Units

---

Sample subject outline - Semester 1 2013

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

Rationale

The capstone project unit provides a concrete opportunity for students to consolidate the knowledge and skills they have acquired in the course and apply them to a substantial project. Depending on the specialisations students have undertaken, students are to work together in a team of 4-5 on a project that addresses one of the following three types of problems:

Real business problems. Projects in this category pertain to a real business problem that an organisation wishes to address. Students are expected to conduct business analysis at the host organisation to determine the business requirements for a suitable IT solution before proceeding to designing and developing the solution. The focus of such projects will be on ensuring that the business values of the solution are properly identified and that the solution would be able to deliver those business values. These projects are suitable for students wishing to pursue business analyst/IT consultant path.

Real market needs. Projects in this category pertain to an unfulfilled or emergent needs, which could be market or technology-driven. Students are expected to conduct market analysis, and then determine the requirements of a product that will meet that need before proceeding to the design and development of the product (or a substantial part of it to illustrate proof of concept). The focus of such projects will be on convincing potential investors to offer funding for further development and marketing of the product. These projects are suitable for enterprising students wishing to turn their ideas into business reality.

Real research problems. Projects in this category pertain to research problems that have either been identified by the students themselves or by the academic staff in the faculty. Students are expected to conduct literature review, research design, and possibly development and/or data analysis, and validation. The focus of such projects will be on adding knowledge to the research topic addressed, either through providing new insights into the problem, proposal of a novel approach or algorithm, or the development of an artefact necessary for the advancement of the research in the area. These projects are suitable for students interested in pursuing research or academic careers.


This unit extends students' development of the professional, technical and teamwork skills required by IT professionals in practice. Students will extend their knowledge and skills in the areas of IT project management through completing professional project documentation and managing the team project. Students will also gain a greater understanding and skill level in analysis and design, and their significance in delivering successful business or research outcome. The unit also focuses on furthering students' professional skills in report writing, oral communication, and visual communication.

Aims

The unit aims to provide students with a real environment in which to understand themselves as team members and learners by providing effective strategies in each of the above three domains. A key focus is to help students understand the characteristics of a high performing team and the role of the individual within such an environment. The unit will also help students foster their creativity and develop their problem solving skills through creativity workshops.

Objectives

On successful completion of this unit you should be able to:

1. Professionally implement an IT-related project and communicate the final analysis and evaluation (GC1 - GC7);
   
2. Describe and demonstrate your understanding of your project and how it supports a business or organisational need (GC1, GC2, GC2);
   
3. Demonstrate your understanding of the role of people and software systems in the support of business or organisational activities (GC1 - GC7);
   
4. Demonstrate your understanding of the habits of high performing teams through the application of skills in conflict resolution, listening, negotiation, decision making, creativity and diversity (GC5);
   
5. Showcase your professional skills by effectively communicating with all stake holders in an IT Project (GC3); and
   
6. Identify appropriate objectives and learning strategies to achieve future goals and project success (GC4).

Key: Graduate Capabilities
GC1 - Knowledge and Skills
GC2 - Critical and Creative Thinking
GC3 - Communication
CG4 - Lifelong Learning
GC5 - Independence and Collaboration
GC6 - Social and Ethical Responsibility
GC7 - Leadership and Change

Content

This capstone unit will allow you to integrate the skills and knowledge you have obtained from previous core and specialist units. You will extend your knowledge and skills in respect of IT project management by completing professional project documentation and managing your team project. This is complemented by a greater level of knowledge and skills in analysis, design, and entrepreneurship, which should lead to a more effective business or research outcome. The unit also focuses on furthering your professional skills in report writing, oral communication, and visual communication.

Approaches to Teaching and Learning

You will be working within a team as part of a simulation of an authentic project based upon a specification developed in conjunction with your supervisor and industry sponsors where applicable. The project will act as a vehicle for you to develop an understanding of professional IT project skills. Activities will be team-based, and may include: developing project documents, Identifying and analysing business and user requirements, defining system requirements and the production of a proposal and specification. A series of lectures will provide you with the theoretical knowledge required to complete the generic objectives of the unit. Further theoretical knowledge may be obtained via consultation with your supervisor.

Assessment

Criterion-Referenced Assessment
Appropriate assessment criteria will be made available to students at the introduction of each assignment.You can obtain feedback on your progress throughout the unit through the following mechanisms:

Your supervisor will give feedback on your progress according to the meeting schedule you have negotiated and via formative assessment items.

Peer feedback will be obtained student evaluations and external feedback will be given at the time of your final presentation.

Assessment name: Teamwork (process)
Description: (Generic) This item is assessed by team submission of work throughout the semester such as: Team compact, Project Management Documentation (possibly through TeamWorker), project summary, and workshop activities.
Relates to objectives: 6 and partly 2, 3 and 5
Weight: 20%
Internal or external: Internal
Group or individual: Group
Due date: Throughout Semester

Assessment name: Professional Plans
Description: (Generic)This element is assessed by team submission of work throughout the semester such as: a Project Plan that is created by student team through negotiation with their project supervsior, and a tradeshow demonstration.

Due Date: Week 5 for the Project Plan and Week 14 for the Tradeshow
Relates to objectives: 1 to 5
Weight: 30%
Internal or external: Internal
Group or individual: Group
Due date: See Description

Assessment name: Student negotiated assessment
Description: (Contextual)(To be negotiated with project supervisor)
This is one or more submissions agreed between the student(s) and their supervisor as per the Project Plan created in assessment item 2. Examples of Assessment item 3 may include a Working application, Process Improvement Management Report, Research Report, Enhanced System Functionality and more...

Due Date:Week 13 or to be negotiated.
Relates to objectives: 6 - To be negotiated with project supervisor.
Weight: 50%
Internal or external: Internal
Group or individual: Group
Due date: See Description

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

Recommended readings:

McKenna B., Thomas, G. & Waddell, N. (2004) Australian guide to corporate communication: a practical handbook on effective writing & speaking. Tuggerah, NSW: Social Science Press

Schwalbe, K. (2006), Information Technology Project Management (4th Edition), Canada: Thomson Course Technology

top

Risk assessment statement

There is minimal health and safety risk in this unit. It is your responsibility to familiarise yourself with the Health and Safety policies and procedures applicable within FIT campus areas and laboratories.

There are no unusual health or safety 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: 02-May-2012