This course introduces students to the principles and management of projects and information technology in a business context. The emphasis is on understanding how organisational innovation can be managed through projects and how the technologies to handle data, information and knowledge resources be managed to achieve business effectiveness. The course will provide students with a foundation for further study in project management, business information systems and other management disciplines. The course is divided into two sequential modules, covering the theory and management of technological systems and the theory and management of projects.

Learning Outcomes

Upon successful completion, students will have the knowledge and skills to:

Upon completion of the course, students should be able to:

1. Identify the role of information systems and project management in organizational innovation. (Ask and Understand)
2. Determine innovative strategies to address organizational opportunities and problems. (Acquire and Apply)
3. Gauge the quality of available evidence in the domain of information system and project management. (Appraise and Analyse)
4.  Ascertain the appropriate course of action based on relevant approaches and evidence. (Aggregate and Evaluate)
5.  Recognise the organisational, social and ethical implications of the courses of action. (Apply and Evaluate)
6. Develop a portfolio approach to realise organisational and strategic benefits. (Assess + Create)
 

Research-Led Teaching

A research-led, practice-relevant teaching approach

This course emphasises the detection and mobilisation of current research and theoretical foundations of technology and project management to order to address particular practical problems in an evidence-based manner.

Field Trips

Not Applicable.

Additional Course Costs

There are no additional costs incurred by students in order to complete this course.

Examination Material or equipment

See course Wattle site for further information.

Required Resources

There are no additional resources required from students in order to complete this course. All required reading materials will be provided on Wattle.

Recommended Resources

Technology Module

There is no textbook required for this module. There are many useful introductory texts in systems (eg. Gammack, John et al (2012) The Book of Informatics). You are expected to complete the required readings (available on Wattle) prior to the weekly seminars.  

Project Management Module:

There is no textbook required for this module. You are expected to complete the required readings (available on Wattle) prior to the weekly seminars.  

Staff Feedback

Students will be given feedback in the following forms in this course:

1. Feedback on in-class group exercises and discussions.
2. Students are also encouraged to email the lecturer with their specific questions about the courses and assignments. Emails will be responded in a reasonable time frame. Please do not send the lecturer the draft assignments, but only the specific questions.
3. Groups are encouraged to meet with the lecturer on a regular basis for the progress of group assignments.
4. Written comments will be provided in the returning assignments.

Important: Most updates and announcements for this course will be circulated via emails and/or Wattle site. Please ensure that your official ANU email address is effective and you have access to Wattle.

Student Feedback

ANU is committed to the demonstration of educational excellence and regularly seeks feedback from students. Students are encouraged to offer feedback directly to their Course Convener or through their College and Course representatives (if applicable). The feedback given in these surveys is anonymous and provides the Colleges, University Education Committee and Academic Board with opportunities to recognise excellent teaching, and opportunities for improvement. The Surveys and Evaluation website provides more information on student surveys at ANU and reports on the feedback provided on ANU courses.

Class Schedule

Week/Session	Summary of Activities	Assessment
1	Technology: Architecture Technology theory ICT components and structure Academic literature in the technology domain
2	Technology: Concept Specification Conceptual thinking and frameworks Ontology and discourse modelling Modelling data
3	Technology: Systems Computational thinking & process modelling General Systems Theory Causal modelling and System Dynamics
4	Technology: Design Design thinking & systems development Design Science Research Technology quality & evaluation	Assignment Due: Technology Analysis Report Assignment (Friday, 11pm)
5	Technology: Organisational Interaction Organisational activity systems & technology Enterprise architecture Management, governance & evaluation
6	Technology: Issues Technology futures Technology ethics, security & privacy Review and student-led topics	Assignment Due: Technology Evaluation Report Assignment (Friday, 11pm)
7	PM: Introduction to Project Management PM module overview Projects and project management Project performance
8	PM: Project Initiation: From Ideas to Projects Project life and governance model Project initiation process and outputs
9	PM: Project Planning: Scope and Schedule Management Project planning process and outputs Project scope planning Project scheduling
10	PM: Project Planning: Resource and Cost Management Project resource management Project cost management Risk management	Assignment Due: Project Management Plan (Friday, 11pm)
11	PM: Project execution and performance evaluation Project monitor and control Project outcome realization Project performance evaluation
12	PM: Contingency and Context Project management vs. organizational context Project management vs. project context Project management vs. human factors	Assignment Due: Project Management Report Assignment (Friday, 11pm)

