Distinguished - Paper is logically organized with a well-written introduction, thesis statement, and conclusion.

Proficient - Paper is logically organized with an introduction, thesis statement, and conclusion. One of these requires improvement.

Basic - Paper is organized with an introduction, thesis statement, and conclusion. The introduction, thesis statement, and/or conclusion require improvement.

Below Expectations - Paper is loosely organized with an introduction, thesis statement, and conclusion. The introduction, thesis statement, and/or conclusion require much improvement.

Non-Performance - The introduction, thesis statement, and conclusion are either nonexistent or lack the components described in the assignment instructions.

Distinguished - Provides a fully developed, well-thought-out definition of project management and thoroughly explains its importance to the business world.

Proficient - Provides a moderately developed definition of project management and explains its importance to the business world.

Basic - Provides an underdeveloped definition of project management and somewhat explains its importance to the business world.

Below Expectations - Provides an inaccurate and/or poorly detailed definition of project management and explanation of its importance to the business world.

Non-Performance - The definition of project management and explanation of its importance to the business world are either nonexistent or lack the components described in the assignment instructions.

Distinguished - Provides a thorough and highly detailed explanation of the project management life cycle and the benefits of project management to an organization.

Proficient - Provides an explanation of the project management life cycle and the benefits of project management to an organization. Some minor details are missing.

Basic - Provides an underdeveloped explanation of the project management life cycle and the benefits of project management to an organization. Many relevant details are missing or specific related concepts are not discussed.

Below Expectations - Attempts to provide an explanation of the project management life cycle and the benefits of project management to an organization, but fails to show an adequate understanding of the concepts related to the topic.

Non-Performance - The explanation of the project management life cycle and the benefits of project management to an organization is either nonexistent or lacks the components described in the assignment instructions.

Distinguished - Provides a thorough explanation of the concept of planning in the project management life cycle and how research and critical thinking are mandatory in planning.

Proficient - Provides an explanation of the concept of planning in the project management life cycle and how research and critical thinking are mandatory in planning. Some minor details are missing.

Basic - Provides some explanation of the concept of planning in the project management life cycle and how research and critical thinking are mandatory in planning. Does not identify specific concepts related to the topic.

Below Expectations - Provides a limited explanation of the concept of planning in the project management life cycle and how research and critical thinking are mandatory in planning, but fails to show an adequate understanding of the concepts related to the topic.

Non-Performance - The explanation of the concept of planning in the project management life cycle and how research and critical thinking are mandatory in planning is either nonexistent or lacks the components described in the assignment instructions.

Distinguished - Accurately and comprehensively explains all aspects of project organizations and the importance of leadership and sponsorship.

Proficient - Explains most aspects of project organizations and the importance of leadership and sponsorship.

Basic - Explains some aspects of project organizations and the importance of leadership and sponsorship.

Below Expectations - Explains very few aspects of project organizations and the importance of leadership and sponsorship.

Non-Performance - The explanation of project organizations and the importance of leadership and sponsorship are either nonexistent or lacks the components described in the assignment instructions.

Distinguished - Thoroughly explains all relevant aspects of project team building, including techniques of successful team building.

Proficient - Explains many relevant aspects of project team building, including techniques of successful team building.

Basic - Explains some relevant aspects of project team building, including techniques of successful team building.

Below Expectations - Explains very few relevant aspects of project team building, including techniques of successful team building.

Non-Performance - The explanation of project team building, including techniques of successful team building, is either nonexistent or lacks the components described in the assignment instructions.

Distinguished - Accurately and thoroughly explains all aspects of the creation of a work breakdown structure and how a project manager breaks down the overall project into packages.

Proficient - Accurately explains most aspects of the creation of a work breakdown structure and how a project manager breaks down the overall project into packages. Some minor details are missing.

Basic - Accurately explains some aspects of the creation of a work breakdown structure and how a project manager breaks down the overall project into packages. Many relevant details are missing.

Below Expectations - Explains very few aspects of the creation of a work breakdown structure and how a project manager breaks down the overall project into packages.

Non-Performance - The explanation of how to create a work breakdown structure and how a project manager breaks down the overall project into packages is either nonexistent or lacks the components described in the assignment instructions.

