Units

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Sample subject outline - 5 Week Teaching Period - 7 2012

Note: Subject outlines often change before the semester begins. Below is a sample outline.

Rationale

Complex projects often demand radically different approaches to those applied to traditional projects. In stark contrast to their traditional counterparts, complex projects frequently have neither clear objectives nor a well-defined implementation approach. Rather, the objectives of, and the approach taken in complex project implementation must evolve iteratively and recursively over the project lifecycle. Project managers who fail to recognise the nature of complex projects and attempt to apply only traditional approaches will inevitably fail. The successful complex project manager, on the other hand, is able to adeptly tailor an evolutionary approach to match the peculiar mix of complexity dimensions exhibited by the complex project.

Aims

The aim of the course is to equip the course members with the knowledge, conceptual frameworks and techniques (both qualitative and quantitative) to efficiently and effectively implement complex projects at the program and project levels. This will be reinforced by inspection and evaluation of several major international complex projects in complementary unit GSZ517 International Study Tour.

Objectives

Course Learning Goals (Corporate Programs)

The QUT Business School has established the Assurance of Learning (AOL) Goals to meet contemporary industry needs and standards. Achieving these learning outcomes will assist you to meet the desired graduate outcomes set at QUT - aligned with other internationally renowned business schools. Students will develop the following capabilities relevant to a contemporary global and sustainable business environment:

Program Goal 1: Understand Self and Lead Others in an International Environment (ULO)

1.1 Develop the personal attributes of action and outcome orientation, ability to influence and self-knowledge that distinguish the manager of complex projects.
1.2 Develop and demonstrate the leadership and communication skills to manage the staff involved in complex projects
1.3 Work effectively in managing people and a wide range of stakeholders through understanding of culture cognition, personality and human lifecycle.

Program Goal 2: Lead Strategic Planning, Design and Implementation (SPDI)

2.1 Understand the context of complex projects and the design and implementation of appropriate project strategy and systems to match emergent requirements
2.2 Demonstrate the capacity to design, establish and manage the organisational architecture for complex projects
2.3 Develop the understanding and skill to deliver probity and governance requirements for complex projects
2.4 Develop the capacity to design and implement innovative business planning, reporting and performance measurement systems.

Program Goal 3: Think Holistically: Innovate and Creatively Problem Solve (TH)

3.1 Develop the insights to manage people and systems subject to on-going change and constantly adapt to emergent conditions
3.2 Demonstrate the capacity to envision novel, critical and creative responses to complex and emerging problems

Program Goal 4: Develop the understanding of and skill to design, manage and lead strategic procurement practices that respond to the challenges of the complex organisational and project management environment. (SP)

4.1 Develop, plan and implement a comprehensive and effective acquisition strategy to deliver complex strategic capabilities.
4.2 Assess and implement the contractual requirements of a complex acquisition taking into account the implications of international law and conventions, intellectual property rights, and ensuring the appropriate allocation and mitigation of contractual risks.
4.3 Develop, plan and implement strategic sourcing arrangements covering the capability life-cycle.

Unit Objectives
Upon completion of this unit, you should be able to:
1. Recognise the project challenges created by project complexity.
2. Identify the management structures and processes which support the successful execution of complex projects, and determine the shortcomings in contemporary program/project management frameworks.
3. Apply system of systems engineering concepts.

The specific course learning goals and unit objectives that apply to this unit are shown in the assessment section of this unit outline.

Content

• The nature and impact of the unique dimensions which characterise complex projects models.


• Meeting the challenges posed by each complexity dimension.


• Contemporary program management frameworks.


• Management structures (e.g. organisational architectures) and processes to successfully implement complex projects.

Approaches to Teaching and Learning

A blended learning approach is taken with this unit. Students will engage with the material through a blend of:

• Guided instruction, learning activities, readings and cases presented in a comprehensive study guide. Students are expected to engage with the readings and learning activities in the study guide prior to the face to face session


• A comprehensive set of readings, cases, workplace documents and other authentic materials that will be provided in advance with the study guide. Set texts for units will be provided in advance to students.


• Intensive face-to-face sessions for each of the modules of the unit, where students will actively engage in exploring the concepts, issues and cases provided in the study guide. A focus on facilitated group learning and collaboration is a feature of the face-to-face sessions


• A Blackboard learning site where additional materials and computer simulations can be shared through the life of the unit. Collaboration tools for students such as Elluminate. blogs, wikis, discussion forums, and group tools will be a feature of the Blackboard site.

Assessment name: Briefing Note
Description: Students are to apply this assessment task to their complex project utilised for GSZ515. Each project team will allocate team members with a unique implementation plan topic. Each team member will then develop a detailed briefing note which examines all pertinent implementation aspects of the assigned topic. For example, if allocated risk management, students might define the risk management approach to be used during implementation, and identify and assess all major systemic risks and any other pertinent learnings. However, specific topics covered in detail in the development of the Strategic Business Case for GSZ515 (in particular, Benefits Management and Stakeholder Analysis) are NOT to be used for this assessment task.

Implementation plan topics, which may contribute to an understanding of the management of complex projects are presented in the following list. (Students may select other topics they deem of importance to the development of the Implementation Plan for their selected complex project if approved by the group):
" Complexity;
" Project leadership
" System of systems management;
" Program development and delivery ;
" Program management structures and processes;
" Program Budgeting;
" The impact of national culture upon the project approach;
" The contracting philosophy;
" Stakeholder engagement and management;
" Risk management;
" Performance management;
" Benefits realisation;
" Governance;
" Quality management;
" Human resources management
" Communications and Issues Management;
" International Procurement; and
" Management of innovation.

Length: 1000 words
Relates to objectives: Unit objectives: 1, 2
Weight: 40%
Internal or external: Internal
Group or individual: Individual
Due date: Before Study Tour

Assessment name: Presentation
Description: Your team is to develop a detailed Implementation Plan for the complex project that was the focus of your assessment in GSZ515. Teams are to synthesise any appropriate information developed from the analysis and reports prepared for both GSZ515 and the individual topic research undertaken in Assessment Task 1 of this unit, and build upon this work to prepare an integrated Implementation Plan. The resulting Implementation Plan is to be presented to the Moot Executive Board with an expectation that your team may need to defend your recommendations and findings to the Board as part of a question and answer session subsequent to the presentation.

Length: 2000 word plan + 15 minute presentation and question and answer
Relates to objectives: Unit objectives: 1, 2, 3
Weight: 60%
Internal or external: Internal
Group or individual: Group
Due date: After Study Tour

Academic Honesty

QUT is committed to maintaining high academic standards to protect the value of its qualifications. To assist you in assuring the academic integrity of your assessment you are encouraged to make use of the support materials and services available to help you consider and check your assessment items. Important information about the university's approach to academic integrity of assessment is on your unit Blackboard site.

A breach of academic integrity is regarded as Student Misconduct and can lead to the imposition of penalties.

Resource materials

Resource Materials
GSZ518 Study Guide and Readings
GSZ518 Blackboard site

Prescribed Texts:
Remington, K. & Pollack, J. (2007) Tools for Complex Projects Aldershot, UK: Gower Publishing
Hass, K. (2009) Managing Complex Projects Virginia, USA: ManagementConcepts

Risk assessment statement

There are no out-of-the-ordinary risks associated with lectures or tutorials in this unit. You should, however, familiarise yourself with evacuation procedures operating in the buildings in which you attend classes and take the time to
view the Emergency video.

Disclaimer - Offer of some units is subject to viability, and information in these Unit Outlines is subject to change prior to commencement of semester.

Last modified: 18-Jul-2012