GSN590 Integrated Workplace Project
To view more information for this unit, select Unit Outline from the list below. Please note the teaching period for which the Unit Outline is relevant.
| Unit code: | GSN590 |
|---|---|
| Equivalent(s): | GSZ572, GSN570, GSN571 |
| Other requisite(s): | 84 credit points of core MBA units as approved by the MBA Director including GSN405 |
| Credit points: | 12 |
| Timetable | Details in HiQ, if available |
| Availabilities |
|
| Domestic tuition unit fee | $6,624 |
| International unit fee | $8,916 |
Unit Outline: Flexible Period - 05A 2026, Gardens Point, Internal (Start Date: 09 Mar 2026)
| Unit code: | GSN590 |
|---|---|
| Credit points: | 12 |
| Other Requisite: | 84 credit points of core MBA units as approved by the MBA Director including GSN405 |
| Equivalent: | GSZ572, GSN570, GSN571 |
| Coordinators: | Catherine Batch | c.batch@qut.edu.au |
Overview
The confidence to lead in complex business environments requires business leaders to look at problems and opportunities from multiple perspectives, to determine the course of action through integrating multi-disciplinary knowledge and skills, make decisions with incomplete information and to be a highly effective and persuasive communicator.
The aim of this unit is to enable you to apply the learnings from the program in an integrated manner to address a complex work-based problem or a new or emerging business opportunity of interest to you, your employer or a sponsoring organisation.
This capstone unit in the MBA program and draws together and integrates learning from across the program and assists students to synthesise approaches, frameworks and theory in a manner that provides practical ways to apply them to an industry project.
Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of this unit you will be able to:
- Integrate and apply advanced multi-disciplinary theory, frameworks, skills and techniques to address a problem or an opportunity. KS 1.1, HO 2.1
- Define and scope the problem or opportunity for a nominated project. HO 2.1Relates to: EXEC Business Capabilities: HO (2.1)
- Develop an appropriate research methodology for a nominated project taking into account ethical considerations. KS 1.1, HO 2.1, SEC 5.1
- Conduct ethical business research, analyse data collected and synthesise findings from research for inclusion in the final report. HO 2.1Relates to: EXEC Business Capabilities: HO (2.1)
- Create a comprehensive executive-level report designed to deliver recommendations and significant value for an organisation. HO 2.1, HO 2.2, PC 3.1
- Use advanced technology and technical knowledge and skills to design and deliver a highly persuasive executive level or Project Sponsor presentation to secure a specified outcome. KS 1.2, HO 2.1, PC 3.2
Content
This unit builds upon learning from across the program and shall include content specific to the projects been undertaken by students. Topics to be studied include:
- Application and integration of theory, frameworks and techniques from units across the MBA program.
- Applied business research methods
- Conducting business research
- Ethics and research
- Creating a professional Executive Report for a specific business problem or opportunity.
- Delivering a persuasive presentation targeting the specific executive-level audience in the context of the completed Executive report.
Course Learning Outcomes (Postgraduate - Executive)
The Graduate School of Business has established the Assurance of Learning (AoL) Goals to meet contemporary industry needs and standards. Achieving these learning outcomes will assist you to meet the desired graduate outcomes set at QUT - aligned with other internationally renowned business schools. Students will develop the following capabilities relevant to a contemporary global and sustainable business environment:
Knowledge and Technological Skills (KS)
1.1 Demonstrate and apply integrated and advanced theoretical and practical knowledge (including systems thinking approaches, multidisciplinary frameworks and knowledge of research principles and methods) that incorporate recent development in business disciplines and professional practice.
1.2 Apply advanced technical and technological knowledge and skills to critically reflect on, evaluate and contribute to developments that enhance innovative, sustainable and effective business performance in local, national and global business environments.
Higher Order Thinking (HO)
2.1 Provide evidence of effective analysis, interpretation, evaluation and synthesis of complex data, theories, ideas, issues and situations and demonstrate knowledge of how research and inquiry can be used to interpret, contribute to and create theoretical and practical knowledge.
2.2 Provide evidence of higher order thinking including creativity, judgement, cognitive flexibility and critical reflection in designing, planning and implementing strategies and solutions for effective performance in complex business environments.
