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

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

For the final exam, the permitted materials are allowed:

• Course/lecture notes (unannoted)
• Set Texts (unannotated only)

No electronic aids are permitted e.g. laptops, phones

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.

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: In class quiz (at scheduled seminar time)	Due: In Class Quiz
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 (on Monday, 04 May)
10	Week 10: Delivering Organisational Value	Benefits realisation, 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 to the convener by Monday, 11 May Due: Major Assignment - Presentations
11	Week 11: Cross-boundary Projects	International projects, meta -teams, cross-organisational management and governance. Reading: Ch. 15 Due: Major Assignment - Presentations
12	Week 12: Course Review	Review and Conclusion Q&A about the final exam Due: Major Assignment - Presentations

Tutorial Registration

Not relevant

Assessment Summary

Assessment task	Value	Due Date	Return of assessment	Learning Outcomes
Student Participation	10 %	*	*	1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9
In-Class Quiz	15 %	24/03/2020	03/04/2020	1,2,3,4
Major Assignment - Oral Presentation	15 %	04/05/2020	22/05/2020	2,6,8,9
Major Assignment - Report	15 %	11/05/2020	29/05/2020	6,7,9
Final Exam	45 %	*	02/07/2020	1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9

* 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 assessments

Examination(s)

Additional examination information will be available on https://exams.anu.edu.au/timetable/  

Assessment Task 1

Student Participation

Details of task:

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 (2) high quality contributions to the course's student discussion forum before the end of the Semester. 

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

Assessment Task 2

In-Class Quiz

Due date:

Week 5 Seminar

Instructions:

Students will take a 1-hour quiz. The format of the quiz be announced at start of semester.

Purpose:

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

Return of Assessment:

Friday, 03 April 2020

Assessment Task 3

Major Assignment - Oral Presentation

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. 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.

Detailed instructions regarding this assignment will be given during the lectures. The Major Assignment has two parts: a written Report (15% of total marks) and this Oral Presentation (15% of total marks).

Due Date: All groups are to email their Presentations to the convener by 5pm on Monday, 11 May 2020. The exact details of which group will present on which week, will be decided by the course convener.

Form of submission: Presentations to be held in the classes.

Date of assessment return: Two weeks after the presentation

Marking criteria:

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

Assessment Task 4

Major Assignment - Report

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 an oral presentation (15% of total marks).

Due Date: 5pm, Monday, 04 May 2020

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

Form of submission: Turnitin

Date of assessment return: Two weeks after submission

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

Assessment Task 5

Final Exam

Due date:

During the Semester 1 2020 exam period. Students will be notified towards the end of the semester by ANU Examinations of the specific exam details.

Instructions:

Students will write a 2-hour Open-Book exam. The format of the exam will be announced no later than week 12 of semester.

Purpose:

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

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

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