FIT5057 Project Management Semester 2 2024 OneC/C++

Java Python FIT5057 Project Management

Semester 2, 2024

Assignment One (Individual Project)

Due Date: Week 5, Monday 19 August 2024, 11:55 PM

Value: 25% of overall unit assessment

Mode of Submission: Online via Moodle

OVERVIEW

●    You will prepare a business case/proposal for a new project.

●    Your proposed project should meet the client’s business objectives and requirements.

LEARNING OBJECTIVES

Through this assignment you will:

●     Learn and demonstrate your analytical and project management skills;

●     Develop your skills in communicating project characteristics and business justification;

●     Develop your skills and knowledge from the PMBOK guides.

SPECIFICATION AND DELIVERABLES

Deliverables and Criteria		Weight	Word count
A complete business case (Project proposal)	Business Justification − Introduction/Background and Business/ Portfolio Objectives − Current Situation and Problem/Opportunity Statement that indicates the contribution of the   project to the value delivery system − Analysis of options − Project and deliverable description − Ethical considerations and implications	30%	Up to 1,200 words (Excluding the exhibits and the list of references at the end of the document)
	Budget and time Estimates: - Preliminary estimate of the costs involved - Explore the financial prospects of the project through NPV/ROI analysis - A schedule estimate for the project	20%
	Development Approach including reasoning and justification	10%
	- Uncertainty and Risk analysis - Quality Metrics and measurement	20%
	- Completeness and correctness of statements; - Clarity of expressions;	10%
	Appropriate use of references following the APA style (7th edition)	10%

GETTING HELP

If you have any questions or concerns, you can:

●    Consult with your TAs during applied classes and workshops;

●    Attend consultation sessions (see Moodle for details);

●    Ask a question in Ed.

SUBMISSION INSTRUCTIONS

●    Your assignment must take the form of a single PDF document.

●    You should  name your document file as <>_<>.pdf, where <> is Assignment 1 and <> is your unique Monash University student number. For example, a file name could be A1_12345678.pdf, where the student ID is ‘12345678’ .

GENERATIVE AI

AI & Generative AI tools may be used SELECTIVELY within this assessment. Where used, AI must be used

responsibly, clearly documented and appropriately acknowledged (see Learn HQ). Any work submitted for a mark must:

●     represent a sincere demonstration of your human efforts, skills and subject knowledge that you will be accountable for.

●    adhere to the guidelines for AI use set for the assessment task.

●     reflect the University’s commitment to academic integrity and ethical behaviour.

Inappropriate AI  use  and/or AI  use  without  acknowledgement  will  be  considered  a  breach  of academic integrity.

LATE SUBMISSION

1.    Submission must be made by the due date. Unless an extension or special consideration  has  been granted, or otherwise specified in the learning management  system,  students  who  submit  an assessment task after the due date will receive a late-submission penalty of 5 percent of the available marks  in that task. A further  penalty  of  5  percent  of  the  available  marks  will  be  applied  for each additional day (24-hour period), or part thereof, the assessment task is overdue.

2.    If you cannot complete an assessment  (due to exceptional circumstances beyond your control), you may be eligible for a short extension or special consideration. A short extension is two calendar days and is available once for each eligible assessment. The first short extension for a unit will be granted without a reason given. All subsequent extensions require a reason when the application is submitted. Special consideration is a longer extension (for more than two days). Eligible students must supply a reason and supporting documentation.

3.    For more details of the Special Consideration procedure and rules, and how to apply, visit:

https://www.monash.edu/students/admin/exams/changes/special-consideration

YOUR ROLE

You work in a project management consultancy partnership that undertakes contracts from clients and works with them to plan and manage internal service development projects that include IT design and development. The projects that you plan and manage are implemented by a combination of the client’s staff and external contractors that you source through the IT Contractor Rates Guide by HAYS (See the file uploaded to Moodle).

THE CLIENT

NexaForge Studios is a market leader in the Double-A gaming industry. NexaForge specialises in crafting mid- market video games that blend professional development expertise with the creative spirit of indie studios. Their  titles  resonate  with  a  broad  audience,  striking  a  balance  between  innovation  and  accessibility. NexaForge’s clients comprise a diverse audience of gamers. They cater to console enthusiasts, PC players, and mobile  gamers.  Their  mid-market  games  resonate  with those  seeking  engaging  experiences  beyond  AAA blockbusters.  NexaForge  holds  a  significant  market  share in the  Double-A gaming segment. Their focus on quality, innovation, and accessible gameplay sets them apart from their competitors including other Double-A studios,  indie  developers,  and  some  larger  non-indie  studios.  NexaForge  competes  by  delivering  polished experiences without the extensive budgets of AAA titles.