Tutorial Registration

Not Applicable

Assessment Summary

Assessment task	Value	Due Date	Return of assessment	Learning Outcomes
Technology Analysis Report (Group)	10 %	22/03/2019	29/03/2019	1,3,5
Technology Evaluation Report (Individual)	25 %	05/04/2019	19/04/2019	2,3,4,5,6
Project Management Plan (Group)	10 %	17/05/2019	24/05/2019	1,2,3,4,5,6
Project Management Report (Individual)	25 %	31/05/2019	14/06/2019	1,2,3,4,5,6
Examination (Individual, 30%)	30 %	06/06/2019	04/07/2019	1,2,3,4,5,6

* If the Due Date and Return of Assessment date are blank, see the Assessment Tab for specific Assessment Task details

Policies

ANU has educational policies, procedures and guidelines, which are designed to ensure that staff and students are aware of the University’s academic standards, and implement them. Students are expected to have read the Academic Misconduct Rule before the commencement of their course. Other key policies and guidelines include:

• Student Assessment (Coursework) Policy and Procedure
• Special Assessment Consideration Policy and General Information
• Student Surveys and Evaluations
• Deferred Examinations
• Student Complaint Resolution Policy and Procedure

Assessment Requirements

The ANU is using 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. For additional information regarding Turnitin please visit the ANU Online website Students may choose not to submit assessment items through Turnitin. In this instance you will be required to submit, alongside the assessment item itself, hard copies of all references included in the assessment item.

Moderation of Assessment

Marks that are allocated during Semester are to be considered provisional until formalised by the College examiners meeting at the end of each Semester. If appropriate, some moderation of marks might be applied prior to final results being released.

Participation

Students are encouraged to actively participate in all in-class exercises and discussions.

Examination(s)

A formal in-person examination will simulate the situation common in organisations where you are called on to provide advice, to critique and to evaluate 'on the spot'.

Examination information will be available closer to the examination period at https://exams.anu.edu.au/timetable/

Assessment Task 1

Technology Analysis Report (Group)

In a small group (3-4 members formed by students), analyse a typical information technology system and present a report which explains its components, structure, stakeholders, and organisational role. Your analysis will use the concepts discussed in the Technology module and in the academic literature. Details of the assessment requirements and marking criteria will be provided on Wattle.

The Technology Analysis Report will be no more than 1500 words excluding tables, figures, references and appendices.

Assessment Task 2

Technology Evaluation Report (Individual)

Based on your work in Assessment Task 1, evaluate a topic in the field of information technology systems and present an individual report that is well grounded in the concepts discussed in the Technology module and in the academic literature. Typical topics include:

1. Technological determinism and organisational flexibility
2. Natural and artificial intelligence
3. Surveillance and privacy
4. Technology and workforce change
5. Cyber warfare and humanity

You should work on this assignment in parallel to your group assignment.

Details of the assessment requirements and marking criteria will be provided on Wattle.

The Technology Evaluation Report will be no more than 2500 words excluding tables, figures, references and appendices.

Assessment Task 3

Project Management Plan (Group)

Develop key components of a project management plan and analyse key issues facing project project owners and project managers in a project management context. Your analysis and evaluation needs to draw upon the concepts and lessons you learned in Project Management module with supporting evidences from academic literature. Details about the case study, assessment requirements and marking criteria will be provided on Wattle.

The Project Management Plan must be no more than 1500 words excluding tables, figures, references and appendices.

Assessment Task 4

Project Management Report (Individual)

Develop a report that leverages your Project Management Plan, seminar content and academic literature to discuss one of the assigned topics. Typical topics include:

1. The benefits and challenges of project governance in technology projects.
2. Uncertainty management - identification, analysis and management of risks and opportunities in technology projects.
3. Project decomposition - developing a comprehensive WBS, developing estimates and managing scope throughout the technology project lifecycle.
4. The evolution of methodologies to support technology initiatives (e.g. Agile, Waterfall, etc.)
5. You may also suggest a topic that is of interest to you and relevant to the course. Note - tutor written approval must be obtained prior to work beginning on this topic.

In this assignment you must discuss real world projects and demonstrate effective usage of academic literature. See Wattle for guidance on academic journal selection. Given the timing of assessments, you should work on this assignment in parallel to your Project Management Plan assignment. Details about assessment requirements and marking criteria will be provided on Wattle.

The Project Management Report must be no more than 2500 words excluding tables, figures, references and appendices.

