The objective of this course is to provide an introduction to practical project management techniques applicable to business projects in the private and public sectors. Concepts and techniques covered may include project specification, work break down structures, scheduling, network analysis, resource management and budgeting, risk analysis, reporting tools such as Gantt and PERT network charts, contractual issues, and, project termination.

Learning Outcomes

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

1. explain and illustrate the organisational context and environment within which project management operates;
2. define, explain and illustrate the project management framework and common tools;
3. explain and illustrate the linkages and interrelationships of strategic deployment and project management from a strategic perspective;
4. examine, reflect and comment upon contemporary issues in project management both nationally and internationally; and,
5. communicate effectively in oral and written forms about business project management using appropriate concepts, logic and rhetorical conventions

Research-Led Teaching

This course will integrate research on issues related to project management with practical tools and techniques. In particular, students are required to read selected research papers and participate in discussions in class. Additionally, students are required to review and analyse the literature on a topic of their choice. All these together can enhance students’ analytical capability and bridge the gap between theory and practice.

Field Trips

There are no field trips in this course

Additional Course Costs

There are no additional class costs

Examination Material or equipment

There is no final examination for this course

Required Resources

Meredith J.R., Mantel, S.J. 2012. Project Management - A Managerial Approach. 8^th ed. John Wiley and Sons.

A copy of the textbook will be held in the ANU library reserve & short loan collection.

Recommended Resources

Any further readings for the course will be advised via Wattle

Staff Feedback

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

• Written comments
• Verbal comments
• Feedback to the whole class, to groups, to individuals, focus groups

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	Lecture/In-class Exercises - Week 1: Course Introduction	Activities/Readings Course outline (available on Wattle) Due date: Before seminar: complete all required readings;
2	Lecture/In-class Exercises - Week 2: - Projects, Project Management and Project Performance; - Project Life and Project Governance Model (PGM) Project groups of 2-4 students will be formed by end of week 2 through a facilitated process. Students that do not join a team will be allocated by the tutor.	Activities/Readings: Course slides (available on Wattle); P: Ch 1, 3, 5.7~5.8 B (Journal articles)- Munns and Bjeirmi (1996); Zwikael and Smyrk (2012); Fisher (2011)/ Hodgson et al. (2011)/ Zwikael and Symrk (2015) P-Prescribed Text Book; B-Journal Articles (* indicated Articles on focus) Due Dates: Before seminar: complete all required readings; By 4pm on Wed: Complete your Self-Introduction on Wattle (Link is provided in Week 2)
3	Lecture/In-class Exercises - Week 3: - Project Initiation and the Associated Tools/Techniques	Activities/Readings: Course slides (available on Wattle); P: Ch 2 B (Journal articles)- Breese (2012)/Chih and Zwikael (2015) P-Prescribed Text Book; B-Journal Articles (* indicated Articles on focus) Due Dates: Before seminar: complete all required readings; By 4pm on Wed: Submit a document outlining your group project title and team members information to Wattle.
4	Lecture/In-class Exercises - Week 4: - Project Planning Overview and Project Scope Management	Activities/Readings: Course slides (available on Wattle); P: Ch 6.1~6.2; Ch11.4 B (Journal articles)- Liu et al. (2011)/ Zwikael and Globerson (2004) P-Prescribed Text Book; B-Journal Articles (* indicated Articles on focus) Due Dates: Before seminar: complete all required readings
5	Lecture/In-class Exercises - Week 5: - Project Scheduling	Activities/Readings: Course slides (available on Wattle); P: Ch 8 B (Journal articles)- NA P-Prescribed Text Book; B-Journal Articles (* indicated Articles on focus) Due Dates: Before seminar: complete all required readings; By 4pm on Thursday: A1.1 Project Plan_Background, Description and Scope Management due.
6	Lecture/In-class Exercises - Week 6: - Project Resource Management	Activities/Readings: Course slides (available on Wattle); P: Ch 9.2~9.4; Ch 6.3 B (Journal articles)- Belout and Gauvreau (2004)/ Engwall and Jerbrant (2003) P-Prescribed Text Book; B-Journal Articles (* indicated Articles on focus) Due Dates: Before seminar: complete all required readings
7	Lecture/In-class Exercises - Week 7: - Project Cost Management and Time-Cost Trade-Offs	Activities/Readings: Course slides (available on Wattle); P: Ch 7.1~ 7.2; Ch 9.1 B (Journal articles)- NA P-Prescribed Text Book; B-Journal Articles (* indicated Articles on focus) Due Dates: Before seminar: complete all required readings; By 4pm on Friday: A2 Topic Analysis Report due
8	Lecture/In-class Exercises - Week 8: - MS Project Software Lab	*The Computer Lab is likely to be scheduled outside of normal class times (possibly weekend. More details will be provided) Activities/Readings: MSP Lab Preparation Due Dates: Before seminar: complete all required readings;
9	Lecture/In-class Exercises - Week 9: - Project Management vs. Organizational Structure and Culture	Activities/Readings: Course slides (available on Wattle); P: Ch 5 B (Journal articles)- Gray (2001) P-Prescribed Text Book; B-Journal Articles (* indicated Articles on focus) Due Dates: Before seminar: complete all required readings
10	Lecture/In-class Exercises - Week 10: - Individual Group Project meetings	TO BE Confirmed Activities/Readings: Prepare for meetings(TBA) Due date: Before seminar: complete all required meeting preparation;
11	A1.2 Group Presentations - Week 11: - A2.1: Project Presentation (Possibly an extended 4-hour seminar)	Activities/Readings: Prepare for group presentations (TBA) Due Dates: Before seminar: complete all required presentation preparation In class: A1.2 Project Plan_Group Presentations
12	Lecture/In-class Exercises - Week 12: - Course Summary	Activities/Readings: Course slides (available on Wattle); All Course materials P-Prescribed Text Book; B-Journal Articles (* indicated Articles on focus) Due Dates: Before seminar: complete all required readings; By 4pm on Friday: A1.3 Project Plan_Complete Project Plan due By 4pm on Friday: A1.4 Project Plan_Individual Reflective Report