Their current annual revenue currently stands at an impressive $120 million. With their strategic push into new markets, they anticipate further growth. Senior management is expecting a 17% increase over the next 3 years. Through  innovation and  expansion to their game offerings. A  diversified  portfolio  attracts  different  player demographics  and  opens  new  revenue  streams  Recognising the  importance of  player  retention,  they  set another KPI to increase their active users over the same period. They expect their user retention to increase: (i) Day 1 Retention (D1) – players who continue playing after the first day increase from the current 30% to 45%; (ii) Day 7 Retention (D7) – players who continue playing after the first week to increase from the current 12% to 30%; and (iii) Three-Month Retention (M3) – players whose interests are sustained over three months to change the current 8% to 16%.

THE CONTRACT

After the recent commercial success of their latest games, NexaForge executives have asked for a portfolio package of up to 4 projects to extend sales and bring in new customers. They have dedicated a budget of $4.5M to spend on a  portfolio of up to four  projects to  enter &n FIT5057 Project Management Semester 2, 2024 Assignment OneC/C++ bsp;new  markets  and  achieve their  strategic goals of increasing revenue and increasing player retention.

Assignment 1 relates to Phase 1 of their contract with your firm which involves developing comprehensive business cases (project proposals) that align with the portfolio objectives and business strategies. Your client would review the project proposals and shortlist the 4 most relevant proposals. The successful proposals would join forces and form. teams to work towards achieving portfolio objectives in Assignments 2 and 3 (Phases 2 & 3 of the contract).

The technology aspects of the project are to be implemented by their in-house team of experts. However, all the remaining costs for the projects must come out of the $4.5M budget.

Note that the $4.5M budget is for the entire portfolio of up to 4 projects and not just the one project you are proposing and therefore, it is important to budget carefully where all expected costs and expenses are justified and there are considerations for other potential projects in the portfolio. The portfolio of projects must be completed within 3 years of the contract start date. Your client did not specify the expected schedule for each individual  project  proposal;  however,  they  expect the  schedule, budget and scope of work (requirements, deliverables, delivery approach and cadence) to be balanced and feasible.

ASSIGNMENT TASK

Your task is to develop a comprehensive business case (project proposal) to present to your client for decision making. Your business case should address the following criteria:

Business Justification

−     Start with some background information of the business and portfolio to set the scene.

−     Demonstrate the alignment of the project with business strategies and portfolio objectives: Why is your proposed project a good fit for the business and the portfolio?

−     Current Situation and Problem/Opportunity Statement: Discuss how and why the current situation, as mentioned   in  the   case,   presents   an   opportunity/problem   for  the   portfolio.   Demonstrate   the contribution of the project to the value delivery system of the client’s organisation;

−     Provide  an  overview  of  three   options   (tentative  solutions)  to   address  the   Problem/Opportunity identified and compare the options followed by a clear conclusion and recommendation for the client. This  would  assist  the  decision  makers  in  their  assessment  of  your  project  and  let  them  make  an ‘informed’ decision. When identifying and analysing the three options, consider the role of human- computer interactions and whether your proposed options are more human-focused or technology- focused.

o The comparison should include a high level and brief comparison of the financial implications of the  options.  Use  of  suitable  comparison  tools  such  as  weighted  scoring  models,  SWOT analysis, or use of SMART criteria is encouraged.

−     Project and deliverable description including characteristics of the product and project outcomes.

−     A reflection on any ethical implications of the project or products. You will find resources in Moodle to enhance your understanding of ethics in project management.

Schedule Estimate

Estimate time required for the project and a project go-live date. Include at least three high level milestones with justifications in this section.  Demonstrate that the schedule, budget and scope of the work (including deliverables and requirements, project delivery approach and cadence) are balanced and feasible.

Budget Estimate and Financial Analysis

−     A  preliminary  estimate  of the  costs  involved,  including  a  breakdown  of the estimated  labour  cost, hardware/software licensing, etc, with clear references and explanation on the costing and estimation approach.

−     An  NPV/ROI  calculation  -  to  be  included  in  the  Exhibits  section  -  that  includes  the  initial  project investment,  on-going  maintenance  cost  and  projected  benefit/profit.  The   calculation  should  be supported by sufficient justification and references for the on-going maintenance and project benefit estimates.

Development Approach: Explain and justify the development approach

The development approach should be aligned with stakeholder and client values, types and the number of deliverables  and  the  feasibility  within  the  constraints  of  the  project  (expected  schedule,  budget  and outcome/deliverable requirements).

