MOD3 Critical Thinking

Option #1: Procurement and Contracting Scenario

Using your research skills, identify a procurement and contractingscenario or example related to your Portfolio Topic. To see how yourselected procurement and contracting example relates to your chosenPortfolio 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 anintroduction, headings/subheadings for the body of your work associatedwith each of the numbered items above, your analysis/suggestion, and aconclusion. In addition to your textbook, use at least two scholarlysources 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 referencepages that you must include), write a summary of this study and itsfindings. Analyze and discuss the challenges and benefits of procurementmanagement. Be sure to properly organize your writing and include anintroduction, headings/subheadings for the body of your work, youranalysis/suggestion, and a conclusion.

Utilize the textbook and at least two outside professional orscholarly articles from the CSU-Global Library. Be sure to cite yoursources 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. Notethat you have two options to choose from. Choose only one assignment tocomplete—do not do both options.

Note that you have two preliminary deliverables for the Portfolio: atopic 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. Notethat you have two options to choose from. Choose only one assignment tocomplete—do not do both options.

Note that you have two preliminary deliverables for the Portfolio: atopic 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. Donot do both assignments. Identify your assignment choice in the titleof 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 ofthis week. For Portfolio Option #1, your topic should define aproject-based organization of interest to you. A project-basedorganization is an organization that frequently undertakes projects.This may be where you work or an organization you have researchedonline. You will be using this organization for discussion and analysisof an end-to-end procurement process. Be sure you can find informationonline or in the CSU-Global Library to support your work. (Largeorganizations 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 PortfolioOption #2, define a project procurement scenario. Imagine you are the PMof a project that has a procurement need for services, materials, orresources. In one to two paragraphs, define the project and theprocurement 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. Donot do both assignments. Identify your assignment choice in the titleof your submission.

Option #1: The Complete Procurement Management Process

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

For this option, you will write a paper presenting a completeprocurement management process for an organization of your choosing. Thepaper will be based on the procurement practices of an organization youhave 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 discussionforums and Critical Thinking Assignments. Be sure to incorporatefeedback 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 forprocurement and contracts. Also, be sure to properly organize yourwriting and include other headings/subheadings for the body of your workassociated 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 ofmanaging 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 coursereadings.
  • Current, relevant research from at least 6-8 credible sources that are notused as readings in this course. At least three references must bepeer-reviewed, scholarly sources and the rest may be trade orprofessional procurement management You may certainly use your textbookand course readings but these do not count as part of the required 6-8sources. 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 becarefully 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 planningwithin projects and include discussion and analysis of the procurementmanager’s role within the project. You may want to select this option ifyou are majoring in project management.

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

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 yourtopic, including a clear statement of the procurement goal. Also, besure to properly organize your writing and include otherheadings/subheadings for the body of your work associated with each ofthe 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 ofmanaging 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 notused as readings in this course. At least three references must bepeer-reviewed, scholarly sources and the rest may be trade orprofessional procurement management You may certainly use your textbookand course readings but these do not count as part of the required 6-8sources. 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 ownopinions, but those opinions should be carefully considered andsupported by evidence. You are building on the work you’ve completed inthe discussion forums and Critical Thinking Assignments. Be sure toincorporate 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 andreference pages that you must include), well-written, and formattedaccording to the CSU-Global Guide to Writing & APA (Links to an external site.).