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Monash University

FIT5057 Project management - Semester 2, 2011

This unit focuses on a holistic approach to project management. It provides students with a high level of understanding of the processes of project management, as well as sound skills in use of project tools. Proficiency in using key tools and concepts could give students a significant competitive advantage in the market place. The content deals with: concepts and definitions; organising and staffing the project office and team; planning, scheduling techniques; cost control; risk management; contracts and procurement; etc. Case studies, articles of interest that may appear in current media, and students own work experiences with project management, will be discussed in the class to optimise the learning opportunity in the unit. After completing this unit students are eligible to sit the exam for PMP and CAPM organised by PMI (Melbourne Charter) at no additional cost to them (apart from the administrative fee for sitting the exam).

Mode of Delivery

Caulfield (Evening)

Contact Hours

2 hrs lectures/wk, 1 hr tutorial/wk

Workload

Student commitments total 12 hours per week, including:

  • 2 hours lecture.
  • 1 hour tutorial.
  • 4 hours of personal study.
  • 5 hours of readings, lab exercises and group discussions.

Unit Relationships

Prohibitions

BUS5150, FIT5022, MBA9052, GCO5807

Prerequisites

Students must be enrolled in a post graduate course at Monash university to undertake this unit.

Chief Examiner

Dr Joze Kuzic

Campus Lecturer

Caulfield

Joze Kuzic

Academic Overview

Learning Objectives

At the completion of this unit students will be able to:

  • examine and describe the concepts, techniques, and decision tools available to project managers;
  • demonstrate the importance of strategy and prioritising for effective resource allocation and balancing a portfolio of projects;
  • assess and synthesise diverse information for an integrative project management;
  • create and critically evaluate innovative ideas and strategies within ambiguous and uncertain business environments.

Graduate Attributes

Monash prepares its graduates to be:
  1. responsible and effective global citizens who:
    1. engage in an internationalised world
    2. exhibit cross-cultural competence
    3. demonstrate ethical values
  2. critical and creative scholars who:
    1. produce innovative solutions to problems
    2. apply research skills to a range of challenges
    3. communicate perceptively and effectively

Assessment Summary

In-semester assessment: 100%

Assessment Task Value Due Date
Test 1 30% Week 4 Tutorial
Test 2 30% Week 8 Tutorial
Syndicate Presentation 10% Week 12 Tutorial
Syndicate Assignment 30% Week 14 (Thursday 3 November)

Teaching Approach

Lecture and tutorials or problem classes
This teaching and learning approach provides facilitated learning, practical exploration and peer learning.

Feedback

Our feedback to You

Types of feedback you can expect to receive in this unit are:
  • Informal feedback on progress in labs/tutes
  • Test results and feedback

Your feedback to Us

Monash is committed to excellence in education and regularly seeks feedback from students, employers and staff. One of the key formal ways students have to provide feedback is through SETU, Student Evaluation of Teacher and Unit. The University's student evaluation policy requires that every unit is evaluated each year. Students are strongly encouraged to complete the surveys. The feedback is anonymous and provides the Faculty with evidence of aspects that students are satisfied and areas for improvement.

For more information on Monash's educational strategy, and on student evaluations, see:
http://www.monash.edu.au/about/monash-directions/directions.html
http://www.policy.monash.edu/policy-bank/academic/education/quality/student-evaluation-policy.html

Previous Student Evaluations of this unit

If you wish to view how previous students rated this unit, please go to
https://emuapps.monash.edu.au/unitevaluations/index.jsp

Recommended Resources

Microsoft Project, or similar software.

Microsoft Project can be obtained from:

http://infotech.monash.edu/itsupport/msdnaa.html

Unit Schedule

Week Activities Assessment
0   No formal assessment or activities are undertaken in week 0
1 Overview of Project Management; No Tutorial this Week  
2 Project Management Growth: Concepts and Definitions  
3 Organisational structures  
4 Planning Test 1 during Week 4 Tutorial
5 Cost Control  
6 Pricing and Estimating  
7 Network Scheduling Techniques  
8 Risk Management Test 2 during Week 8 Tutorial
9 Organising and Staffing the Project Office and Team  
10 Time Management and Working with Executives  
11 Management Functions  
12 Legal Issues in Project Management Syndicate Presentation during Week 12 Tutorial; Syndicate Assignment due Week 14 (Thursday 3 November)
  SWOT VAC No formal assessment is undertaken SWOT VAC
  Examination period LINK to Assessment Policy: http://policy.monash.edu.au/policy-bank/
academic/education/assessment/
assessment-in-coursework-policy.html

*Unit Schedule details will be maintained and communicated to you via your MUSO (Blackboard or Moodle) learning system.

