Units

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Sample subject outline - 5 Week Teaching Period - 4 2013

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

Rationale

Governance involves a set of relationships between an organisation's management, its board/governing body, its shareholders and other stakeholders. Governance provides the foundation for accountable management at all levels including corporate, portfolio, program and project levels. This unit will examine the predominant system of governance throughout the world. We concentrate on the roles and responsibilities of boards and directors within organisations, and introduce students to key theories that inform our understanding of the purpose and implementation of effective governance. Because successful management of complex projects is often contingent upon the ability to negotiate with companies in different jurisdictions, this unit will explore the sources of different governance practices and values between different cultures and jurisdictions. We will also explore the application of corporate governance to the private sector and examine the suitability of best practice governance in the domain of complex projects.

Aims

The mission of the Executive Masters in Complex Project Management is to provide world class graduate business education and a stimulating learning experience to current and future business leaders and managers. The aim of this unit is to help managers develop knowledge and skills in the principles of good governance as applied to varying organisational types, jurisdictions and levels of an organisation. Particular emphasis will be placed on the interaction between organisational governance and decision-making and accountability.

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. Understand the role of ethics and regulation in governance and apply decision making frameworks consistent with codes of conduct and ethics.
2. Compare and contrast different models of governance and apply these models to your organisation to improve governance.
3. Understand the role of boards and the duties of directors in organisational governance and be able to apply these to fact situations.
4. Determine how to run a governing body effectively to support its roles and responsibilities.
5. Recognise the importance of solvency to organisations and governors, including being able to recognise the link between effective governance and solvency.
6. Examine governance in the context of difference jurisdictions and organisation types and how this affects your organisation and job.

Content

• Defining Governance compared with Compliance


• Attributes of good governance


• Codes of conduct and the difference between legal and ethical behaviour


• Choosing projects and programs that align with organisational strategy


• Corporate and project accountability and transparency


• Comparative models of governance

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 study guide. Students are expected to engage with the readings and learning activities in the study guide prior to the face to face session.


• A comprehensive set of readings, cases, workplace documents and other authentic materials that will be provided in advance with the study guide. A set text for the 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 name: Analysis
Description: Application of Governance to your Organisation

Length: 15 minute group presentation and 1000 words

Drawing on materials from modules 1-3, outline the major governance challenges presented in the case. Your analysis should focus on (1) Identifying the major dysfunctions that are (or likely to) exist; (2) Explaining the cause(s) of these dysfunctions and (3) Devising a series of holistic governance interventions or changes to address these challenges.

To best explore governance challenges, you are encouraged to consider the organisation as broadly as possible. For example, those working within Defence Materiel Organisation should also consider the role of capability development, and force element groups.
Relates to objectives: Links to unit objectives: 1, 4, 5, 6
Links to AOLs: KS (1.1), (1.2) CTA (2.1) PC (3.1) SEU (5.1)
Weight: 50%
Internal or external: Internal
Group or individual: Individual
Due date: End of Module 3

Assessment name: Written Report
Description: Comparative Analysis
Length: 2000 words

Outline the similarities and differences between governance structures and practices in three key jurisdictions or three different forms of organisation with which you are likely to interact. In your discussion indicate the sources of these differences, and how they manifest themselves in different practices and values. Which differences might have an impact, and in what ways, on your dealings and negotiations with such companies or organisations? As part of this report, you should articulate any adverse impacts on your business and develop a set of feasible recommendations to deal with any potential challenges they might bring.
Relates to objectives: Links to unit objectives: 2, 3, 4, 6.
Links to AOLs: KS (1.1), (1.2) CTA (2.1) PC (3.1) SEU (5.1)
Weight: 50%
Internal or external: Internal
Group or individual: Individual
Due date: End of Module 6

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

GSZ522 Study Guide and Readings
GSZ522 Blackboard site including audiovisual materials
Case studies
Textbook: Psaros, J. (2009) Australian Corporate Governance: A review and Analysis of Key Issues

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: 22-Mar-2013