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Unit outline_

PMGT1860: Project Initiation and Scope

Semester 1, 2024 [Normal day] - Camperdown/Darlington, Sydney

Projects need to be set up to succeed from the start. This includes careful consideration of the purpose of the project and how this breaks down through work, deliverables and responsibility. This Unit of Study addresses the techniques required to design a successful project. It provides the foundation for more detailed planning and execution. Upon completion of this course, students will develop thinking and listening skills, while demonstrating initiative and drive to achieve project related outcomes.

Unit details and rules

Academic unit Project Management
Credit points 6
Prerequisites
? 
None
Corequisites
? 
None
Prohibitions
? 
ENGG1860
Assumed knowledge
? 

None

Available to study abroad and exchange students

Yes

Teaching staff

Coordinator Mahshid Tootoonchy, mahshid.tootoonchy@sydney.edu.au
Lecturer(s) Mahshid Tootoonchy, mahshid.tootoonchy@sydney.edu.au
The census date for this unit availability is 2 April 2024
Type Description Weight Due Length
Presentation group assignment Group Assessment #2 - Project Charter
Group presentations of a Project Charter.
30% Multiple weeks 1500 word submission/ 20min presentation
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6 LO7 LO8
Assignment group assignment Small Continuous Group Assessment
In-class group assignment across all workshops
30% Multiple weeks 40min group work and 3min presentation
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6 LO7 LO8
Small continuous assessment Practice Quiz
Short online quiz on early content from Weeks 1 & 2 (#earlyfeedbacktask)
0% Week 03
Due date: 10 Mar 2024 at 23:59
10 min
Outcomes assessed: LO2
Assignment Individual Assignment #1
Analytical Essay - WBS
20% Week 07
Due date: 14 Apr 2024 at 23:59
1200 words
Outcomes assessed: LO2 LO4 LO5
Assignment Individual Assignment #2 - Critical Reflection Report
Critical Reflection Report
10% Week 11
Due date: 12 May 2024 at 23:59
1200 words
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6 LO7 LO8
Online task Quiz
Multiple-choice, multi-answer and short-answer quiz.
10% Week 12 15 min
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO8 LO7 LO6 LO5 LO4 LO3 LO2
group assignment = group assignment ?

Early feedback task

This unit includes an early feedback task, designed to give you feedback prior to the census date for this unit. Details are provided in the Canvas site and your result will be recorded in your Marks page. It is important that you actively engage with this task so that the University can support you to be successful in this unit.

Assessment summary

  • Practice Quiz: # Early Assessment Task. Students are required to take an online quiz to evaluate their learning performance.

  • Individual assignment 1: Students are required to develop a WBS for a separate given project and discuss the approach chosen, advantages and disadvantages.

  • Individual assignment 2: Students are required to submit a reflective portfolio.

  • Quiz: In-class quiz covering materials from weeks 1-10.

  • In-class/small continuous group assessments: Students will work in groups.  They will be provided with weekly tasks and will present during the workshop (assessed).

  • Group presentation: Each group is required to prepare and present a Project Charter for selected case study (assessed).

Detailed information for each assessment can be found on Canvas.

Assessment criteria

The University awards common result grades, set out in the Coursework Policy 2021 (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.

This unit has an exception to the standard University policy or supplementary information has been provided by the unit coordinator. This information is displayed below:

Late Penalty: For every calendar day up to and including ten calendar days after the due date, a penalty of 5% of the maximum awardable marks will be applied to late work. The penalty will be calculated by first marking the work, and then subtracting 5% of the maximum awardable mark for each calendar day after the due date. Example: Consider an assignment's maximum awardable mark is 10; the assignment is submitted 2 days late; and the assignment is marked as 7/10. After applying the penalty, marks will be: 7 - (0.5 x 2) = 6/10. For work submitted more than ten calendar days after the due date a mark of zero will be awarded. The marker may elect to, but is not required to, provide feedback on such work. Refer to section 7A of Assessment procedures policy available at: http://sydney.edu.au/policies/showdoc.aspx?recnum=PDOC2012/267&RendNum=0 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. Text-matching software for Assignment Submission: As part of the assessment process, text matching software such as Turnitin will be used to identify plagiarism and/or be used for providing feedback. Confidential Peer Evaluation: As part of the group contribution assessment process, collaborative & self-peer evaluation tools (e.g. SparkPlus, CATME, etc.) may be used, either on a confidential or non-confidential basis, to understand contributions and interactions amongst group members. Marks may be adjusted for an individual team member, following on from the peer evaluation process. Mark Moderation: There may be statistically defensible moderation when combining the marks from each component to ensure consistency of marking between markers, and alignment of final grades with unit outcomes.

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.

