Overview
Leading Lean Projects will develop your hard and soft skills in project management methodologies and core principles of the lean approach in project management. You will discover the evolving nature of lean principles and explore how project management concepts can be embedded in a continuous improvement initiative. You will learn about leadership competencies that are crucial for delivering successful projects. You will be presented with case studies that highlight the methodologies and lean principles and how they can affect project outputs and outcomes. You will familiarise yourself with the use of common management control systems to illustrate how to successfully lead and deliver lean transformations for projects.
Details
Pre-requisites or Co-requisites
There are no requisites for 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 2 - 2023
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 Unit Evaluation - Student responses
Students found the unit engaging and well structured, with the right balance of individual and group work.
Continue to ensure that the unit is structured to support optimum student experience.
Feedback from Unit Evaluation - Student responses
Teaching staff demonstrated commitment to providing an enriching and supportive environment for students.
Continue to encourage a learning environment that is engaging and supportive.
Feedback from Unit Evaluation - Student responses
Some students noted that they found the first assessment difficult. This assessment requires students to observe a process in a workplace.
Students are informed that if they are not currently working they can approach any organisation to complete the first assessment. They are also encouraged to use this as an opportunity to engage with organisations within the industry they would like to work. This advice will continue to be provided to students and tutors will continue to emphasize this in their classes.
- Review lean transformation framework by explaining lean approaches, project lifecycle and change management
- Compare and contrast project management methodologies
- Examine leadership competencies for successful delivery of projects
- Determine management control systems for lean process capabilities
- Explain the processes and techniques to acquire, develop and manage project teams.
- Business Analysis (BUAN),
- Project Management (PRMG),
- Stakeholder Relationship Management (RLMT),
- Systems Integration (SINT),
- Change Management (CHMG),
- Release and Deployment (RELM),
- IT Operations (ITOP),
- Problem Management (PBMG).
Alignment of Assessment Tasks to Learning Outcomes
| Assessment Tasks | Learning Outcomes | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | |
| 1 - Written Assessment - 40% | |||||
| 2 - Written Assessment - 40% | |||||
| 3 - Online Quiz(zes) - 20% | |||||
Alignment of Graduate Attributes to Learning Outcomes
| Graduate Attributes | Learning Outcomes | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | |
| 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 | |||||
Alignment of Assessment Tasks to Graduate Attributes
| Assessment Tasks | Graduate Attributes | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | |
| 1 - Written Assessment - 40% | ||||||||
| 2 - Written Assessment - 40% | ||||||||
| 3 - Online Quiz(zes) - 20% | ||||||||
Textbooks
There are no required textbooks.
IT Resources
- CQUniversity Student Email
- Internet
- Unit Website (Moodle)
- MS Teams
- Computer - ability to access study materials, to upload and submit assessments etc. Ability to access Zoom may be needed for situations such as lockdowns or if you are enrolled as an online student.
All submissions for this unit must use the referencing style: Harvard (author-date)
For further information, see the Assessment Tasks.
n.ewin@cqu.edu.au
Module/Topic
Chapter
Outline
- What is Lean?
- Lean concepts
- Why Lean?
- What is Six Sigma?
- Lean Six Sigma
Reading material
- To be provided on the Moodle website
Events and Submissions/Topic
- Ice breaking and unit details
- Expectations and overview
- Lecture 1
- Tutorial 1
Module/Topic
LEAN FRAMEWORK IN PROJECT MANAGEMENT
Chapter
Outline
- Lean concepts in project management
- Lean framework in project management
- Change management framework
Reading material
- To be provided on the Moodle website
Events and Submissions/Topic
- Lecture 2
- Tutorial 2
Module/Topic
LEAN AND VALUE MANAGEMENT
Chapter
Outline
- Understanding value
- The seven wastes
- Sources of waste
- Value stream mapping
- Process improvement
Reading material
- To be provided on the Moodle website
Events and Submissions/Topic
- Lecture 3
- Tutorial 3
Module/Topic
LEAN THINKING AND PROJECT MANAGEMENT METHODOLOGIES
Chapter
Outline
- What is a project management methodology?
