Units

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Sample subject outline - 5 Week Teaching Period - 4 2012

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

Rationale

Negotiation and alternative dispute resolution skills are essential for managers to deal effectively with conflict in all aspects of complex project management. This unit embeds the requisite knowledge, skills and reflective abilities to identify potential sources of conflict, design alternative dispute resolution systems to avoid escalation of conflict, negotiate for results, identify and deal with the impact of power on the dynamics of the negotiation process and effectively implement distributive and integrative strategies in the management of complex project negotiations. This unit provides the fundamental skills to enable managers to improve their capacity to negotiate for results in complex settings through role-play exercises and reflection on individual performance and outcomes.

Aims

Negotiation and alternative dispute resolution skills are essential for managers to deal effectively with conflict in all aspects of complex project management. This unit embeds the requisite knowledge, skills and reflective abilities to identify potential sources of conflict, design alternative dispute resolution systems to avoid escalation of conflict, negotiate for results, identify and deal with the impact of power on the dynamics of the negotiation process and effectively implement distributive and integrative strategies in the management of complex project negotiations. This unit provides the fundamental skills to enable managers to improve their capacity to negotiate for results in complex settings through role-play exercises and reflection on individual performance and outcomes.

Objectives

Course Learning Goals (Corporate Programs)

The QUT Business School has established the Assurance of Learning (AOL) Goals to meet contemporary industry needs and standards. Achieving these learning outcomes will assist you to meet the desired graduate outcomes set at QUT - aligned with other internationally renowned business schools. Students will develop the following capabilities relevant to a contemporary global and sustainable business environment:

Program Goal 1: Understand Self and Lead Others in an International Environment (ULO)

1.1 Develop the personal attributes of action and outcome orientation, ability to influence and self-knowledge that distinguish the manager of complex projects.
1.2 Develop and demonstrate the leadership and communication skills to manage the staff involved in complex projects
1.3 Work effectively in managing people and a wide range of stakeholders through understanding of culture cognition, personality and human lifecycle.

Program Goal 2: Lead Strategic Planning, Design and Implementation (SPDI)

2.1 Understand the context of complex projects and the design and implementation of appropriate project strategy and systems to match emergent requirements
2.2 Demonstrate the capacity to design, establish and manage the organisational architecture for complex projects
2.3 Develop the understanding and skill to deliver probity and governance requirements for complex projects
2.4 Develop the capacity to design and implement innovative business planning, reporting and performance measurement systems.

Program Goal 3: Think Holistically: Innovate and Creatively Problem Solve (TH)

3.1 Develop the insights to manage people and systems subject to on-going change and constantly adapt to emergent conditions
3.2 Demonstrate the capacity to envision novel, critical and creative responses to complex and emerging problems

Program Goal 4: Develop the understanding of and skill to design, manage and lead strategic procurement practices that respond to the challenges of the complex organisational and project management environment. (SP)

4.1 Develop, plan and implement a comprehensive and effective acquisition strategy to deliver complex strategic capabilities.
4.2 Assess and implement the contractual requirements of a complex acquisition taking into account the implications of international law and conventions, intellectual property rights, and ensuring the appropriate allocation and mitigation of contractual risks.
4.3 Develop, plan and implement strategic sourcing arrangements covering the capability life-cycle.

Unit Objectives
At the completion of the unit, students will be able to:

1. Critique the likely strengths and weaknesses of different personality profiles in the negotiation process to inform the development of organisational mapping and placement of key individuals
2. Determine sources and types of conflict to design and implement appropriate dispute resolution interventions for each
3. Evaluate the advantages and disadvantages of distributive and integrative negotiation approaches and the impact of power on the dynamics of the process in complex project management
4. Implement effective distributive and integrative negotiation and mediation strategies, skills and capabilities
5. Reflect on negotiation and mediation performance and outcomes to effectively predict and plan for future interventions/changes to communication and dispute resolution strategies.

The specific course learning goals and unit objectives that apply to this unit are shown in the assessment section of this unit outline.

Content

• Understanding personality profiling to inform organisational mapping



• Types and sources of conflict



• Designing appropriate conflict resolution interventions



• Integrative and distributive bargaining theory and skills



• Negotiating corporate change



• Mediation theory and skills

Approaches to Teaching and Learning

A blended learning approach is taken with this unit. Students will engage with the material through a blend of:

• Guided instruction, learning activities, readings and cases presented in a comprehensive study guide. Students are expected to engage with the readings and learning activities in the study guide prior to the face to face session.


