Overview
This unit is aimed at providing you with a general introduction to the key features of modern project management practices within organisations. In undertaking this unit you will gain an understanding of the factors required to successfully manage projects by investigating how project success is related to the concept of value held by key stakeholders, alignment with organizational strategy, and benefit realization through the application of project management specific knowledge, skills, tools and techniques.
Details
Pre-requisites or Co-requisites
Anti-requisites: COIS20008, MGMT22166, or PPMP20002 then they cannot take this unit.
Important note: Students enrolled in a subsequent unit who failed their pre-requisite unit, should drop the subsequent unit before the census date or within 10 working days of Fail grade notification. Students who do not drop the unit in this timeframe cannot later drop the unit without academic and financial liability. See details in the Assessment Policy and Procedure (Higher Education Coursework).
Offerings For Term 3 - 2024
Attendance Requirements
All on-campus students are expected to attend scheduled classes - in some units, these classes are identified as a mandatory (pass/fail) component and attendance is compulsory. International students, on a student visa, must maintain a full time study load and meet both attendance and academic progress requirements in each study period (satisfactory attendance for International students is defined as maintaining at least an 80% attendance record).
Recommended Student Time Commitment
Each 6-credit Postgraduate unit at CQUniversity requires an overall time commitment of an average of 12.5 hours of study per week, making a total of 150 hours for the unit.
Class Timetable
Assessment Overview
Assessment Grading
This is a graded unit: your overall grade will be calculated from the marks or grades for each assessment task, based on the relative weightings shown in the table above. You must obtain an overall mark for the unit of at least 50%, or an overall grade of 'pass' in order to pass the unit. If any 'pass/fail' tasks are shown in the table above they must also be completed successfully ('pass' grade). You must also meet any minimum mark requirements specified for a particular assessment task, as detailed in the 'assessment task' section (note that in some instances, the minimum mark for a task may be greater than 50%). Consult the University's Grades and Results Policy for more details of interim results and final grades.
All University policies are available on the CQUniversity Policy site.
You may wish to view these policies:
- Grades and Results Policy
- Assessment Policy and Procedure (Higher Education Coursework)
- Review of Grade Procedure
- Student Academic Integrity Policy and Procedure
- Monitoring Academic Progress (MAP) Policy and Procedure - Domestic Students
- Monitoring Academic Progress (MAP) Policy and Procedure - International Students
- Student Refund and Credit Balance Policy and Procedure
- Student Feedback - Compliments and Complaints Policy and Procedure
- Information and Communications Technology Acceptable Use Policy and Procedure
This list is not an exhaustive list of all University policies. The full list of University policies are available on the CQUniversity Policy site.
Feedback, Recommendations and Responses
Every unit is reviewed for enhancement each year. At the most recent review, the following staff and student feedback items were identified and recommendations were made.
Feedback from Student evaluation
The Unit provided a positive learning experience.
To continue enhancing a positive learning environment, the teaching team will actively seek and use student feedback, incorporate interactive and student-focused activities, and create a supportive and inclusive atmosphere. The teaching team will invest in ongoing professional development, thoughtfully use technology, and real-world connections. By maintaining high academic standards and supporting students’ well-being, the teaching team aims to sustain and further improve the overall learning experience.
Feedback from Student evaluation
The guest lecture provided valuable insights from industry.
At least one guest lecture will be arranged per term, held online and recorded for the benefit of all students, irrespective of campus location. Feedback will be collected to improve future sessions. Additionally, the teaching team will promote the guest lecture in advance and provide students with relevant background information to help them get the most out of the experience.
Feedback from Student evaluation/UC observation
The benefit of attending in-class tutorials is not fully understood by all students.
In week 1 students will be made aware that attending classes regularly provides direct access to instruction, interactive discussions, and real-time feedback. It also builds a sense of belonging through interaction with peers and teachers, all of which contribute to a richer learning experience and greater academic success. In-class assessments will be continued to encourage students to attend campus. The teaching team will actively support students who miss classes by reaching out and offering additional help to catch up on missed content.