Tutorial Registration

n/a

Assessment Summary

Assessment task	Value	Due Date	Return of assessment	Learning Outcomes
A1.1: Project Plan_Project Background, Description and Scope (Practice-oriented; Group work)	10 %	29/03/2019	05/04/2019	1,2,3,5
A1.2 Group Project PPT (Practice-oriented; Group work)	10 %	22/05/2019	05/06/2019	4,5
A1.3 Project Plan: Complete Project Plan (Practice-oriented; Group work)	30 %	31/05/2019	04/07/2019	1,2,3,4,5
A1.4: Individual Reflective Report (Practice-oriented; Individual work)	10 %	31/05/2019	04/07/2019	4,5
A2: Topic Analysis Report (Research-oriented; Individual work)	35 %	26/04/2019	10/05/2019	4,5
A3: In-class Contribution	5 %	27/02/2019	06/03/2019	1,2,3,4

* 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

Participation is expected in all classes and assessment

Examination(s)

There is no final examination for this course

Assessment Task 1

A1.1: Project Plan_Project Background, Description and Scope (Practice-oriented; Group work)

Details of task and presentation requirements:

For the project of your selection, complete the required Sections 1, 2 and 3 (as listed below). Specific requirements for each section will be provided in class at the end of discussion on each topic.

1. Project background

2. Project description

2.1 Project outputs and target outcomes

2.2 Project governance model

3. Project scope management (Work Breakdown Structure, WBS)

Individual assessment or Group task: Group

• formed in Weeks 1 and 2 in groups of 2-4 based on topics of shared interest
• Students who do not form into a team by end of week 2 will be allocated into a team by the tutor.
• The same groups will operate throughout the semester. 

World limit: Less than 1,500 words (excluding tables, figures, references and appendices) with 10% flexibility

Submission date: 4pm on Friday Week 5 via Turnitin.

Due date for return of assessment: one week after submission

Marking Criteria: See Wattle for details

Assessment Task 2

A1.2 Group Project PPT (Practice-oriented; Group work)

Details of task:

This is a group presentation on your complete project plan.

Individual assessment or Group task: Group

World limit: 20 mins for each group (15 mins for presentation and 5 mins for Q&A) (Subject to change)

Presentation requirements:

*Rule of thumb: Project owner and steering committee have agreed to fund your project at a high level. You are now showing them the detailed project plan for their final approval.

Prepare power point slides (or posters) to assist you with the presentation. The presentation should discuss the key information from your project plan. Specific information to be presented will be provided in class.

Each group has 15 minutes for its presentation, followed by a Q&A session for 5 minutes. As we are restricted in time, please ensure you finish your presentation within the allocated time. An unfinished presentation will result in losing points off your grade.

All members of a group should be involved in the presentation, but they may take different roles.

Submission date: in class in Week 11.

Due date for return of assessment: two weeks after submission

Marking Criteria: see Wattle for details

Presentations will be recorded

*The presentation will be marked by the Lecturer, as well as by all other students in class. The average of all students’ marks will count for 30% of your final presentation mark; while the Lecturer's mark will count for the remaining 70%.

Assessment Task 3

A1.3 Project Plan: Complete Project Plan (Practice-oriented; Group work)

Details of task and presentation requirements:

This is the final complete project management plan. Please note that this assignment will be marked as a whole and separately from your previous A1.1. In other words, you should incorporate all comments from previous assignments while working on this one:

The final Complete PM Plan will contain the following sections:

Executive summary

1. Project background

2. Project description

  2.1 Project outputs and target outcomes

  2.2 Project governance model

3. Project scope management (Work breakdown structure, WBS)

4. Project schedule management plan

5. Project resource management plan

6. Project cost management plan

7. Managerial recommendations

8. References and Appendix

Individual assessment or Group task: Group

World limit: Less than 4,000 words (excluding tables, figures, references and appendices) with 10% flexibility.

Submission date: 4 pm on Friday Week 12 via Turnitin.