Professional Communication (PC)
3.1 Demonstrate advanced use of language and argumentation in written communication, including digital communication, to frame strategic and influential responses to engage, persuade, negotiate, collaborate and lead in diverse and complex contexts and for diverse audiences.
3.2 Demonstrate advanced use of language and argumentation in oral communication, including digital communication, to frame strategic and influential responses to engage, persuade, negotiate, collaborate and lead across diverse and complex contexts and for diverse audiences.
Self and Leadership (SL)
4.1 Demonstrate adaptive personal leadership and accountability, including self-awareness, reflective practice and foresight in adapting and applying knowledge and skills to inform and influence effective and innovative practice.
4.2 Lead, manage and foster the development of collaborative teams that value and leverage the diverse knowledge and skills of others to contribute to the development of robust, adaptable and sustainable courses of action.
Social, Ethical and Cultural Understanding (SEC)
5.1 Demonstrate and apply knowledge of ethical and legal principles and practices of business, to contribute to responsible organisational governance and citizenship in local, national and global business environments.
5.2 Apply knowledge and skills to demonstrate, interpret and critically reflect on, appropriate culturally and socially inclusive and responsible decisions and actions across diverse social and cultural contexts.
Learning Approaches
This unit is a project-based unit and uses a blended learning approach, which will involve students in independent research, consulting with industry and project stakeholders, attending targeted workshops, webinars and individual consultations with the unit coordinator.
There is an expectation that the student will participate in class sessions and/or webinars, to take advantage of the opportunity to discuss important issues with their instructor and their peers.
Feedback on Learning and Assessment
Students will receive a variety of formative feedback throughout this unit.
Informally, feedback will be given verbally in class through class discussions and during the debriefing of learning activities.
Direct feedback will be available to those students who request a private or group consultation session with the lecturer.
Formal feedback will be received on both formative and summative assessment tasks through a Criterion Reference Assessment sheet which will also include written feedback on the assessment task. The Criterion Reference Assessment Sheet will be available in the unit Canvas site at the commencement of the unit. Students will receive feedback on their formative assessment task prior to their summative assessment task being submitted.
Assessment
Overview
A further Guide to the Assessment Items is available from the unit Canvas Site.
Unit Grading Scheme
7- point scale
Assessment Tasks
Assessment: Report
Business Research and Project Plan
Students are required to prepare a proposed Project Plan for their project which will define and scope their proposed work-based project and an appropriate research methodology for their nominated project. The work-based project needs to be an actual 'real world' project that is supported by an executive sponsor. The project can be either one identified by the student, provided to the student by their employer or provided by a sponsoring organisation.
Students should seek approval of the project prior to the commencement date of the unit. If the student is unable to find a suitable project or the proposed project is deemed not suitable by the unit coordinator to meet the unit learning learning outcomes of this unit then a project will be allocated to students.
Students may choose to undertake this project on their own, in pairs or in a group of no more than 4 students. Each student working in a pair or group will focus on one aspect of the project and submit individual assessment pieces. The focus and responsibilities of each student must be agreed on with the sponsor and approved by the unit coordinator prior to their research proposal being submitted.
It is important for students to understand that it is their responsibility to manage the relationship with their sponsor including confidentiality and non-disclosure agreements. Part of this learning experience is for the students to ensure that their project is aligned with both the sponsor needs and the requirements of this unit.
Formative or Summative: Formative and Summative
Postgraduate Executive (AoL goals): KS (1.1), HO (2.1), SEC (5.1)
This assignment is eligible for the 48-hour late submission period and assignment extensions.
Assessment: Final Project Presentation
This assessment is related to Assessment Task 2. Students are required to design and deliver an Executive level or Project Sponsor presentation based upon the outcomes of the Executive Report completed in Assessment Task 2. The aim of this Executive level or Project Sponsor presentation is to outline the results of the Workplace project and secure a specified outcome, which could include any combination of funding, executive support or third party (stakeholder) support for the recommendations of the report.
Formative or Summative: Summative
Postgraduate Executive (AoL goals): KS (1.2), HO (2.1), PC (3.2)
Assessment: Report
Final Project Report
Students are required to develop a comprehensive an Executive Report as agreed by the students' sponsoring organisation. The report is to address an identified problem or opportunity in the context of an organisation.