- Discuss the importance of project management to create value in the context of various organisational cultures and strategies.
- Evaluate how internal and external project settings influence the selection of adaptive, predictive or hybrid project delivery methods.
- Apply and critique scheduling, budgeting, risk management, and other project management techniques for achieving project success.
- Critically analyse how project management principles and ethics guide people’s behaviour on the project.
This unit will satisfy one of the core requirements for the Australian Computer Society (ACS) accreditation in the postgraduate Information and Communication Technology (ICT) courses. This unit is also part of an accreditation package granted by the ACS. The unit contributes to the required number of academic study units for students wishing to undertake professional certification with the Project Management Institute's (PMI) professional qualifications, such as CAPM or PMP.
The Australian Computer Society (ACS) recognises the Skills Framework for the Information Age (SFIA). SFIA is adopted by organisations, governments and individuals in many countries and provides a widely used and consistent definition of ICT skills. SFIA is increasingly being used when developing job descriptions and role profiles. ACS members can use the tool MySFIA to build a skills profile.
This unit contributes to the following workplace skills as defined by SFIA 8 (the SFIA code is included)
- Project Management (PRMG)
- Change Control (CHMG)
- Requirements definition and management (REQM)
- Stakeholder relationship management (RLMT)
- Risk management (BURM)
- Systems development management (DLMG)
Alignment of Assessment Tasks to Learning Outcomes
| Assessment Tasks | Learning Outcomes | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | |
| 1 - Group Discussion - 10% | ||||
| 2 - Practical Assessment - 20% | ||||
| 3 - Online Quiz(zes) - 20% | ||||
| 4 - Written Assessment - 50% | ||||
Alignment of Graduate Attributes to Learning Outcomes
| Graduate Attributes | Learning Outcomes | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | |
| 1 - Knowledge | ||||
| 2 - Communication | ||||
| 3 - Cognitive, technical and creative skills | ||||
| 4 - Research | ||||
| 5 - Self-management | ||||
| 6 - Ethical and Professional Responsibility | ||||
| 7 - Leadership | ||||
| 8 - Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Cultures | ||||
Textbooks
Project Management: The Managerial Process
Edition: 8E (2021)
Authors: Larson, EW, Gray, CF
McGraw-Hill Education
ISBN: 978-1-260-57043-4
IT Resources
- CQUniversity Student Email
- Internet
- Unit Website (Moodle)
- Microsoft office Suite or equivalent (Especially Spreadsheets)
- Microsoft Teams - camera and microphone
- Access to Microsoft Project 2019 (available on campus and for download)
All submissions for this unit must use the referencing style: Harvard (author-date)
For further information, see the Assessment Tasks.
