INFS6071: Individual Assignment Two

Due: 10 June 2025, 2359hrs

Background

(Assesses: LO1, LO2, LO3)

“Artificial intelligence is reshaping the kinds of projects

organizations pursue, and the skills project managers need to

deliver them successfully.” (Schmelzer & Walch, 2025)

Task: Individual Reflection and Research Paper - Project

Management

You have just completed a major group simulation project, which involved working continuously with AI Agents to gather project planning requirements, create system interface designs, and respond to changes. In this simulation, the feedback from students highlighted that you were not expecting the changes that occurred throughout the project (need for continuous engagement, taking ownership of your schedules and internal deadlines, changes to requirements, a company acquisition). Each of the tasks in the group project was designed to be centred around the key aspects of a project:

Initiation → Planning → Execution → Monitoring and Controlling → Closure

Your assignment concluded with the submission of a report to MesoCYBER Solutions, which provided designs for the interfaces of an innovative application to share best practices in team and group work, as well as a presentation at SydDevCon 2025. You are to use the group assignment as a case example for your final project.

From your interactions with FUTRE from MesoCYBER, your group should have identified the following final requirement for HarmonyHub:

Group Project - Functional Requirements

1. Framework Development:

o Comprehensive Framework: Develop a detailed structure for

capturing and documenting best practices in team and group work.

This framework should include guidelines, templates, and workflows to ensure consistency.

o Links to Literature: Integrate references to relevant literature and

research to validate and support the documented practices. This could involve creating a database of sources and linking them to specific practices.

2. User Interface:

o User-Friendly Design: Create an intuitive and easy-to-navigate

interface that allows team members to input and access best practices effortlessly. The design should minimise the learning curve and enhance user experience.

o Material Design Theme/Style.: Utilise a Material Design theme to

ensure a modern and responsive interface. Adhere to MesoCYBER Solutions, colour scheme as specified in the MesoCYBER Solutions, Style. Guide to maintain brand consistency.

o Input Forms: Design input forms that are both simple and

comprehensive, allowing users to provide detailed information about best practices, including descriptions, steps, benefits, and relevant literature.

o  Complies with WCG 2.1 Guidelines.

3. AI Chatbot:

o  Develop an AI agent (UI-only) that functions as a chatbot to propose solutions to group challenges.

4. Categorisation and Search (UI only):

o Categorisation: Design a robust categorisation system that allows users to classify best practices into relevant categories. This could  include tags, labels, and hierarchical categories.

o Tagging: Enable users to tag best practices with keywords to facilitate easier searching and filtering.

o Advanced Search: Develop an advanced search functionality that

allows users to search for best practices using various criteria such as keywords, categories, tags, and associated literature. The search results should be relevant and quickly accessible.

Group Project - Non-Functional Requirements

1. Performance:

o Scalability: Ensure the system can scale to accommodate a growing number of users and best practices without performance degradation.

o Response Time: Optimise the system to provide quick response times for all user interactions, including inputting, searching, and  accessing best practices.

o  Ensure the AI tools respond quickly and accurately to user inputs.

2. Usability:

o Intuitive Navigation: Design the interface to be intuitive, with clear

navigation paths and user-friendly elements. Conduct usability testing to identify and address any pain points.

o Accessibility: Ensure the system is accessible to all users, including  those with disabilities. Follow accessibility standards and guidelines to make the system inclusive.

o  The AI chatbot should be easy to interact with and provide straightforward, actionable suggestions.

3. Reliability:

o Uptime: Aim for high availability with minimal downtime. Implement robust infrastructure and backup systems to ensure the system is

reliable and always available when needed.

o Error Handling: Develop comprehensive error handling mechanisms to manage and resolve any issues that arise during system use.

4. Security:

o Data Protection: Implement strong security measures to protect

sensitive data. This includes encryption, secure authentication, and regular security audits.

o User Privacy: Adhere to data protection regulations and best

practices to ensure user privacy. Provide clear privacy policies and obtain user consent where necessary.

5. Compliance:

o Regulatory Compliance: Ensure the system complies with relevant data protection regulations and industry standards, including GDPR  and any other applicable regulations.

o Audit Trails: Maintain detailed audit trails to track changes and access best practices. This helps maintain accountability and

transparency.

The presentation at SydDevCon2025 was a huge success, and MesoCYBER Solutions will now initiate a new program of projects under the ‘MesoInnovate 4.0’ portfolio. The first project will be to develop the actual HarmonyHub system, along with a suite of complementary applications from the perspective of  Industry 4.0 that will be created as future projects. You have been promoted to Program Manager in MesoCYBER’s PMO, overseeing projects in this new program (sub- task: compare the skills required to be a program manager,SFIA, to those of a    project manager,SFIA).

Your task is to conduct independent research and write a report on your plans for the ‘MesoInnovate 4.0’ portfolio of works , which will be tabled at the next C-Suite meeting run by FUTRE. This assessment encourages you to explore and analyse recent academic literature (peer-reviewed and published within the last 5 years) on emerging practices in project management (with a particular focus on the portfolio’s mission) and relate it to the MesoCYBER case study. This will help you stay updated with the latest advancements and prepare you to apply innovative practices in your future career. It will enhance your research and analytical skills , contributing to your career development.

What is Industry 4.0 – the concepts behind the Portfolio?

Industry 4.0, also known as the Fourth Industrial Revolution, refers to the ongoing transformation of traditional manufacturing and industrial practices through the integration of smart technologies. It builds on the digital revolution by combining cyber-physical systems, the Internet of Things (IoT), cloud computing, and Artificial Intelligence (AI) to create intelligent, interconnected, and automated business environments.

Industry 4.0 is reshaping teamwork by facilitating more intelligent, interconnected, and adaptable collaboration. The emergence of digital tools, cloud platforms, and real-time data sharing allows teams to operate seamlessly across different locations and time zones, thereby supporting remote and hybrid work models. Decision-making is increasingly data-driven, with analytics and dashboards offering shared insights that enhance collaborative problem-solving. As roles evolve, team members are required to develop new digital and analytical skills, fostering more agile and cross-functional team structures. Furthermore, collaboration between humans and machines is increasingly prevalent, necessitating teams to adjust to working alongside AI systems and autonomous technologies. Although these advancements enhance efficiency and innovation, they also pose challenges , such as digital fatigue, cybersecurity risks, and the need to maintain strong interpersonal relationships in virtual settings.

To accomplish this:

You must consider how you will define your role as ‘MesoInnovate 4.0’ Program Manager and what aspects of Project Management your role will focus on.

Remember, you are conducting a detailed analysis and presenting your findings in a written report.

The report should cover the following aspects:

• Executive Summary

• Introduction: A brief overview, the importance in the context of project management, and your research objective.

• Reflection on the MesoCYBER project: a discussion and self-reflection on  how team/group work was used in your HarmonyHub project - this should be linked to relevant literature (both presented in the unit and through additional  research).

• Literature Review and Analysis: A critical summary of existing academic

research on your chosen focus, with an analysis of the key findings and insights from previous studies. You should also identify gaps in the current body of knowledge.

• Impact on Project Management at MesoCYBER: A discussion of aspects of project management in light of Industry 4.0 and this Program of Projects, the benefits and challenges associated with your role. An analysis of predictions on how MesoCYBER will evolve regarding the projects, and implications for all program/project managers in the organisation. Recommendations for  integrating your discussed methods into the current project management practices.

• Conclusion: Summary of key points discussed in the paper and final thoughts.

• References: A minimum of ten (10) and an upper limit of twenty (20)

academic references correctly used and referenced in the report (APA7).