CQUniversity Unit Profile
PPMP20012 Program and Portfolio Management Information Systems
Program and Portfolio Management Information Systems
All details in this unit profile for PPMP20012 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

The unit introduces you to systems thinking, systems engineering and systems management principles, concepts, tools and techniques for project, program and portfolio managers (PPPM). Systems thinking offers you a powerful perspective to help design clever and enduring solutions. In your study, you will learn how to effectively apply systems engineering and systems management to organise complex projects. You will also identify the implementation of systems to create outputs and manage information flows. You will study contemporary developments in PPPM using international software, standards and knowledge bases as well as modelling and simulation techniques. As a consequence of managing PPPM information, you will be able to support effective knowledge management and decision making in an organisation.

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

Pre-Requisite Units: PPMP20007 & PPMP20009

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 1 - 2023

Brisbane
Melbourne
Online
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. Portfolio
Weighting: 35%
2. Written Assessment
Weighting: 30%
3. Online Quiz(zes)
Weighting: 10%
4. Online Test
Weighting: 25%

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 Student evaluation survey

Feedback

Assessment feedback should be provided early.

Recommendation

- Tutors and lecturers emphasise that their comments in the group discussion activity in the weekly tutorial are assessment feedback. - In Assignment 1 (biweekly portfolio submission on Moodle forum from week 2-10), the course coordinator summarises the student responses and gives some hints weekly.

Feedback from Student evaluation survey, student comment during the class

Feedback

Limited learning support. The course is about portfolio management information systems but there are not any applications and software to use.

Recommendation

- The lectures and tutorials will provide students with templates, examples about portfolio management and also introduce different software and applications for practice.

Feedback from Assessment calendar

Feedback

Overloaded at the end of the semester There are 4 assessments in total. Assessment 1: consolidated portfolio submission (early week 10) - 35% Assessment 2: Quiz (week 6) - 10% Assessment 3: group report (week 11) - 30% Assessment 4: Online test (Exam week either week 13 or 14) - 25%. Starting from week 9, students would be overloaded with the amount of the assignment submission while the tutors would also be overloaded with the marking.

Recommendation

- The new proposal will exclude the online exam ( assessment 4- 25%) as online exams no longer align with recommendations from the CQU Renew.

Unit Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of this unit, you will be able to:
  1. Apply fundamental principles of system thinking to project, program and portfolio management
  2. Demonstrate the use of system thinking tools and techniques to solve complex problems
  3. Discuss contemporary developments and the importance of project, program and portfolio application systems
  4. Explain the importance for project management application systems to enable knowledge management and decision making
  5. Evaluate the importance of project management application systems to monitor performance and manage change across projects, programs and portfolios.

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
1 - Portfolio - 35%
2 - Written Assessment - 30%
3 - Online Quiz(zes) - 10%
4 - Online Test - 25%

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 - Portfolio - 35%
2 - Written Assessment - 30%
3 - Online Quiz(zes) - 10%
4 - Online Test - 25%
Textbooks and Resources

Textbooks

Prescribed

The standard for portfolio management

Edition: 4th edn (2017)
Authors: Project management institute (PMI)
Project Management Institute (PMI)
ISBN: 9781628253962
Binding: eBook
Prescribed

The standard for program management

Edition: 4th edn (2017)
Authors: Project management institute (PMI)
Project management institute (PMI)
ISBN: 9781628251968
Binding: eBook

IT Resources

You will need access to the following IT resources:
  • CQUniversity Student Email
  • Internet
  • Unit Website (Moodle)
  • Basic project management software such as MS Project
Referencing Style

All submissions for this unit must use the referencing style: American Psychological Association 7th Edition (APA 7th edition)

For further information, see the Assessment Tasks.

Teaching Contacts
Thao Trinh Unit Coordinator
p.trinh@cqu.edu.au
Schedule
Week 1 Begin Date: 06 Mar 2023

Module/Topic

Overview of Program and Portfolio Management

Chapter

Readings
  • The standard for Portfolio Management (PMI) - 4th edition - Chapter 1
  • The Standard for Program Management (PMI) - 4th edition - Chapter 1,2

Additional readings, case studies, youtube videos, etc. will be provided on Moodle.