a.f.kineber@cqu.edu.au
Module/Topic
Modern project management
Organisation strategy and project selection
Projects, programs, and portfolios as strategy implementation tools
Chapter
Chapters 1 & 2 plus additional online material
Events and Submissions/Topic
Lecture 1: Scheduled lecture on Chapter 1 & 2
Tutorial 1:
- Ice-breaking activity (students introduce themselves including their academic and professional backgrounds)
- Introduction to the unit and assessments
Module/Topic
Organisation: Structure and culture
Chapter
Chapter 3
Events and Submissions/Topic
Lecture 2: Scheduled lecture on Chapter 3
Tutorial 2:
- Assessment 1 - 'class activities' commences
- Detailed discussion of all Assessment items
- Introduction to MS Project
- Group formation + topic selection commences for Assessment 4
Module/Topic
Defining the project and its stakeholders
Identifying communication and documentation needs
Chapter
Chapter 4 plus recommended reading on Moodle
Events and Submissions/Topic
Lecture 3: Scheduled lecture on Chapter 4
Tutorial 3:
- Assessment 1 - 'class activities' continues
- MS Project practical 1 submission (not graded)
- Assessment 4 - Team formation and topic selection (start working when approved)
Module/Topic
Developing a project schedule
Chapter
Chapter 6
Events and Submissions/Topic
Lecture 4: Scheduled lecture on Chapter 6
Tutorial 4:
- Assessment 1 - 'class activities' continues
- MS Project practical 2 submission (not graded)
- Assessment 4 - Team formation and topic selection (start working when approved)
Module/Topic
Estimating project times and costs
Chapter
Chapter 5
Events and Submissions/Topic
Lecture 5: Scheduled lecture on Chapter 5
Tutorial 5:
- Assessment 1 - 'class activities' continues
- MS Project practical 3 submission (not graded)
- Assessment 4: Groups, topics, and schedule must be finalised by week 5
- Initiate team meeting for Assessment 4 (in-class and beyond)
Module/Topic
Scheduling resources and costs
Chapter
Chapter 8
Events and Submissions/Topic
Lecture 6: Scheduled lecture on Chapter 8
Tutorial 6:
- Assessment 1 - 'class activities' continues
- MS Project practical 4 submission (not graded)
- Continue team meeting for Assessment 4 (in-class and beyond)
Module/Topic
Managing risk, change control, quality management
Chapter
Chapter 7 plus Kerzner's Book Chapter 20 (available in the eReading Lists)
Events and Submissions/Topic
Lecture 7: Scheduled lecture on Chapter 7 and 20
Tutorial 7:
- Assessment 1 - 'class activities' continues
- MS Project practical 5 submission (not graded)
- Continue team meeting for Assessment 4 (in-class and beyond)
Module/Topic
There would be no lectures and
tutorials during this week unless a
make-up class is advised by your
lecturer/tutor. Please check with your
lecturer/tutor if you are not sure.
Students should use this time to
review the first 7 weeks' teaching
material and start working on group
assignment.
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
Reducing project duration
Chapter
Chapter 9
Events and Submissions/Topic
Lecture 8: Scheduled lecture on Chapter 9
Tutorial 8:
- Assessment 1 - 'class activities' continues
- Assessment 2 is due this week. Assessment 2 must be commenced, developed and submitted in week 8's scheduled tutorial. Any submission outside students' respective tutorial classes will result in zero marks. Assessment 2 is an in-class and closed-book test.
- Continue team meeting for Assessment 4 (in-class and beyond)
Module/Topic
Progress and performance measurement and evaluation
Chapter
Chapter 13
Events and Submissions/Topic
Lecture 9: Scheduled lecture on Chapter 13
Tutorial 9:
- Assessment 1 - 'class activities' continues
- Assessment 3: In-class online quiz is due during week 9's tutorial class. Any submission outside students' respective tutorial classes will result in zero marks. Assessment 3 is an in-class and closed-book test.
- Continue team meeting for Assessment 4 (in-class and beyond)
Module/Topic
Project closure
Chapter
Chapter 14
Events and Submissions/Topic
Lecture 10: Scheduled lecture on Chapter 14
Tutorial 10:
- Assessment 1 - 'class activities' continues (last session on class activities)
- Assessment 4 Part A and B: Due Friday of week 10.
- Assessment 4 presentation schedules finalised by tutors and published in MS Teams for each tutorial group (Including DST students).
Module/Topic
Being an effective project manager
Managing project teams
Chapter
Chapters 10 & 11
Events and Submissions/Topic
Lecture 11: Scheduled lecture on Chapter 10 & 11.
