CQUniversity Unit Profile
PPMP20011 Contract and Procurement Management
Contract and Procurement Management
All details in this unit profile for PPMP20011 have been officially approved by CQUniversity and represent a learning partnership between the University and you (our student).
The information will not be changed unless absolutely necessary and any change will be clearly indicated by an approved correction included in the profile.
General Information

Overview

This Contract and Procurement Management unit will equip you with the knowledge, skills and techniques required for acquiring external products, results and services to meet the needs of the company and to achieve the project goals. It also offers you the opportunity to identify, apply and develop different negotiation strategies as well as assessing and responding to the potential risks encountered during the procurement. You will study contract types, procurement standards, legal and ethical aspects of commercial contracts as well as project tendering and awarding. On successful completion of this unit, you will have the capacity to apply the appropriate practices for managing contracts, conflicts, delays, claim and disputes.

Details

Career Level: Postgraduate
Unit Level: Level 9
Credit Points: 6
Student Contribution Band: 10
Fraction of Full-Time Student Load: 0.125

Pre-requisites or Co-requisites

Co- requisites: (PPMP20007, PPMP20008)

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 - 2019

Brisbane
Melbourne
Online
Perth
Sydney

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).

Class and Assessment Overview

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

Bundaberg, Cairns, Emerald, Gladstone, Mackay, Rockhampton, Townsville
Adelaide, Brisbane, Melbourne, Perth, Sydney

Assessment Overview

1. Online Quiz(zes)
Weighting: 15%
2. Practical Assessment
Weighting: 35%
3. Examination
Weighting: 50%

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.

Previous Student Feedback

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 Evaluation Through Moodle Site

Feedback

The lecturer was really good and has extensive knowledge in the subject he was able to explain everything with real-life experience. Enjoyed the lecture. Gained a really good knowledge about procurement management. Assignments were designed really well to question our learning experience.

Recommendation

Keep the assessment task related to real-life case studies and simulates real situations.

Feedback from Evaluation Through Moodle Site

Feedback

The update of the unit resources has positively impacted students' learning.

Recommendation

Keep the changes to ensure good students' engagement.

Feedback from Evaluation Through Moodle Site

Feedback

Students highly admired the practical experience they got through explaining the unit content using real case studies, examples and personal experience. The best thing is practical knowledge.

Recommendation

Keep the unit content presenting real-life examples and explain the content through real case studies.

Feedback from Email, staff

Feedback

Great efforts was made to develop the unit content including more focus on real case studies.

Recommendation

More refinement may be needed to match the lectures' time.

Unit Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of this unit, you will be able to:
  1. Demonstrate an integrative understanding of the key theories and concepts underpinning buyer-contractor relationships as well as the concepts of project contracts and procurement standards
  2. Analyse different commercial negotiation strategies and demonstrate an ability to creatively negotiate project plans, conflicts, delays and incentives in commercial projects
  3. Employ risk management planning and identification, and assess the risk encountered over the procurement process
  4. Negotiate and analyse the principles of tendering, pricing and awarding techniques and to utilise the negotiation approaches in commercial contracts
  5. Evaluate and develop clear legal, financial and technical components of project contracts
  6. Develop a project budget and an expenditure forecast as control mechanisms and link time, cost and resources to the project framework.

The unit contributes to the required number of academic study units for students wishing to undertake profession certification with the Project Management Institute's (PMI) professional qualifications, such as CAPM or PMP.

Alignment of Learning Outcomes, Assessment and Graduate Attributes
N/A Level
Introductory Level
Intermediate Level
Graduate Level
Professional Level
Advanced Level

Alignment of Assessment Tasks to Learning Outcomes

Assessment Tasks Learning Outcomes
1 2 3 4 5 6
1 - Online Quiz(zes) - 15%
2 - Practical Assessment - 35%
3 - Examination - 50%

Alignment of Graduate Attributes to Learning Outcomes

Graduate Attributes Learning Outcomes
1 2 3 4 5 6
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 - Online Quiz(zes) - 15%
2 - Practical Assessment - 35%
3 - Examination - 50%
Textbooks and Resources

Textbooks

There are no required textbooks.

IT Resources

You will need access to the following IT resources:
  • CQUniversity Student Email
  • Internet
  • Unit Website (Moodle)
  • online database Emrald and Scince direct for journal articles
  • CQUniversity Library Resources
  • Textbook and Videos - available for download via the course Moodle site or Online
Referencing Style

All submissions for this unit must use the referencing style: Harvard (author-date)

For further information, see the Assessment Tasks.