Events and Submissions/Topic

Unit Introduction

Lecture 1

Tutorial 1


Week 2 Begin Date: 13 Mar 2023

Module/Topic

Program and Portfolio Strategic Management

Chapter

Readings:
  • The standard for Portfolio Management (PMI) - 4th edition - Chapter 3
  • The Standard for Program Management (PMI) - 4th edition - Chapter 3

Additional readings, case studies, youtube videos, etc. will be provided on Moodle.

Events and Submissions/Topic

Lecture 2

Tutorial 2


Week 3 Begin Date: 20 Mar 2023

Module/Topic

System Thinking in Program and Portfolio Management

Chapter

Readings:
Additional readings, case studies, youtube videos, etc. will be provided on Moodle.

Events and Submissions/Topic

Lecture 3

Tutorial 3

Team setting for assessment 2 (group assessment) needs to be finalized by week 3.


Week 4 Begin Date: 27 Mar 2023

Module/Topic

Program and Portfolio Life Cycle Management

Chapter

Readings:
  • The standard for Portfolio Management (PMI) - 4th edition - Chapter 2
  • The Standard for Program Management (PMI) - 4th edition - Chapter 7

Additional readings, case studies, youtube videos, etc. will be provided on Moodle.

Events and Submissions/Topic

Lecture 4

Tutorial 4

Assessment 1 - Portfolio part 1: Forum discussion due

Week 5 Begin Date: 03 Apr 2023

Module/Topic

Program and Portfolio Governance

Chapter

Readings:
  • The standard for Portfolio Management (PMI) - 4th edition - Chapter 4
  • The Standard for Program Management (PMI) - 4th edition - Chapter 6

Additional readings, case studies, youtube videos, etc. will be provided on Moodle.

Events and Submissions/Topic

Lecture 5

Tutorial 5


Vacation Week Begin Date: 10 Apr 2023

Module/Topic

Chapter

Events and Submissions/Topic

Week 6 Begin Date: 17 Apr 2023

Module/Topic

Program and Portfolio Management Information Systems

Chapter

Readings:
  • The standard for Portfolio Management (PMI) - 4th edition - Chapter 2, Section 2.4
Additional readings, case studies, youtube videos, etc. will be provided on Moodle.

Events and Submissions/Topic

Lecture 6

Tutorial 6

Assessment 3- Online quiz (10%) (during tutorial 6 for on-campus students)


Online Quiz Due: Week 6 Friday (21 Apr 2023) 11:45 pm AEST
Week 7 Begin Date: 24 Apr 2023

Module/Topic

Portfolio Performance Management

Chapter

Readings:
  • The standard for Portfolio Management (PMI) - 4th edition - Chapter 5 & 7
Additional readings, case studies, youtube videos, etc. will be provided on Moodle.

Events and Submissions/Topic

Lecture 7

Tutorial 7

 Assessment 1 - Portfolio part 2: Forum discussion due

Week 8 Begin Date: 01 May 2023

Module/Topic

Program and Portfolio Communication Management

Chapter

Readings:
  • The standard for Portfolio Management (PMI) - 4th edition - Chapter 6
Additional readings, case studies, youtube videos, etc. will be provided on Moodle.

Events and Submissions/Topic

Lecture 8

Tutorial 8


Week 9 Begin Date: 08 May 2023

Module/Topic

Program and Portfolio Risk Management 

Chapter

Readings:
  • The standard for Portfolio Management (PMI) - 4th edition - Chapter 3
  • The Standard for Program Management (PMI) - 4th edition - Chapter 8

Additional readings, case studies, youtube videos, etc. will be provided on Moodle.

