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Unit outline_

ENGG5203: Quality Engineering and Management

Semester 2, 2023 [Normal day] - Camperdown/Darlington, Sydney

This subject is designed to support Engineers in the implementation of engineering tasks in the workplace. It addresses the use of quality control and management as well as systems assurance processes. It is designed to enable engineers entering practice from other related disciplines or with overseas qualifications to do so in a safe and effective way. The study program will include management of quality in research, design and delivery of engineering works and investigation, as well as of safe work practices and systems assurance.

Unit details and rules

Academic unit Civil Engineering
Credit points 6
Prerequisites
? 
None
Corequisites
? 
None
Prohibitions
? 
None
Assumed knowledge
? 

First degree in Engineering or a related discipline

Available to study abroad and exchange students

No

Teaching staff

Coordinator Faham Tahmasebinia, faham.tahmasebinia@sydney.edu.au
Lecturer(s) Ted Tooher, ted.tooher@sydney.edu.au
Type Description Weight Due Length
Assignment Final Professional Competency Attainment Report with Handover brief
Refer detailed brief issued in CANVAS
20% Formal exam period
Due date: 19 Nov 2023 at 23:59

Closing date: 21 Nov 2023
10 page excluding appendices
Outcomes assessed: LO6 LO8 LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO7
Assignment group assignment Team selected case project initaition report
Professional progress Initiation report to client.
5% Week 04
Due date: 27 Aug 2023 at 23:59

Closing date: 30 Aug 2023
Refer brief and report requirements.
Outcomes assessed: LO3 LO1 LO5
Assignment Individual Competency Project report Initiation stage
Refer detailed brief issued.
10% Week 05
Due date: 03 Sep 2023 at 23:59

Closing date: 06 Sep 2023
10 pages maximum excluding appendices
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO5 LO2
Assignment group assignment Team case study project plannning report
Professional progress report.
5% Week 07
Due date: 17 Sep 2023 at 23:59

Closing date: 20 Sep 2023
Refer A2 brief and report requirements.
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2 LO5
Presentation Team presentation assessment.
Individual quality assessment of each teams work. Refer worksheet provided
5% Week 07
Due date: 14 Sep 2023 at 18:15

Closing date: 14 Sep 2023
2 hours attendance
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO7 LO4 LO3 LO2
Tutorial quiz Quiz
online quiz. commencing 1 hr before due date..
20% Week 08
Due date: 21 Sep 2023 at 18:00

Closing date: 21 Sep 2023
1 hour
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO7 LO4 LO3 LO2
Assignment Individual competency project progres report Planning stage
Professional report . Refer brief issued.
10% Week 09
Due date: 17 Sep 2023 at 23:59

Closing date: 23 Jul 2023
10 pages excluding Appendices
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO7 LO4 LO2
Assignment group assignment Team case project implementationn report
Professional quality assured report. Refer brief
10% Week 12
Due date: 29 Oct 2023 at 23:59

Closing date: 01 Nov 2023
Refer A3 Brief issued in notes
Outcomes assessed: LO2 LO1 LO3 LO5 LO7
Assignment Individual Competency project Progres report. Implementation Stage
Professional project report with quality assurance. Refer Brief issued
10% Week 12
Due date: 29 Oct 2023 at 23:59

Closing date: 05 Nov 2023
10 pages Excluding Appendices.
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO4 LO3 LO2
Presentation Team presentation assessment Implementation report on each teams work
Refer brief and quality assessment worksheet.
5% Week 13
Due date: 02 Nov 2023 at 18:15

Closing date: 02 Nov 2023
2 Hrs
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO7 LO5
group assignment = group assignment ?

Assessment summary

  • Assignment: Personal development in quality engineering and management as semester case study. This will be based on a competency gap assessment conducted at week 3
  • Quiz: A knowledge pathways quiz that tests understanding of language, sources of knowledge and basic principles.
  • Assignment: Team based case study which develops each knowledge area in application to a real project for the course. The project wil be selected in week 2, teams of 6 to 8 will be established using team building techniques.
  • Participation: Student involvement in working with others and in feedback to others and teams on assessment of their engineering quality and practice in delivery of course outcomes.

Detailed information for each assessment can be found on Canvas.

Assessment criteria

The University awards common result grades, set out in the Coursework Policy 2014 (Schedule 1).

As a general guide, a high distinction indicates work of an exceptional standard, a distinction a very high standard, a credit a good standard, and a pass an acceptable standard.

Result name

Mark range

Description

High distinction

85 - 100

 

Distinction

75 - 84

 

Credit

65 - 74

 

Pass

50 - 64

 

Fail

0 - 49

When you don’t meet the learning outcomes of the unit to a satisfactory standard.

