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:

1. 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,
2. make considered judgements about the worth, strengths and weaknesses of the proprietary project management methodologies in common use throughout industry today.

Research-Led Teaching

The course provides students with a framework to investigate management frameworks and business projects that have been developed over many years by entrepreneurs, practitioners and academics.

Field Trips

n/a

Additional Course Costs

No additional costs expected for this course

Examination Material or equipment

There are no examinations in this course.

Required Resources

Zwikael, O., & Smyrk, J. (2011). Project management for the creation of organisational value. London: Springer.

Hard copies are available in the campus bookshop and for short-term loan from the library. Availability of this as an e-book through the library is being investigated.

Recommended Resources

The following resources are available online, via loan from the ANU library, or will be provided on Wattle:

Zwikael, O., & Smyrk, J. R. (2019). Project Management: A Benefit Realisation Approach. Springer.

Kloppenborg, T. J., & Tesch, D. (2015). How executive sponsors influence project success. MIT Sloan Management Review, 56(3), 27.

Koskela, L., & Howell, G. (2002, August). The theory of project management: Explanation to novel methods. In Proceedings IGLC (Vol. 10, No. 1, pp. 1-11).

Meredith, J. R & Mantel, S. J., (2008) Project Management: A Managerial Approach 7th Edition, Wiley

Zwikael, O., Smyrk, J. (2013). A general framework for gauging the performance of initiatives to enhance organizational value. British Journal of Management, 23, S6-S22.

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	Week 1: Introduction	Preview all material provided as course notes for this week. Read Z&S (2011): Preface, Chapter 1, browse Contents and the Glossary Read the Sydney Road Tunnel case study
2	Week 2: The ITO Model: a theory of business processes & benefits	Preview course lecture for this week. Read Z&S (2011): Chapter 2, Scan pages 4 - 20 of the NSW Benefits Framework
3	Week 3: Project performance	Preview course lecture for this week. Read: Z&S (2011): Chapter 3. Zwikael, O., Smyrk, J. (2013). A general framework for gauging the performance of initiatives to enhance organizational value. British Journal of Management, 23, S6-S22. Deliverable 1 is due by 5:00 pm Friday of Week 3 via Turnitin
4	Week 4: The anatomy of a project	Preview course lecture for this week. Read: Z&S (2011): Sections: 4.1, 4.2, 4.6 Read the assigned paper posted on Wattle
5	Week 5: Stakeholder management	Preview course lecture for this week. Read Z&S (2011): Sections: 4.5, Read the assigned paper posted on Wattle Deliverable 2 is due by 5:00 pm Friday of Week 5 via Turnitin
6	Week 6: Governance	Preview course lecture for this week. Read Z&S (2011): Sections: 4.3, 4.4 Read the assigned paper posted on Wattle
7	Week 7: Project Initiation & scoping/Briefing for Term Papers	Preview course lecture for this week. Read Z&S (2011): Chapter 5. Read the assigned paper posted on Watle Deliverable 3 (Research Paper) is due by 5:00 pm Friday of Week 7 via Turnitin
8	Week 8: Issues and Failure management	Preview course lecture for this week. Read Z&S: Sections: 7.2.4, 5.4, 6.2.6, 7.2.3. Read the assigned paper posted on Wattle Deliverable 4 is due by 5:00 pm Friday of Week 8 via Turnitin
9	Week 9: Elements of planning	Preview course lecture for this week. Read Z&S (2011): Chapter 6. Read the assigned paper posted on Wattle
10	Week 10: Project execution management	Preview course lecture for this week. Read Z&S (2011): Chapter 7.1. Deliverable 5 is due by 5:00 pm Friday of Week 10 via Turnitin
11	Week 11: Project monitoring	Preview course lecture for this week. Read Z&S: Chapter 7, browse the Glossary.
12	Week 12: Outcomes realisation & outcomes closeout, wrap up	Preview course lecture for this week. Read Z&S (2011): Chapter 8. Deliverable 6 (Business Case Assessment) is due by 5:00 pm Friday of Week 12 via Turnitin

Tutorial Registration

Further details about the structure and teaching activities for this course will be available on the course Wattle site by start of Week 1.

Assessment Summary

Assessment task	Value	Due Date	Return of assessment	Learning Outcomes
Seminar exercises (Practice-oriented; Individual work) - Assessment Deliverable 1	10 %	14/08/2020	21/08/2020	1,2
Seminar exercises (Practice-oriented; Group work) - Assessment Deliverable 2	10 %	28/08/2020	04/09/2020	1,2
Research paper (Research-oriented; Individual work) Assessment Deliverable 3	30 %	25/09/2020	06/10/2020	1,2
Seminar exercises (Practice-oriented; Group work) - Assessment Deliverable 4	10 %	02/10/2020	12/10/2020	1,2
Seminar exercises (Practice-oriented; Group work) - Assessment Deliverable 5	10 %	16/10/2020	23/10/2020	1,2
Business Case Assessment paper (Practice-oriented; Individual work) Assessment Deliverable 6	30 %	30/10/2020	03/12/2020	1,2

* 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 expected to attend all classes and attempt all assessments. Note that three of the assignments are group tasks.

Examination(s)

There is no formal examination for this course.

