Students

COMP2700 – Project Management and Professional Practice

2026 – Session 1, In person-scheduled-weekday, North Ryde

General Information

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Unit convenor and teaching staff Unit convenor and teaching staff Unit Convenor / Lecturer
Matthew Mansour
matthew.mansour@mq.edu.au
TBA refer to ilearn
Lecturer
Charanya Ramakrishnan
charanya.ramakrishnan@mq.edu.au
TBA refer to ilearn
Credit points Credit points
10
Prerequisites Prerequisites
60 CPs at 1000 level
Corequisites Corequisites
Co-badged status Co-badged status
Unit description Unit description

This unit focuses on developing essential skills for success in the IT industry. Students will learn about professional practices such as managing IT projects, ethics in IT, and communication skills for effective teamwork. The unit will cover core bodies of knowledge (BoK) in project management and emphasize the importance of strong communication skills in collaborative environments. Furthermore, it will address the significance of understanding the acceptable use of technology in the workforce, particularly with the increasing integration of AI, known as GenAI.

Learning in this unit enhances student understanding of global challenges identified by the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (UNSDGs) Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure

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:

  • ULO1: Demonstrate the ability to effectively manage IT projects and adhere to professional practices in the IT industry.
  • ULO2: Apply ethical principles to decision-making in IT and demonstrate an understanding of the ethical implications of technology use.
  • ULO3: Communicate effectively in collaborative environments, demonstrating strong teamwork and interpersonal skills.
  • ULO4: Understand and apply core bodies of knowledge in project management to real-world situations.
  • ULO5: Recognise the significance of acceptable technology use in the workforce, with a focus on the increasing integration of AI (GenAI) and its impact on the industry.

General Assessment Information

Assessment Task Release Dates:

Assignment: To be released no later than 8th March

Quiz:  Information to be released during the lecture of Week 6. NB. You must attend the SGTA you are registered in on e-student.

Reflective Report on Professional Practices: Specifications to be released no later than 8th March.

Late Assessment Submission Policy:

5% penalty per day: If you submit your assessment late, 5% of the total possible marks will be deducted for each day (including weekends), up to 7 days.

  • Example 1 (out of 100): If you score 85/100 but submit 20 hours late, you will lose 5 marks and receive 80/100.
  • Example 2 (out of 30): If you score 27/30 but submit 1 day late, you will lose 1.5 marks and receive 25.5/30.
  • After 7 days: Submissions more than 7 days late will receive a mark of 0.
  • Extensions:
  • Automatic short extension: Some assessments are eligible for automatic short extension. You can only apply for an automatic short extension before the due date.
  • Special Consideration: If you need more time due to serious issues and for any assessments that are not eligible for Short Extension, you must apply for Special Consideration

Special Consideration

The Special Consideration Policy aims to support students who have been impacted by short-term circumstances or events that are serious, unavoidable and significantly disruptive, and which may affect their performance in assessment. If you experience circumstances or events that affect your ability to complete the assessments in this unit on time, please inform the convenor and submit a Special Consideration request through connect.mq.edu.au.

Assessments where Late Submissions will be accepted 

In this unit, late submissions will be accepted as follows: 

Assignment: YES, Standard Late Penalties apply 

QUIZ: NO, unless Special Consideration is Granted

Reflective Report on Professional Practices:  YES, Standard Late Penalty applies 

Requirements to Pass this Unit

To be eligible to pass this unit, it is necessary to obtain a mark of at least 50% in the unit overall.

NB. SHORT EXTENSION option is not available in this unit.

AI in this unit:

AI Open

These assessments do not restrict the use of AI tools. They are designed on the assumption that you may use AI in the same way you would use other professional tools to help you think, plan, analyse, or refine your work. However, the final submission must be your own work, your own judgement, and your own voice. You are responsible for what you submit and must be able to explain and defend it if asked. NB. Quizzes are closed booked in this unit.