Teaching Contacts
Ghulam Chaudhry Unit Coordinator
g.chaudhry@cqu.edu.au
Schedule
Week 1 Begin Date: 11 Nov 2019

Module/Topic

Introduction to Procurement

Chapter

Readings:

  • Chapter 1: Project Procurement Management by Q W Fleming; 2008
  • Chapter 12: PMBOK Guide; 6th Edition; 2017
  • Chapter 19: Project Management: A Systems Approach to Planning, Scheduling, and Controlling by H Kerzner, 2017
  • Chapter 4: UN Procurement Practitioner's Handbook; 2017
  • Chapter 2: The Strategic Procurement Practice Guide by U Weigel & M Ruecker, 2017

Topics:

  • Introduction to procurement
  • Main activities in procurement
  • Procurement phases
  • Procurement management plan
  • Procurement strategies

Events and Submissions/Topic

Unit Overview

Lecture 1

Tutorial 1

Week 2 Begin Date: 18 Nov 2019

Module/Topic

Procurement Routes - I


Chapter

Readings:

  • Chapter 4: Building Procurement Methods, CRC Construction Innovation; 2008
  • Chapter 2: Collaborative Project Procurement Arrangements by D Walker & B Walker; 2015
  • Chapter 12: PMBOK Guide; 6th Edition; 2017

Topics:

  • Introduction to procurement routes
  • Selection criteria for procurement routes
  • Design - Bid - Build (Traditional) route
  • Design - Build (Integrated) route
  • Management (Packaged) route
  • Comparison of procurement routes
  • How to procure and contract

Events and Submissions/Topic

Lecture 2

Tutorial 2

Week 3 Begin Date: 25 Nov 2019

Module/Topic

Procurement Routes - II

Chapter

Readings:

Topics:

  • Collaborative procurement routes
  • Multi Prime Contracting
  • Design Sequencing
  • Public Private Partnerships
  • Alliancing
  • Joint Ventures

Events and Submissions/Topic

Lecture 3

Tutorial 3

Week 4 Begin Date: 02 Dec 2019

Module/Topic

Contracts and Contracting Principles


Chapter

Readings:

  • Chapter 7: UN Procurement Practitioner's Handbook; 2017
  • Chapter 19: Project Management: A Systems Approach to Planning, Scheduling, and Controlling by H Kerzner, 2017
  • Chapter 6: Project Procurement Management by Q W Fleming; 2008
  • Chapter 5: MacRoberts on Scottish Construction Contracts, 3rd Ed, 2015
  • Chapter 5: The Procurement and Supply Manager's Desk Reference by J Semanik and F Sollish; 2nd Edition; 2012

Topics:

  • Introduction to contracts
  • Contracting strategies
  • Fixed price contracts
  • Cost reimbursable contracts
  • Change orders in contracts
  • Client-contractor relationships
  • Risks in contracting

Events and Submissions/Topic

Lecture 4

Tutorial 4

Release of Practical Assessment (35%)

Vacation Week Begin Date: 09 Dec 2019

Module/Topic

Mid Term Break

Chapter


Events and Submissions/Topic


Week 5 Begin Date: 16 Dec 2019

Module/Topic

Risks in Procurement

Chapter

Readings:

  • Chapter 6: The Strategic Procurement Practice Guide by U Weigel & M Ruecker; 2017
  • Chapter 5: Project Procurement Management Q W Fleming; 2008
  • Chapter 3: UN Procurement Practitioner's Handbook; 2017

Topics:

  • Main risks in procurement
  • Managing procurement risks
  • Risk management plan
  • Identifying procurement risks
  • Assessing and analysing procurement risks
  • Controlling and mitigating procurement risks

Events and Submissions/Topic

Lecture 5

Tutorial 5

Week 6 Begin Date: 23 Dec 2019

Module/Topic

Change Orders, ClaimsDisputes and Resolutions

Chapter

Readings:

  • Chapter 7: UN Procurement Practitioner's Handbook; 2017
  • Chapter 10: Dispute Resolution in Australia: Cases, Commentary and Materials by D Spencer and S Hardy, 2009

Topics:

  • Change orders (variations)
  • Development of change orders
  • Sources of claims
  • Development of claims
  • Minimising claims
  • Causes of disputes
  • Dispute resolution methods

Events and Submissions/Topic

Lecture 6

Tutorial 6

Quiz # 1

Week 7 Begin Date: 06 Jan 2020

Module/Topic

Cost Estimation and Budgeting

Chapter

Readings:

  • Chapter 2 & 3: Cost Estimating Manual for Projects: USA Department of Transportation; 2015
  • Chapter 7: The Strategic Procurement Practice Guide by U Weigel & M Ruecker; 2017
  • Project budgeting: The key to bringing business projects on-time and on-budget by Scotto, M. (1994). Project Management Journal, 25(1), p. 35–42.

