PMN610 Project Management Principles


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Unit Outline: Semester 1 2024, Gardens Point, Internal

Unit code:PMN610
Credit points:12
Equivalent:PMQ610, BEN610
Anti-requisite:PMN501, PMQ501
Coordinator:Stephen Kajewski | s.kajewski@qut.edu.au
Disclaimer - Offer of some units is subject to viability, and information in these Unit Outlines is subject to change prior to commencement of the teaching period.

Overview

This unit introduces project management as a fundamental skill for all postgraduate coursework students of the built environment and engineering. It also supports other disciplines including Business, Health, and Law. The unit provides an overview of the project management methodologies, frameworks, processes and key knowledge areas.

Learning Outcomes

On successful completion of this unit you will be able to:

  1. Discuss and demonstrate currency of knowledge of project management from initiation to completion.
  2. Select and apply appropriate tools and techniques to resolve typical project management issues and challenges related to project planning, development, implementation and close out.
  3. Critically discuss and interpret issues and develop options related to performance of projects including the strategic role of project manager.
  4. Demonstrate written and oral communication skills to industry and academic standards both in a team and project environment taking into account socio-cultural considerations.
  5. Reflect and respond critically with peers to business feasibility and ethical issues on projects.

Content

The content in this unit includes:

- Strategic importance of projects.
- The role of project manager.
- Project organisational structure.
- Project life-cycle.
- Feasibility study.
- PM processes (initiating, planning, controlling, executing, closing).
- Ten PM functional areas (integration, scope, time, cost, quality, HR, communication, risk, procurement and stakeholder management).
- Introduction to portfolio and program management
- Agile Project Practices

Learning Approaches

Teaching and learning will combine theory with practice, involving 2 hours of lectures and up to 1 hour of tutorial contact per week. Lectures will be facilitated active learning. Professional skills are explicitly taught, modelled and practised with progressive self, peer and expert (industry experienced teaching staff) feedback.

You will engage in both individual and group activities 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 environment including indigenous culture and communities. You will develop and document a feasibility plan/business case in a team of five to six members followed by a professional presentation and critique. Similar to the professional world, you initially learn through reviewing an existing 'real' case study which you critique and propose changes to. You then design/prepare a feasibility study of a chosen topical project differentiating your role as project manager (rather than engineering designer). As project managers, you are required to work both individually and as team members to critically apply contemporary project management principles continually reviewing and communicating decisions under pressure. For the final assessment task, you will engage collaboratively in structured presentation of your business case to develop professional learning skills (particularly presenting, listening and interpreting) to respond to the queries and receive feedback in the given project management context.

Feedback on Learning and Assessment

You will receive feedback in various forms throughout the semester which may include:

1. Rubrics provided to show the expected standard for each criteria in an assessment item
2. Comments returned to you via Canvas.
3. Lecture / consultation sessions may be available for group and individual feedback prior to assessment due dates and on completion of assessments.
4. Generic comments provided via QUT Canvas and in class.

Assessment

Overview

Assessment items for this unit will be made up of a combination of individual and group assignments. The assessment strategy involves a range of activities that focus on individual and group activities, as appropriate to the subject of project management. Assignments will offer authentic (real world) learning activities wherein you will be expected to adopt various aspects of the role of project manager, and engage with problem based learning tasks. Rubrics will be used to mark all assignments.

Unit Grading Scheme

7- point scale

Assessment Tasks

Assessment: Case Study

The objective of the assignment is to test your understanding of project management (PM) theory/principles through analysis of a real case study (completed). You will critically analyse the success or failure of the applied (or failure to apply) PM principles, frameworks, processes, and/or practices and provide recommendations to what could be applied to improved project performance in undertaking similar types of projects.

This is an assignment for the purposes of an extension.

Weight: 30
Individual/Group: Individual
Due (indicative): Early Semester
Related Unit learning outcomes: 1, 2, 3, 4

Assessment: Project Business Case/ Feasibility Study

The objective of this assignment is to conduct and write a "Business Case/Feasibility Study" report on a project concept. You will provide necessary information for justifying the need for a project – and any recommended or preferred option(s) – along with the description of key project management activities and approach. 

This is an assignment for the purposes of an extension.

