Students are required to write an individual report for the senior management team, analysing the information and proposing solutions to the questions set regarding the case study. To satisfy the assessment criteria, students are expected to demonstrate depth of analysis, breadth of reading and critical discussion.
The questions that you need to answer are:
1. What are the central issues facing planners at the Port of Melbourne?
2. Estimate the container movements at the Port and its various berths to 2010 if you assume a 6% growth rate from 1991/92
3. What options are available to planners to improve the logistics systems in order to cope with the closure of Victoria Dock?
4. To what extent can greater use be made of the rail option?
5. Is it necessary to embark on the construction of a new terminal? Justify your answer by examining the costs and benefits. What is your answer if growth occurs at only 2 or 3% per annum?
6. What will be the impact of technological developmentson the options for the Port?
When undertaking an assignment which specifies a ‘critical discussion, analysis or critical evaluation’, you are expected to collect (and use) different sources of information from both academic text books and journal papers, to complete the assignment. It is important that you do not take all your information from one source as it is likely to be biased. Please note that you are expected to support all of your answers to the above questions with information, theories, etc from academic sources where appropriate.
Students are expected to demonstrate up-to-date research on the subject matter.
Report Structure & Contents
1. Executive Summary/Abstract (5%): A concise but well-rounded summary which provides an overview of the report contents and key findings (this is not an introduction). It should be between ½ – 1page in length.
2. Introduction (5%): Provide an interesting start to the report and clearly state the purpose. Your introduction should conclude by outlining the scope and context of the report.
3. Q1 – What are the central issues for the planner? (5%): Use information from the case study and other sources to support your ideas.
4. Q2 – Estimate container movements (10%): Estimate the growth in container movements till 2010 assuming an annual growth rate of 6% from 1991/92.
5. Q3 – What are the options to cope with the closure of Victoria Dock (10%): Explain the options, including an evaluation of their strengths and weaknesses.
6. Q4 – Evaluation the rail option (10%): to what extent can greater use be made of the rail option – provide a critical discussion of the factors involved.
7. Q5 – Is it necessary to embark on the construction of a new terminal? (20%): You need to justify your answer by including costs, benefits and drawbacks and resilience e.g. if growth only occurs at 2/3% pa.
8. Q6 – What is the impact of technological developments on the Port (20%): Use academic and business sources to support your discussions.
9. Conclusions (5%): Summarise and highlight the key points from the whole report and include a summary of your recommendations.
10. Referencing (5%): The use of consistent and coherent citation and referencing style (Harvard is the recommended style). Please note that, although your ‘style’ of referencing is rewarded under this heading, plagiarism can result in a zero mark for the entire report and referral to University Disciplinary Committee.
11. Report Presentation (5%): Marks will be awarded for the report structure, general layout, the use of language, etc.
Word length – 2,500 +/- 10% (excluding reference list, Executive summary & appendices)