It is expected that report presented is a high quality professional document and the data collected should be presented visually in the form of graphs, tables or diagrams as appropriate for the type of data presented.
Formative or Summative: Summative
Postgraduate Executive (AoL goals): KS (1.1), HO (2.1, 2.2), PC (3.1)
This assignment is eligible for the 48-hour late submission period and assignment extensions.
Academic Integrity
Academic integrity is a commitment to undertaking academic work and assessment in a manner that is ethical, fair, honest, respectful and accountable.
The Academic Integrity Policy sets out the range of conduct that can be a failure to maintain the standards of academic integrity. This includes, cheating in exams, plagiarism, self-plagiarism, collusion and contract cheating. It also includes providing fraudulent or altered documentation in support of an academic concession application, for example an assignment extension or a deferred exam.
You are encouraged to make use of QUT’s learning support services, resources and tools to assure the academic integrity of your assessment. This includes the use of text matching software that may be available to assist with self-assessing your academic integrity as part of the assessment submission process.
Breaching QUT’s Academic Integrity Policy or engaging in conduct that may defeat or compromise the purpose of assessment can lead to a finding of student misconduct (Code of Conduct – Student) and result in the imposition of penalties under the Management of Student Misconduct Policy, ranging from a grade reduction to exclusion from QUT.
Resources
Resource Materials
Other
GSN590 Canvas site
Risk Assessment Statement
There are no out-of-the-ordinary risks associated with lectures or tutorials in this unit.
You should, however, familiarise yourself with evacuation procedures operating in the buildings in which you attend classes and take the time to view the Emergency video.
Standards/Competencies
This unit is designed to support your development of the following standards\competencies.
QUT Business Capabilities (Postgraduate Executive)
HO (2.1): Critical Analysis
Relates to: ULO1, ULO2, ULO3, ULO4, ULO5, ULO6, Report, Final Project Presentation, Report
HO (2.2): Independent Judgement and Decision-Making
KS (1.1): Advanced Discipline and Professional Practice Knowledge
Relates to: ULO1, ULO3, Report, Final Project Presentation, Report
KS (1.2): Advanced Technical and Technological Skills
Relates to: ULO6
PC (3.1): Professional Communication (Written)
PC (3.2): Professional Communication (Oral)
Relates to: ULO6, Final Project Presentation
SE (5.1): Social, Ethical and Legal Understanding
Course Learning Outcomes
This unit is designed to support your development of the following course/study area learning outcomes.GS75 Master of Business Administration
- Demonstrate and apply integrated and advanced theoretical and practical knowledge (including systems thinking approaches, multidisciplinary frameworks, and knowledge of research principles and methods) that incorporate recent development in business disciplines, professional practice, and digital innovation.
Relates to: ULO1, ULO3, Report, Final Project Presentation, Report - Apply advanced technical and technological knowledge and skills from a range of business disciplines to critically reflect on, evaluate and contribute to developments that enhance innovative, sustainable, effective, and transformational business performance in local, national, global, and virtual business environments.
Relates to: ULO6 - Provide evidence of effective analysis, interpretation, evaluation and synthesis of complex data, theories, ideas, issues, situations, and trends across multiple contexts and demonstrate knowledge of how research and inquiry can be used to interpret, contribute to and create theoretical and practical knowledge.
Relates to: ULO1, ULO2, ULO3, ULO4, ULO5, ULO6, Report, Final Project Presentation, Report - Provide evidence of higher order thinking including creativity, judgement, cognitive flexibility and critical reflection in designing, planning and implementing transdisciplinary digital strategies and solutions for effective performance in complex digital business environments.
Relates to: ULO5, Report - Demonstrate advanced use of language and argumentation in written communication, including digital communication, to frame strategic and influential responses to engage, persuade, negotiate, collaborate, lead, and transform in diverse and complex contexts (both physical and digital) and for diverse audiences.
Relates to: ULO5, Report - Demonstrate advanced use of language and argumentation in oral communication, including digital communication, to frame strategic and influential responses to engage, persuade, negotiate, collaborate and lead across diverse and complex contexts (both physical and digital) and for diverse audiences.