Topics:

  • Project cost estimation
  • Cost estimation methods
  • Factors affecting the cost estimates
  • Project budgeting
  • Elements of project budget
  • Developing and establishing project budget
  • Evaluating project budget

Events and Submissions/Topic

Lecture 7

Tutorial 7


Week 8 Begin Date: 13 Jan 2020

Module/Topic

Tendering, Bidding and Contract Awarding

Chapter

Readings:

  • Chapter 6: UN Procurement Practitioner's Handbook; 2017
  • Chapter 12: PMBOK Guide; 6th Edition; 2017
  • Chapter 1: Methods of Contractor Selection, Bidding and Construction; University Of California (Website).

Topics:

  • Introduction to tendering
  • Tendering and bidding process
  • Invitation for tenders
  • Submission and opening of bids
  • Technical and financial evaluation of bids
  • Assessment of best combined offer
  • Contract awarding

Events and Submissions/Topic

Lecture 8

Tutorial 8


Week 9 Begin Date: 20 Jan 2020

Module/Topic

Negotiations in Procurement

Chapter

Readings:

  • Chapter 8: The Purchasing Negotiation, The Strategic Procurement Practice Guide by U Weigel & M Ruecker; 2017
  • Negotiation for Procurement Professionals by J O'Brien; 2nd Edition, 2016
  • Chapter 3: The Procurement and Supply Manager's Desk Reference by J Semanik and F Sollish; 2nd Edition, 2012

Topics:

  • Introduction and principles of negotiation
  • Process and structure of negotiation
  • Effective negotiation (BATNA and ZOPA)
  • Negotiation strategies
  • Conflict resolution through negotiation
  • Negotiating with powerful suppliers

Events and Submissions/Topic

Lecture 9

Tutorial 9



Week 10 Begin Date: 27 Jan 2020

Module/Topic

Outsourcing

Chapter

Readings:

  • Chapter 9: Design and Managing Supply Chain: Concepts, Strategies and Case Studies by Levi et al. 2008

Topics:

  • Introduction to outsourcing
  • Benefits of outsourcing
  • Problems with outsourcing
  • Types of outsourcing
  • Supply matrix and strategies
  • Risks in outsourcing
  • Ethics in outsourcing

Events and Submissions/Topic

Lecture 10

Tutorial 10


Written Report + Presentation Due: Week 10 Friday (31 Jan 2020) 11:45 pm AEST
Week 11 Begin Date: 03 Feb 2020

Module/Topic

Ethics in Procurement

Chapter

Readings:

  • Chapter 15: Dispute Resolution in Australia: Cases, Commentary and Materials by D Spencer and S Hardy; 2009
  • Chapter 2: UN Procurement Practitioner's Handbook; 2017

Topics:

  • Ethics in procurement
  • Ethical principles in procurement
  • Types of unethical behaviours
  • Ethical issues during procurement stages
  • Ethical issues in contract management
  • Spiral of ethical risks
  • Detection and prevention of unethical practices

Events and Submissions/Topic

Lecture 11

Tutorial 11

Group Presentations

Quiz # 2

Week 12 Begin Date: 10 Feb 2020

Module/Topic

Emerging Trends in Procurement: Sustainable Procurement

Chapter

Readings:
  • Sustainable Procurement Guide: Department of the Environment and Energy, Australia; 2018
  • Chapter 13 & 14: UN Procurement Practitioner's Handbook; 2017
Topics:
  • Introduction to sustainable procurement
  • Principles of procuring sustainability
  • Concepts in sustainable development
  • Benefits of sustainable procurement
  • Policy context of Australian Government

Events and Submissions/Topic

Lecture 12

Tutorial 12

Group Presentations

Revision & Exam Preparation

Exam Week Begin Date: 17 Feb 2020

Module/Topic

Final Exam

Chapter

Events and Submissions/Topic

Assessment Tasks

1 Online Quiz(zes)

Assessment Title
Online Quizzes

Task Description

  • There will be two quizzes (Week 6 & 11) and you are required to complete both quizzes which will consist of a series of multiple-choice questions.
  • Quiz 1 will consist of questions related to the topics covered in the first 5 weeks.
  • Quiz 2 will consist of questions related to the topics covered during Weeks 6-10.
  • Each quiz will be available from Monday 09:00 AM to Friday 11.45 PM AEST on the Moodle website.
  • The primary purpose of this assessment item is to help you identify factors associated with contract and procurement management.
  • The secondary purpose of this assessment is to give you the opportunity to enhance your analysis and critical thinking skills.


Number of Quizzes

2


Frequency of Quizzes

Other


Assessment Due Date

Each quiz must be completed within its allocated time frame.


Return Date to Students

This assignment will be marked by the Moodle computer program upon submission.


Weighting
15%

Assessment Criteria

  • There will be multiple-choice questions in each quiz which will be randomly selected from a pool of questions from the related topics.
  • You may attempt each quiz twice, but your average score will apply.
  • You will have forty (40) minutes each time you attempt the quiz.


