Units

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Sample subject outline - Semester 2 2013

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

Rationale

In the management of projects, it is essential that human resources are effectively acquired; developed and managed (those are the terms in PMBOK, 2008) to achieve the outcomes critical for the success of the project. This unit introduces you to the skills necessary to manage these human resources as part of your overall project management approach.

Aims

The aim of this unit is to introduce you to concepts and theories relating to individual and group dynamics, innovation, motivation, organisational culture and performance management.

Objectives

On completion of this unit you will be able to:

1. Understand human resources issues associated with individuals in the work environment.
2. Understand how to manage individuals in the workforce so that they achieve personal development and growth, whilst successfully contributing to the project's success.
3. Understand group dynamics and organisational culture so that each individual's contribution to the success of the group is most effectively harnessed to optimise group performance.
4. Understand the factors that underpin an innovative culture within a project group.

Content

You will learn how to manage both individual and group human resources based on contemporary concepts and theories using real-life cases, including topics such as:

• Motivation theories


• Need theories


• Cultural issues


• Group behaviours


• Team building and dynamics


• Organisational culture and effectiveness


• Project leadership


• Conflict resolution


• Managing change


• HR planning


• Acquiring and developing a project team


• Managing project teams


• Winding down project teams

Approaches to Teaching and Learning

Teaching and learning will take a 'combining theory with practice' approach, involving normally 3 hours contact per week and a one-day workshop in Week 10 of the semester. This one-day workshop will involve experiential learning and will use simulated project activities as a vehicle to examine the concepts discussed during lectures. The unit objectives will be pursued via the means of an amalgamation of lectures, interactive class discussions, case studies, readings and submissions. You will be expected to offer a high level of participation and self-determination in regard to learning outcomes. Lectures will take the form of facilitation rather than a one-way delivery of information. Project Managers are required to work both individually and as prime team members and in line with this thinking and the ideals of postgraduate study, team working will be a major feature of the final assessment.

Assessment

Assessment items for this unit will be made up of a combination of individual and group assignments and grades will be issued in accordance with Section C/5.1 of the QUT Manual of Policies and Procedures (MOPP). Group assignments will require the practice of operational skills in developing both a short procurement analysis and a detailed procurement plan. Criterion Referenced Assessment (CRA) will be issued for each assessment item of the unit.Formative feedback will be offered on assessment items work at key times as detailed in assignment briefs and will primarily be through annotated CRAs and through discussion in class settings.

Assessment name: Log/Workbook
Description: This assessment will involve you preparing a Weekly Concepts and Applications Workbook containing a total of 2 entries, which will link the theories explained in the classroom to your own real-life experiences in the workplace and/or in your social environment. (Each workbook entry is worth 20%).
Relates to objectives: 1, 2
Weight: 50%
Internal or external: Internal
Group or individual: Individual
Due date: Weeks 5 & 10

Assessment name: Report
Description: This assessment will involve the preparation of a report on the workings of a group that you will be a member of at a one-day field trip held in Week 10 of the semester.
Relates to objectives: 1, 2, 3, 4
Weight: 50%
Internal or external: Internal
Group or individual: Individual
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

Required Text:
There is no required text for this unit.

Recommended reading:

1. Coffey,V., (2010), Understanding Organisational Culture in Construction, Taylor & Francis, London.

2. Loosemore, M., et al., (2003), Human Resource Management in Construction Projects: Strategic and Operational Approaches, Taylor & Francis, London.

3. Robbins, S.P. and Judge, T.A., (2008). Organisational Behaviour, 5th edition, Pearson Education, AU.

4. Redding, J.C., (2000),The Radical Team Handbook: Harnessing the Power of Team Learning for Breakthrough Results, Jossey-Bass Inc., CA.

Other Resources:

You are also required to use the following:

The UDN596 website on QUT's Blackboard

QUT Library Databases:
You can access QUT cite/write online at www.citewrite.qut.edu.au and also via QV or the QUT Blackboard Announcements module.

Other items selected by the unit coordinator will also be made available online to you for your use throughout the unit, or will be distributed during lectures. Relevant readings and other resources will be uploaded onto the unit Blackboard website either under the Course Materials Database (CMD) or under Learning Resources.

Risk assessment statement

For most of the semester you will undertake lectures, tutorials in the traditional classrooms and lecture theatres at QUT Gardens Point Campus. As such, there are no extraordinary workplace health and safety issues or risks associated with this component of the unit. During Week 10 you will attend an outdoor field trip at which, you will be required to follow normal workplace, health and safety procedures.

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: 23-May-2012