MOD3 Critical Thinking

Option #1: Procurement and Contracting Scenario

Using your research skills, identify a procurement and contracting
scenario or example related to your Portfolio Topic. To see how your
selected procurement and contracting example relates to your chosen
Portfolio Topic, see Week 3 and Week 8 folders for more information.
Answer the following questions in a two- to three-page paper:

1. Describe how to:
   1. establish
   2. create
   3. organize project requirements.
2. Explain how to locate and identify:
   1. sources of supply
   2. suppliers
   3. market places
   4. competition.

Be sure to properly organize your writing and include an
introduction, headings/subheadings for the body of your work associated
with each of the numbered items above, your analysis/suggestion, and a
conclusion. In addition to your textbook, use at least two scholarly
sources to support your responses. Cite your sources.

Format your paper according to the CSU-Global Guide to Writing & APA (Links to an external site.).

Option #2: Management and Organization

Read the article Sustainable Procurement in the Canadian Construction Industry: Challenges and Benefits (Links to an external site.) found in the recommended reading for this week.

In a two- to three-page paper (in addition to the cover and reference
pages that you must include), write a summary of this study and its
findings. Analyze and discuss the challenges and benefits of procurement
management. Be sure to properly organize your writing and include an
introduction, headings/subheadings for the body of your work, your
analysis/suggestion, and a conclusion.

Utilize the textbook and at least two outside professional or
scholarly articles from the CSU-Global Library. Be sure to cite your
sources in a reference page. Format your entire paper according to the CSU-Global Guide to Writing & APA (Links to an external site.).

The following is only for reference

Module 1: Portfolio Reminder

Portfolio Project Option #1 is suggested for non-Project Management Majors.

Review the Portfolio Project Description in the Week 8 folder. Note
that you have two options to choose from. Choose only one assignment to
complete—do not do both options.

Note that you have two preliminary deliverables for the Portfolio: a
topic to turn in during Week 3 and an outline during Week 5.

Portfolio Project Option #2 is suggested for Project Management Majors.

Review the Portfolio Project Description in the Week 8 folder. Note
that you have two options to choose from. Choose only one assignment to
complete—do not do both options.

Note that you have two preliminary deliverables for the Portfolio: a
topic to turn in during Week 3 and an outline during Week 5.

The following is only for reference

Module 3: Portfolio Milestone

Important! Read First

Choose one of the following two assignments to complete this week. Do
not do both assignments. Identify your assignment choice in the title
of your submission.

Option #1: Submit Topic

Portfolio Project Option #1 is suggested for non-Project Management Majors.

Submit your Portfolio topic in one to two paragraphs by the end of
this week. For Portfolio Option #1, your topic should define a
project-based organization of interest to you. A project-based
organization is an organization that frequently undertakes projects.
This may be where you work or an organization you have researched
online. You will be using this organization for discussion and analysis
of an end-to-end procurement process. Be sure you can find information
online or in the CSU-Global Library to support your work. (Large
organizations tend to have plenty of published procurement information.)

Option #2: Submit Topic

Portfolio Project Option #2 is suggested for Project Management Majors.

Submit your Portfolio topic by the end of this week. For Portfolio
Option #2, define a project procurement scenario. Imagine you are the PM
of a project that has a procurement need for services, materials, or
resources. In one to two paragraphs, define the project and the
procurement need.

The following is only for reference

Module 8: Portfolio Project

Important! Read First

Choose one of the following two assignments to complete this week. Do
not do both assignments. Identify your assignment choice in the title
of your submission.

Option #1: The Complete Procurement Management Process

NOTE: This option will focus on procurement from the
procurement management perspective and will include discussion and
analysis of project management. You may want to select this option if
you are not getting a degree in Project Management.

For this option, you will write a paper presenting a complete
procurement management process for an organization of your choosing. The
paper will be based on the procurement practices of an organization you
have researched. The elements you must include are:

1. Requirements – Planning the Procurement
2. Requisitions – Conducting the Procurement
3. Solicitations – Requesting Seller Response
4. Awards – Selecting Sellers
5. Administration
6. Contracts, Incentives, and Risks
7. Quality and Closure

You are building on the work you’ve completed in the discussion
forums and Critical Thinking Assignments. Be sure to incorporate
feedback you have received along the way.

