PMQ608 Managing the Program
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: | PMQ608 |
|---|---|
| Equivalent(s): | PMN608 |
| Assumed Knowledge: | PMQ503, PMQ504, PMQ505 and PMQ610 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: Session 1 2025, QUT Online, Online
| Unit code: | PMQ608 |
|---|---|
| Credit points: | 12 |
| Equivalent: | PMN608 |
| Assumed Knowledge: | PMQ503, PMQ504, PMQ505 and PMQ610 are assumed knowledge. |
Overview
This unit integrates the knowledge and skills required to plan, manage and execute a major and complex program comprising multiple and related projects within a topical case study involving a real-world styled venture. This unit will occur within robust governance and assurance settings, which will guide the program and projects through a well-defined stage-gate process, into commissioning and hand-over, and finally benefits realisation after the transition to business as usual. In this unit, you will develop and acquire practical program/project management experience in a ‘real-world styled’ venture within an authentic learning environment.
Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of this unit you will be able to:
- Apply advanced project management skills and concepts to manage complex program problems.
- Identify, analyse and resolve typical program management challenges and issues which arise in real world ventures using appropriate tools and techniques.
- Reflect on the value of program management skills for future career progression.
- Manage and lead multiple stakeholders and program teams in the execution of major program.
- Present program management plans to senior executives to ensure successful program outcomes.
- Formulate appropriate responses to social, cultural, environmental and ethical issues on programs/projects.
Content
This unit covers:
- the nature of program management,
- key attributes of a good program manager,
- major program management approaches,
- selection and tailoring of a program management methodology to the unique characteristics of the program and its accompanying context,
- common challenges and issues which undermine benefits realisation and operations readiness,
- appropriate processes for both benefits realisation and operations readiness,
- the management of virtual program teams in a global context,
- formulation of a program execution plan for a complex resources initiatives in a socially and politically challenged environment and global settings; and
- operations readiness planning and recovery planning for major program setbacks.
Learning Approaches
This unit will be delivered fully online. In this unit, you will learn by engaging in active and reflective learning through:
- participating in class/online discussions
- engaging with online learning materials
- reading book chapters, scholarly and industry articles
You will engage in both individual and group activities designed to develop your theoretical understanding and assist your exploration of the application of those theories to a range of 'real world styled' situations using topical scenarios and case studies. This unit is program/project based, and incorporates experiential learning using a real world styled case study.
Through in-depth analysis and discussion, you will learn how to apply relevant frameworks, methods, tools and techniques to understand, evaluate, and manage projects and programs in context.
Feedback on Learning and Assessment
You will receive feedback in various forms throughout the semester including:
- Rubrics provided to show the expected standard for each criteria in an assessment item.
- Feedback comments on assignments returned to you via Canvas.
- Collaborate and Discussion sessions providing extensive question and answer opportunities with peers and teaching staff.
Assessment
Overview
- Discussion Forum - following your individual participation in a discussion group considering various aspects of program management, you will reflect on your learnings and the pertinent views of others in the forum in order to extend your understanding of various aspects of program management in the contemporary environment.
- Program Execution Plan - working in a group either as a member or leader, you will devise a major part of a program execution plan for a large multinational program. You will also with your group, present your plan to a simulated Board of experienced practitioners and use their feedback to complete your final report.
- Program Recovery Report - you will be tasked individually to prepare a recovery plan in report form for the CEO/COO of the Board mentioned in Assessment 2 following a major failure in the program from the previous case study.
Unit Grading Scheme
7- point scale
Assessment Tasks
Assessment: Discussion Forum
You will record a video reflection on your participation in the Discussion Forums. Prior to participation in the Discussion Forums, you will research topical aspects of program management in response to given scenarios. During the Discussion Forums, your learnings from your research will be shared with your peers and discussed. Following the Discussion Forums, you will record a reflection on your experience participating in them, what you learnt about program management from your discussion with your peers, and how program management will contribute to future career progression.
