Units

---

Sample subject outline - Semester 1 2013

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

Rationale

The majority of information technology (IT) and organisational change initiatives, such as systems developments and implementations, as well as organisational restructures are introduced into organizations through projects, and the success of these projects depends on their effective management. This unit covers the range of the multi-disciplinary skills and knowledge that students can develop to manage projects successfully. Specifically, it covers the administrative, technical, teamwork and leadership skills required of modern project managers. The unit covers practical, relevant and contemporary project management knowledge delivered through workshops and lectures.

Aims

The aim of this unit is to provide skills and experience in project management as well as understanding of project management methods such as PRINCE2 (R). It prepares you for effective management of projects and provides a basis for seeking the (R) Foundation and Practitioner industry accreditation.

Objectives

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

1. Analyse project issues to identify and explain the correct PRINCE2 process to solve the problem presented by the project issue (GC1, GC2)
   
2. Practically apply leadership theory to the project-based learning activity undertaken and critically reflect upon the effectiveness of the leadership strategies used (GC1, GC2, GC7)
   
3. Propose (generate) solutions to an authentic real-world problem and develop a plan to implement the solution (GC1, GC2, GC3)
   
4. Participate as an effective team member and reflect upon your own and the group's performance (GC2, GC3, GC5)
   
5. Make a business case for the proposed solution to an authentic real-world problem and examine the validity of the proposed solution against the risks, costs and benefits (GC1, GC2, GC3)

Key: Graduate Capabilities
GC1 - Knowledge and Skills
GC2 - Critical and Creative Thinking
GC3 - Communication
GC4 - Lifelong Learning
GC5 - Independence and Collaboration
GC6 - Social and Ethical Responsibility
GC7 - Leadership and Change

Content

A detailed investigation of the PRINCE2 (R) Project Management Method including:
- Strategic and Operational Environment of Projects
- Developing a Business Case
- Risk Management Strategy
- Communication Management Strategy
- Product-Based Planning
- Progress Monitoring on Projects
- Project Quality Control
- Leadership and teamwork theory as it applies to Project Management

Approaches to Teaching and Learning

This unit attempts to emulate the project environment by forming students into teams. Students will critically reflect on their experience of working within and leading a team to provide the basis for understanding the role that Project Managers play when managing people and resources. This is achieved by adopting a Project-Based Learning approach.

The central premise surrounding Project-Based Learning is learning organised around projects (Thomas, 2000) with the purpose of engaging students both socially and cognitively (Balakrishnan, 2002). Projects are complex tasks, based upon a central driving question or problem (Markham, Larmer, & Ravitz, 2003), that involves student design, problem-solving, decision making, or investigation activities; with the opportunity for students to work autonomously over an extended period; and culminating in the production of a tangible artefact (Thomas, 2000).

Balakrishnan (2002) presents six characteristics of Project-Based Learning based upon Moursand's (1999) work on Project-Based Learning. These include:
1. It is learner-centred and intrinsically motivating.
2. It encourages collaboration and cooperative learning.
3. It requires students to produce a tangible artefact.
4. It allows students to make incremental and continual improvement in their tangible artefact.
5. It is designed so that students are actively engaged in 'doing' things rather than in 'learning about' something.
6. It is challenging, focusing on higher-order skills.

Assessment

Assessment in this unit will comprise practical and theoretical examinations.Feedback from participating in weekly workshop activities will help you to build an essential management toolkit to prepare for the major assignment and to better equip you when in the workforce.
You will gain insight into the leadership and management process through feedback from your peers and your demonstrator who will critical analyse your leadership and management skills via the reflective essay you produce.

You can obtain feedback on your progress throughout the unit through the following mechanisms:
- ask the teaching staff for advice and assistance during lectures and workshop sessions
- your major assignment will be returned to you before the end of semester with comments on your progress
- private consultation with teaching staff

Assessment name: Report
Description: Project-Based Learning Assignment: Students will initially produce Project Initiation Documentation and a Business Case Presentation for a real-world scenario (due throughout semester).
Students will then produce a critically reflective report discussing the effectiveness of the leadership strategies used by you. You will also evaluate your own performance and group functioning as a project team (due end of semester).
Relates to objectives: 2, 3, 4, and 5.
Weight: 45%
Internal or external: Internal
Group or individual: Individual
Due date: End of Semester

Assessment name: Examination (Theory)
Description: Final examination - covering all key theory concepts and practical applications.
Relates to objectives: 1-5
Weight: 35%
Internal or external: Internal
Group or individual: Individual
Due date: Exam Period

Assessment name: Problem Solving Task
Description: Each week students will undertake activities focusing on specific project management issues and how to solve them. To be awarded the participation mark, you must have satisfactorily completed all the activities.
Relates to objectives: 1-5
Weight: 20%
Internal or external: Internal
Group or individual: Group with Individual Component
Due date: Throughout Semester

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:
- Great Britain, Office of Government Commerce, Managing successful projects with PRINCE2,. 2009 Edition. London : Stationery Office (2009)

Extra Reading:
- Great Britain, Office of Government Commerce, Directing successful projects with PRINCE2. London : Stationery Office (2009)
- Great Britain, Office of Government Commerce, Managing successful programmes. London : Stationery Office (2007)
- Schwalbe, Information Technology Project Management 6th edition, Course Technology (2008)

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 campus areas and laboratories.

PRINCE2 (R) is a Registered Trade Mark of the Office of Government Commerce in the United Kingdom and other countries. The PRINCE2 2009 accreditation is offered through partnership with an Accredited Training Organisation, Yellowhouse Pty Ltd.

The PRINCE2 Foundation and Practitioner accreditation is offered as an optional extra for QUT students enrolled in INN500. It is not a requirement for students enrolled in INN500 to undertake the accreditation exams. QUT is under no obligation to offer this accreditation to students. The option to obtain the PRINCE2 Foundation or Practitioner accreditation can be withdrawn at anytime. Students wishing to undertake the PRINCE2 accreditation exam(s) are required to attend ALL lectures (weeks 1-12) and ALL tutorials (weeks 2-12). There is NO external offering of this unit.

Students who nominate to sit the PRINCE2 Foundation or Practitioner exam(s) enter into a contract with the APMG Accredited Training Organisation, Yellowhouse Pty Ltd and are subject to the terms of this contract. Costs associated with the PRINCE2 ® accreditation assessment are external to QUT tuition costs and will be advised when the unit commences.

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-Oct-2012