Uncertainty and Risk analysis

Summarise the top two potential risks that this project might face and your proposed response strategy to navigate through the uncertainty.

Quality Metrics and Measurement

Provide a description of the quality attributes for your main product and how to measure them. Include at least two attributes. Where possible, include two Key performance indicators (KPIs) that are specific to the project can be used to evaluate the success of a project in delivering the product.

Use of references

Students are expected to search for relevant extra readings and draw on suitable literature from academic publications  as  well  as   practitioner  outlets.  All  sources  of   information   must  be  fully   and  appropriately acknowledged using in-text citation and reference list. Use at least 5 references, 3 of which must be from peer reviewed academic journals or conference publications. The minimum 5 references exclude the IT Contractor Rates Guide by HAYS provided. The IT Contractor Rates Guide by HAYS should also be cited where appropriate.

The reference section should use the American Psychological Association (APA) style. of referencing. IF you are unsure about referencing styles, you could reach out to Monash’s library services and use their workshops and resources.

(APA 7th style. https://guides.lib.monash.edu/apa-7 )

IF you are unable to come up with a project idea, you could choose one of the suggested projects. The assessment of your assignment will not be affected if you choose one of the suggested projects.

THE SUGGESTED PROJECTS

Project 1: Eidolon’s Veil

Eidolon’s Veil has a Surreal exploration and  puzzle adventure genre that transports  players to a dreamlike dimension  where  reality  blurs  with  imagination.  They  awaken  in  a  mysterious,  shifting world:  a  place  of forgotten memories, cryptic symbols, and hidden truths. The protagonist can transform into different forms — a shadow, a wisp of light, or even an ancient tree. Each form grants unique abilities. It includes symbolic puzzle solving  by  deciphering  ancient  glyphs,  manipulating  light  and  shadow,  and  altering  the  environment.  The emotional explorations uncover fragments of memories tied to love, loss, and identity. Its visual style is hand-

painted landscapes that transition seamlessly between reality and abstraction. Useful references:

−     Gris: For its emotional impact, artistic visuals, and symbolic storytelling.

−     Journey: A poetic adventure emphasizing exploration and minimalistic narrative.

Project 2: Cipher Protocol

Cipher Protocol is in a Cyberpunk stealth-action genre and drops players into a dystopian metropolis ruled by mega-corporations. As a rogue hacker, they infiltrate secure facilities, manipulate surveillance systems, and expose dark secrets. The Dynamic Level Design enables Vertical exploration: climb skyscrapers, crawl through maintenance tunnels, and hack security drones. In has a morally complex story that include choices that impact the city’s balance of power—corporate overlords, rebel factions, or anarchy.

Useful references:

−     Deus  Ex:  Human  Revolution: A  cyberpunk-themed game known for its intricate level design, stealth mechanics, and player choices.

−     Watch  Dogs:  Legion:  Another  cyberpunk-inspired title  with  hacking, open-world exploration, and a morally complex narrative.

Project 3: Retro Rivals

Retro Rivals has an arcade racing revival genre and has Nostalgic Vibes. Retro Rivals taps into the '80s arcade racing nostalgia. Players choose classic cars—sleek muscle cars, neon-lit speedsters, and quirky go-karts. Its aesthetics are vibrant, retro visuals reminiscent of arcade cabinets and has electrifying synthase soundtrack. Tracks pulse with synthwave energy and has time attack challenges e.g. beat ghost cars, set records, and unlock hidden shortcuts.

Useful references:

−     Horizon Chase Turbo: A modern take on classic arcade racing, complete with pixel art aesthetics and an '80s vibe.

−     OutRun: The iconic arcade racer that set the standard for high-speed, checkpoint-based gameplay.

Project 4: Stellar Nexus

Stellar Nexus is a Galactic Odyssey following a Sci-fi exploration adventure genre.  It invites players to captain their starship and explore a procedurally generated galaxy. Each star system holds secrets—ancient ruins, alien artefacts, and cosmic anomalies. Players can land on planets, engage in diplomacy with alien civilisations, and uncover  lost technologies.  key features of this game  are  non-linear exploration where  players follow their instincts,  artistic  visuals   (hand-painted  environments),  and  emotional  storytelling  that   unravel   personal narratives  hidden  within  dreams. The  game  doesn’t  rely  on  a  linear  narrative.  Instead,  players encounter dynamic events, forge alliances, and influence the galactic balance. Players decisions on diplomacy, trade, or conflict shape the galaxy’s fate.

Useful references:

−     No Man’s Sky: For its vast, procedurally generated universe and exploration mechanics.

−     Elite Dangerous: A space sim with realistic physics, trading, and exploration