- Characteristics of project life cycles
- Project life cycle selection
- Overview of PMBOK and PRINCE2
Reading material
- To be provided on the Moodle website
Events and Submissions/Topic
- Lecture 4
- Tutorial 4
Module/Topic
AGILE PROJECT MANAGEMENT AND LEAN METHODOLOGIES
Chapter
Outline
- Agile vs traditional project management
- Agile principles
- Agile life cycles
- Agile methods
- Value stream mapping
Reading material
- To be provided on the Moodle website
Events and Submissions/Topic
- Lecture 5
- Tutorial 5
- Assessment 1 Due: Monday, Week 5
Assessment 1 - Case Study Due: Week 5 Monday (7 Aug 2023) 8:00 am AEST
Module/Topic
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
- Make-up classes may be scheduled during this week if necessary
Module/Topic
LEADERSHIP COMPETENCIES FOR LEAN PROJECT MANAGEMENT
Chapter
Outline
- The role of a project manager
- Competencies of a project manager
- Differences between leadership and management
- Leadership styles
- Conflict management
Reading material
- To be provided on the Moodle website
Events and Submissions/Topic
- Lecture 6
- Tutorial 6
Module/Topic
TEAM COMPETENCIES FOR AGILE PROJECT MANAGEMENT
Chapter
Outline
- Dynamics of team performance
- Situational leadership for teams
- Servant leader approach
- The role of a project manager in an Agile environment
- The role of a team member in an Agile environment
- Agile mindset
- Agile roles
- Agile techniques
Reading material
- To be provided on the Moodle website
Events and Submissions/Topic
- Lecture 7
- Tutorial 7
Module/Topic
PROJECT QUALITY MANAGEMENT TOOLS AND TECHNIQUES
Chapter
Outline
- What is quality?
- Quality management concepts
- The cost of quality
- Seven quality control tools
- The 5 Why's
- Kaizen events
- 5S technique
Reading material
- To be provided on the Moodle website
Events and Submissions/Topic
- Lecture 8
- Tutorial 8
Module/Topic
LEAN SIX SIGMA CONCEPTS AND APPLICATIONS
Chapter
Outline
- What is Lean Six Sigma?
- Six Sigma quality approach
- Principles of statistical quality control
- Lean Six Sigma journey
- A Lean tool: The Kanban system
Reading material
- To be provided on the Moodle website
Events and Submissions/Topic
- Lecture 9
- Tutorial 9
Module/Topic
Chapter
Outline
- What is OPM?
- Benefits of implementing OPM
- Organizational strategy and business change
- Organizational maturity and project success
- Best practices in OPM
- Readiness for implementing OPM
- OPM implementation framework
Reading material
- To be provided on the Moodle website
Events and Submissions/Topic
- Lecture 10
- Tutorial 10
Module/Topic
Chapter
Outline
- What is project risk?
- What is project risk management?
- Project risk management processes
- Risk management tools for Lean projects
Reading material
- To be provided on the Moodle website
Events and Submissions/Topic
- Lecture 11
- Tutorial 11
- Assessment 2: Friday, Week 11
Assessment 2 - Leadership competencies and management control systems for lean process capabilities Due: Week 11 Friday (29 Sept 2023) 11:59 pm AEST
Module/Topic
REVIEW OF PMBOK® GUIDE AND PRINCE2®
Chapter
Outline
- PM Process Groups in PMBOK
- PM Knowledge Areas in PMBOK
- ANSI Standard for Project management and PMBOK 7th Ed.
- PM Processes in PMBOK
- PM Principles in PRINCE2
- PM Themes in PRINCE2
- PM Processes in PRINCE2
Reading material
- To be provided on the Moodle website
Events and Submissions/Topic
- Lecture 12
- Tutorial 12
Module/Topic
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
- Assessment 3 (Quiz) Due: Friday, Review/Exam Week
Module/Topic
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
1 Written Assessment
This assessment is to be completed and submitted INDIVIDUALLY and equates to 40% of your overall grade.
Due: Monday of the Week 5
You will complete a Gemba Walk at your workplace. During the Gemba Walk, you will look to identify an opportunity for Lean Transformation in that environment, specifically by identifying a Lean Waste within a specific process within your organisation.
You will then create a case study (maximum four pages) using the knowledge you obtain from performing a Gemba Walk within your workplace that address the criteria noted below. The case study will be shared with others. Therefore, you will need to ensure that what is provided is appropriate and can be shared. Discuss with your tutor early if you believe you cannot produce a case study relating to your current workplace, for example, if you are not currently working.
Week 5 Monday (7 Aug 2023) 8:00 am AEST
As per CQU Assessment Policy and Procedure (Higher Education Coursework)
Your work will be assessed based on the quality, level of professionalism, thoroughness, consistency and proper application of tools/techniques thought in the unit. The allocated marks are as below:
The Case Study (Monday Week 5)
The criteria are to be read with the additional information provided on the Moodle site, for example, the Moodle site outlines in more specific detail what is to be included to address each criteria.