Assessment Task 5

Examination (Individual, 30%)

This examination covers the concepts discussed in class, required readings and assignments. More detail regarding examination structure and content will be provided in class and on Wattle.

Academic Integrity

Academic integrity is a core part of our culture as a community of scholars. At its heart, academic integrity is about behaving ethically. This means that all members of the community commit to honest and responsible scholarly practice and to upholding these values with respect and fairness. The Australian National University commits to embedding the values of academic integrity in our teaching and learning. We ensure that all members of our community understand how to engage in academic work in ways that are consistent with, and actively support academic integrity. The ANU expects staff and students to uphold high standards of academic integrity and act ethically and honestly, to ensure the quality and value of the qualification that you will graduate with. The University has policies and procedures in place to promote academic integrity and manage academic misconduct. Visit the following Academic honesty & plagiarism website for more information about academic integrity and what the ANU considers academic misconduct. The ANU offers a number of services to assist students with their assignments, examinations, and other learning activities. The Academic Skills and Learning Centre offers a number of workshops and seminars that you may find useful for your studies.

Online Submission

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.

Hardcopy Submission

For some forms of assessment (hand written assignments, art works, laboratory notes, etc.) hard copy submission is appropriate when approved by the Associate Dean (Education). Hard copy submissions must utilise the Assignment Cover Sheet. Please keep a copy of tasks completed for your records.

Late Submission

Late submission of assessment tasks without an extension are penalised at the rate of 5% of the possible marks available per working day or part thereof. Late submission of assessment tasks is not accepted after 10 working days after the due date, or on or after the date specified in the course outline for the return of the assessment item. Late submission is not accepted for take-home examinations.

Referencing Requirements

Accepted academic practice for referencing sources that you use in presentations can be found via the links on the Wattle site, under the file named “ANU and College Policies, Program Information, Student Support Services and Assessment”. Alternatively, you can seek help through the Students Learning Development website.

Returning Assignments

All assignments will be marked and returned via the course Wattle site according to the timeline specified above.

Extensions and Penalties

Extensions and late submission of assessment pieces are covered by the Student Assessment (Coursework) Policy and Procedure The Course Convener may grant extensions for assessment pieces that are not examinations or take-home examinations. If you need an extension, you must request an extension in writing on or before the due date. If you have documented and appropriate medical evidence that demonstrates you were not able to request an extension on or before the due date, you may be able to request it after the due date.

Resubmission of Assignments

You are allowed to resubmit your assignments before the specific deadlines. Any submission done after the deadline will be considered as a late submission and the listed penalty conditions will apply.

Privacy Notice

The ANU has made a number of third party, online, databases available for students to use. Use of each online database is conditional on student end users first agreeing to the database licensor’s terms of service and/or privacy policy. Students should read these carefully. In some cases student end users will be required to register an account with the database licensor and submit personal information, including their: first name; last name; ANU email address; and other information. In cases where student end users are asked to submit ‘content’ to a database, such as an assignment or short answers, the database licensor may only use the student’s ‘content’ in accordance with the terms of service — including any (copyright) licence the student grants to the database licensor. Any personal information or content a student submits may be stored by the licensor, potentially offshore, and will be used to process the database service in accordance with the licensors terms of service and/or privacy policy. If any student chooses not to agree to the database licensor’s terms of service or privacy policy, the student will not be able to access and use the database. In these circumstances students should contact their lecturer to enquire about alternative arrangements that are available.

Distribution of grades policy

Academic Quality Assurance Committee monitors the performance of students, including attrition, further study and employment rates and grade distribution, and College reports on quality assurance processes for assessment activities, including alignment with national and international disciplinary and interdisciplinary standards, as well as qualification type learning outcomes. Since first semester 1994, ANU uses a grading scale for all courses. This grading scale is used by all academic areas of the University.

Support for students

The University offers students support through several different services. You may contact the services listed below directly or seek advice from your Course Convener, Student Administrators, or your College and Course representatives (if applicable).

• ANU Health, safety & wellbeing for medical services, counselling, mental health and spiritual support
• ANU Diversity and inclusion for students with a disability or ongoing or chronic illness
• ANU Dean of Students for confidential, impartial advice and help to resolve problems between students and the academic or administrative areas of the University
• ANU Academic Skills and Learning Centre supports you make your own decisions about how you learn and manage your workload.
• ANU Counselling Centre promotes, supports and enhances mental health and wellbeing within the University student community.
• ANUSA supports and represents undergraduate and ANU College students
• PARSA supports and represents postgraduate and research students