Adding realism to the subject

Whether tests and examinations are the best methodology to establish the deeply engrained knowledge required by graduates for real world applications, like project management, is questionable as examinations can sometimes be successfully negotiated by simply memorising and regurgitating information. In light of this a trial of a new assessment method was implemented during 2016/17. This new assessment method involved the undergraduate Aeronautical Engineering students producing three separate submissions during their 2nd year 8-week group project: Project baseline information - 3 weeks after the project start. Progress report - 6 weeks after project start. Project close out report - 10 weeks after project start (2 weeks after project completion). The following methodology was derived for the assessment: The initial submissions of 1 and 2 would not be formally marked, but face-to-face feedback and feed forward would be provided on draft submissions to indicate areas of potential improvement. The project team would then update submissions 1 and 2 and present for formal assessment with submission 3.The informal feedback thus far from students has been positive as they have found the structured feedback provided on the basis of their actual project brings the subject home, particularly risk management/ mitigation techniques.