Your paper must have:

• An introduction. Use your introduction to summarize and define your topic, including a clear statement of the procurement goal.
• A discussion or body that must include:
  • A discussion of the implications of proposed solutions for
    procurement and contracts. Also, be sure to properly organize your
    writing and include other headings/subheadings for the body of your work
    associated with each of the bulleted items above.
  • A discussion of how procurement works within project teams to facilitate the needs of projects.
  • A discussion of how procurement works within a global environment to facilitate the needs of projects.
  • Your evaluation and conclusion regarding possible methods of
    managing or addressing the problem raised by your opinion on the issues
    (supported by research). Relate your paper to larger (broader)
    procurement and contract management issues as found in the course
    readings.
  • Current, relevant research from at least 6-8 credible sources that are not
    used as readings in this course. At least three references must be
    peer-reviewed, scholarly sources and the rest may be trade or
    professional procurement management You may certainly use your textbook
    and course readings but these do not count as part of the required 6-8
    sources. The CSU-Global Library is a good place to find your resources.
    Cite and reference all sources used.
• A conclusion

The paper is expected to provide a thoughtful analysis on the topic.
You are encouraged to add your own opinions, but these should be
carefully considered and supported by evidence or outside rationale.

Note: This project has two Portfolio Milestones:

• By the end of Week 3, you should secure approval from your instructor regarding your topic.
• By the end of Week 5, submit a detailed outline of your Portfolio Project paper for review and feedback from your instructor.
• You will be expected to account for the instructor’s feedback in your final version of the paper.

Your paper should be 8-10 pages in length (not counting the cover and reference pages that you must include) and conform to the CSU-Global Guide to Writing & APA. (Links to an external site.)

Option #2: Procurement in Project Management

NOTE: This option will focus on procurement planning
within projects and include discussion and analysis of the procurement
manager’s role within the project. You may want to select this option if
you are majoring in project management.

For this option, you will write a paper presenting a project
procurement scenario from the project management perspective (example –
you are leading a project that needs to purchase materials, services, or
resources).

The paper will be based on procurement as defined by PMBOK®. You must include the following elements:

1. Plan Procurement Management
2. Conduct Procurements
3. Control Procurements
4. Close Procurements

Your paper must have:

• An introduction. Use your introduction to summarize and define your
  topic, including a clear statement of the procurement goal. Also, be
  sure to properly organize your writing and include other
  headings/subheadings for the body of your work associated with each of
  the bulleted items above.
• The discussion or body. The body of the paper must include:
  • A discussion of the implications of proposed solutions for procurement and contracts.
  • A discussion of how procurement works within project teams to facilitate the needs of projects.
  • A discussion of how procurement works within a global environment to facilitate the needs of projects.
  • Your evaluation and conclusion regarding possible methods of
    managing or addressing the problem raised by your opinion on the issues
    (supported by research).
  • Current, relevant research from at least 6-8 credible sources that are not
    used as readings in this course. At least three references must be
    peer-reviewed, scholarly sources and the rest may be trade or
    professional procurement management You may certainly use your textbook
    and course readings but these do not count as part of the required 6-8
    sources. The CSU-Global Library is a good place to find your resources.
    Cite and reference all sources used.
• A conclusion.

The paper is expected to provide thoughtful analysis on the topic.
Relate your paper to broader procurement and contract management issues,
as discussed throughout the course. You are encouraged to add your own
opinions, but those opinions should be carefully considered and
supported by evidence. You are building on the work you’ve completed in
the discussion forums and Critical Thinking Assignments. Be sure to
incorporate feedback you have received along the way.

Note that this project has two preliminary deliverables or Portfolio Milestones:

• By the end of Week 3, you should secure approval from your instructor regarding your scenario.
• By the end of Week 5, submit a detailed outline of your Portfolio Project paper for review and feedback from your instructor.
• You will be expected to account for the instructor’s feedback in your final version of the paper.

Your paper should be 8-10 pages in length (not counting the cover and
reference pages that you must include), well-written, and formatted
according to the CSU-Global Guide to Writing & APA (Links to an external site.).