Referencing Style

Submission
Online

Submission Instructions
Online Submission

Learning Outcomes Assessed
  • Demonstrate an integrative understanding of the key theories and concepts underpinning buyer-contractor relationships as well as the concepts of project contracts and procurement standards
  • Employ risk management planning and identification, and assess the risk encountered over the procurement process
  • Negotiate and analyse the principles of tendering, pricing and awarding techniques and to utilise the negotiation approaches in commercial contracts


Graduate Attributes
  • Knowledge
  • Cognitive, technical and creative skills
  • Self-management
  • Ethical and Professional Responsibility

2 Practical Assessment

Assessment Title
Written Report + Presentation

Task Description

This is a group assignment for on-campus students (maximum 3 students in a group) whereas distance (off-campus) students will complete this assignment individually with a reduced assignment scope. The assessment will contain a case study from a real world context for a multi component project along with the description and scope of the work involved. The case study will be provided on the Moodle website.

You are required to submit a written report considering the following tasks:

  • Critically analyse and advise on the most suitable procurement route for the case study (sub-projects). You will be given the characteristics of the client, information such as givens, constraints, conditions and available resources for each sub-project.
  • Justify the chosen procurement route and explain why it is suitable to make the project successful. 
  • Advise on the best suitable contractual agreements for parties involved to compliment the procurement option.
  • If you were to propose a contract type, discuss the risks associated and the key components which must be covered in the selected contract.
  • Estimate the required budget for the sub-projects.
  • As a procurement officer, you need to highlight your main concessions to perform procurement process of the assigned resources.
  • Your report should include thorough analysis with supporting evidence and discussion.


Assessment Due Date

Week 10 Friday (31 Jan 2020) 11:45 pm AEST

Written Report (Word format) and Presentation (Powerpoint format) files must be submitted in Moodle and Oral Presentation to be given as per the tasks description above.


Return Date to Students

Week 12 Friday (14 Feb 2020)


Weighting
35%

Assessment Criteria

Overview:

The assessment has two parts:

Written report (25%)

  • The report should be of 4000 words +- 5% (excluding references and appendices).

Oral presentation (10%)

  • Presentation should follow a similar structure as per your written report.
  • Presentations will be held during the tutorial classes in Week 11 & 12 for on-campus students (via Zoom/Phone for Distance students).
  • Presentations will be of 15 minutes duration plus 5 minutes for Q&A.
  • Presentations will be graded based on the individual performance at the presentation.

The report will be assessed based on the quality of the work presented, the details and the coherent analysis with the proper justifications of the proposed procurement routes, contract types and the associated risks.

Your submission should extend beyond the unit materials and you are requested to use available online resources and any additional relevant information and will be assessed according to the following criteria.

Written report (25% scaled)

  • Understanding and analysis of the case study and applying the concepts of contract and procurement strategies (10%)
  • Critical analysis and evaluation of the procurement routes which includes detailed description of why specific route was selected in each case (30%)
  • Critical analysis and evaluation of the contract types which includes detailed description of why specific contract was selected in each case (20%)
  • Identification, analysis and assessment of the risks associated in each approach (15%)
  • Mapping the factors and characteristics of each sub-project with the factors to be considered for the best procurement strategy (5%)
  • Developing appropriate budget for the assigned tasks and required resources (5%)
  • Applying suitable negotiation strategies, particularly BATNA (5%)
  • Clarity of expression, language, format, presentation, in-text citations and references (10%)

Oral presentation (10% scaled)

  • Preparation and consistency of presentation (10%)
  • Understanding and relevance of the presentation content (50%)
  • Response to questions during Q&A (30%)
  • Timing including Q&A (5%)
  • Presentation manner (5%)


Referencing Style

Submission
Online Group

Submission Instructions
Only one member from a group should upload the submission but all group members must give presentation.

Learning Outcomes Assessed
  • Demonstrate an integrative understanding of the key theories and concepts underpinning buyer-contractor relationships as well as the concepts of project contracts and procurement standards
  • Analyse different commercial negotiation strategies and demonstrate an ability to creatively negotiate project plans, conflicts, delays and incentives in commercial projects
  • Employ risk management planning and identification, and assess the risk encountered over the procurement process
  • Evaluate and develop clear legal, financial and technical components of project contracts
  • Develop a project budget and an expenditure forecast as control mechanisms and link time, cost and resources to the project framework.


Graduate Attributes
  • Knowledge
  • Communication
  • Cognitive, technical and creative skills
  • Research

Examination

Outline
Complete an invigilated examination

Date
During the examination period at a CQUniversity examination centre

Weighting
50%

Length
180 minutes

Minimum mark or grade
40%

Exam Conditions
Closed Book

Materials
Dictionary - non-electronic, concise, direct translation only (dictionary must not contain any notes or comments).
Calculator - non-programmable, no text retrieval, silent only
Academic Integrity Statement

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?