Unit convenor and teaching staff |
Unit convenor and teaching staff
Convenor, Lecturer
Matthew Mansour
Post Lecture
Jason Lee
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Credit points |
Credit points
4
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Prerequisites |
Prerequisites
Admission to MBiotech or MBiotechMCom or MBioBus or MLabQAMgt or PGCertLabQAMgt or GradDipLabQAMgt or GradCertLabQAMgt or GradDipBioTech
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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 consists of a number of essential project and risk management themes, agile development methodologies and team management. Topics 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 scheduling. The International Standard, ISO 31000, gives us excellent guidance on risk management. Agile methodologies are particularly relevant given the complexity and rapid change that characterise science projects. Finally, the unit considers understanding organisational culture, politics and how to manage local and global teams.
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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:
Submission methods for assessment tasks:
All soft copy assignment submissions and return of marks and comments will be done through the INFO843 page on iLearn.
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 without a grade penalty may be provided to individuals who contact student services BEFORE the due date and can provide documentary evidence of illness or other misadventure and succeed in gaining a certified disruption. (Health issues will require a university issued Professional Authority Form.). 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.
If you apply for Disruption to Study for your final examination, you must make yourself available for the week of December 11th - 15th. If you are not available at that time, there is no guarantee an additional examination time will be offered. Specific examination dates and times will be determined at a later date.
The final exam will focus on content covered in the classes throughout the semester including all lectures, references and workshops.
Name | Weighting | Hurdle | Due |
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Assignment 1 | 15% | No | Week 5 |
Assignment 2 | 15% | No | Week 8 |
Assignment 3 | 20% | No | Week 12 |
Final Examination | 50% | No | Weeks 14 to 15 |
Due: Week 5
Weighting: 15%
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. 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: Week 8
Weighting: 15%
We consider the recent failed Victoria Police LINK project. We study the KPMG Link Review from 2011 and subsequent media reports, and analyse the project failings and make recommendations that apply elements of the course to put the project back on track.
Due: Week 12
Weighting: 20%
Students will be formed into groups. Students will need to discuss with the group what industry they would like to focus on. 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%
Due: Examination Period Weighting: 50%
Three (3) hour exam plus 10 minutes reading time.
Supplementary Exams
If you apply for Disruption to Study for your final examination, you must make yourself available for the week of Dec 11 – 15, 2017. If you are not available at that time, there is no guarantee an additional examination time will be offered. Specific examination dates and times will be determined at a later date.
Classes
Each week you should attend a two-hour seminar/lecture. In addition to this we have non compulsory research time. We have booked the class to allow for you to use the space for research for individual and group assessments. For details of days, times and rooms consult the timetables webpage. You are also welcome to use the EMC computer lab when you require.
Students are expected to purchase and read the following etextbook:
Erik Larson et al, EBOOK Project Management: The Managerial Process 7e, McGraw Hill. This book is available HERE
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 STEM students.
Other technology required is MS Word and MS PowerPoint.
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 and 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 |
Estimating Project Times and Costs Sponsors and Other Stakeholders |
Larson 5 Larson 10 |
4 |
Project Selection and Success Criteria
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 2 |
Larson 2 |
5 |
Risk Management Part 1 Assignment 1 Due |
Guest Lecture: Dr. Stephen Smith |
6 |
Risk Management Part 2
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Refer to lecture notes |
7 |
Virtual Teams and Outsourcing Project Audit and Closure |
Accenture, 2015 Larson 12 Larson 14 |
8 |
Leadership Team Management Assignment Two Due |
Larson 10 Larson 11 Thomsett articles |
9 |
Rational Unified Process RUP Structure and Navigation RUP for COTS |
IBM Sources |
10 |
Project Plan Structure Progress Management and Evaluation |
Larson 6, 10, 12 |
11 |
Organisational Politics |
13 |
12 |
Assignment Three Due Group Presentations |
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13 |
Final Exam Revision |
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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 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:
This unit has been aligned more to its sister unit ITEC841.
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, 4 | LO 2, 3, 5 | LO 5 |
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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. |
At the end of the semester, you will receive a grade that reflects your achievement in the unit
In this unit, your final mark is calculated by combining the marks for all assessment task according to the percentage weightings shown in the assessment summary which total up to 100,
In particular, in order to pass the unit, you must obtain:
Students can obtain a higher grade than a Pass (P) by meeting the above requirements and
INFO843 is a unit where continued levels of engagement throughout the semester are hugely beneficial. This is reflected in the assessment tasks as 50% of the unit assessment happens prior to the final exam. Students are encouraged to manage their workload, engage in discussion in classes, and be active participants in their own learning and exploration of the concepts of the unit.