Events and Submissions/Topic

Lecture 9

Tutorial 9

Assessment 1 - Consolidated portfolio ( consists of part 1 and part 2) submission (35%)


Portfolio Due: Week 9 Friday (12 May 2023) 11:45 pm AEST
Week 10 Begin Date: 15 May 2023

Module/Topic

Portfolio Value Management

Chapter

Readings:
  • The standard for Portfolio Management (PMI) - 4th edition - Chapter 7
  • The Standard for Program Management (PMI) - 4th edition - Chapter 4

Additional readings, case studies, youtube videos, etc. will be provided on Moodle.

Events and Submissions/Topic

Lecture 10

Tutorial 10


Week 11 Begin Date: 22 May 2023

Module/Topic

Program Management Activities

Chapter

Readings:
  • The Standard for Program Management (PMI) - 4th edition - Chapter 8

Additional readings, case studies, youtube videos, etc. will be provided on Moodle.

Events and Submissions/Topic

Lecture 11

Tutorial 11


Assessment 2 submission (30%)


Portfolio management plan Due: Week 11 Friday (26 May 2023) 11:45 pm AEST
Week 12 Begin Date: 29 May 2023

Module/Topic

Advanced Topics in Program and Portfolio Management

Chapter

Optional readings will be provided on Moodle.

Events and Submissions/Topic

Lecture 12

Tutorial 12


Review/Exam Week Begin Date: 05 Jun 2023

Module/Topic

Chapter

Events and Submissions/Topic

Assessment 4 - Online test (25%)


Online Test Due: Review/Exam Week Friday (9 June 2023) 11:45 pm AEST
Exam Week Begin Date: 12 Jun 2023

Module/Topic

Chapter

Events and Submissions/Topic

Term Specific Information

Unit coordinator: Dr. Thao Trinh (p.trinh@cqu.edu.au)

Assessment Tasks

1 Portfolio

Assessment Title
Portfolio

Task Description

This is an individual assignment that is worth 35% of the unit marks.

You are required to complete questions & activities and summarise them to provide a consolidated portfolio. Your portfolio will provide an account of your learning based on your practice and your critical reflection.

Purpose

The primary purpose of this assessment item is to help the students:

  • To demonstrate an advanced understanding of knowledge and skills that include recent, global developments within the area of program and portfolio management and their applications in professional practice.
  • To develop the capability to investigate, research, analyse, and synthesise complex information, problems, concepts, and theories and to apply established theories to program and portfolio management practice.

Task

This assessment item has two parts: 1) Discussion on Moodle forum, and 2) Consolidated portfolio report

(1) Discussion on Moodle forum:

In a designated week, one topic related to the weekly lectures will be posted on the Moodle forum for discussion. The topics will be specified and posted on the Moodle forum by the end of week 3 and week 6

  • You are expected to contribute to the topic discussion posted on Moodle forum by Friday 11:45 PM AEST of the following week (Week 4 and week 7 respectively).
  • Each topic's forum discussion will be closed and will not receive new posts from students after the deadline.
  • You can either start a new thread or comment on an existing one.
  • A response may extend, support, or challenge the post of another student, and your position should be supported with evidence. You may respond many times as necessary to elaborate your arguments. 
  • Near the end of the term, you will consolidate your responses into a single document which becomes your consolidated portfolio for submission.
  • The discussion on the Moodle forum focuses on providing and exchanging ideas among students and will not require academic writing.
  • A minimum of 150 words is expected in each discussion. 

(2) Consolidated Portfolio Report

  • The consolidated portfolio must be submitted as a single document (Word file).
  • The evidence of the forum participation should form an appendix to the consolidated portfolio and is marked.
  • The consolidated portfolio submission should comprehensively discuss the topics on the Moodle forum, while arguments are supported with quality evidence. Academic writing is required including the appropriate referencing. The discussion in the consolidated portfolio may be different from the initial response on the Moodle forum. This reflects the progressiveness nature of learning. 

In summary, the consolidated portfolio consists of 3 sections:

  • The final discussion of the forum questions 
  • Your reflection on these learning activities
  • Evidence of the forum participation & references. 

