Students

MGSM906 – Project Based Management

2018 – Term 3 North Ryde

General Information

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Unit convenor and teaching staff Unit convenor and teaching staff Lecturer
George Rosier
george.rosier@mq.edu.au
Credit points Credit points
4
Prerequisites Prerequisites
Admission to MBA or MMgmt or GradDipMgt or MSocEntre
Corequisites Corequisites
Co-badged status Co-badged status
Unit description Unit description
This unit will equip you with understanding of the key processes, terminology and concepts relevant to the project based management approach. It will also explore the issues as more and more of the important work of organisations is carried out in projects, and project management competency becomes a core competency of successful organisations. There will be a focus on the integrative process of project management, and the key project management knowledge areas as described in the Global Project Management Framework adopted by the Project Management Institute (PMI), Australian Institute of Project Management (AIPM), and the International Project Management Association (IPMA). The knowledge and insights gained from this unit will position you well to succeed in future organisations.

Important Academic Dates

Information about important academic dates including deadlines for withdrawing from units are available at https://www.mq.edu.au/study/calendar-of-dates

Learning Outcomes

On successful completion of this unit, you will be able to:

  • Apply Project based management approaches in order to make and implement well-informed and financially robust operational, tactical and strategic decisions.
  • Assess and integrate the impact of diverse cultural and market mindsets into project based management approaches to business decisions.
  • Integrate ethical, social & environmental factors into project based management decisions.
  • Apply project based management approaches to business performance and productivity that will help measure and track value creation across the organisation.
  • Develop a solid understanding of project based management and governance in cross functional multi disciplinary projects in organisations.

Assessment Tasks

Name Weighting Hurdle Due
Class Participation 15% No Throughout the class sessions
Project Management Assignment 35% No 17 August 2018
Final Examination 50% No 3-8 September 2018

Class Participation

Due: Throughout the class sessions
Weighting: 15%

Preparation for and participation in class activities and discussions Students are expected to prepare for activities and case study discussions before classes. Because this unit will be taught in block format, the preparation required will be specified during the preceding classes. Students will be assessed continuously throughout the unit.  
On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Apply Project based management approaches in order to make and implement well-informed and financially robust operational, tactical and strategic decisions.
  • Assess and integrate the impact of diverse cultural and market mindsets into project based management approaches to business decisions.
  • Integrate ethical, social & environmental factors into project based management decisions.
  • Apply project based management approaches to business performance and productivity that will help measure and track value creation across the organisation.
  • Develop a solid understanding of project based management and governance in cross functional multi disciplinary projects in organisations.

Project Management Assignment

Due: 17 August 2018
Weighting: 35%

Length: 1500-2000 words

Format: Word document format, 12pt. font, Arial

This will be a written assignment, based on the content of the first six sessions of the unit. It may include both quantitative and short essay questions.

SUBMISSION GUIDELINES:

  • You are required to submit a soft copy of your assignment on to iLearn by the due date and time specified.
  • Please note that you can see the plagiarism report and resubmit your assessment before the due date. Please note that after the first re-submission, you have to wait at least 24 hours for you to see the updated plagiarism report.
  • An assignment submission portal will be established in iLearn and you will be notified when it is available.
  • Late reflections will be penalised 10% per day and no extension will be granted. 
  • Marking criteria will be made available in class, unless lecturer instructed otherwise. 

 
On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Apply Project based management approaches in order to make and implement well-informed and financially robust operational, tactical and strategic decisions.
  • Apply project based management approaches to business performance and productivity that will help measure and track value creation across the organisation.

Final Examination

Due: 3-8 September 2018
Weighting: 50%

Duration: 2 Hours plus 10 minutes reading time

The aim of the exam is to test the students grasp of the foundational concepts underpinning the practice of project management. The questions are based on the material covered in the course, including readings, case studies and quantitative techniques. The exam is OPEN book.
On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Apply Project based management approaches in order to make and implement well-informed and financially robust operational, tactical and strategic decisions.
  • Assess and integrate the impact of diverse cultural and market mindsets into project based management approaches to business decisions.
  • Integrate ethical, social & environmental factors into project based management decisions.
  • Develop a solid understanding of project based management and governance in cross functional multi disciplinary projects in organisations.

