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

Resources and time are key performance targets during project management exercises. By undertaking this unit, you can develop skills necessary to manage project cost, schedule and resources and the ability to appreciate and apply methodologies for monitoring and evaluating project performance. As considerations for cost and time occur early in the lifecycle of project decisions, this unit will be delivered in the beginning of this course so that the knowledge gained can be applied to other aspects of project management.

Aims

The aim of this unit is to provide you with a deep understanding of the purpose, importance and implications of schedule, resources and cost management and the major issues and processes involved in assessing project status and performance.

Objectives

Unit-Specific Objectives:
On completion of this unit you should be able to:

1. Increase your understanding of the benefits and implications of resource planning and performance measurement in projects;


2. Apply relevant techniques, methods and computer tools, in the preparation of estimates, schedules, resource plans and in the monitoring of project performance;


3. Develop skills in dealing with project status assessment and reporting requirements;


4. Gain experience through realistic project cases for integrated decision making based on multi-criteria project assessment.

Generic Graduate Capabilities:
On completion of this unit you should have become aware of your current abilities in the following capabilities:

1. General problem-solving skills including an enquiring and analytical approach toward problem identification and developing solutions- Postgraduate Capability B;


2. Communication skills, including the ability to identify and link important components to explain the entire complex idea/concept, and where appropriate, its place within the broader context of project development lifecycle- Postgraduate Capability F;


3. An understanding and ability to demonstrate, as well as influencing others in, where appropriate, ethical/attitudinal attributes and social skills, including: truth, accuracy, honesty and accountability- Postgraduate Capability G.

Content

This unit will develop your expertise in several key areas of project management including: work scope definition through Work Breakdown Structures (WBS), project budgeting, estimation and cost control, project schedule development and network analysis such as Critical Path Method (CPM), resource allocation and planning, project control through the monitoring and managing of project progress, and the measurement of performance targets in terms of cost, time, resource application and scope change management. Relevant computer tools will be introduced. There is also an emphasis on the in-depth understanding of how these elements are linked and how integrated decision making can be done.

The unit is based on a blend of theoretical coverage, hands-on tool application and case studies of real life projects.

Approaches to Teaching and Learning

Teaching and learning will take a 'combining theory with practice' approach, normally involving 3 hours contact per week. Guest lectures will be given by specialists who are practising project managers or professionals. A real life project case will be prepared and made available to students to consider key subject matters within the context of project development phases.

Assessment

The assessment will comprise formative assessment (to help you find out how your work is progressing) and summative assessment (to grade your work against expected outcomes).Summative Assessment:
An individual mid-semester exam and a group presentation will be marked with feedback to students to enable them understand how they are progressing in the unit and how their work can be improved. The other assessment takes the form of a major group assignment which will be due at the end of semester.

Formative Assessment:
Lecturers will be available in person at tutorials and/or other designated times or through emails to provide feedback on students progress with the assessment of assignments works, in class exercises and hands-on computer sessions.

Assessment name: Examination (Theory)
Description: Mid-semester exam comprising multiple choice questions and network analysis based calculations.
Mode of feedback: Criterion referenced assessment.
Relates to objectives: 1,2. Graduate capabilities: A, C.
Weight: 50%
Internal or external: Internal
Group or individual: Individual
Due date: Week 7

Assessment name: Presentation
Description: Report and presentation on cost, time and resource management with given project scenarios
Mode of feedback: Criterion referenced assessment.
Relates to objectives: 2,4. Graduate capabilities: A, B.
Weight: 20%
Internal or external: Internal
Group or individual: Group with Individual Component
Due date: Week 11

Assessment name: Report
Description: Major assignment on cost, time, resource and performance management
Relates to objectives: 2, 3. Graduate capabilities: A, B.
Weight: 30%
Internal or external: Internal
Group or individual: Group
Due date: Week 13

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

Relevant computer software will be provided by the School for your use in the Faculty's Computer Laboratory.

Required:
This unit does not require compulsory text books. However students will find the following helpful and most are available in the QUT GP Library.

Recommended:
A list of selected textbooks will be provided and updated in the beginning of each semester of offer. These books should be available in the QUT Library and available through the QUT bookshop.

Risk assessment statement

The unit neither involves human nor animal experimentation. You will undertake lectures and/or tutorials in the traditional classrooms and computer laboratories. 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-Feb-2013