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Unit outline_

PMGT2854: Executing Projects

Intensive February, 2021 [Normal day] - Camperdown/Darlington, Sydney

The heart of a project lies in its delivery. Good planning sets the foundation for good execution; however projects need to be actively managed to ensure they are successfully delivered. This Unit of Study explores project execution through a hands on simulation that allows students to experience the delivery of a project including start-up and closure, progress reporting, decision making and change control.

Unit details and rules

Academic unit Project Management
Credit points 6
Prerequisites
? 
ENGG1860 OR ENGG1850
Corequisites
? 
None
Prohibitions
? 
None
Assumed knowledge
? 

None

Available to study abroad and exchange students

Yes

Teaching staff

Coordinator Marzena Baker, marzena.baker@sydney.edu.au
Type Description Weight Due Length
Tutorial quiz In-class Quiz #1
In-class Quiz. 5 multiple choice questions and 2 short answers.
15% Week 01 15 minutes
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO4 LO3 LO2
Presentation group assignment Simulation Group Assessment #1
Groups to amend, update and present planning documents for final sign-off.
10% Week 02 N/a
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO5 LO4 LO3
Presentation group assignment Simulation Group Assessment #2
Groups review and expend risk plan. Present report.
10% Week 02 N/a
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5
Presentation group assignment Simulation Group Assessment #3
Groups to respond to triggered project change and report actions.
10% Week 03 N/a
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO4 LO5 LO8
Presentation group assignment Simulation Group Assessment #4
Groups to prepare and present project closure documentation.
10% Week 03 N/a
Outcomes assessed: LO6 LO7 LO8
Tutorial quiz In-class Quiz #2
In-class Quiz. 5 multiple choice questions and 2 short answers.
15% Week 03 15 minutes
Outcomes assessed: LO5 LO7 LO6
Assignment Individual Assignment
Post simulation project review and lessons learned for future practice.
30% Week 03 1500 words +/- 10%
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO8 LO7 LO6 LO5 LO4 LO3 LO2
group assignment = group assignment ?

Assessment summary

Workshop simulation small continuous assessments: Basis for entire subject is a simulation of executing projects using a case study. Student groups to take on PM role for simulation reporting to lecturer or tutors as individual group Sponsor. Simulation is presented to students having been initiated and planned. Students are presented with a signed off project docs. using suitable software (e.g. MS Project), including project charter, and baseline plan scope, schedule, budget, quality plan, resource schedule, basic (incomplete) risk plan, procurement decisions. The signed off project plan will be constructed based on assumptions made one year earlier. There will be gaps in the plan and errors for students to find during their analysis. The hypothetical timeframe for the implementation and handover simulation will be 12-18 months. The format for presenting the assessments will be described in Canvas and discussed in workshops.

Simulation group assessment #1:

Groups to review basic risk plan critically analyse and expand with developed mitigation and management strategies. List conditions that will inform contracts to be drafted for supply of goods and services. Prepare report for presentation.

Simulation group assessment #2:

Based on analysis of documents and review of risks, groups to amend planning documents and present them to the Sponsor for sign-off, negotiating changes where appropriate.

Simulation group assessment #3:

Simulation is hypothetically advanced in time. Students are notified that several risks have been triggered. Groups to respond by choosing how they will respond to the risks and calculating impact on baselined plan (scope, time, cost, quality). Student groups to meet with sponsor to report and negotiate changes. Decisions will be informed and limited by procurement decisions made earlier. Prepare report for presentation.

Simulation group assessment #4:

Simulation is hypothetically advanced in time to delivery and review. Student groups prepare and submit closure documentation and conduct a post-review. The post-project review will be conducted by assigning stakeholder roles to the students within their groups. Each stakeholder role will be written so that the stakeholder has particular issues to present.

In-class Quizzes: The purpose of these assessments is to equip students with the capabilities to apply theory to practice. Students are required to complete the weekly readings and videos prior to attending workshops, attend weekly workshops, and complete two on-line multiple answer and short answers quizzes. The quizzes are designed to review student’s understanding of the weekly reading material and ability to apply knowledge within a collaborative and competitive project environment.

Individual Assignment: The purpose of this assessment is to equip students with an analytical mindset to make sense of project realities. Students are required to provide a post simulation project review. Having participated in the start-up, execution and close of the simulation project, students experienced hands-on project management and are now required to look at lessons learned for future practice. The format for the assignment will be described in Canvas and discussed in workshops.

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 Introduction to the unit Workshop (2 hr) LO1
Introduction to the unit Independent study (8 hr) LO1 LO2
Week 02 Project start-up Workshop (2 hr) LO2
Project start-up Independent study (8 hr) LO2
Stakeholder management and project governance Workshop (2 hr) LO1 LO7
Stakeholder management and project governance & revision for assessment Independent study (10 hr) LO1 LO7
Week 03 Success and common problems in project execution Workshop (2 hr) LO1 LO2
Success and common problems in project execution Independent study (8 hr) LO1 LO2
Project completion and close Workshop (2 hr) LO1 LO8
Project completion and close Independent study (8 hr) LO1 LO8
Agile projects - delivering in agile environment Workshop (2 hr) LO1 LO8
Agile projects - delivering in agile environment & revision for group activity Independent study (10 hr) LO1 LO8
Revision Workshop (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6 LO7 LO8
Revision Independent study (10 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6 LO7 LO8
Week 04 Project resourcing and leadership Workshop (2 hr) LO3
Project resourcing and leadership & revision for assessment Independent study (10 hr) LO3
Week 05 Evaluate and manage risk Workshop (2 hr) LO1 LO4
Evaluate and manage risk Independent study (8 hr) LO1 LO4
Week 06 Develop and apply change control Workshop (2 hr) LO1 LO5
Develop and apply change control & revision for group activity Independent study (10 hr) LO1 LO5
Week 07 Manage and report on project progress Workshop (2 hr) LO1 LO6
Manage and report on project progress Independent study (8 hr) LO1 LO6

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

All readings for this unit can be accessed through Canvas.

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. Monitor and control progress against performance expectations and make any necessary adjustments
  • LO2. Initiate and manage project start-up or the transition to a new project phase
  • LO3. Allocate and monitor resources
  • LO4. Evaluate and monitor risks, opportunities and implement responses
  • LO5. Develop and apply change control and configuration management; obtain agreement on, and implement project changes
  • LO6. Report on project progress; verify the achievement of project requirements and objectives, including quality and recommend any necessary corrective and/or preventive actions
  • LO7. Distil critical information, evaluate and review decisions to move the project forward
  • LO8. Deliver results, get acceptance, close and evaluate a phase or the project.

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.

Some changes have been made to the unit since the unit was last offered. The changes relate to further alignment between content of study and learning outcomes. The unit was also adapted for Block mode.

Students will be required to have basic knowledge of and be able to use project management software (e.g. MS Project). The software will be used in the project simulation group activities and assessments. 

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.