Support for students

The Support for Students Policy 2023 reflects the University’s commitment to supporting students in their academic journey and making the University safe for students. It is important that you read and understand this policy so that you are familiar with the range of support services available to you and understand how to engage with them.

The University uses email as its primary source of communication with students who need support under the Support for Students Policy 2023. Make sure you check your University email regularly and respond to any communications received from the University.

Learning resources and detailed information about weekly assessment and learning activities can be accessed via Canvas. It is essential that you visit your unit of study Canvas site to ensure you are up to date with all of your tasks.

If you are having difficulties completing your studies, or are feeling unsure about your progress, we are here to help. You can access the support services offered by the University at any time:

Support and Services (including health and wellbeing services, financial support and learning support)
Course planning and administration
Meet with an Academic Adviser

WK Topic Learning activity Learning outcomes
Multiple weeks Independent study guided by the online content and workshops (Week 1-13). You are expected to undertake 8-10 hours per week of independent study in addition to the workshops Independent study (96 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6 LO7 LO8
Week 01 Modern project management & what is a project? Workshop (2 hr) LO1
Week 02 Organisational strategy & project selection Workshop (2 hr) LO1 LO3
Week 03 Project within organisational structure and culture Workshop (2 hr) LO1 LO2
Week 04 Stakeholder requirements & acceptance criteria Workshop (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO4
Week 05 Defining the project, scope & Project Charter Workshop (2 hr) LO2 LO5
Week 06 Creating Work Breakdown Structures Workshop (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO4 LO5
Week 07 Establishing project time, budget and resources Workshop (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO4 LO5
Week 08 Quality management Workshop (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO6
Week 09 Risk management framework Workshop (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO7
Week 10 Procurement management Workshop (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO8
Week 11 Group presentations Workshop (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6 LO7 LO8
Week 12 Group presentations Workshop (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6 LO7 LO8
Week 13 Group presentations Workshop (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6 LO7 LO8

Attendance and class requirements

Attendance is encouraged for all workshop sessions. Absenteeism may affect in class individual and team performance and assessments.

Special considerations applications must be made in advance for approvals. Any absenteeism and appeals must be supported by a valid reason evidenced through official documents e.g. medical certificate or company documentation.

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.

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. align the project with organisational mission and vision
  • LO2. define strategic outcomes, project objectives, benefits and success criteria - interpret the business case for the project
  • LO3. design the project to comply with relevant legislation, regulations, professional and sustainability principles and prevailing social norms
  • LO4. identify and prioritise project and stakeholder needs, requirements and acceptance criteria
  • LO5. structure the product, work and responsibility hierarchies
  • LO6. develop a quality management plan
  • LO7. develop a risk management framework
  • LO8. develop a procurement strategy.

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.

Changes made to better align the learning activities, assessments and learning outcomes.

Expectations:

Normally students are expected to undertake 8-10 hours per week of independent study per 2-hour workshop session. 

PREPARATION BEFORE CLASS is key to the successful peer-to-peer engagement and learning in this unit.

This unit of study has an interactive and participative hands-on workshop approach based on the concepts of flipped (preparing beforehand, self-directed learning) and blended learning (using online resources, technology and live learning in class). The principles of flipped learning and online interactions and online resources would apply to students in both face-to-face and online environments. Discussions and collaborative sessions can be conducted in both online and face-to-face modes. We strongly urge students to take leadership and ownership of their own learnings, come prepared to discuss, engage and learn in an interactive environment.

Late Penalty:

For every calendar day up to and including ten calendar days after the due date, a penalty of 5% of the maximum awardable marks will be applied to late work. The penalty will be calculated by first marking the work, and then subtracting 5% of the maximum awardable mark for each calendar day after the due date. Example: Consider an assignment's maximum awardable mark is 10; the assignment is submitted 2 days late; and the assignment is marked as 7/10. After applying the penalty, marks will be: 7 - (0.5 x 2) = 6/10. For work submitted more than ten calendar days after the due date a mark of zero will be awarded. Refer to section 7A of Assessment procedures policy available at: http://sydney.edu.au/policies/showdoc.aspx?recnum=PDOC2012/267&RendNum=0

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.

Text-matching software for Assignment Submission:

As part of the assessment process, text matching software such as Turnitin will be used to identify plagiarism and/or be used for providing feedback.

Confidential Peer Evaluation:

As part of the group contribution assessment process, collaborative & self-peer evaluation tools (e.g. SparkPlus, CATME, etc.) may be used, either on a confidential or non-confidential basis, to understand contributions and interactions amongst group members. Marks may be adjusted for an individual team member, following on from the peer evaluation process.

Mark Moderation:

There may be statistically defensible moderation when combining the marks from each component to ensure consistency of marking between markers, and alignment of final grades with unit outcomes.

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.