Weight: 45
Individual/Group: Group
Due (indicative): Late Semester
Related Unit learning outcomes: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5

Assessment: Professional Presentation

The objective of this assignment is to collaboratively present a business case/feasibility study of a project (each member taking the perspective of an agreed, specified project management role) to demonstrate the currency of your knowledge on the attributes of project planning and development and secure approval for the project.

Weight: 25
Individual/Group: Individual and group
Due (indicative): Late Semester
Related Unit learning outcomes: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5

Academic Integrity

Students are expected to engage in learning and assessment at QUT with honesty, transparency and fairness. Maintaining academic integrity means upholding these principles and demonstrating valuable professional capabilities based on ethical foundations.

Failure to maintain academic integrity can take many forms. It includes cheating in examinations, plagiarism, self-plagiarism, collusion, and submitting an assessment item completed by another person (e.g. contract cheating). It can also include providing your assessment to another entity, such as to a person or website.

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.

Further details of QUT’s approach to academic integrity are outlined in the Academic integrity policy and the Student Code of Conduct. Breaching QUT’s Academic integrity policy is regarded as student misconduct and can lead to the imposition of penalties ranging from a grade reduction to exclusion from QUT.

Resources

Items selected by the unit coordinator will also be made available online to you for your use throughout the unit. Relevant readings and other resources will be uploaded onto the unit Canvas.

Resource Materials

Prescribed text(s)

PMI, 2017, A Guide to the Project Management Body of Knowledge, Sixth Edition, Project Management Institute, Newtown Square, PA

Other

You are also required to use the following:

  • The unit website on QUT's Canvas
  • QUT Library Databases:
  • QUT Cite| Write: You can access QUT cite/write online (Free download from QUT library)

Risk Assessment Statement

All commencing SEF students are required to complete the Mandatory Safety Induction

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.

BN87 Master of Engineering Management

  1. Apply advanced engineering management knowledge, concepts and practices in managing engineering systems and assets
    Relates to: ULO1, ULO2, ULO4, Case Study
  2. Critically analyse and evaluate complex engineering management problems to achieve research informed solutions
    Relates to: ULO1, ULO2, ULO3, ULO5, Case Study, Project Business Case/ Feasibility Study
  3. Apply systematic approaches to plan, design, execute and manage an engineering management project
    Relates to: ULO2, ULO3, ULO4
  4. 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: ULO1, ULO2, ULO3, ULO4, ULO5, Case Study, Project Business Case/ Feasibility Study , Professional Presentation
  5. Organise and manage time, tasks and projects independently, and collaboratively demonstrating the values and principles that shape engineering management decision making and professional accountability .
    Relates to: ULO2, ULO5, Professional Presentation

EN50 Master of Engineering

  1. Apply advanced discipline knowledge, concepts and practices in engineering systems and processes.
    Relates to: Case Study
  2. Critically analyse and evaluate complex engineering problems to achieve research informed solutions.
    Relates to: Project Business Case/ Feasibility Study
  3. Apply systematic approaches to plan, design, execute and manage an engineering project.
    Relates to: Case Study, Project Business Case/ Feasibility Study
  4. 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: Case Study, Project Business Case/ Feasibility Study , Professional Presentation
  5. 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 Business Case/ Feasibility Study , Professional Presentation

EN55 Master of Professional Engineering

  1. Apply advanced and specialist knowledge, concepts and practices in engineering design, analysis management and sustainability.
    Relates to: Case Study, Professional Presentation
  2. Critically analyse and evaluate complex engineering problems to achieve research informed solutions.
    Relates to: Case Study, Project Business Case/ Feasibility Study , Professional Presentation
  3. Apply systematic approaches to plan, design, execute and manage an engineering project.
    Relates to: Project Business Case/ Feasibility Study , Professional Presentation
  4. 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 Business Case/ Feasibility Study , Professional Presentation
  5. 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 Business Case/ Feasibility Study

EN60 Graduate Certificate in Communication for Engineering

  1. Demonstrate and apply specialised knowledge and technical skills in at least one Engineering discipline.
    Relates to: Case Study, Project Business Case/ Feasibility Study , Professional Presentation
  2. Critically investigate real world engineering issues and solve complex problems drawing on specialised creative skills, analysis, evaluation and synthesis of discipline knowledge, theory and practice.
    Relates to: Case Study, Project Business Case/ Feasibility Study , Professional Presentation
  3. Employ effective written and oral professional communication skills across social, cultural and discipline domains.
    Relates to: Case Study, Project Business Case/ Feasibility Study , Professional Presentation
  4. Exercise responsibility and accountability in applying knowledge and skills for own learning and effective practice including working independently, ethically and collaboratively.
    Relates to: Case Study, Project Business Case/ Feasibility Study

