- Featured Example: PM 502 - Project Scope, Quality, and Risk Management
- Course Developer: Mangaiah Chowdary Garikapati
- Risepoint ID: Bill Simantirakis
In accelerated online courses, students benefit most when assessments mirror the kinds of challenges they will face in the workplace. Authentic assessments provide opportunities for learners to apply theoretical knowledge in realistic, job-relevant contexts, strengthening their ability to transfer skills from the classroom into practice. This is particularly important in asynchronous courses, where students need carefully designed activities that simulate real-world decision-making and provide meaningful feedback on their choices.
Design Challenge
At the beginning of the development process, the course developer noted that students often struggle to move from theory to practice in project management. While they may understand frameworks conceptually, they face difficulties applying them to dynamic projects, managing stakeholder expectations, and adapting to shifting risks. In an online environment, these skills are even harder to measure, as traditional assessments do not fully capture a student’s ability to plan, control, and communicate effectively in real-world conditions.
Course Vision
To address this challenge, Bill and Mangaiah collaborated on an authentic, scenario-based learning experience. They envisioned a simulation where students could take on the role of a project manager and actively practice their skills. Designed in H5P as a balancing act game, their vision for an interactive exercise asked learners to engage in realistic project management tasks, making decisions that mirror workforce demands. The activity would also emphasize how risk management strategies can align with agile principles, helping students explore proactive ways to navigate uncertainty.
Executing the Design
In the live course, students step into the role of a project manager at NovaEdge Labs. Their task is to balance the classic project triangle of scope, quality, and risk under conditions that reflect real-world unpredictability. The H5P scenario presents them with authentic twists and unexpected challenges, requiring thoughtful decision-making. If a student chooses an ineffective path, the simulation may end abruptly, reinforcing the consequences of poor planning.
This design creates a safe but meaningful environment for students to test their skills, learn from missteps, and build confidence in applying project management practices.
Key Design Elements
- Realistic Scenario: A scenario is framed as a workplace simulation with a fictional company, NovaEdge Labs.
- Learner Decision Making: Built in H5P with branching decision points and varied outcomes.
- Gamification: Authentic challenges and unpredictable risks introduced throughout.
- Feedback: Immediate, scenario-based feedback when poor choices are made.
- Practice: Safe environment for students to experiment, fail, and try again.
Explore the Scenario
Want to Try?
Authentic Assessments don’t require major course redesign. Start small with one concept or scenario where authenticity can help students navigate complexity.
Try this:
- Replace traditional exams with scenario-based activities that reflect real-world problem solving in your discipline.
- Use simple branching tools like H5P to create “choose your path” decision-making exercises.
- Frame assessments around authentic workplace contexts (e.g., managing a project, resolving a client issue, or adapting to unexpected challenges).
- Provide immediate feedback within the activity, allowing students to see the impact of their choices.
- Design for iteration and let students replay or reattempt scenarios to reinforce learning through practice.