Assessment Task 1

Seminar exercises (Practice-oriented; Individual work) - Assessment Deliverable 1

For a selected project, provide a brief report that identifies of each of the following:

•      Outputs
•      Target outcomes
•      Fortuitous outcomes
•      Undesirable outcomes
•      Benefits
•      Dis-benefits

Materials: All information required to complete the tasks will be provided on Wattle no less than 2 weeks before the due date.

Presentation requirements: according to templates covered in class and no more than 600 words.

Submission dates: 5:00 pm Friday of Week 3 via Turnitin on the course Wattle site

Due date for the return of assessment: 5:00 pm Friday of Week 4

Feedback: Exercises will be discussed in class the week following submission. Papers will be marked and feedback provided. A suggested answer will be posted online for comparison after the assignment has been returned.

Marking Criteria: Provided on Wattle no later than 2 weeks prior to submission.

Assessment Task 2

Seminar exercises (Practice-oriented; Group work) - Assessment Deliverable 2

For a selected project, develop and populate a stakeholder register containing 3-6 stakeholders.

Groups: These is a group task with the individual contribution to be attributed. Groups will comprise a minimum of 3 and a maximum of 4 students. Groups will be formed in week 2 in class through a facilitated self-selection process. Students who have not joined a group by the commencement of week 3 will be allocated into a group by the lecturer. These groups continue for duration of semester (unless lecturer arranges otherwise).

Materials: All information required to complete the tasks will be provided on Wattle no less than 2 weeks before the due date.

Presentation requirements: according to templates covered in class and no more than 800 words.

Submission dates: 5:00 pm Friday of Week 5 via Turnitin on the course Wattle site

Due date for the return of assessment: 5:00 pm Friday of Week 6

Feedback: Exercises will be discussed in class the week following submission. Papers will be marked and feedback provided. A suggested answer will be posted online for comparison after the assignment has been returned.

Marking Criteria: Provided on Wattle no later than 2 weeks prior to submission.

Assessment Task 3

Research paper (Research-oriented; Individual work) Assessment Deliverable 3

Research and analyze two competing practices or techniques for a discrete project management topic.

This paper is to take the form of a detailed report to the executive of an organisation, describing the options and proposing an approach that is suitable for the organisation in question.

This assessment is an individual task.

Materials: All information required to complete the tasks will be provided on Wattle no less than 2 weeks before the due date.

Presentation requirements: according to templates covered in class and no more than 2000 words.

Submission date: 5:00 pm Friday of Week 7 via Turnitin on the course Wattle site

Due date for the return of assessment: 12:00 am Tuesday of Week 9

Marking Criteria: Provided on Wattle no later than 2 weeks prior to submission.

Assessment Task 4

Seminar exercises (Practice-oriented; Group work) - Assessment Deliverable 4

Develop a Terms of Reference for a Project Board and include a Program Governance Model (PGM) for a selected project and include all governance elements.

This is a group task with the individual contribution to be attributed.

Materials: All information required to complete the tasks will be provided on Wattle no less than 2 weeks before the due date.

Presentation requirements: according to templates covered in class and no more than 800 words.

Submission date: 5:00 pm Friday of Week 8 via Turnitin on the course Wattle site

Due date for the return of assessment: 12:00 am Monday of Week 10

Feedback: Exercises will be discussed in class the week following submission. Papers will be marked and feedback provided. A suggested answer will be posted online for comparison after the assignment has been returned.

Marking Criteria: Provided on Wattle no later than 2 weeks prior to submission.

Assessment Task 5

Seminar exercises (Practice-oriented; Group work) - Assessment Deliverable 5

As a Project Assurance Counsellor, review a regular status report for a project on behalf of the project Steering Committee.

This is a group task with the individual contribution to be attributed.

Materials: All information required to complete the tasks will be provided on Wattle no less than 2 weeks before the due date.

Presentation requirements: according to templates covered in class and no more than 800 words.

Submission date: 5:00 pm Friday of Week 10 via Turnitin on the course Wattle site

Due date for the return of assessment: 5:00 pm Friday of Week 11

Feedback: Exercises will be discussed in class the week following submission. Papers will be marked and feedback provided. A suggested answer will be posted online for comparison after the assignment has been returned.

Marking Criteria: Provided on Wattle no later than 2 weeks prior to submission.

Assessment Task 6

Business Case Assessment paper (Practice-oriented; Individual work) Assessment Deliverable 6

Analyse and critique a business case for a project and propose changes to improve the viability of the proposal.

Details and a copy of the business case will be posted on Wattle.

This assessment is an individual task.

Materials: All information required to complete the tasks will be provided on Wattle no less than 2 weeks before the due date.

Presentation requirements: according to templates covered in class and no more than 600 words.

Submission date: 5:00 pm Friday of Week 12 via Turnitin on the course Wattle site

Due date for the return of assessment: Marked papers will be returned soon after publication of final results.

Marking Criteria: Provided on Wattle no later than 2 weeks prior to submission.

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.

All requests for extensions to assessment in RSM courses must be submitted to the RSM School Office with a completed application form and supporting documentation. The RSM Extension Application Form and further information on this process can be found at https://www.rsm.anu.edu.au/education/education-programs/notices-for-students/extension-application-procedure/

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 where appropriate feedback will be provided either: in class, or in person by appointment with the course lecturer, or via the course Wattle site.

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 assignment requirements, re-submissions 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