Assessment Tasks

Name Weighting Hurdle Due Groupwork/Individual Short Extension AI Approach
Project Management Quiz 30% No Week 7: In your SGTA class in which you are registered. Individual No Open
IT Project 30% No 21/05/2026 Group No Open
Reflective Report on Professional Practices 40% No 04/06/2026 Individual No Open

Project Management Quiz

Assessment Type 1: Examination
Indicative Time on Task 2: 20 hours
Due: Week 7: In your SGTA class in which you are registered.
Weighting: 30%
Groupwork/Individual: Individual
Short extension 3: No
AI Approach: Open

The quiz will evaluate students' critical thinking, problem-solving abilities, and their practical application of the concepts learned about project management and ethics.
On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Demonstrate the ability to effectively manage IT projects and adhere to professional practices in the IT industry.
  • Apply ethical principles to decision-making in IT and demonstrate an understanding of the ethical implications of technology use.
  • Understand and apply core bodies of knowledge in project management to real-world situations.
  • Recognise the significance of acceptable technology use in the workforce, with a focus on the increasing integration of AI (GenAI) and its impact on the industry.

IT Project

Assessment Type 1: Portfolio
Indicative Time on Task 2: 17 hours
Due: 21/05/2026
Weighting: 30%
Groupwork/Individual: Group
Short extension 3: No
AI Approach: Open

The task aims to assess students' ability to apply project management principles and communicate effectively to work on a given project description in a team.
On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Demonstrate the ability to effectively manage IT projects and adhere to professional practices in the IT industry.
  • Communicate effectively in collaborative environments, demonstrating strong teamwork and interpersonal skills.
  • Understand and apply core bodies of knowledge in project management to real-world situations.

Reflective Report on Professional Practices

Assessment Type 1: Reflection task
Indicative Time on Task 2: 35 hours
Due: 04/06/2026
Weighting: 40%
Groupwork/Individual: Individual
Short extension 3: No
AI Approach: Open

The reflective report on Professional Practices aims to assess students' ability to recognise and navigate ethical challenges and professional practices in IT
On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Apply ethical principles to decision-making in IT and demonstrate an understanding of the ethical implications of technology use.
  • Recognise the significance of acceptable technology use in the workforce, with a focus on the increasing integration of AI (GenAI) and its impact on the industry.

1 If you need help with your assignment, please contact:

  • the academic teaching staff in your unit for guidance in understanding or completing this type of assessment
  • Academic Success for academic skills support.

2 Indicative time-on-task is an estimate of the time required for completion of the assessment task and is subject to individual variation.

3 An automatic short extension is available for some assessments. Apply through the Service Connect Portal.

Delivery and Resources

Teaching and Learning Strategy

COMP2700 is now in its second year. This year, lectures will run alongside the podcast series, which you are required to listen to before attending your SGTA class. SGTAs are delivered in small, interactive, on-campus groups, where the feedback you receive is an important part of your learning.

The podcasts introduce key concepts, showcase contemporary developments in Project Management and Professional Practice, and place them in a broader real-world context.

SGTA classes give you the opportunity to engage with your peers and an experienced instructor, and to develop your professional communication and collaboration skills.

You will have multiple opportunities to seek and receive feedback, and you are encouraged to use consultation time to ask questions and clarify your understanding.

Week 1 classes

SGTA classes start in week 1 and the Lectures start in week 1. The first podcast will also  be available from Week 1

Each week you should:

  • Attend weekly lectures
  • Listen to the podcasts on a weekly basis.
  • Write a draft reflection weekly based on the podcast material for your final assessment.
  • Participate in your SGTA classes and seek feedback from your SGTA instructor on your work
  • Read assigned reading material, add to your notes and prepare questions for your lecturer or SGTA instructor
  • Start working on any assessments immediately after they have been released.

Podcasts will also have extra notes which are made available each week but these notes are intended as an outline to support the podcast conversations and are not a substitute for your own notes or readings. We release material usually in blocks of 2-3 weeks to not overwhelm students.

Classes

Please attend the SGTA you are registered to.

Methods of Communication

We will communicate with you via your university email and through announcements on iLearn. Queries to convenors can either be placed on the iLearn discussion board or sent to the unit convenor via the contact email on iLearn.

Textbook

Being a fast paced ever evolving unit, it was deemed that a textbook would not validate the complexity of Project Management and Professional Practice.

Technology used and required

Echo

Digital recordings of lectures are available.