Due date for return of assessment: After the release of final grades

Marking Criteria: See Wattle for details.

Assessment Task 4

A1.4: Individual Reflective Report (Practice-oriented; Individual work)

Details of task and requirements:

This is your individual reflective report. The objectives of this reflective report are to help you: (1) to be mindful for a particular practical experience; (2) make a connection between what you are taught in theory and practices; and (3) learn from that particular experience. Detailed requirements are provided below.

Reflect back to your group project journey, think of two particular circumstances you would like to reflect on and write a complete reflective report including the following sections for each circumstance.

For Selected Circumstance 1:

Description of a particular circumstance (i.e., what happened)

Connection to theory and evaluation (i.e., what it should be done according to what you have learned in class; what went right or wrong)

Cause analysis (i.e., what caused the results)

Future improvement plan (i.e., what you would do in the future to improve the circumstance)… 

For Selected Circumstance 2:

Repeat the same format as listed above

Individual assessment or Group task: Individual

World limit: Less than 1,500 words (excluding tables, figures, references and appendices) with 10% flexibility.

Submission date: 4 pm on Friday Week 12 via Turnitin.

Due date for return of assessment: After the release of final grades

Marking Criteria: See Wattle for details.

Assessment Task 5

A2: Topic Analysis Report (Research-oriented; Individual work)

Details of task:

Research and analyze 2 project management concepts/tools/techniques for a discrete subtopic. If you intend to work on a topic not included in the following list, please confirm with the lecturer. Please note that:

For the assignment, please use recent articles to make sure that you have the most recent knowledge on the selected area. The results should add significant value to the discussions held in class, using multiple sources. The preference orders of references: A*/A journal articles, other-ranking journal articles, conference proceedings, industry standards and other online sources. Ranking of journals articles is available on Wattle.

Reference styles should follow APA style. More information is available: http://www.apastyle.org/

The report should follow the general formatting rules which is available on Wattle

List of project management areas. Please note that areas suggested below are broad. It is suggested to articulate and explore a specific sub-topic within the selected area

• Project benefit management (also known as benefit realisation management)
• Project scope management
• Project schedule management
• Project resource management
• Project cost management
• Project quality management
• Project team development
• Project-based organisations
• Others (discussed with the lecturer)

Individual assessment or Group task: Individual

World limit: Less than 3,000 words (excluding tables, figures, references and appendices) with 10% flexibility.

Specific requirements:

The written report should include the following sections. Please note: (1) the sectional questions below are structured using the topic of “project knowledge management” as an example. You should replace that with the topic of your selection; (2) this is a literature review report. So your arguments should be supported by the literature.

1. The importance of this area in project management

What is project knowledge management?

Why project knowledge management is important to project management?

2. The latest development of this area

What are the focuses of research on project knowledge management and their key findings in the last 5-10 years? (You may need to expand/limit your search subject to the number of articles you find).

3. An explanation and demonstration of two concepts/tools/techniques

Choose two concepts or tools or theories or frameworks etc that serve the same (or at least similar) purpose and describe in details how each of them works.

First, you need to justify what (similar) purpose they serve

Then describe in details how each of them works.

4. A comparison of the described concepts/tools/techniques

What are the criteria you will use for the comparison and their definitions?

Compare the two tools/frameworks/theories you described in Section 3 against the above list of the criteria.

5. Practical implications and limitations

In reference to Section 3, what are the difficulties in applying the two discussed concepts/tools/methodologies to practice? And what you suggest that could be done to improve their applicability?

6. Theoretical implications and limitations

In reference to Section 2, what topics in the area of project knowledge management you consider it as under-studied? What are your suggestions for future research topics in the area of project knowledge management?

Submission date: 4pm on Friday Week 7 via Turnitin.

Due date for return of assessment: two weeks after submission

Marking Criteria: see Wattle for details.

Assessment Task 6

A3: In-class Contribution

You are expected to attend seminars and contribute to in-class activities and discussions. This mark will be awarded based your individual contributions to in-class discussions and assessment marking criteria. Each in-class contribution is worth 0.5 marks per week, with a maximum of 5 marks (5% of total grade) being achievable.

Submission date: Ongoing

Due date for return of assessment: Ongoing

Marking Criteria: High marks will be awarded to students who raise and answer substantive issues and questions, share relevant ideas, observations and personal experiences, and point out relationships to related topics and discussions. The quality of participation is valued over quantity and inputs must add significant intellectual value to discussions and demonstrate competency to:

1. explain and illustrate the organisational context and environment within which project management operates;
2. define, explain and illustrate the project management framework and common tools;
3. explain and illustrate the linkages and interrelationships of strategic deployment and project management from a strategic perspective;
4. examine, reflect and comment upon contemporary issues in project management both nationally and internationally

All students will receive feedback on this assessment item by the end of week 6 of semester.

Note: extensions for this assessment are not applicable, and thus won't be approved.

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

Please see relevant assessment task details 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

Unless specified otherwise in the assessment requirements, resubmissions are permitted up until the due date and time, but not allowed afterwards.

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