This assignment is eligible for the 48-hour late submission period and assignment extensions.
Assessment: Report and Presentation
You will develop a detailed Program/Project Execution plan for a topical real-world styled case study that impacts on First Nations people and other major stakeholders. The plan should also cover Operational Readiness and Benefits Realisation of the Program/Project. Your plan will be delivered in two parts.
- Part A (Due Week 7) - presentation to a mock CEO/COO and Board of Directors who will determine whether the program/project is ready for execution.
- Part B (Due Week 10) - finalised program team report submitted. Part B of this assignment is eligible for the 48-hour late submission period and assignment extensions.
Assessment: Report
In this assessment, you will prepare a Program Recovery Report for the CEO/COO for a major scenario involving programme failure on the previous case study. The report will need to consider the impact on the First Nations people and be delivered to all the major stakeholders, including the First Nations representatives.
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
There are no prescribed resources required for this unit. Additional resources will be made available through the unit's Canvas site and QUT Readings as relevant to each unit module.
Risk Assessment Statement
There are no extraordinary risks associated with this unit.
Course Learning Outcomes
This unit is designed to support your development of the following course/study area learning outcomes.PQ20 Master of Project Management
- Appraise and adapt contemporary project management methodologies to projects of different types and complexities
Relates to: ULO2, ULO3, Discussion Forum, Report and Presentation, Report - Research and critically analyse data and extant literature to inform evidence-based project management practice
Relates to: ULO2, Discussion Forum, Report and Presentation, Report - Communicate, negotiate and manage diverse stakeholders to ensure successful project outcomes
Relates to: ULO4, ULO5, Report and Presentation - Synthesise and apply leadership and team development theory across dynamic and complex project environments
Relates to: ULO4, Report and Presentation - Apply ethical, professional and risk-based judgments to inform decision making in project environments
Relates to: ULO1, ULO6, Discussion Forum, Report and Presentation, Report - Create project plans to effectively deliver strategic business and organisational objectives
Relates to: ULO1, ULO5, Discussion Forum, Report and Presentation, Report
Unit Outline: Session 3 2025, QUT Online, Online
| Unit code: | PMQ608 |
|---|---|
| Credit points: | 12 |
| Equivalent: | PMN608 |
| Assumed Knowledge: | PMQ503, PMQ504, PMQ505 and PMQ610 are assumed knowledge. |
Overview
This unit integrates the knowledge and skills required to plan, manage and execute a major and complex program comprising multiple and related projects within a topical case study involving a real-world styled venture. This unit will occur within robust governance and assurance settings, which will guide the program and projects through a well-defined stage-gate process, into commissioning and hand-over, and finally benefits realisation after the transition to business as usual. In this unit, you will develop and acquire practical program/project management experience in a ‘real-world styled’ venture within an authentic learning environment.
Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of this unit you will be able to:
- Apply advanced project management skills and concepts to manage complex program problems.
- Identify, analyse and resolve typical program management challenges and issues which arise in real world ventures using appropriate tools and techniques.
- Reflect on the value of program management skills for future career progression.
- Manage and lead multiple stakeholders and program teams in the execution of major program.
- Present program management plans to senior executives to ensure successful program outcomes.
- Formulate appropriate responses to social, cultural, environmental and ethical issues on programs/projects.
Content
This unit covers:
- the nature of program management,
- key attributes of a good program manager,
- major program management approaches,
- selection and tailoring of a program management methodology to the unique characteristics of the program and its accompanying context,
- common challenges and issues which undermine benefits realisation and operations readiness,
- appropriate processes for both benefits realisation and operations readiness,
- the management of virtual program teams in a global context,
- formulation of a program execution plan for a complex resources initiatives in a socially and politically challenged environment and global settings; and
- operations readiness planning and recovery planning for major program setbacks.