Relates to: ULO6, Final Project Presentation - Demonstrate and apply knowledge of ethical and legal principles and practices of business, to contribute to responsible organisational governance and citizenship in local, national, global, and virtual business environments.
Relates to: ULO3, Report
Unit Outline: Flexible Period - 10A 2026, Gardens Point, Internal (Start Date: 24 Aug 2026)
| Unit code: | GSN590 |
|---|---|
| Credit points: | 12 |
| Other Requisite: | 84 credit points of core MBA units as approved by the MBA Director including GSN405 |
| Equivalent: | GSZ572, GSN570, GSN571 |
| Coordinators: | Colleen Walker | c55.walker@qut.edu.au |
Overview
The confidence to lead in complex business environments requires business leaders to look at problems and opportunities from multiple perspectives, to determine the course of action through integrating multi-disciplinary knowledge and skills, make decisions with incomplete information and to be a highly effective and persuasive communicator.
The aim of this unit is to enable you to apply the learnings from the program in an integrated manner to address a complex work-based problem or a new or emerging business opportunity of interest to you, your employer or a sponsoring organisation.
This capstone unit in the MBA program and draws together and integrates learning from across the program and assists students to synthesise approaches, frameworks and theory in a manner that provides practical ways to apply them to an industry project.
Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of this unit you will be able to:
- Integrate and apply advanced multi-disciplinary theory, frameworks, skills and techniques to address a problem or an opportunity. KS 1.1, HO 2.1
- Define and scope the problem or opportunity for a nominated project. HO 2.1Relates to: EXEC Business Capabilities: HO (2.1)
- Develop an appropriate research methodology for a nominated project taking into account ethical considerations. KS 1.1, HO 2.1, SEC 5.1
- Conduct ethical business research, analyse data collected and synthesise findings from research for inclusion in the final report. HO 2.1Relates to: EXEC Business Capabilities: HO (2.1)
- Create a comprehensive executive-level report designed to deliver recommendations and significant value for an organisation. HO 2.1, HO 2.2, PC 3.1
- Use advanced technology and technical knowledge and skills to design and deliver a highly persuasive executive level or Project Sponsor presentation to secure a specified outcome. KS 1.2, HO 2.1, PC 3.2
Content
This unit builds upon learning from across the program and shall include content specific to the projects been undertaken by students. Topics to be studied include:
- Application and integration of theory, frameworks and techniques from units across the MBA program.
- Applied business research methods
- Conducting business research
- Ethics and research
- Creating a professional Executive Report for a specific business problem or opportunity.
- Delivering a persuasive presentation targeting the specific executive-level audience in the context of the completed Executive report.
Course Learning Outcomes (Postgraduate - Executive)
The Graduate School of Business has established the Assurance of Learning (AoL) Goals to meet contemporary industry needs and standards. Achieving these learning outcomes will assist you to meet the desired graduate outcomes set at QUT - aligned with other internationally renowned business schools. Students will develop the following capabilities relevant to a contemporary global and sustainable business environment:
Knowledge and Technological Skills (KS)
1.1 Demonstrate and apply integrated and advanced theoretical and practical knowledge (including systems thinking approaches, multidisciplinary frameworks and knowledge of research principles and methods) that incorporate recent development in business disciplines and professional practice.
1.2 Apply advanced technical and technological knowledge and skills to critically reflect on, evaluate and contribute to developments that enhance innovative, sustainable and effective business performance in local, national and global business environments.
Higher Order Thinking (HO)
2.1 Provide evidence of effective analysis, interpretation, evaluation and synthesis of complex data, theories, ideas, issues and situations and demonstrate knowledge of how research and inquiry can be used to interpret, contribute to and create theoretical and practical knowledge.
2.2 Provide evidence of higher order thinking including creativity, judgement, cognitive flexibility and critical reflection in designing, planning and implementing strategies and solutions for effective performance in complex business environments.
Professional Communication (PC)
3.1 Demonstrate advanced use of language and argumentation in written communication, including digital communication, to frame strategic and influential responses to engage, persuade, negotiate, collaborate and lead in diverse and complex contexts and for diverse audiences.