Tutorial 11:
- Assessment 4 Part C: In-class presentations on the written report (4A)
Module/Topic
An introduction to agile project management
Chapter
Chapter 15
Events and Submissions/Topic
Lecture 12: Scheduled lecture on Chapter 15
Tutorial 12:
- Assessment 4 Part C: In-class presentations on the written report (4A)
Module/Topic
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
1 Group Discussion
On-campus students are required to attend tutorials to achieve the class activity marks. During the tutorials, students will be asked to perform a range of activities based on the concepts covered in previous week. Students will be working in a group to perform tutorial activities. Each student is required to engage in the discussion and present the findings of the discussion to the class. Each student will have to present twice during the term. Tutors will provide verbal feedback to the presenting students. Based on the engagement and quality of the findings, marks will be provided by the tutors. The weight assigned to each discussion and presentation of findings is 5 marks. When considering two instances of discussion and presentation of findings, the combined weight is calculated as 5*2, resulting in a total of 10 marks.
Although students work in groups for the class activities, one student’s response from the group does not automatically give the same marks to all members of the group. Each student is responsible for achieving their marks. Students can change the groups throughout the term. Students are responsible for ensuring that they have presented twice throughout the term to achieve their class activity marks. 'Class activities' marks will be recorded during weeks 2 - 10. It is not acceptable to present twice in one week. Students will receive their final marks for class activities by the end of week 11. These marks will be made available to students after they have been finalised and uploaded onto Moodle by their tutors. The information will include details about the specific weeks in which the class activities were conducted, and the corresponding scores achieved by the students. For example:
Performed class activity in week 5 - scored 4/5
Performed class activity in week 8 - scored 3/5
For DST students, the unit coordinator will arrange biweekly drop-in sessions where they will engage in class activities and earn marks. While attending these sessions is not obligatory for DST students, they can alternatively submit their class activity work in writing by the specified deadline on Moodle. Nevertheless, the participation in the drop-in sessions is strongly recommended as it provides a chance to discuss materials and complete assessments.
Note: re-attempt is not allowed for this assessment item.
Students must make sure to complete tutorial class activities twice by week 10. No class activities will take place beyond week 10.
Feedback return period as per CQU policy
Assessment Criteria
1. Completion (2 marks)
- Full completion of assigned tasks.
- Thorough engagement in all aspects of the class activity.
2. Understanding of Concepts (2 marks)
- Demonstration of a clear understanding of the key concepts addressed in the activity.
- Accurate application of relevant theories or principles.
3. Quality of Responses (1 mark)
- Thoughtful and well-articulated responses to questions or prompts.
- Effective communication of ideas and solutions.
No submission method provided.
- Discuss the importance of project management to create value in the context of various organisational cultures and strategies.
- Apply and critique scheduling, budgeting, risk management, and other project management techniques for achieving project success.
- Critically analyse how project management principles and ethics guide people’s behaviour on the project.
2 Practical Assessment
For this assessment students are asked to develop an optimised, resourced and priced project schedule based on a given scenario, during the tutorial class, applying the Microsoft Project (MSP) skills learned in the 5 practicals (week 3-7). Students demonstrate their scheduling skills through several progressive steps using the software, and in doing so, their understanding of the value proposition embedded in a well-conceived and optimised project schedule, resource plan, and budget.
This assessment is preceded by 5 classroom Microsoft Project practicals which have to be completed and submitted in the weekly tutorial classes from week 3-7, as non-graded assessment tasks. While they are non-graded, failure to submit at least 4 practicals, as specified in the practical instructions and within students' scheduled tutorials will incur a 5-mark penalty to the overall assessment mark.
Scenarios for the assessment (case study) are handed out at the start of the week 8 tutorial class. Several different scenarios may be used. A minimum number of activities to be included in the schedule will be stated.
Students are required to submit individually in the tutorial class as monitored by the respective tutor. DST students will receive their assessment in a shortened tutorial, after which they will have to submit their work within a given time limit. Late submissions will not be accepted unless a formal extension request has been submitted and approved as per CQU Policy.
Note: re-attempt is not allowed for this assessment item.
On-campus students must submit at the end of the respective week 8 tutorial. The unit coordinator will arrange a dedicated online session based on mutual convenience by the end of week 8.