Learning Approaches
This unit will be delivered fully online. In this unit, you will learn by engaging in active and reflective learning through:
- participating in class/online discussions
- engaging with online learning materials
- reading book chapters, scholarly and industry articles
You will engage in both individual and group activities designed to develop your theoretical understanding and assist your exploration of the application of those theories to a range of 'real world styled' situations using topical scenarios and case studies. This unit is program/project based, and incorporates experiential learning using a real world styled case study.
Through in-depth analysis and discussion, you will learn how to apply relevant frameworks, methods, tools and techniques to understand, evaluate, and manage projects and programs in context.
Feedback on Learning and Assessment
You will receive feedback in various forms throughout the semester including:
- Rubrics provided to show the expected standard for each criteria in an assessment item.
- Feedback comments on assignments returned to you via Canvas.
- Collaborate and Discussion sessions providing extensive question and answer opportunities with peers and teaching staff.
Assessment
Overview
- Discussion Forum - following your individual participation in a discussion group considering various aspects of program management, you will reflect on your learnings and the pertinent views of others in the forum in order to extend your understanding of various aspects of program management in the contemporary environment.
- Program Execution Plan - working in a group either as a member or leader, you will devise a major part of a program execution plan for a large multinational program. You will also with your group, present your plan to a simulated Board of experienced practitioners and use their feedback to complete your final report.
- Program Recovery Report - you will be tasked individually to prepare a recovery plan in report form for the CEO/COO of the Board mentioned in Assessment 2 following a major failure in the program from the previous case study.
Unit Grading Scheme
7- point scale
Assessment Tasks
Assessment: Discussion Forum
You will record a video reflection on your participation in the Discussion Forums. Prior to participation in the Discussion Forums, you will research topical aspects of program management in response to given scenarios. During the Discussion Forums, your learnings from your research will be shared with your peers and discussed. Following the Discussion Forums, you will record a reflection on your experience participating in them, what you learnt about program management from your discussion with your peers, and how program management will contribute to future career progression.
This assignment is eligible for the 48-hour late submission period and assignment extensions.
Assessment: Report and Presentation
You will develop a detailed Program/Project Execution plan for a topical real-world styled case study that impacts on First Nations people and other major stakeholders. The plan should also cover Operational Readiness and Benefits Realisation of the Program/Project. Your plan will be delivered in two parts.
- Part A (Due Week 7) - presentation to a mock CEO/COO and Board of Directors who will determine whether the program/project is ready for execution.
- Part B (Due Week 10) - finalised program team report submitted. Part B of this assignment is eligible for the 48-hour late submission period and assignment extensions.
Assessment: Report
In this assessment, you will prepare a Program Recovery Report for the CEO/COO for a major scenario involving programme failure on the previous case study. The report will need to consider the impact on the First Nations people and be delivered to all the major stakeholders, including the First Nations representatives.
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
There are no prescribed resources required for this unit. Additional resources will be made available through the unit's Canvas site and QUT Readings as relevant to each unit module.
Risk Assessment Statement
There are no extraordinary risks associated with this unit.
Course Learning Outcomes
This unit is designed to support your development of the following course/study area learning outcomes.PQ20 Master of Project Management
- Appraise and adapt contemporary project management methodologies to projects of different types and complexities
Relates to: ULO2, ULO3, Discussion Forum, Report and Presentation, Report - Research and critically analyse data and extant literature to inform evidence-based project management practice
Relates to: ULO2, Discussion Forum, Report and Presentation, Report - Communicate, negotiate and manage diverse stakeholders to ensure successful project outcomes
Relates to: ULO4, ULO5, Report and Presentation - Synthesise and apply leadership and team development theory across dynamic and complex project environments
Relates to: ULO4, Report and Presentation - Apply ethical, professional and risk-based judgments to inform decision making in project environments
Relates to: ULO1, ULO6, Discussion Forum, Report and Presentation, Report - Create project plans to effectively deliver strategic business and organisational objectives
Relates to: ULO1, ULO5, Discussion Forum, Report and Presentation, Report