Year
2024Credit points
10Campus offering
Prerequisites
MGMT213 Organisational Analysis OR ITEC225 Systems Analysis and Design
Teaching organisation
3 hours per week for twelve weeks or equivalentUnit rationale, description and aim
This unit provides an integrated perspective on a range of the issues and techniques relevant to managing a major project through its entire life cycle, from selection and specification through to implementation and final evaluation. Emphasis is placed upon practical techniques for the successful selection, planning, monitoring, control, implementation and evaluation of large-scale projects. The unit works from the assumption that project management in a modern organisation is a complex team-based activity, where various types of technologies (including project management software as well as software to support group collaboration) are an inherent part of the project management process. This includes examining how principles such as subsidiarity and participation should be considered when implementing projects. Students will create group project plans to demonstrate their knowledge and skills in the project management domain.
The primary aim of this unit is to give students a sound understanding of the concepts, processes and major techniques employed in medium and large-scale commercial projects. By integrating theory and practice this unit provides a strong foundation for students in project management which is an essential skill in the various majors in the Bachelor’ Degree.
Learning outcomes
To successfully complete this unit you will be able to demonstrate you have achieved the learning outcomes (LO) detailed in the below table.
Each outcome is informed by a number of graduate capabilities (GC) to ensure your work in this, and every unit, is part of a larger goal of graduating from ACU with the attributes of insight, empathy, imagination and impact.
Explore the graduate capabilities.
| Learning Outcome Number | Learning Outcome Description | Relevant Graduate Capabilities |
|---|---|---|
| LO1 | Critically analyse and reflect on the life cycle of a project, why projects fail and the role of the project manager in ensuring success | GC2, GC7 |
| LO2 | Develop relevant, achievable and measurable project goals and monitor project progress against those goals by collating, synthesising and evaluating relevant information | GC2, GC7 |
| LO3 | Evaluate project quality and risk and identify techniques for measuring project quality and controlling project risk via the utilisation of information, communication and other technologies effectively | GC2, GC8 |
| LO4 | Work collaboratively to create a comprehensive project management plan using 21st Century technologies identified by the Project Management Body of Knowledge (PMBOK) |
Content
Topics will include:
- Introduction to project management and its role in achieving organisational objectives
- Project life cycle
- Determining project goals and objectives
- Risk evaluation and project quality
- Managing project Stakeholders incorporating subsidiarity and participation
- Developing project plan including
- Project charter and scope statement
- Work breakdown structure
- Precedence relationships among tasks and critical path
- Resource allocation and project cost
- Project final evaluation and report
- Future trends in project management
Learning and teaching strategy and rationale
The standard mode of delivery for this unit is face-to-face. However, the unit may also be offered in multi-mode, online and intensive modes according to University and student requirements. In face-to-face, multi-mode or online the unit will be delivered over a twelve-week semester or equivalent study period.
Students will have access to all primary learning materials online through Canvas, along with formative and summative assessments, all of which will be available online, to provide a learning experience beyond the classroom. Students taking the unit in multi-mode will be required to attend weekly 2-hour workshops, which will include a seminar and specific tasks related to achievement of the unit learning outcomes.
Students should anticipate undertaking 150 hours of study for this unit, including class attendance, readings, online forum participation and assessment preparation.
Assessment strategy and rationale
The assessment strategy for this unit is based on the need to determine authentic student achievement of the learning outcomes. The following assessment overview is indicative and may vary over time according to industry requirements, delivery mode, University policy and regulatory requirements.
Assessment one allows reflection and review using actual/real life projects from a local, national or international context that have been undertaken. Assessment two assesses students’ evidence of theoretical knowledge, understanding and skills required to manage projects and assess their associated risks. The final assessment provides students with a collaborative opportunity to engage in a simulated project plan and to apply learned knowledge and skills acquired in the unit to demonstrate a thorough understanding of the context of how projects are implemented to meet organisational objectives.
Overview of assessments
| Brief Description of Kind and Purpose of Assessment Tasks | Weighting | Learning Outcomes | Graduate Capabilities |
|---|---|---|---|
Assessment Task 1: Research Paper This assessment task consists of a 1250 word requiring students to submit a research paper on how to identify the criteria for project success and/or failure based on their reflection on and critical evaluation of actual project/real life examples from a local, national or global context that have been undertaken with strong justification for their arguments.
Submission Type: Individual Assessment Method: Research paper Artefact: Written paper | 30% | LO1, LO2 | GC2, GC7 |
Assessment Task 2: Case study This assessment task consists of analysing a project case study encompassing the development of a work breakdown structure, (WBS), risk management resource and budget formulation and address issues relating to good project management practices. The purpose of this 1250 word Report is to enable individual student to analyse and evaluate theoretical knowledge and skills required to manage projects and assess their associated risk while considering subsidiarity and participation when implementing projects. Submission Type: Individual Assessment Method: Report Artefact: Written report | 30% | LO2, LO3 | GC2, GC7, GC8 |
Assessment Task 3: Project plan This assessment task consists of a 2000-word project plan. This task requires students to work collaboratively to create a comprehensive project plan using appropriate project management tools and techniques, including a scope statement, a Work Breakdown Structure (WBS), and Responsibility Assignment Matrix and develop precedence relationships, a network diagram and critical path, and create a schedule that includes resource allocations. It should also include plans for the relevant Project Management Knowledge Areas that would contribute to project success. The focus is to develop professional skills through creative application of theoretical knowledge and understanding. Individual group members to complete Peer Evaluation Tool. Submission Type: Group Assessment Method: Project plan Artefact: Project plan | 40% | LO2, LO4 | GC2, GC7, GC8 |
Representative texts and references
Ferraro, J 2012, Project management for non-project managers, McGraw-Hill, New York.
Gido, J & Clements, J 2018, Successful project management, 7th edn, South-Western, Boston, MA.
Harned, B., Storey, G., Aoki, D., 2017. Project Management for Humans: Helping People get Things Done. Rosenfelds Media
Heagney, J 2016, Fundamentals of project management, 5th edn, AMACOM, New York.
Hughes, B 2012, Project Management for IT-Related Projects, 2nd edn, BCS Learning & Development Ltd., UK.
Kerzner, H 2013, Project management: a systems approach to planning scheduling and controlling, 11th edn, Wiley, Hoboken, NJ.
Larson, EW, Gray, CF 2021, Project management : the managerial process (Eighth edition.). McGraw-Hill Education.
Meredith, JR and Mantel Jr, SJ 2015, Project management: managerial approach, 9th edn, John Wiley and Sons, Hoboken, NJ.
Project Management Institute 2020 A Guide to the Project Management Body of Knowledge (PMBOK) Guide, 6th ed.,
Schwalbe, K 2014, Information technology project management, 7th edn, Course Technology, Mason, OH.