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

This is an important unit for students entering the health industry as your efficient management associated with the delivery of health services is enhanced by knowledge and exposure to the principles of formalised project and contract management. This unit is designed to provide advanced undergraduate students with an outline of some of the generally accepted processes and procedures for Contract/Project Management.

Aims

The aim of this unit is to provide you the opportunity to explore generally accepted processes and procedures for Contract/Project Management with particular attention to its application to health care delivery in Australia.

Objectives

On the completion of this unit you should be able to identify and describe:

1. The project management framework, including definitions of 'project', 'contract' and 'project management'; and the major processes of project management.
   
2. Project scope planning and definition, including scope definition, work breakdown structure and management of scope changes.
   
3. Scheduling and resource planning, including time management, cost planning and cost control.
   
4. Planning processes, including risk assessment and management, quality management and communications.
   
5. Contract management, including procurement planning, standards of conduct, the tender process, acquisition planning, solicitation, proposal preparation, evaluation, selection, dispute resolution and contract administration.
   
6. Project implementation, including the major phases of implementing a project, techniques for managing a project effectively through all stages, change and issue management, and risk assessment and mitigation.
   
7. Project completion, including review and closure.

Content

Topics to be covered include:

1. Project Management Framework
   
2. Project Planning and Definition
   
3. Scheduling and Resource Planning
   
4. Facilitating Planning Processes
   
5. Contract Management
   
6. Implementation
   
7. Project Completion.

Specific skill and graduate capabilities you will develop include:

• knowledge and skills pertinent to contract/project management in the health profession. Students will develop practical contract/project management skills and theoretical contract/project management knowledge.
  
• critical, creative and analytical thinking, and effective problem-solving are pre-requisites in effective contract/project management. Students are given opportunity to develop and demonstrate such attributes in the assignment requirements of this unit.
  
• effective communication in a variety of contexts and modes are examinable requirements of this unit. Students are required to develop communication plans to various audiences utilising various communication modes.
  
• the capacity for life-long learning through the development and use of effective contract/project management strategies and appropriate project management software.
  
• the ability to work independently and collaboratively are pre-requisites of effective contract/project management and an examinable requirement of the assignment task of this unit.
  
• characteristics of self-reliance and leadership are pre-requisites of effective contract/project management. The assignment assessment examines students' ability to plan and manage change productively, to demonstrate initiative and embrace innovation.

Approaches to Teaching and Learning

This unit will be available in internal and external mode.

EXTERNAL MODE OFFERING IS RESTRICTED TO SELECT MAJORS ONLY. CHECK YOUR COURSE SUMMARY SHEET FOR THE MODE OF OFFERING FOR YOUR MAJOR.

Internal mode
The integration of theory and practice is achieved by linking lectures and tutorials. Teaching methods include lectures, discussions, seminars, self directed learning. A study guide and list of readings is available through the PUB514 Blackboard site. The study guide should enhance your understanding of the material covered in lectures as it is designed to assist your learning in a number of ways:

1. to develop and consolidate content and to provide activities for you to more fully understand the material being discussed
   
2. to support your preparation for tutorials and assessment items.

To maximise your learning in this unit, you will need to keep up with the weekly topics as outlined in the Week 1 Unit Information Document which will be available on the PUB514 Blackboard site. By attending and participating in tutorials you will prepare yourself for the assessment items and extend your knowledge of the topic areas.

External mode
PLEASE NOTE: EXTERNAL MODE IS RESTRICTED TO SELECT MAJORS ONLY. CHECK YOUR COURSE SUMMARY SHEET FOR THE MODE OFFERING FOR YOUR MAJOR)

The delivery of this unit in external mode is by distance education; the Study Guide provided is a manual of lecture notes and self-assessment items. The Study Guide is designed to assist your learning in a number of ways:

1. to develop and consolidate content and to provide activities to give you a deeper understanding of the material being discussed
   
2. to support your preparation for assessment items.

To maximise your leaning in this unit, you will need to keep up with the topics as outlined in the Week 1 Unit Information Document. By completing all of the activities in the Study Guide you will prepare yourself for the assessment items and extend your knowledge of the topic areas.

Assessment

There are three assessments to be completed as you progress through the semester.Assessment and feedback will be spaced throughout the semester commencing with your project proposal to provide the opportunity for feedback on your learning to that point. You will be provided with feedback on your project plan as you progress through the unit.

Assessment name: Examination (written)
Description: You will be required to complete a final examination covering the semester's content. It is a closed book multiple choice exam scheduled in the examination block at the end of semester.
Relates to objectives: 1-7
Weight: 50%
Internal or external: Internal
Group or individual: Individual
Due date: Exam period

Assessment name: Report
Description: You will be required to produce a project proposal based on a project of your choice which meets with the approval of the unit coordinator or tutor.
Relates to objectives: 1, 2, 3, 4
Weight: 10%
Internal or external: Both
Group or individual: Group
Due date: Week 6

Assessment name: Report
Description: You will be required to produce a project plan based on a case study of your choice which meets with the approval of the unit coordinator or tutor.
Relates to objectives: 1-7
Weight: 40%
Internal or external: Both
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

There are no required texts for this unit.
PUB514 Study Guide and list of readings is available from the PUB514 Blackboard site.

Risk assessment statement

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: 17-Oct-2012