PMQ504 People and Projects

Unit Outline: Session 2 2021, QUT Online, Online

Overview

 This unit will provide you with the fundamental skills and knowledge to manage internal and external stakeholders, and to appreciate the role and contribution of the Project Manager in facilitating outcomes critical for the success of a project. The unit will specifically focus on the competencies required to effectively lead, motivate and manage individuals within the  project team. The unit provides an understanding of how to undertake negotiation and conflict resolution, recognise individual and cultural differences and different communication styles, and appreciate ethical issues appearing in projects.

Learning Outcomes

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

1. Critically evaluate the issues associated with internal and external stakeholders in the work environment.
2. Apply the principles of effective team managment skills, leadership, motivation and conflict resolution in a project management setting.
3. Explain how to manage individuals in a project team environment so that they achieve personal development and growth, whilst successfully contributing to the project's success.
4. Apply the principles of communication management and how communication equips project managers with the competencies for undertaking successful advocacy and negotiation, and developing and maintaining good business relationships.
5. Demonstrate written and oral communication skills to industry and academic standards both in a team and project environment, taking into account cultural considerations, including Indigenous cultural consideraetions.
6. Reflect and respond to ethical, legislative and human resource issues in projects.

Content

Learning Approaches

In this unit, participants will engage in both individual and group activities designed to develop theoretical understanding. They will additionally explore the application of these theories to a range of real world situations. They will do so by using topical scenarios and case studies. They will learn how to apply relevant frameworks, methods, tools and techniques to understand, evaluate and manage projects and programs in context.
This unit aims to build on and extend participants analytical and evaluative skills in a form of inquiry-based learning. This will involve making connections by exploring current literature, real-life examples and case studies and through shared problem-solving and analysis in discussion boards guided by their Online Learning Adviser (OLA).
It is expected that participants will spend an average of 12–15 hours per week on learning activities in this unit. Some weeks they will spend more time on readings and assignments than in other weeks where the workload will be somewhat less. It is essential that participants keep up with the prescribed readings and weekly discussions. Participating in online discussions and engaging with your OLA will help them develop your knowledge and skills. It is an opportunity to check their ideas, ask questions and interact with the OLA and learning group.
Participants will use the assignments as building blocks for their learning. The learning materials and discussions each week are designed to help participants learn the necessary skills to complete these assignments. The assignments are designed to help them develop and demonstrate these abilities. By engaging in the discussions each week participants will also be well prepared for the assignments, and have met and demonstrated the learning outcomes.

Feedback on Learning and Assessment

A range of formative and summative feedback will be provided throughout your studies.

Assessment

Overview

Assessment items for this unit will be made up of a combination of individual and group assignments and grades will be issued in accordance with Section C/5.3 of the QUT Manual of Policies and Procedures (MOPP). The assessment strategy involves individual and group activities which investigate the application of project management principles to “real world” situations. Criterion Referenced Assessments (CRAs) will be used to mark all assignments.

Unit Grading Scheme

7- point scale

Assessment Tasks

Assessment: Reflective Journal

This assignment requires you to write three reflective journal entries on one or a combination of concepts introduced in the lecture. In each entry you'll take an event or issue from your working or private life and critically analyse it using any one or a combination of concepts introduced in the lectures.

Assessment: Essay

This assessment will involve you preparing an essay, which will link the theories explained in the classroom to your own real-life experiences in the workplace and/or in your social environment.

Assessment: Presentation

The assessment will involve the development and presentation of a high-performance team plan including early definition of Roles and Responsibilities, Staffing Management, Communication Management, stakeholder identification and management, Ethics, Safety and Compliance. As an individual, you'll then reflect on the teamwork and communication process throughout this assignment.

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

Risk Assessment Statement

There are no extraordinary risks associated with this unit.