Feedback return period as per CQU policy
Assessment Criteria
The schedule is representative of the project, is realistic and achievable, and allows for known risks.
- Representative tasks are shown for the automated schedule with the correct start date and appropriate holiday information (2 marks)
- The tasks are entered correctly with appropriate indentation (2 marks)
- The WBS column are displayed (1 mark)
- The project name is shown on top of the schedule. Task durations and predecessors are entered. The WBS predecessors’ column is displayed (2 marks)
- The schedule is automated, and the critical path(s) is displayed in red with the appropriate milestone added at the end of the schedule (3 marks)
- Appropriate slack for no-critical tasks is identified (2 marks)
- A resource pool is created, and resources are allocated to the relevant tasks (2 marks)
- The resource overallocation is resolved within and outside the available slack (2 marks)
- The impacts of resource leveling outside the available slack on the resource over-allocation problem is explained (2 marks)
- The project’s total duration and cost after adding task contingency allowance are included (2 marks)
- Penalty for not submitting at least 4 MS Project practicals as per instructions within the scheduled tutorials (-5 marks)
- Apply and critique scheduling, budgeting, risk management, and other project management techniques for achieving project success.
3 Online Quiz(zes)
This assessment item involves an in-class (closed-book), online quiz earning 20% of the unit marks. The students will be evaluated on their acquisition of knowledge, comprehension, and application of the unit content covered to this point.
- The online quiz will be an in-class, closed-book test.
- Only one attempt will be allowed.
- The online quiz will be held during the week 9 tutorial class.
- The quiz must be completed within the given time frame.
- There will be 39 questions in total (a combination of multiple-choice, true/false, and calculations questions).
- There will be a time limit of 50 minutes to complete the quiz. After this the quiz will automatically close and submit.
- The quiz covers the content from weeks 1 to 8 (lectures, tutorials, readings, etc.).
- It is mandatory that you complete the quiz in the tutorial classroom.
- An online (zoom) session will be organised for DST students in which they will have to perform the quiz under the supervision of the unit coordinator.
- Late submissions will not be accepted unless a formal extension request has been submitted and approved as per CQU Policy.
Note: re-attempt is not allowed for this assessment item.
1
On-campus students must submit at the end of the respective week 9 tutorial. The unit coordinator will arrange a dedicated online session based on mutual convenience by the end of week 9.
Feedback return period as per CQU policy.
- Each question will earn 0.5 marks except the CPA calculation question which will earn 1 mark.
- There will be no penalty for incorrect answers.
- Evaluate how internal and external project settings influence the selection of adaptive, predictive or hybrid project delivery methods.
4 Written Assessment
Task Description
Strong evidence is presented in the literature of a positive correlation between well-functioning project teams and project success. This assessment item aims at not only evidencing learning on a given topic but also students' ability to function well in a team.
This assessment requires students to work in a team of 3 to 4 students, produce an academic report on an approved project management topic and deliver a classroom/virtual (DST students) presentation. Teams are formed in the early weeks of the term and topics are chosen from different areas of project management listed in the assessment specification. Teams and topics must be approved by the respective tutors by week 5.
Students that are not part of a team by week 5 will be allocated a team by their tutor and will have to abide by their decision. No change in team membership can be allowed once groups are formed as that would affect team performance.
Students must form teams with students from the same tutorial class. DST students are encouraged to work in a team as well but may apply to work individually should circumstances prohibit effective team formation.
The assessment consists of:
Part A (35%): Written report and PowerPoint slides (Due in week 10)
- A 4000-word academic report on the chosen topic, including a team critical reflection on the team experience using the Tuckman model of forming, storming, norming, and performing. The critical reflection must consist of a contribution from each team member.
- A PowerPoint presentation of not more than 15 content slides summarising the key findings of the report.
