This course is designed to introduce students to advanced management topics relevant to the execution of major projects. The aim of this course is to provide a grounded understanding of key aspects of successful project management practices in the context of a global economy and increased organisational complexity.

Learning Outcomes

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

Upon successful completion of the requirements for this course, students will be able to:

1. Describe the unique characteristics and challenges surrounding major projects.  (Ask + Remember)
2. Explain the various leadership and support roles in major projects (Acquire + Understand)
3. Gauge the quality of project management methodologies and evidence in the context of major projects (appraise + analyse)
4. Compile a communication plan so major projects are effectively communicated to senior executives.  (aggregate+ evaluate)
5. Consider a plan to manage conflicts in major projects ( Apply + Evaluate)
6. Create a stakeholder management plan for major projects (Apply + Create)
7. Select an effective approach to work with external contractors ( Assess + Create)

Research-Led Teaching

Lectures may be streamed live through ZOOM, recorded and made available on Echo360 and Wattle. The lecture content will include scholarly research in the field of project management. In addition, other data, research and concepts will be presented during the lectures that may not be in the text book. The lectures will contain a central presentation followed by short exercises in the application of learned material and participation in case studies.

The lectures will include occasional guest presenters who have run major projects within both the public and private sectors. These sessions will allow students to ask questions and explore the realities of delivering a major project.

Additional Course Costs

No additional class costs

Examination Material or equipment

See Assessment Task 5. More information on examination reflecting hybrid mode will be made available on Wattle at least 2 weeks before the examination period. Additional examination information will be available on https://exams.anu.edu.au/timetable/ .

Required Resources

Title: "Project Management: the Managerial process"

Authors: Larson, Honig, Gray, Dantin and Baccarini

Edition: Australian edition, 2014

ISBN: 9781743071809

A copy of the textbook will be held in the ANU library reserve & short loan collection and available from campus bookstore.

Print textbook: https://library.anu.edu.au/record=b4700446

Online textbook: https://library.anu.edu.au/record=b6460119

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 to the Course.	Review of Modern Project Management concepts and techniques Readings: Ch.1
2	Week 2: Projects and Organisations	The driving forces for maturity, alignment of projects with organization strategy, structure and culture. Readings: Ch. 2 & 3
3	Week 3: Project Definition and Estimation	Defining and planning the project, the challenge of estimating project times and costs. Team formation for the Major Assignment Readings: Ch. 4 & 5
4	Week 4: Managing in Uncertain Environments	A framework for active risk management and dealing with uncertainty. Reading: Ch. 7
5	Week 5: Assessment of a Business Case (at scheduled seminar time)	Will be released via Wattle on the Tuesday in Week 5 (approximately 6pm), with a three hour timeframe to complete and submitted the assessment.
6	Week 6: Effective Leadership in Major Projects	Being an effective project manager and good leader. Reading: Ch. 10
7	Week 7: Managing Project Teams	Team management and team types. Reading: Ch.11
8	Week 8: Conflict and Conflict Management	Interrelation of conflict management, trust, and cost outcomes. Reading: Handout
9	Week 9: Dealing with Organizational Change	Change management, communications and adaptation. Readings: Handout Due: Major Assignment - Report (by 5pm on Monday)
10	Week 10: Delivering Organisational Value	Benefits realization, earned value, ratios, data interpretation, Agile techniques, progress and performance measurement and evaluation. Reading: Ch. 13 & 17 Due: All groups are to email their Major Assignment Presentations (in PowerPoint) to the convener by 5pm on Monday Due: Major Assignment - Presentations
11	Week 11: Cross-boundary Projects	International projects, meta-teams, cross-organisational management and governance. Reading: Ch. 15 Due: hosting of the Major Assignment - Presentations (if further time is required from week 11)
12	Week 12: Course Review	Review and Conclusion Q&A about the final exam

Tutorial Registration

Not relevant

Assessment Summary

Assessment task	Value	Due Date	Return of assessment	Learning Outcomes
Student Participation (Individual assessment)	10 %	*	*	1,2,3,4,5,6,7
Assessment of a Business Case	15 %	*	01/04/2021	1,2,3,4
Major Assignment - Report (Group assessment)	15 %	03/05/2021	17/05/2021	2,6,
Major Assignment - Oral Presentation of Key Findings and Recommendations (Group assessment)	15 %	*	*	6,7
Final Exam (Individual assessment)	45 %	*	01/07/2021	1,2,3,4,5,6,7

* 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

Classes may be streamed live through ZOOM or pre-recorded and made available on Echo360 and Wattle. Participation is expected in all classes and assessments.

Examination(s)

More information on examination reflecting hybrid mode will be made available on Wattle at least 2 weeks before the examination period. Additional examination information will be available on https://exams.anu.edu.au/timetable/  

Assessment Task 1

Student Participation (Individual assessment)

It is essential to your learning, and the learning of others in the class, that you actively participate and contribute to the course. This assessment task will focus on course's student discussions forum on Wattle. Student will be required to provide two high quality contributions to the course's student discussion forum before the end of Week 5. 

Purpose:

To evaluate the issues and challenges pertaining to Project Management.