For more information see guide to grades.

Late submission

In accordance with University policy, these penalties apply when written work is submitted after 11:59pm on the due date:

  • Deduction of 5% of the maximum mark for each calendar day after the due date.
  • After ten calendar days late, a mark of zero will be awarded.

Academic integrity

The Current Student website provides information on academic integrity and the resources available to all students. The University expects students and staff to act ethically and honestly and will treat all allegations of academic integrity breaches seriously.

We use similarity detection software to detect potential instances of plagiarism or other forms of academic integrity breach. If such matches indicate evidence of plagiarism or other forms of academic integrity breaches, your teacher is required to report your work for further investigation.

Use of generative artificial intelligence (AI) and automated writing tools

You may only use generative AI and automated writing tools in assessment tasks if you are permitted to by your unit coordinator. If you do use these tools, you must acknowledge this in your work, either in a footnote or an acknowledgement section. The assessment instructions or unit outline will give guidance of the types of tools that are permitted and how the tools should be used.

Your final submitted work must be your own, original work. You must acknowledge any use of generative AI tools that have been used in the assessment, and any material that forms part of your submission must be appropriately referenced. For guidance on how to acknowledge the use of AI, please refer to the AI in Education Canvas site.

The unapproved use of these tools or unacknowledged use will be considered a breach of the Academic Integrity Policy and penalties may apply.

Studiosity is permitted unless otherwise indicated by the unit coordinator. The use of this service must be acknowledged in your submission as detailed on the Learning Hub’s Canvas page.

Outside assessment tasks, generative AI tools may be used to support your learning. The AI in Education Canvas site contains a number of productive ways that students are using AI to improve their learning.

Simple extensions

If you encounter a problem submitting your work on time, you may be able to apply for an extension of five calendar days through a simple extension.  The application process will be different depending on the type of assessment and extensions cannot be granted for some assessment types like exams.

Special consideration

If exceptional circumstances mean you can’t complete an assessment, you need consideration for a longer period of time, or if you have essential commitments which impact your performance in an assessment, you may be eligible for special consideration or special arrangements.

Special consideration applications will not be affected by a simple extension application.

Using AI responsibly

Co-created with students, AI in Education includes lots of helpful examples of how students use generative AI tools to support their learning. It explains how generative AI works, the different tools available and how to use them responsibly and productively.

