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).
Minimum total expected workload equals 12 hours per week comprising:
(a.) Contact hours for on-campus students:
(b.) Study schedule for off-campus students:
(c.) Additional requirements (all students):
See also Unit timetable information
FIT5022, MBA9052
Karan Pedramrazi
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 the Student Evaluation of Teaching and Units (SETU) survey. 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, see:
www.monash.edu.au/about/monash-directions/ and on student evaluations, see: www.policy.monash.edu/policy-bank/academic/education/quality/student-evaluation-policy.html
Based on previous student feedback this unit is well structured and no changes have been made for this semester.
If you wish to view how previous students rated this unit, please go to
https://emuapps.monash.edu.au/unitevaluations/index.jsp
| Week | Activities | Assessment |
|---|---|---|
| 0 | No formal assessment or activities are undertaken in week 0 | |
| 1 | Overview of Project Management | |
| 2 | Organisational structures | |
| 3 | Planning | |
| 4 | Network Scheduling Techniques | In class test 1 |
| 5 | Cost Control | |
| 6 | Pricing and Estimating | Assignment 1 due |
| 7 | Risk Management I | |
| 8 | Risk Management II | |
| 9 | Organising and Staffing the Project Office and Team | |
| 10 | Time Management and Working with Executives | Assignment 2 due |
| 11 | Management Functions | |
| 12 | Legal Issues in Project Management | In class test 2 |
| SWOT VAC | No formal assessment is undertaken in 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 learning system.
In-semester assessment: 100%
| Assessment Task | Value | Due Date |
|---|---|---|
| Test 1 | 25% | Day 4 (15 Jan) |
| Assignment 1 | 25% | Day 6 (22 Jan) |
| Assignment 2 | 25% | Day 10 (5 Feb) |
| Test 2 | 25% | Day 12 (12 Feb) |
Faculty Policy - Unit Assessment Hurdles (http://intranet.monash.edu.au/infotech/resources/staff/edgov/policies/assessment-examinations/assessment-hurdles.html)
Academic Integrity - Please see resources and tutorials at http://www.monash.edu/library/skills/resources/tutorials/academic-integrity/
Correct answers to questions (demonstrates understanding of learning materials).
Quality of solutions to problems (demonstrates understanding of learning materials).
Identify key elements of the business case template to include:
Expected (not actual) business benefits (through KPIs)
Demonstrate depth and breadth of reading to include a comprehensive reference list
Ability to price out the project and develop a meaningful risk management plan, adhearing to all of the specified requirements.
Each syndicate will have to submit the division of the work on the assignment, for each syndicate member.
The tutors will use this information to assess individual contributions when allocating marks to syndicate members.
Correct answers to questions (demonstrates understanding of learning materials).
Quality of solutions to problems (demonstrates understanding of learning materials).
Prescribed text:
Project Management: A Systems Approach to Planning, Scheduling, and Controlling, by Harold Kerzner, 2013, 11th edition, John Wiley & Sons, Australia.
OR
Project Management: A Systems Approach to Planning, Scheduling, and Controlling, by Harold Kerzner, 2009, 10th edition, John Wiley & Sons, Australia.
Recommended texts
1- Project Management Workbook and PMP/CAPM Exam Study Guide, Harold Kerzner and Frank P. Saladis, 11th edition 2013, John Wiley.
2- A Guide to the Project Management Body of Knowledge, PMBOK fifth edition. 2013. Project Management Institute. (Available as an e-book)
3- Information Technology Project Management, Kathy Schwalbe, 7th edition, 2013.
OR Information Technology Project Management, Kathy Schwalbe, 6th edition, 2010.
Monash Library Unit Reading List (if applicable to the unit)
http://readinglists.lib.monash.edu/index.html
Faculty of Information Technology Style Guide
Examination/other end-of-semester assessment feedback may take the form of feedback classes, provision of sample answers or other group feedback after official results have been published. Please check with your lecturer on the feedback provided and take advantage of this prior to requesting individual consultations with staff. If your unit has an examination, you may request to view your examination script booklet, see http://intranet.monash.edu.au/infotech/resources/students/procedures/request-to-view-exam-scripts.html
Types of feedback you can expect to receive in this unit are:
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.monash.edu.au/exams/special-consideration.html
It is a University requirement (http://www.policy.monash.edu/policy-bank/academic/education/conduct/student-academic-integrity-managing-plagiarism-collusion-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). Please note that it is your responsibility to retain copies of your assessments.
If Electronic Submission has been approved for your unit, please submit your work via the learning system for this unit, which you can access via links in the my.monash portal.
Microsoft Project, or similar software.
Microsoft Project can be obtained from:
http://infotech.monash.edu/itsupport/msdnaa.html
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: www.policy.monash.edu.au/policy-bank/academic/education/index.html
Key educational policies include:
Important student resources including Faculty policies are located at http://intranet.monash.edu.au/infotech/resources/students/
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 http://www.monash.edu.au/students. For Malaysia see http://www.monash.edu.my/Student-services, and for South Africa see http://www.monash.ac.za/current/.
The Monash University Library provides a range of services, resources and programs that enable you to save time and be more effective in your learning and research. Go to www.lib.monash.edu.au or the library tab in my.monash portal for more information. At Malaysia, visit the Library and Learning Commons at http://www.lib.monash.edu.my/. At South Africa visit http://www.lib.monash.ac.za/.