Part B (5%): Artefact submission (Due in week 10)
- In addition to the report and PowerPoint slides submission, you must provide a link to the OneDrive folder at the end of the report where you have stored all your research artefacts. The folder should include relevant materials such as relevant articles, earlier word drafts, communications with team members, meeting minutes, presentation materials, and any other resources you have used or created during the development of report and presentation slides.
- Failure to submit the link to the OneDrive folder will result in zero marks in Part A.
- Based on the resources stored in the OneDrive folder, the marks in Part A may be moderated.
Part C (10%): Oral presentation (during week 11 & week 12)
- A classroom or virtual presentation (DST students) of the topic by all members of the team, as scheduled by the respective tutors.
Note: re-attempt is not allowed for this assessment item.
Part A and Part B due in week 10 (24 January 2025); Part C presentations (during week 11 & week 12)
Feedback return period as per CQU policy.
Part A: Written report and PowerPoint slides (35 marks)
- Introduction: Clear introduction of the topic, engaging the reader from the outset (4 marks)
- Body: Quality of content, extending the knowledge about project management, level of detail provided, the flow of information, and coherence (5 marks)
- Conclusion: Summarising the key points and formulating your own conclusions (3 marks)
- Evidence of comprehension: Students' opinions, and contextualization of concepts through experience and/or examples (5 marks)
- Format: Clarity of expression, structure, and grammar of an academic standard (3 marks)
- Referencing: Correct referencing of sources and correlation with in-text citations (3 marks)
- A PowerPoint presentation as per the assessment specification of not more than 15 content slides summarizing the key findings (6 marks)
- A written critical reflection on the team experience by all team members, using the Tuckman model of forming, storming, norming, and performing (6 marks)
Part B: Artefact submission (5 marks)
- Inclusion and organisation of complete relevant research artefacts in the OneDrive folder. Artefacts are genuine and original as a result of student own work and effort.
Part C: Oral presentation (10 marks)
A classroom or virtual presentation (DST students) of the topic by all members of the team, as scheduled by the respective tutors (marks allocated individually to each group member)
Note: re-attempt is not allowed for this assessment item.
- Discuss the importance of project management to create value in the context of various organisational cultures and strategies.
- Evaluate how internal and external project settings influence the selection of adaptive, predictive or hybrid project delivery methods.
- Critically analyse how project management principles and ethics guide people’s behaviour on the project.
As a CQUniversity student you are expected to act honestly in all aspects of your academic work.
Any assessable work undertaken or submitted for review or assessment must be your own work. Assessable work is any type of work you do to meet the assessment requirements in the unit, including draft work submitted for review and feedback and final work to be assessed.
When you use the ideas, words or data of others in your assessment, you must thoroughly and clearly acknowledge the source of this information by using the correct referencing style for your unit. Using others’ work without proper acknowledgement may be considered a form of intellectual dishonesty.
Participating honestly, respectfully, responsibly, and fairly in your university study ensures the CQUniversity qualification you earn will be valued as a true indication of your individual academic achievement and will continue to receive the respect and recognition it deserves.
As a student, you are responsible for reading and following CQUniversity’s policies, including the Student Academic Integrity Policy and Procedure. This policy sets out CQUniversity’s expectations of you to act with integrity, examples of academic integrity breaches to avoid, the processes used to address alleged breaches of academic integrity, and potential penalties.
What is a breach of academic integrity?
A breach of academic integrity includes but is not limited to plagiarism, self-plagiarism, collusion, cheating, contract cheating, and academic misconduct. The Student Academic Integrity Policy and Procedure defines what these terms mean and gives examples.
Why is academic integrity important?
A breach of academic integrity may result in one or more penalties, including suspension or even expulsion from the University. It can also have negative implications for student visas and future enrolment at CQUniversity or elsewhere. Students who engage in contract cheating also risk being blackmailed by contract cheating services.
Where can I get assistance?
For academic advice and guidance, the Academic Learning Centre (ALC) can support you in becoming confident in completing assessments with integrity and of high standard.
What can you do to act with integrity?