WK Topic Learning activity Learning outcomes
Week 01 1. Introduction to course, timetable, assessments and syllabus. 2 Individual competency assessments, learning goals. constraints and opportunities, including definitions and principles of quality in engineering management. Explanation of Engineering responsibilities in Project and Operational Management activities. Introduction to competency frameworks including Engineers Australia recognition criteria for engineering leadership and management chartered status. Lecture and tutorial (4 hr) LO1 LO5 LO7
Week 02 1. Introduction to Project management including integrated application of risk, management principles to quality and procurement. Development of a personal risk management plan as precursor to quality planning, including the role of the students personal learning journey as project within which quality in Engineering management is applied. 2 The tutorial will include development of learning goals and risk identification. Lecture and tutorial (4 hr) LO1 LO5
Week 03 1. Teamwork and communications principles, team building understanding individual and team behaviours, dealing with cultural diversity and ethical behaviour in teams, including understanding of customer quality requirements and as part of project outcome optimisation.; 2. Tutorial workshop on teams, building case study team, selecting team case study as basis for application of tools to learning. . ; Lecture and tutorial (4 hr) LO2 LO5 LO6 LO7
Week 04 1.Origins of Quality system assurance, TQM, ISO 9000 and other systems. Concept of quality as achieving expectation of value. Initiating tools customer requirement table (CRT). Quality planning tools, Flow charts, MS Project, 7 Tools of Quality. Deployment tools, Ms Project, Quality Function Deployment (QFD). Improvement tools 6th Sigma, Lean management. quality circles, Value Engineering Kanban. Measurement tools, Earned Value Management (EVM) 2 Tutorial on quality planning and deployment. Lecture and tutorial (4 hr) LO1 LO2 LO5 LO6
Week 05 1 Lecture: Social responsibility, professional behaviours, community obligations, environmental and sustainability practices in engineering including, Professional Standards Council requirements, community advocacy and stakeholder needs analysis. 2 Tutorial; Brief for report to client on sustainability of Team case project. Case project Report 1 Initiation report, discussion with Tutors and feedback re suitability and customer requirements. Sign off by client representative (Tutor) Lecture and tutorial (4 hr) LO2 LO5 LO6 LO7
Week 06 1 Lecture, Workplace Health and safety System, risk assessment, response planning, deployment, assurance, Responsibilities of Engineers for assurance. Legislation requirements. Wider risks including safety in design operation and demolition. Societal risk, environmental and health. 2 Case study industry enquiry and coroners findings. Lecture and tutorial (4 hr) LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO7
Week 07 1. Quality systems in Engineering practice. ISO 9000, principles, Certification systems registration, leadership and management, zero defects, rectification and contractual responsibilities of Superintendents. Deployment of assurance into contracts, role of certifiers. 2. Team Case Project Report 2 Design and Planning report. Team presentation and student individual quality assessment and feed back to team on non conformances. Lecture and tutorial (4 hr) LO1 LO3 LO4 LO7
Week 08 Implementing quality assurance, management and control. Review of Customer requirements, quality planning (QFD) and MS project task and resources. Constructing a test and inspection plan (T&IP). Update on earned value and dealing with non conformances. 7 tools of quality management. Introduction to continuous improvement tools(6 Sigma, IshiKawa, Fish-bone, Priority, relationship, Maturity models. 2 Mid semester quiz. Lecture and tutorial (4 hr) LO1 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6
Week 09 1 Lecture, Delivery / Procurement system design as response to risk, quality and innovation requirements. Explanation of contract alternatives, including Cost Plus, Lump Sum, Schedule rates, Design Construct, Partnering, Alliance, IT, R&D, and Agile application development. Role of Engineers as Project Managers an or Superintendents for quality under different structures. 2 Tutorial. Case project examination with Team presentation of recommended procurement method as a brief to client. Lecture and tutorial (4 hr) LO1 LO3 LO4 LO7 LO8
Week 10 Lecture. Professional service quality management, advanced topics including; Cost Benefit Analysis, Value Engineering / optioneering , FAST diagrams, Cost Function tables, Pareto charts. Explaining concepts of Quality assurance over Asset life cycle through asset maintenance planning. Tutorial. Case project Value Engineering case Project with brief to client on changes to scope cost and schedule to improve return on investment. Lecture and tutorial (4 hr) LO1 LO3 LO5 LO6 LO7 LO8
Week 11 1 Lecture. Digital Engineering, AI applications and IT development. BIMS in Engineering context, 3 to 5D explanations. Quality assurance processes, I&TP design. Use of digital twins in asset / life cycle management and upgrading. 2 Tutorial case project discussion on assurance and Brief to client on I&TP, requirements for digital engineering assets. Lecture and tutorial (4 hr) LO1 LO2 LO5 LO6 LO7 LO8
Week 12 Lecture. Integrating continuous improvement and innovation management tools, in the delivery phase including, 6 SIGMA, Lean Management, KANBAN, and quality circles. 2 Tutorial workshop on 6 Sigma including outcome presentation to client on Brief for deploying improvements. Lecture and tutorial (4 hr) LO1 LO2 LO5 LO6 LO8
Week 13 Quality system audit, WH&S system audit, Sustainability systems. UN 17 sustainability goals and target personal futures. Course benefits realisation. Course wrap up. Tutorial Team Implementation report presentations to client. Individual Student quality assessment and feed back of team presentation. , Lecture and tutorial (4 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6 LO7 LO8

Attendance and class requirements

Online and attendance modes are provided..

Study commitment

Typically, there is a minimum expectation of 1.5-2 hours of student effort per week per credit point for units of study offered over a full semester. For a 6 credit point unit, this equates to roughly 120-150 hours of student effort in total.

Required readings

Refger Canvas handouts and study material.

Learning outcomes are what students know, understand and are able to do on completion of a unit of study. They are aligned with the University's graduate qualities and are assessed as part of the curriculum.

At the completion of this unit, you should be able to:

  • LO1. Apply quality assurance both in initiation, design/ planning, implementation, commissioning and operation of Engineered Assets, including an understanding of both project and product quality. Apply quality control as well as principles and application of Total Quality Management ( TQM) and ISO 9001 systems and procedures to both project and manufacturing quality.
  • LO2. Apply sound engineering practice to management of stakeholders including provision for the role of staff associations and user groups in initiation, design, delivery and certification of assets. Induct and train operating staff and involved communities in management and operation of engineering assets as well as application of employment contracts and agreements.
  • LO3. Apply a professional approach to assuring quality of contracts including professional services, design, construct, construction management, lump sum, alliance, partnering, maintenance and operational systems. Apply principles of supplier selection, tender and administration of contracts including embedding assurance systems for quality, OH&S, risk procurement and sustainability, Apply engineering principles to contracts including product quality assurance for ongoing, maintenance, upgrades (Digital Twin systems) and operational activities required as contracted deliverables. Develop contracts for design, supply and operation of Engineered assets and software as service, including liability and dispute management within different legal systems used in both common and non common law jurisdictions.
  • LO4. Apply occupational health and safety acts as applicable in different jurisdictions. Understand issues of liability and systems assurance,for workplace safety in both the practice of delivery and in ongoing operations.
  • LO5. Apply principles of team building, leadership and management including roles of team members, resource estimating, team development, communication, dispute resolution, task allocation, including team performance measurement and feedback.
  • LO6. Comprehend usage of Quality assurance and control tools, including value assurance systems, such as quality deployment across all project functions,including use of scheduling tools for earned value (quality achievement) management. Analyse risk as precursor the quality and procurement system design. Apply risk and quality system responses to selection and management of procurement and delivery systems. Apply value management using FAST systems, preparation of function cost plans, value optimisation, and inclusion in design. Apply principles of quality assurance, including; system, audit, inspection and test design and implementation, non conformance reporting, rectification and continuous improvement. Comprehend usage of quality tools to evaluate and improve processes, including, Ishikawa, fishbone,network and pareto charts, 6 sigma, Quality circles, lean manufacturing and Kanban. Analyse and rectify defects in manufacturing system specification and control using defect rate statistics.
  • LO7. Apply a professional approach to ethical issues related to the engineering profession and the social responsibility of engineers including sustainable (environmental, social and economic) development and operations. Analyse and manage economic, social and environmental outcomes. Provide input to project governance processes including quality assurance and risk management. This outcome will include working in teams, leading teams, ethical behaviours related to intellectual and physical property rights, treatment of individuals in the workplace, understanding and practice of working in culturally diverse workforce, application of conflict of interest and probity principles to engineering projects and dealing with unjust enrichment practices and behaviours. The concepts of community above self and value for effort as well as sustainability of resources will be included including WFEO Principles and EA codes of Conduct.
  • LO8. Apply systems thinking including decision making processes, for simple, complicated, complex and chaotic systems. Analyse simple system Engineering discipline integration and optioneeering for sustainable outcomes. Apply scenarios analysis for service delivery as outcomes by considering alternative systems, including demand management, IT , Software, automation, regulation, social development or asset build.

Graduate qualities

The graduate qualities are the qualities and skills that all University of Sydney graduates must demonstrate on successful completion of an award course. As a future Sydney graduate, the set of qualities have been designed to equip you for the contemporary world.

GQ1 Depth of disciplinary expertise

Deep disciplinary expertise is the ability to integrate and rigorously apply knowledge, understanding and skills of a recognised discipline defined by scholarly activity, as well as familiarity with evolving practice of the discipline.

GQ2 Critical thinking and problem solving

Critical thinking and problem solving are the questioning of ideas, evidence and assumptions in order to propose and evaluate hypotheses or alternative arguments before formulating a conclusion or a solution to an identified problem.

GQ3 Oral and written communication

Effective communication, in both oral and written form, is the clear exchange of meaning in a manner that is appropriate to audience and context.

GQ4 Information and digital literacy

Information and digital literacy is the ability to locate, interpret, evaluate, manage, adapt, integrate, create and convey information using appropriate resources, tools and strategies.

GQ5 Inventiveness

Generating novel ideas and solutions.

GQ6 Cultural competence

Cultural Competence is the ability to actively, ethically, respectfully, and successfully engage across and between cultures. In the Australian context, this includes and celebrates Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures, knowledge systems, and a mature understanding of contemporary issues.

GQ7 Interdisciplinary effectiveness

Interdisciplinary effectiveness is the integration and synthesis of multiple viewpoints and practices, working effectively across disciplinary boundaries.

GQ8 Integrated professional, ethical, and personal identity

An integrated professional, ethical and personal identity is understanding the interaction between one’s personal and professional selves in an ethical context.

GQ9 Influence

Engaging others in a process, idea or vision.

Outcome map

Learning outcomes Graduate qualities
GQ1 GQ2 GQ3 GQ4 GQ5 GQ6 GQ7 GQ8 GQ9

This section outlines changes made to this unit following staff and student reviews.

Additional practical examples have been included.

Work, health and safety

Students should budget not more than 150 hours for this course and manage that budget as part of quality control on WH&S issues. If work is evenly paced, then there should be no last-minute rush before the final report in the exam period.

The course work includes requirements to demonstrate the preparation and management of personal WH&S plans as part of the assessment.

Disclaimer

The University reserves the right to amend units of study or no longer offer certain units, including where there are low enrolment numbers.

To help you understand common terms that we use at the University, we offer an online glossary.