Units

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Sample subject outline - Semester 1 2013

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

Rationale

Scope management is the foundation of a project. Developed on a clarified scope baseline, Risk Management safeguards the whole process as well as the outcome of a project. This unit focuses on the Project Management functions of managing project scope and risk. Development of awareness of responsibility and accountabily for a project and for project management tasks is a principal objective with particular emphasis on: scoping the project; identifying stakeholders; risk assessment and management throughout the life of the project and the client's needs on completion. Techniques and methodologies that inform pro-active project scope and risk management practices will be examined. Through this unit, you can develop the necessary skills to identify the processes that are required within a project, including procedures for: information capture, storage, reporting and communication as well as risk identification, analysis, response and treatment systems.

Aims

The aim of this unit is to:

• introduce you to key concepts, methodologies and tools in Project Scope and Risk Management;


• develop analytical and interpretive skills which will enable you to proactively manage project scope and risks.

Objectives

On completion of this unit, you will be able to:

1. justify the importance of project scope and risk management;
2. apply theoretical knowledge to manage project scope and related risks;
3. employ the following operational skills: initiation, planning, verification and control to manage project scope, and, identification, analysis and preparation of responses to manage related risks;
4. demonstrate scope and risk management practices in professional situations.

Content

Content covered in this unit includes development and practice of operational skills in:

• project initiation and authorization, scope planning, scope definition, scope verification (including Work Breakdown Structure or WBS) and scope change control;


• risk identification (types of risks, risk register), analysis (quantitative & qualitative) and management (mitigation, monitoring & control).

Approaches to Teaching and Learning

The unit content will be conveyed through lectures, interactive class discussions, analysis of case studies, recommended readings and submissions. Lectures are designed to facilitate learning rather than provide a one-way delivery of information, therefore, full participation is recommended (and expected) to optimise learning outcomes.

Project Managers are required to work, both, individually and as collaborative team members. In line with contemporary postgraduate education, team-based assessment will be a priority in this unit. Teams for the assignment will consist of three or four members and will be nominated in week three.

Assessment

Assessment will be based on one individual assignment, one group assignment and an examination. The group assignment will involve the practice of operational skills through developing, both, a scope management plan and a risk management plan.Formative feedback will be offered on assignment work at key times as detailed in assignment briefs.

Assessment name: Project (applied)
Description: You will be asked to propose a project which will be put forward for selection for your group work. Project brief will be given in week 3.
Relates to objectives: 1 and 3
Weight: 20%
Internal or external: Internal
Group or individual: Individual
Due date: Week 5

Assessment name: Professional Plans
Description: Working in a group, you will be asked to develop a project scope and risk plan. Each group should select a project proposed by group members in Assessment 1. Project brief will be given in week 5
Relates to objectives: 1,2 and 3
Weight: 40%
Internal or external: Internal
Group or individual: Group with Individual Component
Due date: Week 12

Assessment name: Examination (written)
Description: Exam focusing on project scope and risk control.
Relates to objectives: 2,3 and 4
Weight: 40%
Internal or external: Internal
Group or individual: Individual
Due date: Exam week

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

There is no specified textbook for this unit. A list of references and online resources that can be accessed via QUT Library will be provided in Week 1.

Risk assessment statement

The unit involves neither human nor animal experimentation. Lectures and/or tutorials will take place in a traditional classroom setting and computer laboratories. As such, there are no out-of-the ordinary risks associated with this unit.

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: 19-Oct-2012