The marking is done on the consolidated portfolio report. The word limit is 2000 words +/- 10%. 

Referencing

  • Ensuring you have accurate references is important and will allow the marker to easily identify where your portfolio maps to the unit or other peer-reviewed material.
  • Referencing should be made according to CQU’s APA referencing guide. To locate the guide then Google “CQU APA referencing” and download the PDF file for the current year.
  • You will be able to obtain maximum marks when your work contains a critical analysis of topics followed by proper referencing and proficient academic writing.


Assessment Due Date

Week 9 Friday (12 May 2023) 11:45 pm AEST


Return Date to Students

Feedback on each bi-weekly portfolio will be provided in the next tutorial session. Feedback would be general rather than specific to an individual. Written feedback on the consolidated portfolio would be provided.


Weighting
35%

Assessment Criteria

Your assignment will be assessed on the extent and quality to which it meets each of the following criteria.

  1. Forum discussion participation with posts that are relevant to the discussion topic and demonstrate an understanding of the topic, comments are appropriate, thoughtful, reflective, and respectful of others' postings (20%)
  2. Quality and appropriateness of the response to questions that demonstrate arguments supported by evidence (40%)
  3. Quality and appropriateness of the student's reflection (25%)
  4. Clarity of expression, grammar, and spelling (5%)
  5. Strict conformity to CQUniversity Australia APA Referencing Guide (author-date) (5%)
  6. Appropriate presentation and formatting (5%)


Referencing Style

Submission
Online

Submission Instructions
Submission instructions will be provided on the Moodle website

Learning Outcomes Assessed
  • Apply fundamental principles of system thinking to project, program and portfolio management
  • Discuss contemporary developments and the importance of project, program and portfolio application systems


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

2 Written Assessment

Assessment Title
Portfolio management plan

Task Description

This is a group assignment that is worth 30% of the unit marks. You are required to propose a portfolio management plan that would realise a company’s strategic objective.

Purpose

  • The primary purpose of this assessment item is to help you to be able to apply systems thinking in coming up with a comprehensive solution to a complex problem in a business case.
  • Secondly, this assessment aims to provide you with the ability to apply portfolio management principles, practices, tools, and portfolio management information systems in prioritising and selecting portfolio components and planning portfolio management.
  • Finally, this assignment aims to give you the opportunity to enhance your teamwork, analysis, critical thinking, and written communication skills; particularly in the areas of argument development and academic writing.


Tasks

  • Form a group comprising 3-5 students in consultation with your tutor.
  • Select a specific strategic objective in an organization. Details of the organization will be provided in the assignment description on the Moodle website.
  • Propose a portfolio management plan to manage the portfolio implementation using systems thinking tools and techniques that might aid project managers to propose a portfolio and its components (i.e. related projects and programs) that will potentially realise a strategic objective in this organization.
  • The portfolio management plan must consist of all components as stated in the assignment description on the Moodle website.
  • You will also need to demonstrate the application of project management information systems (e.g. Microsoft Portfolio Management, Asana, Jira, Monday.com, etc.) in managing this project.
  • Due to the nature of the assessment, there is a loose word limit suggestion of 4000 words +/- 10%. 


Assessment Due Date

Week 11 Friday (26 May 2023) 11:45 pm AEST


Return Date to Students

Assessment marks and feedback will be released approximately 2 weeks after submission.


Weighting
30%

Assessment Criteria

  • A well-developed content with all the components of the portfolio management plan as required (50%)
  • A demonstration of thorough knowledge and application of relevant program and portfolio management principles, concepts, system thinking methods and theories in designing the solution (20%)
  • Evidence of using project management information systems in managing the project (5%)
  • Evidence of group work effort and individual contribution of each member (5%)
  • Appropriate and well structured, concise, and clear expression of arguments in response to the assessment task (5%)
  • A clear flow of thought and purpose is described in the introduction. (5%)
  • A critical review and integration of relevant academic and professional literature which strictly conforms to the CQUniversity Australia APA Referencing Guide (5%)
  • Clarity of expression, grammar, and spelling, appropriate presentation format (5%)


Referencing Style

Submission
Online

Submission Instructions
Submission instructions will be provided on the Moodle website

Learning Outcomes Assessed
  • Demonstrate the use of system thinking tools and techniques to solve complex problems
  • Explain the importance for project management application systems to enable knowledge management and decision making


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

3 Online Quiz(zes)

Assessment Title
Online Quiz

Task Description

This assessment item involves an online quiz which is worth 10% of the unit marks.