- An overview of the organisation (1.5 marks)
- Pre-Gemba Walk Management Meeting (3 marks)
- An explanation of the process you will be observing during your Gemba Walk (3.5 marks)
- A description of how you completed the Gemba Walk. (2 marks)
- Tools and Photos (4 marks)
- A description of the insights you gained during the Gemba Walk, including the specific 'Lean Waste' identified'. (6 marks)
- A description of the lean transformation project you propose to reduce or remove the lean waste identified. (6 marks)
- A discussion and justification of whether the lean transformation project should be managed with an Agile or Waterfall project management approach. (2 marks)
- A description of how you would manage the change necessary to implement the outputs of the Lean Transformation Project using the ADKAR change management model. (10 marks)
- The case study is professionally presented, including correct spelling and grammar, is a maximum of four pages, and is reflective of examples provided in that it is visually appealing and concise. (2 marks)
Please check the unit Moodle page for further details.
- Review lean transformation framework by explaining lean approaches, project lifecycle and change management
- Compare and contrast project management methodologies
- Knowledge
- Communication
- Cognitive, technical and creative skills
- Research
2 Written Assessment
Group submission (40 marks)
Due Friday, Week 11
Students will form into groups of four members to perform this assignment. Groups will be formed in the week 5 tutorial and will complete assessment questions in tutorials 6 and 7, therefore it is mandatory that you are present during these tutorials. Those who are not present during week 5 will be placed into groups by the tutor, it will be up to these students to make contact with their groups. You need to attend the tutorials to ensure that you are placed into a group and to work on tasks related to the assessment with your group members during the tutorials. Students who do not attend tutorials with relevant assessment tasks may miss out on the marks associated with that task in the assessment. As a group you will discuss the case studies the group members have each prepared. You will then decide on which case study your group will continue to work on using project prioritisation.
As a group you will apply relevant unit theory including Lean leadership and quality control to the case study you have prioritised and to your own experience of groupwork during the completion of the assessment. You will also use an Agile Tool to manage your group work to complete the assessment. You will be provided with a template to capture your process, responses and reflections. You must demonstrate critical reflection in linking relevant theory to the case study and your practical application of the Agile tool or technique whilst completing the assessment.
As the assessment contains both practical and theoretical elements it is important that you attend the tutorials to ensure that you understand assessment requirements to be able to demonstrate the concepts being assessed.
Week 11 Friday (29 Sept 2023) 11:59 pm AEST
Only one member of the group is to submit the assessment file.
As per CQU Assessment Policy and Procedure (Higher Education Coursework)
Your work will be assessed based on the quality, level of professionalism, thoroughness, consistency and proper application of tools/techniques thought in the unit.
The allocated marks are as below:
-
Assessment Criteria Marks Possible 1 Project Prioritisation
Weighted Matrix and discussion6 2 MS Teams Group Channel and Kanban Board 6 3 Photos of Kanban board 3 4 Lean Leadership Principles - Application to case study 5 5a Current State Value Stream Map 2 5b Future State Value Stream Map 2 5c Explanation of how the lean transformation would enable the shift from the current state to the future state value stream map. 2 6 Quality Control Tools for Lean 4 7 Reflective Practice
Reflection on leadership and your groupwork experience during this unit.10
- Examine leadership competencies for successful delivery of projects
- Determine management control systems for lean process capabilities
- Knowledge
- Communication
- Cognitive, technical and creative skills
- Research
- Ethical and Professional Responsibility
3 Online Quiz(zes)
This assessment item involves an online quiz.
You will be required to answer a set of questions related to all the learning outcomes of this unit. The quiz will be based on the knowledge gained throughout the term. For you to complete the quiz, it is necessary for you to complete all learning activities prescribed in this unit.
- Only one attempt is allowed.
- The quiz is an open-book test.
- The quiz must be completed within the given timeframe.
- The quiz will be available for 48 hours on the Moodle website.
- There will be 40 questions (a combination of multiple-choice and true/false questions).
- There will be a time limit of 60 minutes to complete the quiz. Your quiz will automatically be submitted after 60 minutes.
- The quiz covers the content from week 1 to 12 (lectures, tutorials, readings, etc.).
- Questions will be drawn from a pool of 450 questions. When you attempt the quiz, 40 questions will be randomly selected and displayed. It is very unlikely that two students will see the same questions.
- You can attempt the quiz at any location, provided you have access to Moodle website.
- It is your responsibility to use a reliable internet connection to attempt the quiz.
1
The quiz opens on Thursday at 9:00 AM AEST and closes at 5:00 AM AEST on Friday during the Exam Week.
The online quiz will be marked by the Moodle computer program upon submission. Marks will be released after the quiz has been closed.
Each question carries equal marks, and there are no penalties for wrong answers.
- Review lean transformation framework by explaining lean approaches, project lifecycle and change management
- Compare and contrast project management methodologies
- Examine leadership competencies for successful delivery of projects
- Determine management control systems for lean process capabilities
- Explain the processes and techniques to acquire, develop and manage project teams.
- Knowledge
- Communication
- Cognitive, technical and creative skills
- Research
- Ethical and Professional Responsibility
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?
