Unit convenor and teaching staff |
Unit convenor and teaching staff
Ian Krycer
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Credit points |
Credit points
4
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Prerequisites |
Prerequisites
Admission to MIT
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Corequisites |
Corequisites
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Co-badged status |
Co-badged status
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Unit description |
Unit description
This unit has three themes: IT project management, agile software development and risk management. Topics covered in the first theme include project definition, roles and responsibilities, resource management, time and cost estimation, project planning, project control and reporting, measuring project success and post-implementation review. Microsoft Project 2013 is used to assist with resource allocation, costing and schedule. Hands-on experience is gained using the Rational Unified Process during the second theme. Towards the end of the course we focus on identifying causes of project failure and managing project risk based on the International and Australian Standard, ISO31000.
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Information about important academic dates including deadlines for withdrawing from units are available at https://www.mq.edu.au/study/calendar-of-dates
On successful completion of this unit, you will be able to:
Name | Weighting | Due |
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Assignment 1 | 10% | 21/3/16 |
Assignment 2 | 10% | 4/4/16 |
Assignment 3 | 30% | 30/5/16 |
Final Examination | 50% | Weeks 14 to 15 |
Due: 21/3/16
Weighting: 10%
You are given the tasks, resources and schedule for a project which need to be entered into MS Project 2013. You are required to answer a series of questions on the resource requirements, critical path, schedule and costs associated with this project. You are given the tasks, resources and schedule for a project which need to be entered into MS Project 2016. You are required to answer a series of questions on the resource requirements, critical path, schedule and costs associated with this project.
Due: 4/4/16
Weighting: 10%
We consider the recent failed Victoria Police LINK project. We study the KPMG Link Review from 2011 and analyse the project failings and make recommendations that apply elements of the course to put the project back on track.
Due: 30/5/16
Weighting: 30%
A series of IT projects will be allocated amongst the groups. These will include software development, off the shelf package and mixed projects (a package requiring integration with backend systems). Your team are consultants recommending your project and risk strategy to secure a go-ahead from the client organisation. Your focus is on the project process/methodology and risk management plan to suit your project and client organisation. Groups will present to their ‘clients’ in Week 12.
Each group member will be allocated a component of the group work to complete and will present his/her component and be marked on their individual presentation.
Due: Weeks 14 to 15
Weighting: 50%
This is a closed book three hour examination covering all the course work material.
Each week you should attend up to 4 hours of lectures and tutorials. For details of days, times and rooms consult the timetables webpage.
Please note that you will be required to attend 80% of the lectures and hand in prepared work as required. Failure to do so may result in you failing the unit or being excluded from the exam.
Students are expected to purchase and read the following textbook:
Erik Larson et al, ‘Project Management: The Managerial Process’ 1st Edition (2014), McGraw Hill. This book should be available from the University Co-op Bookstore.
The following text book is suggested as recommended reading. Copies are available from the references and general sections of the library.
Rob Thomsett, Radical Project Management, Prentice Hall, 2002
The class Web site will have copies of lecture handouts and additional recommended reading material: https://ilearn.mq.edu.au/ You will need to use the user name and password issued to you by the University Administration when you enrolled for the unit.
Technology to be used and required:
We are using MS Project 2013 or 2016. These apps will be available in the EMC lab and available for free download from the Microsoft MQU Dreamspark website for MIT students.
Other technology required is MS Word and MS PowerPoint.
Submission methods for assessment tasks:
All soft copy assignment submissions and return of marks and comments will be done through the ITEC841 page on iLearn.
Late submission:
Late submission of individual work will incur a 10% penalty for every 24 hours, or part thereof, it is late. So within 24 hours, the maximum mark that can be obtained is 90% of the full grade for that assessment task; between 24 and 48 hours, the maximum mark that can be obtained is 80% of the full grade; and so on. No extra documentation is required unless the student does wish to have an extension (see below) applied.
Late submissions of group based assignments are not permitted unless under exceptional circumstances with documentary evidence provided to the unit convenor which may include medical certificates as per the Department of Computing policy. One person being sick does not mean the group cannot submit work. Students are recommended to have a backup plan for group based submissions.
Extensions:
Extensions without a grade penalty may be provided to groups or individuals who contact the unit convenor BEFORE the due date and can provide documentary evidence of illness or other misadventure. If approved, a new submission timeline and submission method will be discussed on a case by case basis.
Students are strongly advised to contact the unit convenor as early as possible if there are any issues that will not make an on-time submission possible.
Exam:
The final exam will focus on content covered in the classes throughout the semester. Please see the assessments section for details on the final exam.