The quiz will evaluate your knowledge and understanding of topics and material covered in the first 5 weeks of this unit.

  • You may attempt the quiz twice and your highest score will be counted.
  • The quiz access link will be on the Moodle website.
  • On-campus students would complete the quiz during the tutorial week 6. Online students would be given specific timeline to access the quiz.
  • The quiz is administered in the respective tutorial classes under supervision of the tutor.
  • Being absent from the quiz without an approved request for an extension would result in Zero mark.
  • The quiz must be completed within the given timeframe while the quiz is open.
  • There will be ten (10) questions (a combination of multiple-choice and true/false questions).
  • There will be a time limit of 20 minutes to complete the quiz. Your quiz will automatically be submitted after 20 minutes.
  • The quiz will cover the content from week 1 to 5 (lectures, tutorials, readings, etc.).
  • When you attempt the quiz, the questions will be randomly selected from a pool of questions and displayed to you. 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 and uninterrupted internet connection to attempt the quiz.


Number of Quizzes

2


Frequency of Quizzes

Other


Assessment Due Date

Week 6 Friday (21 Apr 2023) 11:45 pm AEST


Return Date to Students

Students will be able to see their marks once the quiz has been closed.


Weighting
10%

Assessment Criteria

  • The quiz will consist of ten (10) questions.
  • Each question will carry equal marks (1 mark).
  • There will be no penalty for wrong answers.
  • You may attempt the quiz twice and your highest score will be counted.


Referencing Style

Submission
Online

Learning Outcomes Assessed
  • Apply fundamental principles of system thinking to project, program and portfolio management
  • Demonstrate the use of system thinking tools and techniques to solve complex problems


Graduate Attributes
  • Knowledge
  • Cognitive, technical and creative skills

4 Online Test

Assessment Title
Online Test

Task Description

This assessment item involves an online test which is worth 25% of the unit marks.

  • The online test is accessible via Moodle. 
  • The online test will consist of 3-5 questions. Each question may consist of 2 or more sub-questions which are in the form of short essay.
  • The online test will be of 2 hours duration (120 minutes + 15 minutes perusal time).
  • You will read the questions, type in your answers in the given text box below each question, and submit your answers back into Moodle within 135 minutes.
  • You should make sure you complete your answers within the given time frame, otherwise, your answers will be submitted automatically after 135 minutes.
  • The questions will be randomly selected from a pool of questions and displayed to you. It is very unlikely that two students will see the same questions.
  • Only ONE submission attempt is allowed during the allocated exam time.
  • The online exam will be administered in the exam week. However, detailed assessment guide and time and location would be announced on Moodle. 


Assessment Due Date

Review/Exam Week Friday (9 June 2023) 11:45 pm AEST

The date and time for the online test will be confirmed later during the term.


Return Date to Students

Assessment marks and feedback will be released on the day of certification of grades.


Weighting
25%

Assessment Criteria

  • The online test will consist of 3-5 questions.
  • The marks will be specified against each question and its sub-questions.
  • Only one attempt is allowed for the online test.


Referencing Style

Submission
Online

Learning Outcomes Assessed
  • Discuss contemporary developments and the importance of project, program and portfolio application systems
  • Evaluate the importance of project management application systems to monitor performance and manage change across projects, programs and portfolios.


Graduate Attributes
  • Knowledge
  • Cognitive, technical and creative skills
  • Ethical and Professional Responsibility
  • Leadership

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?