Management Framework for Business Projects (MFBP) seeks to establish rigorous theoretical foundations for the initiation and management of projects (and programs) in business. MFBP explores concepts that are intended to enhance the success of projects by guiding the way they are scoped, planned, governed and closed.
The Course introduces a set of frameworks and examines a number of contemporary issues in business project management within the public and private sectors. While we refer to accepted project management practice, (as reflected, for example, in the Project Management Body of Knowledge), this Course is based on an exploration of rigorous management principles - it is not a training program in any particular methodology. Indeed, armed with the theoretical principles that we will explore, it is possible to make considered judgements about the worth, strengths and weaknesses of the proprietary methodologies in common use throughout industry today.
The focus of the Course is on the project as a domain of management decision-making. A number of important tools and techniques in project management that are covered comprehensively in other Courses are discussed only superficially in MFBP. This is particularly the case with such areas as: work planning, task scheduling, diagramming and project resourcing. Conventional wisdom in project management is based on a rich and fascinating collage of: analytical techniques, accepted practice, proprietary products, agreed standards, regularised procedures, anecdotal evidence, folklore, urban myths, professional ritual, assertions, strongly-held beliefs and methodological zealotry. For some years the lecturer has been engaged in a research program (with Ofer Zwikael; also from RSM) that seeks to make project management a more rigorous discipline by underpinning all this with reliable theoretical foundations. A Management Framework for Business Projects is work-in-progress from this endeavour.
Learning Outcomes
Upon successful completion, students will have the knowledge and skills to:
MFBP seeks to equip students with a foundation set of skills, tools and techniques for the effective and efficient management of business projects.
Upon successful completion of the requirements for this course, students will be able to:
- define, explain and illustrate key high-level concepts in project management including the ITO Model, project scoping, planning, governance, issues and risk management, monitoring, evaluation and project closeout; and,
- make considered judgements about the worth, strengths and weaknesses of the proprietary project management methodologies in common use throughout industry today.
Other Information
See the course outline on the College courses page. Outlines are uploaded as they become available.
Indicative Assessment
- Tutorial/Seminar Presentation - 15%
- Minor term paper - 35%
- Major term paper - 50%
All three components of the above assessment schedule are compulsory and students must comply with each. To achieve an automatic pass grade in this course you must obtain 50% or more as a scaled aggregate mark.
The ANU uses Turnitin to enhance student citation and referencing techniques, and to assess assignment submissions as a component of the University's approach to managing Academic Integrity. While the use of Turnitin is not mandatory, the ANU highly recommends Turnitin is used by both teaching staff and students. For additional information regarding Turnitin please visit the ANU Online website.
Workload
3-hour seminar per week
Students are also expected to devote appropriate amounts of time between classes to private study: reading texts and references, completing tutorial assignments and preparing items for discussion in class.
Requisite and Incompatibility
You will need to contact the Research School of Management to request a permission code to enrol in this course.
Assumed Knowledge
There are no pre-requisites for MFBP, however some direct exposure to engineering/business projects is assumed.
Specialisations
Fees
Tuition fees are for the academic year indicated at the top of the page.
If you are a domestic graduate coursework or international student you will be required to pay tuition fees. Tuition fees are indexed annually. Further information for domestic and international students about tuition and other fees can be found at Fees.
- Student Contribution Band:
- 3
- Unit value:
- 6 units
If you are an undergraduate student and have been offered a Commonwealth supported place, your fees are set by the Australian Government for each course. At ANU 1 EFTSL is 48 units (normally 8 x 6-unit courses). You can find your student contribution amount for each course at Fees. Where there is a unit range displayed for this course, not all unit options below may be available.
| Units | EFTSL |
|---|---|
| 6.00 | 0.12500 |
Course fees
- Domestic fee paying students
| Year | Fee |
|---|---|
| 2015 | $3414 |
- International fee paying students
| Year | Fee |
|---|---|
| 2015 | $4350 |
Offerings, Dates and Class Summary Links
ANU utilises MyTimetable to enable students to view the timetable for their enrolled courses, browse, then self-allocate to small teaching activities / tutorials so they can better plan their time. Find out more on the Timetable webpage.
Class summaries, if available, can be accessed by clicking on the View link for the relevant class number.
Second Semester
| Class number | Class start date | Last day to enrol | Census date | Class end date | Mode Of Delivery | Class Summary |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2555 | 20 Jul 2015 | 07 Aug 2015 | 31 Aug 2015 | 30 Oct 2015 | In Person | N/A |