EN71 Master of Sustainable Infrastructure with Project Management

  1. Demonstrate and apply advanced and specialist discipline knowledge, concepts, methods and practices as they relate to contemporary practice in Sustainable Infrastructure and Project Management domains
    Relates to: Case Study, Project Business Case/ Feasibility Study
  2. Analyse and evaluate problems in Sustainable Infrastructure and Project Management domains using technical approaches informed by contemporary practice and leading-edge research to achieve evidence based, innovative, critically informed solutions and outcomes
    Relates to: Case Study, Project Business Case/ Feasibility Study , Professional Presentation
  3. Apply innovative, systematic approaches to plan, design, deliver and manage projects in Sustainable Infrastructure and Project Management domains in a way that assures sustainable outcomes and strategic objectives over their whole lifecycle
    Relates to: Project Business Case/ Feasibility Study , Professional Presentation
  4. Effectively communicate problems in Sustainable Infrastructure and Project Management domains, related complex data and information, and solutions in contemporary professional formats for diverse purposes and audiences
    Relates to: Case Study, Project Business Case/ Feasibility Study , Professional Presentation
  5. Demonstrate ethically and socially responsible practice, recognising the importance of personal accountability, reflective practice, risk-informed judgements, and leadership
    Relates to: Project Business Case/ Feasibility Study , Professional Presentation

EN73 Master of Renewable Energy with Project Management

  1. Demonstrate and apply advanced and specialist discipline knowledge, concepts, methods and practices as they relate to contemporary practice in Renewable Energy and Project Management domains
    Relates to: Case Study, Project Business Case/ Feasibility Study
  2. Analyse and evaluate problems in Renewable Energy and Project Management domains using technical approaches informed by contemporary practice and leading-edge research to achieve evidence based, innovative, critically informed solutions and outcomes
    Relates to: Case Study, Project Business Case/ Feasibility Study , Professional Presentation
  3. Apply innovative, systematic approaches to plan, design, deliver and manage projects in Renewable Energy and Project Management domains in a way that assures sustainable outcomes and strategic objectives over their whole lifecycle
    Relates to: Project Business Case/ Feasibility Study , Professional Presentation
  4. Effectively communicate problems in Renewable Energy and Project Management domains, related complex data and information, and solutions in contemporary professional formats for diverse purposes and audiences
    Relates to: Case Study, Project Business Case/ Feasibility Study , Professional Presentation
  5. Demonstrate ethically and socially responsible practice, recognising the importance of personal accountability, reflective practice, risk-informed judgements, and leadership
    Relates to: Project Business Case/ Feasibility Study , Professional Presentation

EN74 Master of Advanced Manufacturing with Project Management

  1. Demonstrate and apply advanced and specialist theory-based discipline knowledge, concepts, methods and practices as they relate to contemporary practice in Advanced Manufacturing and Project Management domains
    Relates to: Case Study, Project Business Case/ Feasibility Study
  2. Employ advanced specialist technical skills, analysis approaches, design, and data to the solution of problems in Advanced Manufacturing and Project Management domains, critically evaluating solutions and practice-informed performance to deliver whole of life requirements and strategic objectives
    Relates to: Case Study, Project Business Case/ Feasibility Study , Professional Presentation
  3. Develop and employ professional leadership skills and management frameworks to deliver projects, lead teams, and enact change in Advanced Manufacturing and Project Management domains
    Relates to: Project Business Case/ Feasibility Study , Professional Presentation
  4. Implement professional communication and collaborative skills while engaging with stakeholders, exchanging ideas, and presenting complex information to specialist and non-specialist audiences in Advanced Manufacturing and Project Management domains
    Relates to: Case Study, Project Business Case/ Feasibility Study , Professional Presentation
  5. Demonstrate ethical and socially responsible practice, recognising the importance of personal accountability, and reflective practice, risk-informed judgements, and leadership
    Relates to: Project Business Case/ Feasibility Study , Professional Presentation