Distinguished - Thoroughly explains the need for project management software in large programs and the benefits to the overall project management organization, demonstrating a thorough understanding of the overall benefits.

Proficient - Explains the need for project management software in large programs and the benefits to the overall project management organization, demonstrating a sufficient understanding of the overall benefits. Some minor details are missing.

Basic - Explains the need for project management software in large programs and the benefits to the overall project management organizations, demonstrating a rudimentary understanding of the overall benefits. Does not identify specific benefits.

Below Expectations - Attempts to explain the need for Project Management software in large programs and the benefits to the overall project management organization, but fails to demonstrate an understanding of the benefits.

Non-Performance - The explanation of the need for project management software in large programs and the benefits to the overall project management organization is either nonexistent or lacks the components described in the assignment instructions.

Distinguished - Uses appropriate, pertinent, and persuasive content to discover and develop sophisticated ideas within the context of the discipline, shaping the work as a whole.

Proficient - Uses appropriate and pertinent content to discover ideas within the context of the discipline, shaping the work as a whole.

Basic - Uses appropriate and pertinent content, but does not apply it toward discovering or developing ideas. Overall, content assists in shaping the written work.

Below Expectations - Uses content, though it may be unrelated or inappropriate to the topic. Content does not contribute toward the development of the written work, and may distract the reader from its purpose.

Non-Performance - The assignment is either nonexistent or lacks the components described in the instructions.

Distinguished - Clearly and comprehensively explains in detail the issue to be considered, delivering all relevant information necessary for a full understanding.

Proficient - Clearly explains in detail the issue to be considered, delivering enough relevant information for an adequate understanding.

Basic - Briefly recognizes the issue to be considered, delivering minimal information for a basic understanding.

Below Expectations - Briefly recognizes the issue to be considered, but may not deliver additional information necessary for a basic understanding.

Non-Performance - The assignment is either nonexistent or lacks the components described in the instructions.

Distinguished - Displays meticulous comprehension and organization of syntax and mechanics, such as spelling and grammar. Written work contains no errors, and is very easy to understand.

Proficient - Displays comprehension and organization of syntax and mechanics, such as spelling and grammar. Written work contains only a few minor errors, and is mostly easy to understand.

Basic - Displays basic comprehension of syntax and mechanics, such as spelling and grammar. Written work contains a few errors, which may slightly distract the reader.

Below Expectations - Fails to display basic comprehension of syntax or mechanics, such as spelling and grammar. Written work contains major errors, which distract the reader.

Non-Performance - The assignment is either nonexistent or lacks the components described in the instructions.

Distinguished - Accurately uses APA formatting consistently throughout the paper, title page, and reference page.

Proficient - Exhibits APA formatting throughout the paper. However, layout contains a few minor errors.

Basic - Exhibits basic knowledge of APA formatting throughout the paper. However, layout does not meet all APA requirements.

Below Expectations - Fails to exhibit basic knowledge of APA formatting. There are frequent errors, making the layout difficult to distinguish as APA.

Non-Performance - The assignment is either nonexistent or lacks the components described in the instructions.

Distinguished - The paper meets the specific page requirement stipulated in the assignment description.

Proficient - The paper closely meets the page requirement stipulated in the assignment description.

Basic - The paper meets over half of the page requirement stipulated in the assignment description.

Below Expectations - A fraction of the page requirement is completed.

Non-Performance - The assignment is either nonexistent or lacks the components described in the instructions.

Distinguished - Uses more than the required number of scholarly sources, providing compelling evidence to support ideas. All sources on the reference page are used and cited correctly within the body of the assignment.

Proficient - Uses required number of scholarly sources to support ideas. All sources on the reference page are used and cited correctly within the body of the assignment.

Basic - Uses less than the required number of sources to support ideas. Some sources may not be scholarly. Most sources on the reference page are used within the body of the assignment. Citations may not be formatted correctly.

Below Expectations - Uses inadequate number of sources that provide little or no support for ideas. Sources used may not be scholarly. Most sources on the reference page are not used within the body of the assignment. Citations are not formatted correctly.

Non-Performance - The assignment is either nonexistent or lacks the components described in the instructions.