Delivery and Resources

Required Text

Larson, E., & Gray, C. 2017, Project Management: The Managerial Process, McGraw Hill, ISBN: 9781259666094

For information on textbook prices and online ordering, please refer to the Co-Op Bookshop webpage at  http://www.coop.com.au  

Additional Readings

Martin, Paula and Tate, Karen., Project Management Memory Jogger (second edition), GOAL/QPC, Methuen, Massachusetts, 2010 (ISBN 978-1-57681-122-1)

Useful references

  • Cleland, David, Project Management: Strategic Design and Implementation, 5th ed, McGraw-Hill, New York, New York, 2007
  • Gido, Jack and Clements, James P., Successful Project Management, South-Western College Publishing, Cincinnati, Ohio, 2008
  • Goldratt, Eliyahu M., Critical Chain, North River Press, Great Barrington, Massachusetts, 1997
  • Kendall, Gerald I and Rollins, Steven C., Advanced Project Portfolio Management and the PMO: Multiplying ROI at WARP Speed, J Ross Publishing, Boca Raton, Florida, 2003 (ISBN 1-932159-02-9)
  • Kerzner, H 2013, Project management: a systems approach to planning, scheduling, and controlling, 11th edn, John Wiley & Sons, Hoboken, NJ.
  • Kerzner, H 2009, Project management Case Studies, 3rd edn, John Wiley, Hoboken, NJ.
  • Pennypacker, James S., Project Portfolio Management: Selecting and Prioritising Projects for Competitive Advantage, Center for Business Studies, (2003)
  • Pinto, J.K. and Kharbanda, O.P. 1995. Lessons for an accidental profession. Business Horizons. March-April.
  • Pinto, J.K. and kharbanda, O.P. 1996. How to fail in project management (without really trying). Business Horizons. July-August.
  •  Sense, Andrew, Cultivating Learning Within Projects, Palgrave Macmillan, 2007 (ISBN: 978 0 230 00691 1)
  • Tate, Karen and Stackpole, Cynthia., Advanced Project Management Memory Jogger: A Pocket Guide for Experienced project Professionals, GOAL/QPC, Methuen, Massachusetts, 2007 (ISBN 1-57681-086-0)
  • Turner, J. Rodney, The Handbook of Project-based Management, McGraw-Hill, Maidenhead, Berkshire, 2008

The Project Management Institute (http://www.pmi.org/) has an extensive on-line project management bookstore where most books can be purchased.

External web sites for extra research

Good starting points for accessing resources on Project Based Management on the World Wide Web are:

These web sites have extensive "other links" pages

Writing resources

If you lack confidence in writing in English, particularly academic writing and/or business reports, The Macquarie University Library provides three excellent web sites covering writing skills, researching online: and a guide to citations and referencing

MGSM iLearn

The web page for this unit can be found at: https://ilearn.mq.edu.au/login/MGSM

Unit Schedule

Block class – 9am – 5pm (Block Dates: 27-29 July; 1-2 September 2018)

The unit will be presented over 10 sessions as follows:

Additional resources will be available in iLearn

 

Session / Day

Program Schedule

Readings

Cases, Exercises & Videos

1/1

 

Introduction to project management, different types of projects.

Introduction to critical path concepts

Ch 1

Critical path examples (handout or iLearn)

2/1

 

Project Planning: Work Breakdown Structure and Critical Path Methods

Ch 4, 6

Manchester United Soccer Club (p126)

Scheduling exercise (iLearn)

3/2

 

Project management simulation

Ch 6

Rock’n Bands (iLearn)

Read the case and prepare your group decisions for “week one” of the simulation.

4/2

 

Resource scheduling

Risk management

Ch 7, 8

Class exercises

Alaska Fly Fishing Expedition (p233)

5/3

 

Documentation and control

Earned value analysis

Organisation and project team structure

Ch 13

 

Ch 3

Franklin Electronics (iLearn)

 

6/3

 

Managing project teams

Ch 10, 11

Team Exercise (handout)

 

7/4

 

Organisational strategy and project selection

Project initiation

Ch 2

Pinto (1995)

Film Prioritization (p63)

The New Conference Centre (iLearn)

8/4

 

Project audit and evaluation

Ch 14

Pinto (1996)

Hector Gaming Company (p55)

Maximum Megahertz (p487)

Reflective report due

9/5

Project success and failure

 

BAE Systems (iLearn)

10/5

Project success and failure (ctd)

 

Singapore Tradenet (iLearn)

Policies and Procedures

Macquarie University policies and procedures are accessible from Policy Central (https://staff.mq.edu.au/work/strategy-planning-and-governance/university-policies-and-procedures/policy-central). Students should be aware of the following policies in particular with regard to Learning and Teaching:

Undergraduate students seeking more policy resources can visit the Student Policy Gateway (https://students.mq.edu.au/support/study/student-policy-gateway). It is your one-stop-shop for the key policies you need to know about throughout your undergraduate student journey.

If you would like to see all the policies relevant to Learning and Teaching visit Policy Central (https://staff.mq.edu.au/work/strategy-planning-and-governance/university-policies-and-procedures/policy-central).