Marking Criteria:

Each contribution must be of an appropriate quality and will be assessed taking into consideration: the extent of research and supporting justifications utilised to support the views presented; and appropriate linkages of that contribution, back into the key topics addressed in the course. The contributions will be assessed against the linked course learning outcomes for this task.

Value:

10%

Assessment Type:

Individual

Word limit:

Each of the two contributions must not be more than 250 words in length.

Due Date:

Two high quality contributions to the course's student Discussion Forum before the end of Week 5. 

Form of submission:

via student Discussion Forum on the course Wattle site

Return of assessment: By the end of week 6

Assessment Task 2

Assessment of a Business Case

The Business Case will be released via Wattle in Week 5 (approximately 6pm on the Tuesday), with a three hour timeframe to complete and submitted the assessment. Submission of the assessment will occur in Wattle.

Purpose:

To demonstrate your understanding of key Project Management theories and principles, as they are presented in the Business Case (i.e. the key document used to seek delegate approval for the investment decision). The Business Case, and the student's assessment, will cover material covered within the course.

Marking Criteria:

Further guidelines, including the marking criteria, will be posted on Wattle in Week 5 with business case.

Value:

15%

Assessment Type:

Individual. Students can utilise their class notes and text book when completing this assessment piece

Time limit:

3 hours

Due date:

Week 5 (starting approximately 6pm on the Tuesday). Three hour timeframe to complete and submitted the assessment.

Form of submission:

Student response to be submitted in a Word document. The Word document is to be submitted in Wattle.

Return of Assessment:

Week 7

Note: Late submission is not allowed for this assessment task.

Assessment Task 3

Major Assignment - Report (Group assessment)

By the end of week 3, teams will be formed to work on the Major Assignment. The assignment requires research on a project management topic (to be allocated to each team by the course convener) and will require the development of a substantial report. Group work is a critical skill in project management, thus this major assignment is a very important part of the course, not just for the necessary academic learning but also for the practice of teamwork. The groups will consist of approximately 4-6 students, depending on the overall size of the class. Membership of the groups will be decided by the Convener.

Detailed instructions regarding this assignment will be given during the lectures. The Major Assignment has two parts: this written report (15% of total marks) and separate an oral presentation of the key finding and recommendations of the report (15% of total marks).

Purpose:

To develop skills in undertaking research, evaluation of relevant business conditions, and formulation of criteria for decision-making and recommendations. This assessment is intended to further develop your research and analytical skills in issues related to project management.

Marking criteria:

Further guidelines, including the presentation order and marking criteria, will be posted on Wattle in Week 4

Value:

15%

Assessment Type:

Group

Word limit: 

No more than 2,000 words (marks will be deducted for exceeding the word limit)

Due Date:

5pm Monday, Week 8.

Form of submission:

via Turnitin on the course Wattle site

Return of assessment:

Monday, Week 10

Note: Late submission is not allowed for this assessment task.

Assessment Task 4

Major Assignment - Oral Presentation of Key Findings and Recommendations (Group assessment)

By the end of week 3, teams will be formed to work on the Major Assignment. The groups undertaking this assessment, will be have the same membership to the groups that undertook Assessment 3. The assignment requires research on a project management topic (to be allocated to each team by the course convener) and will require the development of a substantial report (refer Assessment Task 3).

Detailed instructions regarding this assignment will be given during the lectures. The Major Assignment has two parts: a separate written report (15% of total marks) and this oral presentation of the key finding and recommendations of the report (15% of total marks).

Purpose:

Group work is a critical skill in project management, thus this major assignment is a very important part of the course, not just for the necessary academic learning but also for the practice of teamwork.

Marking criteria:

Further guidelines and marking criteria will be posted on Wattle in Week 4.

Value:

15%

Assessment Type:

Group

Time limit:

Approximately 15 -20 minutes of presentation (to be confirmed by the Lecturer in week 4)

Due Date:

All groups to email their Powerpoint presentations to the convener by 5pm on Monday, Week 9. The exact details of which group will present during which week, will be decided by the course convener.

Form of submission:

The intention is for the presentations to be held in the classes or via ZOOM (where appropriate). Details will be confirmed by the Lecturer in week 4. The intention is for the live presentations to be recorded and available for the entire class to view, so that students can learn from what their peers students have presented.

Return of assessment:

Two weeks after the presentation

Note: Late submission is not allowed for this assessment task.

Assessment Task 5

Final Exam (Individual assessment)

Instructions:

Students will write a 2-hour open book exam. The format of the exam will be announced no later than week 10 of semester. More information on examination reflecting hybrid mode will be made available on Wattle at least 2 weeks before the examination period.

Purpose:

To demonstrate your understanding of Project Management, theories and principles from material covered within the course.

Marking Criteria:

Typical exam style right/wrong marking

Value:

45%

Assessment Type:

Individual

Time limit:

10 minutes of reading time and 2 hours of writing time

Due date:

Would be held during the Semester 1 2021 exam period. Students will be notified towards the end of the semester by ANU Examinations of the specific exam details.

Form of submission:

To be confirmed by the Lecturer, is likely to be an online exam.

Return of assessment:

After the release of results on Thursday, 01 July 2021

Note: Late submission is not allowed for this assessment task

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

Note: Late submission is not allowed for assessment tasks 2, 3, 4 & 5.

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/rsm-assessment-extension/ .

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 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 assignments 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