The Work Based Project (Assessment Method 1)

The work-based project must relate to the apprentice’s work environment and must be formally agreed by the employer and academic supervisor. The report on the work-based project must evidence the apprentice’s attainment of knowledge, skills and behaviours of a project manager and demonstrate how these have been applied in a project environment. The Work Based Project report is an account of a project the apprentice has been involved with and must include a critical appraisal of the project, together with a critical review of their achievement in the relevant KSB areas of the standard (see Annexe A, Table A2). The Work Based Project is one that represents the appropriate skills, knowledge and behaviours in the standard. It provides a substantive evidence base to demonstrate the application of skills, knowledge and behaviours. As project management is pan-sector, there are a wide range of contexts in which the project management KSBs can be demonstrated. Such project management scenarios could include: the implementation of a business change; the implementation of an off-site construction project; the analysis and implementation of a stock control system. The report on the Work Based project will comprise 4,000 words (+/- 10% plus references, appendices and abstract). It must draw on appropriate references from academic and professional sources and use recognised academic referencing such as Harvard Referencing System to support this. Appendices to the report may be used to provide supporting evidence.

This assessment targets the following knowledge, skills, and behaviours:

* K4 – Organisational change management
* K11 – Organisational strategy
* S1 – Governance frameworks
* S4 – Control of projects in terms of time, cost and quality
* S5 – Risk management
* S6 – Commercial and contract management
* S7 – Project change control
* S8 – Schedule management
* B3 – Personal and professional responsibility
* B4 – Integrity, ethics, and professionalism

Professional Review (Assessment Method 2)

The Professional Review will synoptically assess knowledge, skills and behaviours as detailed in the standard (Annexe A, Table A3). The professional review is assessed through a formal presentation followed by an interview. The professional review panel (the panel) will consist of two members: one independent assessor and an industry expert nominated by the apprentice’s employer. The independent assessor will be responsible for the grading of the End Point Assessment. The industry expert can provide information on industry context, if requested to do so by the independent assessor, but does not take part in the assessment. The apprentice must submit their evidence portfolio two weeks in advance of the professional review. The portfolio will contain naturally occurring evidence from the apprentice’s day to day activities in the workplace that demonstrate competence in each of the relevant KSBs shown in Annexe A Table A1. The portfolio must contain a minimum of one and a maximum of three pieces of evidence for each of the relevant KSBs. Examples of such evidence may include project schedules, risk assessments, governance documents and change requests. The portfolio must be presented and structured to a professional standard. The documentation for the Professional Review (evidence portfolio and presentation aids) will typically be held electronically in the learning management system of the HEI. Presentation aids will consist of slides to be presented during the review; typically, 10 slides (+/- 1 slide).

The Professional Review must take place in a controlled environment; typically, at the HEI premises to allow for quality assurance and consistency of experience and access to the required documentation. The apprentice will prepare and deliver a presentation based on their achievement of the appropriate KSBs as evidenced and demonstrated in their portfolio. The presentation element will last 15 minutes (+/- 2 minutes), there will be a further 15 minutes (+/- 1 minute) allowed for questions at the end of the presentation. The apprentice will use presentation aids such as Power Point slides during the professional review. These must be submitted at least one week before the professional review to allow them to be uploaded into the learning management system of the HEI in advance of the review. A flipchart and pens will be made available in the room used for the professional review.

The presentation will be followed by an interview which will typically last 45 minutes (+/- 5 minutes). The independent assessor will use a minimum of five and a maximum of eight standardised questions from an agreed set of questions developed by the end-point assessment organisations. Questions will be selected in order to ensure the apprentice has the opportunity to demonstrate their competence in the relevant knowledge, skills and behaviour areas.

This assessment targets the following knowledge, skills, and behaviours:

* K1 – Governance and financial control of projects
* K2 – The business environment
* K3 – Stakeholder and communications management
* K5 – Estimating, planning and scheduling
* K6 – Project justification
* K7 – Quality management
* K8 – Procurement and contract management
* K9 – Risk management
* K10 – Project change control
* S2 – The business environment
* S3 – Stakeholder and communications management
* B1 – Leadership
* B2 – Collaboration and teamwork
* B5 – Inclusive
* B6 – Innovation and resourcefulness

End-point assessment activities will typically be completed over a six-month period to accommodate work scheduling and cost-effective planning of resources. Moderation, HEI quality assurance and degree award processes may be completed after the EPA period. There is no requirement to complete Assessment Method 1 the Work Based Project before Assessment Method 2, the Professional Review. The Work Based Project Report must be submitted by the end of month 5 to allow for assessment to complete before the end of the EPA period. This means that the Professional Review can take place in Month 6, although it may take place earlier than this.

The EPA uses the following assessment methods:
* Assessment Method 1: A Work Based Project report with associated documentation (20 credits)
* Assessment Method 2: A Professional Review based on the evidence portfolio (20 credits)

The following University outcomes are demonstrated through the EPA:
* Knowledge and Understanding
* Learning
* Enquiry
* Analysis
* Problem Solving
* Communication
* Application
* Reflection

This module will be delivered through a combination of face-to-face on campus lectures and online webinars, designed to provide an engaging and interactive learning experience. Face-to-face lectures will incorporate formal teaching, group work, case study analysis, and guest speakers. Apprentices will also be encouraged to share their workplace experiences to enhance peer learning. Meanwhile, online webinars will take the form of recorded content, interactive e-learning, or live tutorials, offering opportunities for group discussion, presentations, flipped-classroom activities, and further group work and case study analysis.

Additional learning activities include:
* Engaging with supplementary online content, including videos and presentations
* Independent reading to reinforce and expand on formal teaching
* Completing formative tasks set by the lecturer to consolidate learning
* Preparing for assessments, writing, and gathering evidence
* Developing and maintaining a portfolio of evidence

Computer facilities to access online materials.
Access to specialist online databases, appropriate core texts and journals via the library, module leader, and own research.

This module is open to apprentices enrolled on the Project Manager (Degree) Apprenticeship programme.

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