Assignment
CANADIAN FIREARMS PROGRAM CASE QUESTIONS
Limit your response to no more than 4-6 pages (2 is too short, more than 6 too much)
Using the data available in the case study as well as more current internet sources -
1. Does the data support that -
a. The program should be continued?
b. Why or Why Not?
(Please support your position with case/other verifiable data, e.g., internet sources)
2. What recommendations would you make on how to improve the effort's success probability through the use of Project Management Tools, Techniques, and/or Practices?
a. What ones?
b. How would you employ them?
c. Why?
d. What would be the expected impacts?
Case: CANADIAN FIREARMS CLARIFICATION
Sometimes when I think everything you need is there, in reality it is not as clear as it should be. So to provide some helpful (I hope!) additional clarity regarding assignment expectations, I am documenting them in further detail below. If you have additional questions please reach out to me. I am here to aid in your ability to master the material and be successful in the course. For me to succeed, you must succeed as well - Joe
Assumptions
• This information applies to the Canadian Firearms Program assignment ONLY. There is a separate clarification for presentation assignments.
• As Graduate-Level Students you are expected to be more developed and effective writers in comparison to your Undergraduate counterparts, and at this level your writing will be judged to a higher standard. Please consider the following:
- I do not expect to see any incorrect spelling. Misspelled words will incur a 1/2 point deduction per each found.
- You are expected to use proper punctuation and consistent tense format in your writing. You will incur additional point deductions if punctuation and/or tense errors are found.
- Word use/choice should be crisp and flow well from point to point.
- Bullet points and should be properly indented (and used in a consistent format), with varied bullet types among main and sub-points.
- Spell checkers can only tell you if a word is misspelled. They will not tell you if the correct word, tense form, or punctuation has been used. A suggestion is to have another individual review your work for errors before turning assignments in. Often we can miss what another may spot easily.
• Do not provide a title page, it is not needed.
• On your first page please include your name at the top of the page.
• Please number all pages at the bottom. The location of the page number (left, center, or right) is up to you.
• Answers should be double spaced.
• To open each answer, please restate the question (restated questions may be single spaced), and then provide your answer below it (again, answers should be double spaced).
• All references must be properly cited on a separate page.
• In the past no student has needed more than six pages (not including your Reference Page) to complete the assignment to a satisfactory level. You are not limited to a maximum number of pages, but you are expected to write effectively and succinctly. Note that "effective and succinct" DOES NOT mean overly brief and short. It means you are expected to thoroughly/completely answer each question and support your position effectively using case or outside research data, without being excessively wordy.
• Any assignment received after the cutoff date/time WILL NOT BE REVIEWED and will receive an automatic zero. There is no partial credit for late assignments.
• Please direct all assignments to me electronically at my Bay Path e-mail address ([email protected]). For this assignment a hardcopy is not needed unless I request one from you.
• I will acknowledge the successful receipt of all assignments and my ability to open them via an e-mail reply to your submission. If you do not get a confirmation from me, that means I do not have it and you should resend it again before the deadline. It is your responsibility to properly monitor your Bay Path e-mail for my confirmation reply.
• With all the different version of MS Word in circulation between home and campus (2000, 2003, 2007, and now 2010), keep in mind that higher versions are not downward compatible. If you have a version I am unable to open, I may reply and ask you to save it in an earlier or "compatibility" version.
• My goal is to return assignments as quickly as possible, but it may take up several calendar days for me to complete all grading. Therefore, my target for feedback and grading is the Thursday of the next week following the assignment due date.
• For additional expectations and/or helpful points please see the Syllabus and the Case Study Consideration Questions it includes.
To maximize the effectiveness of your answers, please consider the following -
• Your answers do not have to follow the standard formula of Introduction-Body-Conclusion. You may do so if you are more comfortable following this format, but please keep in mind that for this assignment you are answering specific questions.
• Crisply and tightly put your answer into the context needed to properly support and understand your position, based on facts in the case and your research. This is not a research paper. Many times people needlessly waste their words by veering away from this fact and spend way too much time on the Introduction-Body-Conclusion formula as opposed to focusing upon answering the question.
• Application of the material: This is another area where you want to focus your efforts, which should be upon the following -
- Look at your answers from a Project Management perspective (with a critical eye to what we are covering in the course curriculum). Note that at this early juncture you may need to read ahead in the text for ideas.
- Consider the Project Management Knowledge Areas and/or PM Tools we are covering in the course which are applicable to your positions/answers (again, you may need to read ahead). All will not be applicable and you cannot cover every single one. You should focus upon those which are most relevant to and which best support your positions/answers. Your challenge here is to select and employ wisely.
- Consider thing like:
o What could have been done better?
o What went well (it is not always just about what went wrong)?
o What led to or caused a particular (good or bad) outcome?
o Which Project Management Knowledge Area(s) are most important to your positions/answers?
- What Project Management Knowledge Area practices might you apply to yield an improved outcome?
- How would you apply them?
- What impacts would you expect to result?
o What PM Tools are most important to your case or topic?
- What specific PM Tools might you apply to yield an improved outcome?
- How would you apply them?
- What impacts would you expect to result?
This assignment is a first opportunity to display your understanding of the material and an ability to apply it. I do not expect you to be a master of things we have not yet covered. If you have questions on the proper interpretation or application of a Knowledge Area or PM Tool, please don't hesitate to reach out to me to discuss it.
• Future/Current Developments: You may also desire to do some research regarding developments around the Canadian Firearms Program after the period covered in the case study. Your research will reveal data that can be used to support your position on the program, e.g., information that may indicate the relative success or failure of the program. Time invested in this research will be time well spent.
Attachment:- Case- CANADIAN-FIREARMS-CLARIFICATION.pdf