3.2 Demonstrate advanced use of language and argumentation in oral communication, including digital communication, to frame strategic and influential responses to engage, persuade, negotiate, collaborate and lead across diverse and complex contexts and for diverse audiences.
Self and Leadership (SL)
4.1 Demonstrate adaptive personal leadership and accountability, including self-awareness, reflective practice and foresight in adapting and applying knowledge and skills to inform and influence effective and innovative practice.
4.2 Lead, manage and foster the development of collaborative teams that value and leverage the diverse knowledge and skills of others to contribute to the development of robust, adaptable and sustainable courses of action.
Social, Ethical and Cultural Understanding (SEC)
5.1 Demonstrate and apply knowledge of ethical and legal principles and practices of business, to contribute to responsible organisational governance and citizenship in local, national and global business environments.
5.2 Apply knowledge and skills to demonstrate, interpret and critically reflect on, appropriate culturally and socially inclusive and responsible decisions and actions across diverse social and cultural contexts.
Learning Approaches
This unit is a project-based unit and uses a blended learning approach, which will involve students in independent research, consulting with industry and project stakeholders, attending targeted workshops, webinars and individual consultations with the unit coordinator.
There is an expectation that the student will participate in class sessions and/or webinars, to take advantage of the opportunity to discuss important issues with their instructor and their peers.
Feedback on Learning and Assessment
Students will receive a variety of formative feedback throughout this unit.
Informally, feedback will be given verbally in class through class discussions and during the debriefing of learning activities.
Direct feedback will be available to those students who request a private or group consultation session with the lecturer.
Formal feedback will be received on both formative and summative assessment tasks through a Criterion Reference Assessment sheet which will also include written feedback on the assessment task. The Criterion Reference Assessment Sheet will be available in the unit Canvas site at the commencement of the unit. Students will receive feedback on their formative assessment task prior to their summative assessment task being submitted.
Assessment
Overview
A further Guide to the Assessment Items is available from the unit Canvas Site.
Unit Grading Scheme
7- point scale
Assessment Tasks
Assessment: Report
Business Research and Project Plan
Students are required to prepare a proposed Project Plan for their project which will define and scope their proposed work-based project and an appropriate research methodology for their nominated project. The work-based project needs to be an actual 'real world' project that is supported by an executive sponsor. The project can be either one identified by the student, provided to the student by their employer or provided by a sponsoring organisation.
Students should seek approval of the project prior to the commencement date of the unit. If the student is unable to find a suitable project or the proposed project is deemed not suitable by the unit coordinator to meet the unit learning learning outcomes of this unit then a project will be allocated to students.
Students may choose to undertake this project on their own, in pairs or in a group of no more than 4 students. Each student working in a pair or group will focus on one aspect of the project and submit individual assessment pieces. The focus and responsibilities of each student must be agreed on with the sponsor and approved by the unit coordinator prior to their research proposal being submitted.
It is important for students to understand that it is their responsibility to manage the relationship with their sponsor including confidentiality and non-disclosure agreements. Part of this learning experience is for the students to ensure that their project is aligned with both the sponsor needs and the requirements of this unit.
Formative or Summative: Formative and Summative
Postgraduate Executive (AoL goals): KS (1.1), HO (2.1), SEC (5.1)
This assignment is eligible for the 48-hour late submission period and assignment extensions.
Assessment: Final Project Presentation
This assessment is related to Assessment Task 2. Students are required to design and deliver an Executive level or Project Sponsor presentation based upon the outcomes of the Executive Report completed in Assessment Task 2. The aim of this Executive level or Project Sponsor presentation is to outline the results of the Workplace project and secure a specified outcome, which could include any combination of funding, executive support or third party (stakeholder) support for the recommendations of the report.
Formative or Summative: Summative
Postgraduate Executive (AoL goals): KS (1.2), HO (2.1), PC (3.2)
Assessment: Report
Final Project Report
Students are required to develop a comprehensive an Executive Report as agreed by the students' sponsoring organisation. The report is to address an identified problem or opportunity in the context of an organisation.
It is expected that report presented is a high quality professional document and the data collected should be presented visually in the form of graphs, tables or diagrams as appropriate for the type of data presented.