• Interaction with a comprehensive set of readings, cases, workplace documents and other authentic materials that will be provided in advance with the study guide. The set text for this unit will be provided in advance to students.


• Intensive face-to-face sessions for each of the modules of the unit, where students will actively engage in exploring the concepts, issues and cases provided in the study guide. A focus on facilitated group learning and collaboration is a feature of the face-to-face sessions rather than content input by the lecturer.


• A Blackboard learning site where additional materials, and computer simulations can be shared through the life of the unit. Collaboration tools for students such as blogs, wikis, discussion forums, and group tools will be a feature of the Blackboard site.


• There is a commitment to critical inquiry and intellectual debate in regard to the material covered, and students are encouraged to relate the theories and research discussed to situations known to them.

Assessment

Students will receive feedback in various forms throughout the semester which may include:

• Informal: worked examples, such as verbal feedback in class, personal consultation



• Formal: in writing, such as checklists (e.g. criteria sheets), written commentary



• Direct: to individual students, either in written form or in consultation



• Indirect: to the whole class

Assessment name: Role Plays 1, 2 & 3
Description: Students will participate in negotiation and mediation role-plays to explore the differences between integrative and distributive bargaining approaches, the impact of power on the dynamics of the process and to develop negotiation and mediation skills.

How students will be assessed: Using criteria detailed in the criterion referenced assessment schedule. Feedback will be given by both the lecturers and fellow students engaged in the role-play scenarios.
Relates to objectives: Unit objectives: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 and AOL goals: TBA
Internal or external: Internal
Group or individual: Individual
Due date: Modules 3, 4 & 5

Assessment name: Negotitation Exercise
Description: Confidential fact sheets will de distributed at the commencement of module 6 and you will have 30 minutes reading and preparation time. The exercise will be conducted in pairs and each pair will have 45 minutes negotiation time and 15 minutes to record heads of agreement reflecting the terms of the negotiated agreement reached.

How students will be assessed: You will be assessed on the extent to which your heads of agreement evidence the utilisation of effective integrative negotiation strategies as contained in the Criteria Referenced Assessment sheet for Assessment Item 2 provided on your GSZ516 blackboard site. You will also have the opportunity to engage with the assessment criteria for this task and to receive formative feedback on their performance in accordance with that criteria in module 3.
Relates to objectives: Unit objectives: 3, 4, 5 and AOL goals: TBA
Weight: 20%
Internal or external: Internal
Group or individual: Group
Due date: During Module 6

Assessment name: Mediation Role Plays 5, 6 & 7
Description: Description: Students will participate in mediation role-plays to demonstrate their acquisition of skills and their ability to plan, implement and debrief an effective conflict resolution process.

How students will be assessed: You will be assessed on your demonstration of the skills contained in the Criteria Referenced Assessment sheet for Assessment Items 5-7 provided on your GSZ516 blackboard site. You will also have the opportunity to engage with the assessment criteria for this task and to receive formative feedback on your performance in accordance with that criteria in module 5.
Relates to objectives: Unit objectives: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 and AOL goals: TBA
Weight: 50%
Internal or external: Internal
Group or individual: Individual
Due date: During Module 6

Assessment name: Reflective Journal
Description: Description: Students will prepare a reflective journal integrating learning and workplace experiences. The focus of this task is on the critical evaluation of the relevance and application of GSZ516 concepts and skills to improve students? individual effectiveness as a manager of a complex project. This includes but is not limited to being able to demonstrate Personal Attributes and underpinning knowledge, from a conflict resolution perspective, outlined in the Standards of the College of Complex Project Managers.

How students will be assessed: Using criteria detailed in the criterion referenced assessment schedule.
Relates to objectives: Unit objectives: 1, 2, 3, 5 and AOL goals: TBA
Weight: 30%
Internal or external: Internal
Group or individual: Individual
Due date: End of Module 6

Academic Honesty

Academic honesty means that you are expected to exhibit honesty and act responsibly when undertaking assessment. Any action or practice on your part which would defeat the purposes of assessment is regarded as academic dishonesty. The penalties for academic dishonesty are provided in the Student Rules. For more information you should consult the QUT Library resources for avoiding plagiarism.

Resource materials

Required References
GSZ516 Study Guide and Readings

Other Resources
GSZ516 Blackboard site
Authentic negotiation scenarios presented in class

Risk assessment statement

There are no out-of-the-ordinary risks associated with lectures or tutorials in this unit. You should, however, familiarise yourself with evacuation procedures operating in the buildings in which you attend classes and take the time to
view the Emergency video.

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-2011