuss the different types of risks (including contractual risks) that may potentially derail the project scope. Recommend risk management strategies to mitigate them.
Task 1 requires you to consider the type of project being proposed, the drivers for such a project and why it is necessary to be implemented (business case). Critically evaluates the choice of project lifecycles which could be adopted for this type of project and suitable methodologies which could be used if any are to be recommended. An outline timeline and budget should be included.
For this task, the following checklist should be used to ensure relevant concepts have been discussed, applied and critically evaluated (where required):

• Devise a well scoped project around the case study stipulated – at the same time providing a rationale/drivers and making a business case for it. This requires a discussion of theoretical information (around efficient delivery, simplify access, supported by a pressure monitoring technology identifying ‘hot-spots’ of pressure ulcers that will recognise patients and personalise the help they get etc.
• Triple constraint and baselines for the project
• Project Life Cycle and approach/approaches
• Project Methodologies and how choice or choices for your project was arrived at – e.g Traditional Methodology.
• A brief summary of your Work Breakdown Structure
• An outline timeline for the development, installation, maintenance and training for the online digital platform (Gantt Chart)- compulsory.
• Template for the above should be submitted as part of your answer for task 1 and not as an appendix
• Risk identification/Assessment
• Risk Management/Mitigation Strategies
• Consistent linking to the case study
• This is by no means an exhaustive list.
The above concepts, and any others that are deemed relevant could be applied in your response to task 1.
(1400 words)
(35 marks)
(LOs: 1 & GA)

Task 2: Using a Mendelow matrix, map the relative/power interest of key stakeholders in your project, discuss, in detail, the role and responsibilities of at least 3 of the key stakeholders identified. Are there any comparisons to draw with projects of a similar nature in the local authority, England or beyond? (N/B: ensure your Mendelow matrix is added as part of your work and not as an appendix)
For Task 2, you are required to use a Mendelow matrix, to map the relative/power interest of key stakeholders in your project discuss, in detail, the roles and responsibilities of at least 3 of the key stakeholders identified. Are there any comparisons to draw with projects of a similar nature in the local authority, England or beyond?
For this task, the following checklist should be used to ensure relevant concepts have been discussed, applied and critically evaluated (where required):

• Brief explanation of the mendelow matrix (include a matrix structure)
• Identify the key stakeholders and their relative power/interest in the project (Consider using the Mendelow Matrix).
• Discuss the specific roles and responsibilities of at least 3 key stakeholders identified -Project manager, Director and Service users/Clients.
• Compare this project with projects of similar nature in your local authority, England or beyond.
(N/B: ensure your Mendelow matrix is added as part of your work and not as an appendix)

The above concepts, and any others that are deemed relevant could be applied in your response to task 2
(900 words)
( 25 marks)
(LO: 2)

Task 3: Evaluate the legal and non-legal solutions you will put in place to minimise risks in the project.
For Task 3, you are required to undertake a risk assessment of the project including the development, installation, maintenance and training for the pressure monitoring technology identifies ‘hot-spots’ of pressure ulcer . This should include consideration as to how the risks could be managed for all potential options, Recommendations should then be made regarding the type(s) of contract which should be used and which options for maintenance and training should be chosen.

For this task, the following checklist should be used to ensure relevant concepts have been discussed, applied and critically evaluated (where required):

• The project’s deliverable
• The Stages of Risk Assessment
• Risk Management Strategies
• Mitigation Strategies
• Key dimensions of contractual risks and recommendations should then be made regarding the type(s) of contract which should be used and which options for maintenance and training should be chosen.
• Legal and Non-legal solutions to foreseen and unforeseen risk in the project
• Consistent linking to the case study
• This list is not exhaustive

The above concepts, and any others that are deemed relevant could be applied in your response to task 3.
(650words)
(20 marks)
(LO: 3)

Task 4: Critically discuss how team development theories such as Tuckman and McClelland could be used to support the team deliver on the project’s goal.

For Task 4, you are required to consider as to who should be included in the project team and how that team needs to be structured and managed to ensure the project is implemented successfully.

For this task, the following checklist should be used to ensure relevant concepts have been discussed, applied and critically evaluated (where required):
• Types of projects
• Project Initiation and team selection
• Project resourcing; including mapping roles and responsibilities
• Building and developing successful project teams (including relevant team theories (Tuckman,McClelland), communication, team working, effective listening, negotiating etc)
• Consistent linking to the case study
• This list is not exhaustive

The above concepts, and any others that are deemed relevant could be applied in your response to task 4.
(650words)
(20 marks)
(LO: 4)

In addition to the above, to achieve a higher grade, you must consistently use theory and literature in your discussion to support a wider debate of key issues relevant to the tasks.
Using a good number of citation to demonstrate wider research is highly desirable at this level as it shows confidence in managing relevant sources and an appreciation of independence and interdependence of concepts.

A conclusion to wrap up the whole assignment should be provided. This should summarise very briefly the main considerations and offer recommendations where applicable.(100 Words)
References – 23 -25.