Formative or Summative: Summative
Postgraduate Executive (AoL goals): KS (1.1), HO (2.1, 2.2), PC (3.1)
This assignment is eligible for the 48-hour late submission period and assignment extensions.
Academic Integrity
Academic integrity is a commitment to undertaking academic work and assessment in a manner that is ethical, fair, honest, respectful and accountable.
The Academic Integrity Policy sets out the range of conduct that can be a failure to maintain the standards of academic integrity. This includes, cheating in exams, plagiarism, self-plagiarism, collusion and contract cheating. It also includes providing fraudulent or altered documentation in support of an academic concession application, for example an assignment extension or a deferred exam.
You are encouraged to make use of QUT’s learning support services, resources and tools to assure the academic integrity of your assessment. This includes the use of text matching software that may be available to assist with self-assessing your academic integrity as part of the assessment submission process.
Breaching QUT’s Academic Integrity Policy or engaging in conduct that may defeat or compromise the purpose of assessment can lead to a finding of student misconduct (Code of Conduct – Student) and result in the imposition of penalties under the Management of Student Misconduct Policy, ranging from a grade reduction to exclusion from QUT.
Resources
Resource Materials
Other
GSN590 Canvas site
Risk Assessment Statement
There are no out-of-the-ordinary risks associated with lectures or tutorials in this unit.
You should, however, familiarise yourself with evacuation procedures operating in the buildings in which you attend classes and take the time to view the Emergency video.
Standards/Competencies
This unit is designed to support your development of the following standards\competencies.
QUT Business Capabilities (Postgraduate Executive)
HO (2.1): Critical Analysis
Relates to: ULO1, ULO2, ULO3, ULO4, ULO5, ULO6, Report, Final Project Presentation, Report
HO (2.2): Independent Judgement and Decision-Making
KS (1.1): Advanced Discipline and Professional Practice Knowledge
Relates to: ULO1, ULO3, Report, Final Project Presentation, Report
KS (1.2): Advanced Technical and Technological Skills
Relates to: ULO6
PC (3.1): Professional Communication (Written)
PC (3.2): Professional Communication (Oral)
Relates to: ULO6, Final Project Presentation
SE (5.1): Social, Ethical and Legal Understanding
Course Learning Outcomes
This unit is designed to support your development of the following course/study area learning outcomes.GS75 Master of Business Administration
- Demonstrate and apply integrated and advanced theoretical and practical knowledge (including systems thinking approaches, multidisciplinary frameworks, and knowledge of research principles and methods) that incorporate recent development in business disciplines, professional practice, and digital innovation.
Relates to: ULO1, ULO3, Report, Final Project Presentation, Report - Apply advanced technical and technological knowledge and skills from a range of business disciplines to critically reflect on, evaluate and contribute to developments that enhance innovative, sustainable, effective, and transformational business performance in local, national, global, and virtual business environments.
Relates to: ULO6 - Provide evidence of effective analysis, interpretation, evaluation and synthesis of complex data, theories, ideas, issues, situations, and trends across multiple contexts and demonstrate knowledge of how research and inquiry can be used to interpret, contribute to and create theoretical and practical knowledge.
Relates to: ULO1, ULO2, ULO3, ULO4, ULO5, ULO6, Report, Final Project Presentation, Report - Provide evidence of higher order thinking including creativity, judgement, cognitive flexibility and critical reflection in designing, planning and implementing transdisciplinary digital strategies and solutions for effective performance in complex digital business environments.
Relates to: ULO5, Report - Demonstrate advanced use of language and argumentation in written communication, including digital communication, to frame strategic and influential responses to engage, persuade, negotiate, collaborate, lead, and transform in diverse and complex contexts (both physical and digital) and for diverse audiences.
Relates to: ULO5, Report - Demonstrate advanced use of language and argumentation in oral communication, including digital communication, to frame strategic and influential responses to engage, persuade, negotiate, collaborate and lead across diverse and complex contexts (both physical and digital) and for diverse audiences.
Relates to: ULO6, Final Project Presentation - Demonstrate and apply knowledge of ethical and legal principles and practices of business, to contribute to responsible organisational governance and citizenship in local, national, global, and virtual business environments.
Relates to: ULO3, Report