Website and access to unit material:
The web page and content for this unit can be found at iLearn :https://ilearn.mq.edu.au/login/MQ/. Note that the unit content is not publicly available and requires for you to log in to access.
Week |
Topic |
Reading |
1 |
Course Structure Types of Projects, Role of the Project Manager, IS/IT Projects are Different Class Exercise, Personal Health Records Project |
Unit Outline Larson 1 Readings |
2 |
Project Definition Introduction to MS Project Hand out Assignment One (Individual Assignment) ‘MS Project 2016 for Schedule, Resources and Costing’ |
Larson 4
Erik Larson Videos
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3 |
Project Selection and Success Criteria Estimating Project Times and Costs Sponsors and Other Stakeholders |
Larson 2
Larson 5 Larson 10 |
4 |
Risk Management Introduction and Tutorial Assignment One Due Hand out Assignment Two (Individual Assignment) ‘Project Process Plan for the Victoria Police Link System’ Hand out Assignment Three (Group Assignment) ‘IS Project Management Plan’ |
Larson 7 ISO 31000 (2009) |
5 |
DSDM Atern Introduction and Tutorial (Public Holiday) |
DSDM Handbook |
6 |
DevOps Virtual Teams and Outsourcing Project Audit and Closure Assignment Two Due |
Accenture, 2015 Larson 12 Larson 14 |
7 |
Leadership Team Management (Public Holiday) |
Larson 10 Larson 11 Thomsett articles |
8 |
The Art of Project Management - Experiences from the field at BAE Systems IS/IT Project Risks: Key Issues and Solutions |
Guest Speaker Moynihan |
9 |
Rational Unified Process RUP Structure and Navigation RUP for COTS |
IBM Sources |
10 |
Project Plan Structure Progress Management and Evaluation Organisational Politics |
Larson 6, 10, 12, 13 |
11 |
Group Assignment Tutorial |
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12 |
Group Presentations Assignment Three Due |
Class assessment |
13 |
Group Presentations continued Tutorial and Revision |
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Macquarie University policies and procedures are accessible from Policy Central. Students should be aware of the following policies in particular with regard to Learning and Teaching:
Academic Honesty Policy http://mq.edu.au/policy/docs/academic_honesty/policy.html
New Assessment Policy in effect from Session 2 2016 http://mq.edu.au/policy/docs/assessment/policy_2016.html. For more information visit http://students.mq.edu.au/events/2016/07/19/new_assessment_policy_in_place_from_session_2/
Assessment Policy prior to Session 2 2016 http://mq.edu.au/policy/docs/assessment/policy.html
Grading Policy prior to Session 2 2016 http://mq.edu.au/policy/docs/grading/policy.html
Grade Appeal Policy http://mq.edu.au/policy/docs/gradeappeal/policy.html
Complaint Management Procedure for Students and Members of the Public http://www.mq.edu.au/policy/docs/complaint_management/procedure.html
Disruption to Studies Policy http://www.mq.edu.au/policy/docs/disruption_studies/policy.html The Disruption to Studies Policy is effective from March 3 2014 and replaces the Special Consideration Policy.
In addition, a number of other policies can be found in the Learning and Teaching Category of Policy Central.
Macquarie University students have a responsibility to be familiar with the Student Code of Conduct: https://students.mq.edu.au/support/student_conduct/
Results shown in iLearn, or released directly by your Unit Convenor, are not confirmed as they are subject to final approval by the University. Once approved, final results will be sent to your student email address and will be made available in eStudent. For more information visit ask.mq.edu.au.
Macquarie University provides a range of support services for students. For details, visit http://students.mq.edu.au/support/
Learning Skills (mq.edu.au/learningskills) provides academic writing resources and study strategies to improve your marks and take control of your study.
Students with a disability are encouraged to contact the Disability Service who can provide appropriate help with any issues that arise during their studies.
For all student enquiries, visit Student Connect at ask.mq.edu.au
For help with University computer systems and technology, visit http://www.mq.edu.au/about_us/offices_and_units/information_technology/help/.
When using the University's IT, you must adhere to the Acceptable Use of IT Resources Policy. The policy applies to all who connect to the MQ network including students.
Our postgraduates will demonstrate a high standard of discernment and common sense in their professional and personal judgment. They will have the ability to make informed choices and decisions that reflect both the nature of their professional work and their personal perspectives.
This graduate capability is supported by:
Our postgraduates will be able to demonstrate a significantly enhanced depth and breadth of knowledge, scholarly understanding, and specific subject content knowledge in their chosen fields.