Assessment Requirements

Assessment Tasks

Participation

  • Assessment task 1
    Title:
    Test 1
    Description:
    Class test based on certain learning materials and topics covered up to this point in the semester.
    Weighting:
    30%
    Criteria for assessment:

    - Correct answers to questions (demonstrates understanding of learning materials).

    - Quality of solutions to problems (demonstrates understanding of learning materials).

    Due date:
    Week 4 Tutorial
  • Assessment task 2
    Title:
    Test 2
    Description:
    Class test based on certain learning materials and topics covered up to this point in the semester.
    Weighting:
    30%
    Criteria for assessment:

    - Correct answers to questions (demonstrates understanding of learning materials).

    - Quality of solutions to problems (demonstrates understanding of learning materials).

    Due date:
    Week 8 Tutorial
  • Assessment task 3
    Title:
    Syndicate Presentation
    Description:
    Students will be working in syndicates of five members.  Each syndicate will present major points from the Syndicate Assignment. The presentation time frame will be 8 minutes, with 2 minutes at the end for questions and answers.
    Weighting:
    10%
    Criteria for assessment:

    - Quality of presentation delivery.

    - Relevance of presentation material covered.

    All group members will receive the same marks. If there are issues/concerns about individual contributions within a group, a peer evaluation form will be used.

    More details will be provided during the semester.

    Due date:
    Week 12 Tutorial
  • Assessment task 4
    Title:
    Syndicate Assignment
    Description:
    Each syndicate will have to prepare:

    1. The project proposal (what, why, when, where, who, how, and how much). 

    2. Assuming that the project is given the go ahead, you are required to prepare the following:
    1. SOW (Statement Of Work).
    2. Schedule and WBS (Work Breakdown Structure). Using Microsoft Project, or any other suitable software, is encouraged for this part of the task.
    3. Budget.
    4. Risk management plan for the project (including identifying, analysing, and responding to possible project risks).
    Weighting:
    30%
    Criteria for assessment:

    - Quality and realism of the project proposal.

    - How well stated requirements are addressed.

    All group members will receive the same marks. If there are issues/concerns about individual contributions within a group, a peer evaluation form will be used.

    More details will be provided during the semester.

    Due date:
    Week 14 (Thursday 3 November)

Examinations

Assignment submission

It is a University requirement (http://www.policy.monash.edu/policy-bank/academic/education/conduct/plagiarism-procedures.html) for students to submit an assignment coversheet for each assessment item. Faculty Assignment coversheets can be found at http://www.infotech.monash.edu.au/resources/student/forms/. Please check with your Lecturer on the submission method for your assignment coversheet (e.g. attach a file to the online assignment submission, hand-in a hard copy, or use an online quiz).

Extensions and penalties

Submission must be made by the due date otherwise penalties will be enforced.

You must negotiate any extensions formally with your campus unit leader via the in-semester special consideration process: http://www.infotech.monash.edu.au/resources/student/equity/special-consideration.html.

Returning assignments

Students can expect assignments to be returned within two weeks of the submission date or after receipt, whichever is later

Other Information

Policies

Monash has educational policies, procedures and guidelines, which are designed to ensure that staff and students are aware of the University's academic standards, and to provide advice on how they might uphold them. You can find Monash's Education Policies at:
http://policy.monash.edu.au/policy-bank/academic/education/index.html

Key educational policies include:

Student services

The University provides many different kinds of support services for you. Contact your tutor if you need advice and see the range of services available at www.monash.edu.au/students The Monash University Library provides a range of services and resources that enable you to save time and be more effective in your learning and research. Go to http://www.lib.monash.edu.au or the library tab in my.monash portal for more information. Students who have a disability or medical condition are welcome to contact the Disability Liaison Unit to discuss academic support services. Disability Liaison Officers (DLOs) visit all Victorian campuses on a regular basis

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