This assignment brief outlines an assignment for a Level 3 Extended Diploma in Creative Media Production - Games Design qualification. The purpose is for students to use project management techniques used in the games industry to develop an innovative smartphone/tablet app concept and pitch it to a client via their blog. Students will take the concept through initiation, planning, execution, and closure stages. The brief provides 8 tasks for students to complete to demonstrate their potential as a creative project manager in the games industry. Tasks involve market research, developing the app concept and business plan, creating a schedule and to-do list, and delivering the final project materials. The brief is designed to assess students' skills in applying project management techniques, preparing career materials, and

1. Assignment brief
Qualification Level 3 Extended Diploma in Creative Media Production – Games Design
Unit number and title L3 Unit 13 Understanding the Computer Games Industry - Partial
Start date 9th January 2012
Deadline 3rd February 2012
Assessor name Harry Arnold
Assignment title HA3 – Smartphone / Tablet App Concept
The purpose of this assignment is for you to:
Be able to use project management techniques commonly used in the games industry.
Scenario
You are going to use the project lifecycle management technique to devise an innovative concept for a smartphone/tablet App
and pitch it to a client via your blog. You will run the project through each of the following stages:
• Initiation
• Planning
• Execution
• Closure
You will draw together the skills you have learnt in using Adobe Photoshop and Illustrator and your knowledge of the production
processes within the games industry to produce the pitch and business plan for your concept. Although your App concept will not
go into production as part of this assignment, you need to have factored in taking it all the way to market as part of your
business plan.
This assignment is designed for you to demonstrate your potential as a creative project manager within this young and dynamic
industry.

2. Tasks Grading
Criteria
Mapping
There is additional guidance that you will need to follow posted to Unit 13’s Moodle course and all evidence produced by you
must be posted to your blog. Where you use the web to carry out your research make sure that you have cited all sources.
Initiation
Task 1
Initiation – Project Charter Unit 13 –
You create this document by listing the reasons for the project, the goals of the project and any limitations P4, M4, D4
(deadlines). It can also be used to help prioritize your day-to-day workflow. You will need to include an outline
schedule.
Task 2
Initiation – What’s out there? Unit 13 –
Choose a range of examples of what you feel are strong Apps currently on the market. Produce a PowerPoint P4, M4, D4
presentation that explores why they are successful; concept, functionality, price, market, style etc. Make sure that
you look across a wide range of categories. Remember, an App does not have to be a game.
Task 3
Initiation – What do people enjoy? Unit 13 –
Produce a questionnaire that you can put to the students and staff of Eccles College (and beyond – friends and P4, M4, D4
family) that looks into App use. Try to canvas at least 15-20 people, but the more people you ask, the stronger your
business case is. This should help you define your audience.
Task 4
Initiation – Ideas generation Unit 13 –
Following your research, produce an ideas map that explores a range of possible App concepts. Again, the more you P4, M4, D4
come up with, the more options you give yourself.
Task 5
Initiation – Market research Unit 13 –
Choose your strongest ideas and once again devise a questionnaire that measures what App users think of your ideas. P4, M4, D4
After this process, you should be clear about what your App concept is going to be and why it is a valid concept.
Planning
Task 6
Planning – To do list Unit 13 –
Break down the project into tasks and milestones and fit them into the schedule you have already prepared. During P4, M4, D4
this phase, you figure out what each task entails and what the result will be when it's finished. Decisions will be
made about how often reporting is necessary to keep me informed on your progress, about the milestones that
should be reached at specified times, and about the risk assessment for each task of the project or the project as a
whole.
Execution
Task 7
Execution – Carry out the work Unit 13 –
This step involves using the plan that was created in the previous task and working that plan until the project is P4, M4, D4
completed. You will also need to monitor your work as you go along, updating the schedule as you work.
Closure
Task 8
Closure – Deliver the goods Unit 13 –
This is the final phase, where you, the project manager will put finishing touches on the project, the process will P4, M4, D4
be reviewed and the project will be accepted or rejected by the client or the managing body. The initial plan and
goals will be compared to the outcome to see how closely in line the project actually stayed.

3. This brief has been verified as being fit for purpose
Date
Date
Unit 13 Understanding the Computer Games Industry
P1 describe organisational structures M1 explain organisational structures D1 comprehensively explain
and job roles in the games industry, and job roles in the games industry organisational structures and job roles
with some appropriate use of subject with reference to detailed illustrative in the games industry with reference
terminology. examples and generally correct use of to elucidated examples and
[IE] subject terminology. consistently using subject terminology
correctly.
P2 describe current market trends M2 explain current market trends and D2 comprehensively explain current
and financial issues in the games financial issues in the games industry market trends and financial issues in
industry with some appropriate use with reference to detailed illustrative the games industry with reference to
of subject terminology. examples and generally correct use of elucidated examples and consistently
[IE] subject terminology. using subject terminology correctly.
P3 describe contractual, legal and M3 explain contractual, legal and D3 comprehensively explain
ethical obligations in the games ethical obligations in the games contractual, legal and ethical
industry with some appropriate use industry with reference to detailed obligations in the games industry with
of subject terminology. illustrative examples and generally reference to elucidated examples and
[IE] correct use of subject terminology. consistently using subject terminology
correctly.
P4 apply project management M4 apply project management D4 apply project management
techniques to direct a project with techniques to direct a project techniques to direct a project to a
some assistance. competently, and with only quality that reflects near-professional
[SM] occasional assistance. standards, working independently to
professional expectations.
P5 prepare personal career M5 prepare carefully produced D5 prepare personal career
development material using basic personal career development development material to a quality
formal language. material using generally correct that reflects near professional
[RL] formal language. standards consistently using correct
formal language.
:PLTS: This summary references where applicable, in the square brackets, the elements of the personal,
learning and thinking skills applicable in the pass criteria. It identifies opportunities for learners to demonstrate
effective application of the referenced elements of the skills.