This graduate capability is supported by:
Our postgraduates will be capable of utilising and reflecting on prior knowledge and experience, of applying higher level critical thinking skills, and of integrating and synthesising learning and knowledge from a range of sources and environments. A characteristic of this form of thinking is the generation of new, professionally oriented knowledge through personal or group-based critique of practice and theory.
This graduate capability is supported by:
Our postgraduates will be capable of systematic enquiry; able to use research skills to create new knowledge that can be applied to real world issues, or contribute to a field of study or practice to enhance society. They will be capable of creative questioning, problem finding and problem solving.
This graduate capability is supported by:
Our postgraduates will be able to communicate effectively and convey their views to different social, cultural, and professional audiences. They will be able to use a variety of technologically supported media to communicate with empathy using a range of written, spoken or visual formats.
This graduate capability is supported by:
Our postgraduates will be ethically aware and capable of confident transformative action in relation to their professional responsibilities and the wider community. They will have a sense of connectedness with others and country and have a sense of mutual obligation. They will be able to appreciate the impact of their professional roles for social justice and inclusion related to national and global issues
This graduate capability is supported by:
Four standards, namely HD, D, CR, P summarize as many different levels of achievement. Each standard is precisely defined to help students know what kind of performance is expected to deserve a certain mark. The standards corresponding to the learning outcomes of this unit are given below:
Grade | LO 1, 2, 3 | LO 4,5, 6 | LO 7 |
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IT project skills | Project Management skills | Generic skills | |
HD | Apply techniques and knowledge in new contexts, show breadth and depth of understanding of quality evaluation, estimation measurement, project risk planning and measurement. Can use MS Project to solve problems with high accuracy. | A sound grounding in how projects can be managed in regards to quality assurance and risk assessment. Show breadth and depth of understandings on issues in the management of IT systems, including: change management, configuration management and planning and People management, Able to apply these techniques and knowledge in new contexts. | Demonstrate leadership, creativity,critical thinking and analysis skills. Enthusiatic in acquring new knowledge in the IS project management area. Demonstrate capability in applying new IS project management knowledge to solve real-world problems. Conduct team work effectively and play a key role in moving the whole project team forward. |
D | Apply techniques and knowledge in some new contexts, show breadth and depth of understanding across most of the topics including: quality evaluation, estimation measurement, project risk planning and measurement. Can use MS Project to solve problems, with limited errors. | A sound grounding in most topics related to how projects can be managed in regards to quality assurance and risk assessment. Show breadth and depth of understandings on most issues in the management of IT systems, including: change management, configuration management and planning and People management, Able to apply these techniques and knowledge in some new contexts. | Demonstrate some leadership occasionally. Show creativity, critical thinking and analysis skills. Have the capability in applying IS project management knowledge to solve real-world problems. Collaborate with team members well and finish assigned tasks on time and with good quality. |
CR | Show breadth of understanding across most of the topics including: quality evaluation, estimation measurement, project risk planning and measurement. Have fundamental knowledge about how to use MS Project, but with some non-major errors. | Understands some aspects of how projects can be managed in regards to quality assurance and risk assessment. Show breadth of understandings on most issues in the management of IT systems, including: change management, configuration management and plannig and People management. | Demonstrate analysis skills in some occasions. Know how to apply IS project management knowledge to solve some of the real-world problems. Able to finish assigned tasks on time and with good quality most of the time. |
P | Can reproduce definitions and ideas, show some breadth of understanding of the topics including: quality evaluation, estimation measurement, project risk planning and measurement. Some knowledge about MS Project with a few major misunderstandings or mistakes. | Can reproduce some defintions and ideas, show some breadth on issues in the management of IT systems, including: change management, configuration management and plannig and people management. | Demonstrate limited analysis skills. Can apply IS project management knowledge to solve limited real-world problems. Able to finish all assigned tasks on time and with acceptable quality. |
Grading
At the end of the semester, you will receive a grade that reflects your achievement in the unit
In this unit, your final grade depends on your performance in each part of the assessment. For each task, you receive a mark that combines your standard of performance regarding each learning outcome assessed by this task. Then the different component marks are added up to determine your total mark out of 100. Your grade then depends on this total mark and your overall standards of performance.
This means that you may fail the unit if you do not submit satisfactory submissions for the assignments OR do not perform satisfactorily in the exam.
Department of Computing expectations are that students have to perform satisfactorily in the final exam as well as in their internal work/assignments.
Obtaining a grade higher than a Pass (P) in this unit will require a student to obtain (in addition to the above):