PMN601 Managing Project Performance
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: | PMN601 |
|---|---|
| Prerequisite(s): | Admission to (PM20 or PV20 or PV21 or EN55) |
| Equivalent(s): | PMQ601 |
| Assumed Knowledge: | PMN503, PMN504, PMN505 and PMN610 are assumed knowledge |
| Credit points: | 12 |
| Timetable | Details in HiQ, if available |
| Availabilities |
|
| Domestic tuition unit fee | $3,444 |
| International unit fee | $5,220 |
Unit Outline: Semester 1 2025, Gardens Point, Internal
| Unit code: | PMN601 |
|---|---|
| Credit points: | 12 |
| Pre-requisite: | Admission to (PM20 or PV20 or PV21 or EN55) |
| Equivalent: | PMQ601 |
| Assumed Knowledge: | PMN503, PMN504, PMN505 and PMN610 are assumed knowledge |
| Coordinator: | Madhav Nepal | madhav.nepal@qut.edu.au |
Overview
This unit will provide you with relevant tools and techniques to planning and management of key project performance measures and indicators such as time, cost, budget and resources. You will be exposed to modern project performance domains, principles, frameworks and practices. The changing dynamics of projects and the environment they are undertaken is constantly changing. As such establishing appropriate metrics, baselines and thresholds for expected performance and measurement, analysis and evaluation is critical to ensure that the project is progressing as planned, timely and appropriate actions are undertaken to keep project performance on track, and maintain acceptable performance.
Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of this unit you will be able to:
- Explain the benefits and implications of performance planning, measurement and control in projects.
- Apply relevant techniques and tools in the preparation of cost estimates, project schedules, resource plans and sustainability measures in the monitoring of these key performance targets in projects.
- Assess project performance based on multiple performance criteria.
- Reflect on the impact and importance of project performance criteria on the successful delivery of projects.
- Effectively communicate project performance planning and progress to project sponsors.
Content
This unit will cover:
- Performance management principles and frameworks.
- Managing cost performance - such as cost management foundations; cost control environment, risks and techniques; and earned value management.
- Managing time performance - such as time management in enterprises; purpose of schedule; cost, time and resource interrelationships; and time and resource management tools.
- Managing resources - such as resource planning and control using project management software and progress curve applications.
- Managing sustainability performance - such as the evolution and principles of sustainability; sustainability criteria and indicators; and sustainable assessment and reporting.
- Reflective learning on costs, time, resource and sustainability through case studies and multi-criteria decision making.
Learning Approaches
In this unit, you will learn by engaging in the following:
- Lectures
- Tutorials
You will engage in both individual and group activities and assignments designed to develop a theoretical understanding as well as progressively explore the application of those theories to a range of 'real world' situations using topical case studies and scenarios drawn from a range of perspectives and project environments.
Feedback on Learning and Assessment
You will receive feedback in various forms throughout the semester which may include:
- Rubrics provided to show the expected standard for each criteria in an assessment item.
- Feedback comments on assignments returned to you via Canvas.
- Lecture and tutorial sessions providing extensive question and answer opportunities.
- Formative quizzes throughout the teaching period to self-assess your learning.
Assessment
Overview
There are two assessments in this unit:
- Project Performance Plans – you will collaboratively develop essential project performance plans for a case study project.
- Project Performance Assessment and Updated Plans and Reflective Report – you will asses the current performance of the project developed for assessment 1 and produce updated plans to ensure that original performance thresholds are achieved or achievable within the revised, permissible range. You will also provide a reflection on the relevance and application of project performance plans, metrics and criteria for performance assessment
The assessment strategy involves case study-based assignments with incorporated reflective requirements. The case study approach is designed to ensure authentic learning experience. The incorporated reflective exercises are designed to encourage you to explore each unit topic in greater depth and make personal assessments of the relevance and application of the topic to your industry or sector.
Unit Grading Scheme
7- point scale
Assessment Tasks
Assessment: Project Performance Plans
You will take on the role of a project manager to develop essential project plans for time, cost and resource control and baselines for effective project monitoring and control.
This assignment is eligible for the 48-hr late submission period and assignment extensions.
Assessment: Project Performance Assessment and Updated Plans and Reflective Report
You will use the case study project that was used for Assessment 1 to update the essential project plans for time, cost and resources to reflect given project events that may or may not impact the project. You will provide the current assessment of the progress of the project and develop updated plans and strategies to ensure that the original performance thresholds are achieved or are achievable within the revised, permissible range
You will also reflect on the applications or potential applications of of project performance methods/measures, metrics and criteria, including sustainability aspects, and their relevance in the real world for effective project monitoring and control and to manage the successful delivery of a project.
This assignment is eligible for the 48-hr 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
There are no prescribed resources required for this unit. There are however recommended texts stipulated below. Further, additional resources will be made available through the unit's Canvas site and QUT Readings as relevant to each unit module.
Resource Materials
Reference book(s)
Hulett, D. (2016). Integrated cost-schedule risk analysis. London: Routledge.
Project Management Institute (2021). A Guide to the Project Management Body of Knowledge, Seventh Edition, Project Management Institute, Newtown Square, PA
Taylor, J. (2008). Project scheduling and cost control planning, monitoring and controlling the baseline Ft. Lauderdale, Fla: J. Ross Pub.
Vanhoucke, M. (2013). Project Management with Dynamic Scheduling, Springer, Berlin.
Risk Assessment Statement
There are no extraordinary risks associated with the classroom/lecture activities in this unit.
Course Learning Outcomes
This unit is designed to support your development of the following course/study area learning outcomes.EN55 Master of Professional Engineering
- Apply advanced and specialist knowledge, concepts and practices in engineering design, analysis management and sustainability.
Relates to: Project Performance Plans, Project Performance Assessment and Updated Plans and Reflective Report - Critically analyse and evaluate complex engineering problems to achieve research informed solutions.
Relates to: Project Performance Assessment and Updated Plans and Reflective Report - Communicate complex information effectively and succinctly, presenting high level reports, arguments and justifications in oral, written and visual forms to professional and non specialist audiences.
Relates to: Project Performance Plans, Project Performance Assessment and Updated Plans and Reflective Report - Organise and manage time, tasks and projects independently, and collaboratively demonstrating the values and principles that shape engineering decision making and professional accountability.
Relates to: Project Performance Plans, Project Performance Assessment and Updated Plans and Reflective Report
PM20 Master of Project Management
- Appraise and adapt contemporary project management methodologies to projects of different types and complexities
Relates to: ULO1, ULO2, Project Performance Plans, Project Performance Assessment and Updated Plans and Reflective Report - Research and critically analyse data and extant literature to inform evidence-based project management practice
Relates to: ULO1, ULO3, Project Performance Plans, Project Performance Assessment and Updated Plans and Reflective Report - Communicate, negotiate and manage diverse stakeholders to ensure successful project outcomes
Relates to: ULO5, Project Performance Plans, Project Performance Assessment and Updated Plans and Reflective Report - Apply ethical, professional and risk-based judgements to inform decision making in project environments.
Relates to: ULO4, Project Performance Plans, Project Performance Assessment and Updated Plans and Reflective Report - Create project plans to effectively deliver strategic business and organisational objectives.
Relates to: ULO2, Project Performance Plans, Project Performance Assessment and Updated Plans and Reflective Report