Student Code of Conduct

Macquarie University students have a responsibility to be familiar with the Student Code of Conduct: https://students.mq.edu.au/study/getting-started/student-conduct​

Results

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.

Student Support

Macquarie University provides a range of support services for students. For details, visit http://students.mq.edu.au/support/

Learning Skills

Learning Skills (mq.edu.au/learningskills) provides academic writing resources and study strategies to improve your marks and take control of your study.

Student Services and Support

Students with a disability are encouraged to contact the Disability Service who can provide appropriate help with any issues that arise during their studies.

Student Enquiries

For all student enquiries, visit Student Connect at ask.mq.edu.au

IT Help

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.

Graduate Capabilities

PG - Capable of Professional and Personal Judgment and Initiative

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:

Learning outcome

  • Apply Project based management approaches in order to make and implement well-informed and financially robust operational, tactical and strategic decisions.

Assessment task

  • Class Participation

PG - Discipline Knowledge and Skills

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:

Learning outcomes

  • Apply Project based management approaches in order to make and implement well-informed and financially robust operational, tactical and strategic decisions.
  • Assess and integrate the impact of diverse cultural and market mindsets into project based management approaches to business decisions.
  • Apply project based management approaches to business performance and productivity that will help measure and track value creation across the organisation.
  • Develop a solid understanding of project based management and governance in cross functional multi disciplinary projects in organisations.

Assessment tasks

  • Project Management Assignment
  • Final Examination

PG - Critical, Analytical and Integrative Thinking

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:

Learning outcomes

  • Apply Project based management approaches in order to make and implement well-informed and financially robust operational, tactical and strategic decisions.
  • Assess and integrate the impact of diverse cultural and market mindsets into project based management approaches to business decisions.
  • Integrate ethical, social & environmental factors into project based management decisions.
  • Apply project based management approaches to business performance and productivity that will help measure and track value creation across the organisation.
  • Develop a solid understanding of project based management and governance in cross functional multi disciplinary projects in organisations.

Assessment tasks

  • Class Participation
  • Final Examination

PG - Research and Problem Solving Capability

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:

Learning outcome

  • Apply Project based management approaches in order to make and implement well-informed and financially robust operational, tactical and strategic decisions.

Assessment tasks

  • Project Management Assignment
  • Final Examination

PG - Effective Communication

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:

Learning outcomes

  • Apply Project based management approaches in order to make and implement well-informed and financially robust operational, tactical and strategic decisions.
  • Assess and integrate the impact of diverse cultural and market mindsets into project based management approaches to business decisions.

Assessment task

  • Class Participation

PG - Engaged and Responsible, Active and Ethical Citizens

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:

Learning outcome

  • Apply Project based management approaches in order to make and implement well-informed and financially robust operational, tactical and strategic decisions.

Assessment task

  • Class Participation

Changes from Previous Offering

Assessment changes are the following:

  • Class participation has been added wit a weighting of 15%
  • Project management simulation was changed to project management assignment with a weighting of 35%
  • Final examination was changed from CLOSED book with 2.5 hrs to OPEN book with 2 hours

Alignment with MGSM’s mission-driven attributes

Leadership: Develop skills required of leaders with respect to the appropriate use of Project based management approaches in order to make well-informed and financially robust operational, tactical and strategic decisions and implement them.

Global mindset: Assessment of the implications of project based management decisions from a whole of entity perspective, across of a wide spectrum of stakeholders and cultures

Citizenship: Enhance your project based decision making through taking into account the interests of all stakeholders

Creating sustainable value: Adopt a forward-looking perspective on the impact of project based management decisions on the competitive position and performance of the entity

Attendance Policy (MGSM)

The interactive environment of the classroom is central to the MGSM experience. Students are required to attend the full duration of all classes for the units in which they are enrolled. We recognise that exceptional circumstances may occur, such as unavoidable travel on behalf of your organization or the serious illness or injury of you or a close family member.

Special consideration may be given for a maximum of 20% non-attendance for such circumstances as long as lecturers are contacted in advance, and supporting documentation provided, to request exemption from attendance. Failure to abide by these conditions may result in automatic withdrawal, with academic and/or financial penalty. The full Student Attendance Policy is published in the MGSM Student Handbook at https://students.mgsm.edu.au/handbook.

Content Disclaimer

These unit materials and the content of this unit are provided for educational purposes only and no decision should be made based on the material without obtaining independent professional advice relating to the particular circumstances involved.

Changes since First Published

Date Description
06/07/2018 updated contact details of the lecturer
04/07/2018 First block class dates have been changed to 27-29 July 2018. Project management assignment due date was changed to 17 August 2018.