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Unit outline_

PMGT5896: Sustainability and Intelligence in PM

Semester 2, 2021 [Block mode] - Remote

Sustainability and intelligence are two of the major themes facing us as individuals and organisations in today’s knowledge economy. The first of these themes is the challenge of ensuring economic, social and environmental sustainability in every aspect of our personal, working and organisational lives. This requires us to factor sustainability into our plans, actions and decisions at every level. To do this we need intelligence which, like sustainability, has many potential meanings and applications. At one level it is the ability to apply knowledge, skills and abstract reasoning; to adapt to new and unfamiliar situations; to observe and empathise; and to learn from experience. Traditionally it has been assumed that intelligence was a capability of sentient beings (humans and other animals), but artificial intelligence (AI) is emerging as a significant support or alternative. At another level, intelligence can be considered as the knowledge, information and data that enable us to learn, take action and make decisions. Associated with this, at a project or organisational level are knowledge management (the systematic development and management of knowledge assets) and business intelligence (the use and transformation of raw data into meaningful information and insights) to support strategy, value creation and sustainability. This Unit of Study will focus on aspects of sustainability and intelligence relevant to project leadership. It will begin with an overview of economic, social and environmental sustainability and an examination of how corporate and societal global sustainability goals can be achieved through decision and action in projects, programs and portfolios. With this context, we will then look at how project teams, organisations, and societies build knowledge capabilities to sustain excellence and performance. Project and knowledge management are interconnected through the measures of project outcomes and the use of knowledge assets such as expertise, collaboration, decision-making, policies and procedures. Ultimately, project success is dependent on effective exchange and access to critical knowledge. Such critical knowledge is increasingly being supported by development of business intelligence capability and drawn from effective use and analysis of data including big data to reveal patterns, trends and connections. The Unit will conclude with an overview of business intelligence and data analysis and how it is being used to support projects and organisations.

Unit details and rules

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

None

Available to study abroad and exchange students

Yes

Teaching staff

Coordinator Lynn Crawford, lynn.crawford@sydney.edu.au
Lecturer(s) Lynn Crawford, lynn.crawford@sydney.edu.au
Type Description Weight Due Length
Assignment group assignment Activity portfolio
A number of assessed small team activities
15% Multiple weeks Various
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO7 LO6 LO5 LO4 LO3 LO2
Presentation Presentation portfolio
A number of prepared presentations
20% Multiple weeks Various
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO7 LO6 LO5 LO4 LO3 LO2
Assignment Discussion forums
Contribution to online Discussion Forum.
15% Please select a valid week from the list below Appx 250 - 500 words
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO7 LO6 LO5 LO4 LO3 LO2
Assignment Case Study Analysis
Analysis of a provided case.
20% Week 09 Max 1500 words
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO7 LO6 LO2
Assignment group assignment Business case
Professional report
20% Week 11 10-20 pages
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO7 LO6 LO5 LO4 LO3 LO2
Presentation group assignment Business Case: team presentation
Team presentation
10% Week 12 10 minutes
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6 LO7
group assignment = group assignment ?

Assessment summary

Discussion forums: students will participate in Canvas discussions. Contributions will be evaluated based on quality and quantity of the post(s). 
Activity Portfolio: activities, requiring preparatory work and carried out in pairs or teams in workshops or by alternate submission.
Presentation Portfolio: individual presentations, requiring preparatory work, delivered in workshops or by alternate submission.
Case Study: individual analysis of a provided case study.
Business case: a business case, developed in a team, aimed at gaining support for a sustainability and knowledge initiative for an organisation or project of your choice.
Business case – Team presentation: intended as a presentation of the sustainability and knowledge initiative business case to the board or senior management of the organisation. It should be a fully professional presentation that takes into consideration the nature of the audience, their level of understanding and interest in the business case and conveys the key ideas clearly and convincingly. It should conclude with a clear recommendation and/or call to action.


Detailed information for each assessment can be found on Canvas.

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:
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.

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.

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:

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

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
Multiple weeks Directed online learning and assignment work Independent study (110 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6 LO7
Week 01 Sustainability: beyond being green Workshop (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO6 LO7
Week 02 Sustainability: frameworks, CSR and social sustainability Workshop (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO6
Week 03 Sustainability in the supply chain Workshop (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO6 LO7
Week 04 Sustainability, knowledge and the future of work Workshop (2 hr) LO2 LO3 LO4 LO6
Week 05 Knowledge in a project-based world Workshop (2 hr) LO3 LO4 LO6 LO7
Week 06 Knowledge strategies and frameworks Workshop (2 hr) LO2 LO3 LO4 LO6
Week 07 Data and business intelligence Workshop (2 hr) LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6
Week 08 Data and business intelligence Workshop (2 hr) LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6
Week 09 Data and business intelligence Workshop (2 hr) LO4 LO5 LO6 LO7
Week 10 Governance and leadership Workshop (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6 LO7
Week 12 Business case presentations Workshop (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6 LO7

Attendance and class requirements

Workshops held on Fridays throughout Semester from 4.00 pm to 6.00 pm in Zoom.   Week 4, the workshop will be held on Saturday from 9am to 11am to accommodate an international guest speaker.  Links provided in Canvas.  

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

Text

  • Designing a successful KM strategy: A guide for the knowledge management professional.   Available as an eBook in the University Library.

Links to other readings are provided in 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. define sustainability and Identify ways in which projects can contribute to achievement of Sustainable Development Goals
  • LO2. evaluate the systemic impact of decisions and actions on society, the environment and the process and end product of an endeavour
  • LO3. describe the societal shifts and strategic imperatives that dictate the critical importance of knowledge
  • LO4. draw upon proven and emerging knowledge services and methods to facilitate collaborative knowledge transfer within and without an endeavour
  • LO5. propose ways in which data can be leveraged to drive decision making and support sustainability
  • LO6. demonstrate ability to apply ethical reasoning to plans, decisions and actions
  • LO7. communicate ideas, utilising a range of media, in a logical, clear and compelling manner that is tailored to specific audiences and purposes

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 in response to feedback. Delivery mode adjusted to accommodate impact of COVID-19.

Site visit guidelines

A site visit to Barangaroo may be possible subject to COVID-19 restrictions and student availability.

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.