GSZ545 Complex Project Alignment and Implementation
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: | GSZ545 |
|---|---|
| Prerequisite(s): | GSZ405 |
| Credit points: | 12 |
| Timetable | Details in HiQ, if available |
| Availabilities |
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| Domestic tuition unit fee | $7,596 |
| International unit fee | $7,380 |
Unit Outline: Flexible Period - 09A 2025, Gardens Point, Internal (Start Date: 07 Sep 2025)
| Unit code: | GSZ545 |
|---|---|
| Credit points: | 12 |
| Pre-requisite: | GSZ405 |
| Coordinator: | Sarah Kelly | s70.kelly@qut.edu.au |
Overview
Complex projects are usually initiated to contribute to long-range strategic objectives in volatile contexts with high uncertainty. Project leaders who fail to appreciate the nature of complex projects and attempt to apply only traditional approaches will inevitably fail. It is critical that leaders of complex projects/programs have an understanding of complexity, strategic alignment and develop the knowledge that allows them to develop an adaptive leadership approach.
This unit offers a rich learning opportunity to analyse the diverse approaches to implementation applied in a broad range of complex projects, and to leverage the experience of world-class complex project leaders and managers.
Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of this unit you will be able to:
- Recognise the role of project portfolio management in facilitating both strategic alignment and project implementation as well as the main causes of strategic and delivery failure. KS 1.1, HO 2.1
- Recognise the challenges created by project complexity - and understand the variety of implementation approaches/responses available - and the conditions in which they are appropriate. KS 1.2
- Determine the shortcomings and limitations of traditional methods of project and program management and identif ycontemporary methods and techniques which support succesful project implementation in complex situations. HO 2.1
- Demonstrate an ability to apply portfolio, program and project management approaches appropriately to complex situations. HO 2.2, SEC 5.2
- Work collaboratively with others to conduct a business meeting and apply cultuatrally sensitive business protocols during the meeting. KS 1.1, SL 4.2, SEC 5.2
- Use advanced oral communication skills to deliver an effective solution mindful of cross-cultural implications. PC 3.2
Content
- Strategic Objectives and project Implementation
- Project Portfolio Management and Strategic Alignment
- Complexity and project Management
- Program Management - MSP
- Contemporary Developments
- Analysis of practices in complex projects
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 highly experiential and students will engage via: Guided instruction, learning activities and assessment, case studies, Canvas site with additional materials related to the cases under study. Students will have the opportunity to interact with industry professionals and/or community groups thus being exposed to a range of diverse global and trans-national perspectives.
Students should note the following:
- The program, although confirmed, may be subject to change at short notice. If changes are made you will be made aware of the changes as soon as possible.
- To minimise the learning opportunities, the program has a very tight schedule for day and evening events. Your punctuality is critical to ensure it's smooth operation.
- Students are responsible for ensuring that their personal activities (work-related, leisure and/or religious) do not interfere with their ability to attend and participate in all required activities.
Feedback on Learning and Assessment
Students will receive feedback in various forms throughout the study tour, which may include:
- Informal: worked examples, such as verbal feedback in class, personal consultation
- Formal: in writing, such as checklists (e.g. criteria sheets), written commentary
- Direct: to individual students, either in written form or in consultation
- Indirect: to whole class
Assessment
Overview
Assessment includes a group presentation of 20 minutes, covering the complex projects visited or discussed in class during the study tour, and recommendations to address any shortfalls in the complex project leadership identified. The second assessment task is an individual written reflection report written via three separate diary entries (800 words each) and submitted together on the final day of the tour. The report will cover three identified innovative practices observed in the field or through class and contrast these approaches with complex project leadership approaches in your own organisation. Both assessment tasks will draw upon frameworks, research, case studies and readings from throughout the CPL stream units, with some additional readings being made available through Canvas. The group will also undertake a reflection regularly throughout the tour to support assessment tasks and learning outcomes, facilitated by the unit coordinator, to promote collective and peer to peer learning and observation.
Unit Grading Scheme
7- point scale
Assessment Tasks
Assessment: Analysis of Complex Projects
Students will work in groups to analyse the dimensions and strategies of project complexity exhibited in nominated complex projects. Recommendations to address any perceived shortcomings should be included in the presentation.
Formative or Summative: Formative and Summative
Postgraduate Executive (AoL goals): KS (1.1), HO (2.1), PC (3.2), SL (4.2), SEC (5.2)
Assessment: Reflection Report
Comparative Evaluation of Project Implementation
You are required to develop a reflection to the senior management team of your own organisation of innovative practices observed in the field or through lectures during the immersive experience and contrast this to your organisation's approach to complex project management. The reflection will be submitted as three diary entries across the tour, submitted together on the final day of the tour. Each entry will be approximately 800 words.
The reflection report should encompass:
- The identification of three significant innovative practices (one per diary entry) investigated and observed during the immersive experience. These practices are to be selected based on their potential to provide benefits for adoption in your context.
- A succinct description of the implementation methodologies adopted in each immersive experience addressed in each diary entry and the drivers behind their adoption.
- Evaluation of the efficiency and effectiveness of these methodologies in the context of the frameworks, research and techniques discussed in the CPL/SP stream, the environment in which they operate, and the demonstrated strategic contribution achieved.
- Identify two practices, currently adopted in your organisation, that the program has alerted you to as potentially problematic or represent an opportunity and that may benefit from modification in your context (for each of the three diary entries).
Formative or Summative: Summative
Postgraduate Executive (AoL goals): KS (1.2), HO (2.1, 2.2), SEC (5.2)
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.
Risk Assessment Statement
There are no out of the ordinary risks associated with 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.
Students attending the study tour will be covered by QUT insurance.
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: Analysis of Complex Projects, Reflection Report
HO (2.2): Independent Judgement and Decision-Making
Relates to: Reflection Report
KS (1.1): Advanced Discipline and Professional Practice Knowledge
Relates to: Analysis of Complex Projects
KS (1.2): Advanced Technical and Technological Skills
Relates to: Reflection Report
PC (3.2): Professional Communication (Oral)
Relates to: Analysis of Complex Projects
SE (5.2): Cultural , Environmental and Social Responsibility
Relates to: Analysis of Complex Projects, Reflection Report
SL (4.2): Leading and Developing Teams
Relates to: Analysis of Complex Projects
Course Learning Outcomes
This unit is designed to support your development of the following course/study area learning outcomes.GS50 Executive 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: Analysis of Complex Projects - Apply knowledge and skills to demonstrate, interpret and critically reflect on, appropriate culturally, socially and ecologically inclusive and responsible decisions and actions across complex, diverse social and cultural contexts.
Relates to: Analysis of Complex Projects, Reflection 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: Reflection Report - 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: Analysis of Complex Projects, Reflection 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: Reflection 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: Analysis of Complex Projects - 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 adaptable, transformative, and sustainable courses of action in complex contemporary environments.
Relates to: Analysis of Complex Projects