Unit convenor and teaching staff |
Unit convenor and teaching staff
Lecturer
Stephen Burke
By appointment
Norma Harrison
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Credit points |
Credit points
4
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Prerequisites |
Prerequisites
Admission to MBA or MMgmt or GradDipMgt or MSocEntre
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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 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.
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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 | Hurdle | Due |
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Class Participation | 20% | No | Throughout the class sessions |
Project Management Assignment | 40% | No | 15th February 2019 - Week 6 |
Group Project Analysis | 40% | No | Week 10 |
Due: Throughout the class sessions
Weighting: 20%
Preparation for and participation in class activities and discussions Students are expected to prepare for activities and case study discussions before classes. The preparation required will be specified during the preceding classes. Students will be assessed continuously throughout the unit.
Due: 15th February 2019 - Week 6
Weighting: 40%
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.
SUBMISSION GUIDELINES:
Due: Week 10
Weighting: 40%
The assignment will require students to, (i) research and present an analysis of a completed project (such as a government construction project); (ii) to treat this group assignment as a mini-project, and to present an analysis of the effectiveness of the group at managing the mini-project. The exercise will allow you to gain teamwork experience and enhance your communication skills in a team environment. Both are essential for project management.
Although these are team exercises and as such reflect real world project management practice 50% of the mark awarded will be on an individual basis and the remainder allocated to the team. As such the report will need to list each student's contribution.
This assessment involves two specific tasks:
Further details of the assignment will be provided in class and on the unit's iLearn website by Friday of Week 4.
No extensions will be granted. There will be a deduction of 10% of the total available marks made from the total awarded mark for each 24 hour period or part thereof that the submission is late (for example, 25 hours late in submission – 20% penalty). This penalty does not apply for cases in which an application for disruption of studies is made and approved.
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
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
Weekly class – Monday 6pm – 10pm (Starts: 7 January 2019)
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 |
Week 1 7/1
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Introduction to project management, different types of projects. Introduction to critical path concepts |
Ch 1 |
Critical path examples (handout or iLearn) |
Week 2 14/1
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Project Planning: Work Breakdown Structure and Critical Path Methods |
Ch 4, 6 |
Manchester United Soccer Club (p126)
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Week 3 21/1
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Project planning continued |
Ch 6 |
Rock’n Bands (iLearn)
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Week 4 28/1
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Resource scheduling Risk management |
Ch 7, 8 |
Class exercises Alaska Fly Fishing Expedition (p233) |
Week 5 4/2
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Documentation and control Earned value analysis Organisation and project team structure |
Ch 13
Ch 3 |
Franklin Electronics (iLearn) |
Week 6 11/2
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Managing project teams |
Ch 10, 11 |
Team Exercise (handout) |
Week 7 18/2
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Organisational strategy and project selection Project initiation |
Ch 2 Pinto (1995) |
Film Prioritization (p63) The New Conference Centre (iLearn) |
Week 8 25/2
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Project audit and evaluation |
Ch 14 Pinto (1996) |
Hector Gaming Company (p55) Maximum Megahertz (p487)
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Week 9 4/3 |
Project success and failure |
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BAE Systems (iLearn) |
Week 10 11/3 |
Project success and failure (ctd) |
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Singapore Tradenet (iLearn) |
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).
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 published on platform other than eStudent, (eg. iLearn, Coursera etc.) 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 or if you are a Global MBA student contact globalmba.support@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
If you are a Global MBA student contact globalmba.support@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:
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
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.
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.
Date | Description |
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19/12/2018 | Final Exam has been replaced with Group Project Assignment and Presentation. Weighting of marks has changed; Class Participation moved from 15 - 20% Individual Assessment moved from 35 - 40 % Final Exam deleted and Group Project Analysis and Presentation included - 40% in total - Presentation component at 10%. Additional Readings and Useful References consolidated |