COMP2700 makes use of the following software in the lab:

  • Microsoft Windows 10 +
  • Microsoft Office 2016 +
  • Edge or Mozilla Firefox or Chrome or Opera

Website

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

Student Support Services

Macquarie University provides a range of Academic Student Support Services. Details of these services can accessed at http://www.student.mq.edu.au.

Assumed knowledge

Basic computer use skills.

Unit Schedule

Weeks

Weekly Lecture + Podcast Content

 SGTA/Assessment
1

Project Power-Up

"Kickstarting IT Projects – Success, Roles, and Roadblocks"

SGTA Workshop Week 1

Lectures start in week 1
2

Managing IT Projects (SDLC and Agile)

"Agile vs. Waterfall – Finding the Right Flow"

 SGTA Workshop Week 2 
3

Ethics in IT

"Navigating the Grey Areas – Ethics, AI, and Responsibility"

 SGTA Workshop Week 3
4

Communication Skills for Teams

"Speak Up & Sync Up – Effective IT Team Communication"

SGTA Workshop Week 4

Formative Quiz: This is a short quiz

to check if you're keeping up with the

podcats and SGTA material. It

provides feedback to help

you prepare for the summative quiz

in Week 7. 
5

Acceptable Use of Technology in the Workforce

"Tech in the Workplace – Policies, Risks & AI Challenges"

 SGTA Workshop Week 5
6

Leadership in IT and Team Collaboration

"Leading the Pack – IT Leadership & Team Synergy"

 SGTA Workshop Week 6
7

Managing GenAI in Projects

"AI at the Helm – Power, Pitfalls, and Ethics"

SGTA Workshop Week 7

Quiz based on Week 1 - 6 Podcasts and / or Lecture
8

Project Execution / Monitoring

"Getting it right, the first time all the time."

SGTA Workshop Week 8

 
9

Project Closure

"Wrapping Up Right – Closing, Learning & Moving Forward"

 SGTA Workshop Week 9
10

Global Challenges and UNSDGs

"Tech for Good – IT Solutions for Global Impact"

SGTA Workshop Week 10

 
11

Business Acumen & Entrepreneurship in IT

"From Idea to Impact – Understanding Clients, Investors & Startups"

SGTA Workshop Week 11

MQ Incubator

Group Project Due: IT Project Due: Thurs 21st May 2026
12

Career Planning in IT

"Your IT Career Toolkit – Resumes, Networking & Interviews"

 SGTA Workshop Week 12
13

Reflection & Growth

"Looking Back, Moving Forward – Lessons for the Future"

Reflective Report Due: Sun 8th June 2025

Reflective Report Due: Thurs 4th June 2026 

Policies and Procedures

Macquarie University policies and procedures are accessible from Policy Central (https://policies.mq.edu.au). Students should be aware of the following policies in particular with regard to Learning and Teaching:

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

To find other policies relating to Teaching and Learning, visit Policy Central (https://policies.mq.edu.au) and use the search tool.

Student Code of Conduct

Macquarie University students have a responsibility to be familiar with the Student Code of Conduct: https://students.mq.edu.au/admin/other-resources/student-conduct

Results

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 connect.mq.edu.au or if you are a Global MBA student contact globalmba.support@mq.edu.au

Academic Integrity

At Macquarie, we believe academic integrity – honesty, respect, trust, responsibility, fairness and courage – is at the core of learning, teaching and research. We recognise that meeting the expectations required to complete your assessments can be challenging. So, we offer you a range of resources and services to help you reach your potential, including free online writing and maths support, academic skills development and wellbeing consultations.

Student Support

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

Academic Success

Academic Success provides resources to develop your English language proficiency, academic writing, and communication skills.

The Library provides online and face to face support to help you find and use relevant information resources. 

Student Services and Support

Macquarie University offers a range of Student Support Services including:

Student Enquiries

Got a question? Ask us via the Service Connect Portal, or contact Service Connect.

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.

Changes from Previous Offering

- Updated Lecture content

- Updated assessment / project

- Updated Quizzes.

Changes since First Published

Date Description
18/02/2026 Small typo found, so I thought better to fix it than have it. MM

Unit information based on version 2026.02 of the Handbook