49002 Managing Projects

Warning: The information on this page is indicative. The subject outline for a particular semester, location and mode of offering is the authoritative source of all information about the subject for that offering. Required texts, recommended texts and references in particular are likely to change. Students will be provided with a subject outline once they enrol in the subject.

UTS: Engineering: Systems, Management and Leadership
Credit points: 6 cp

Subject level:

Postgraduate

Result type: Grade and marks

There are course requisites for this subject. See access conditions.
Anti-requisite(s): 48260 Ver 4 Engineering Project Management

Handbook description

The subject introduces project management principles and tools. Students develop an understanding of management practices and their application to the successful performance of engineering projects and engineering works. What students learn in this subject enhances their ability to make and implement decisions for strategic and operational management within an engineering setting.

This subject is offered in two modes: standard and distance.

• In standard mode, students are expected to attend lectures and participate in class and group activities. Classes are three hours per week for one semester. Students are expected to enrol and remain in a particular session all semester.
• In distance mode, students undertake the subject without attending classes thus enabling those who would have difficulty attending, for geographic or other reasons, to undertake the study of the subject.

The subject’s learning objectives and content are the same for both modes. There are, however, some differences in emphasis and assignment work because of the specific nature and constraints presented by the distance mode such as participating in presentations to staff and peers. While these aspects are mandatory for students participating in standard mode, they are not required for distance mode students.

The subject outline must be read read in conjunction with any subject instructions posted on UTSOnline in any specific semester. The instructions provide additional information and advice on any facet of the subject content, its administration and students' obligations.

It is mandatory that students obtain, read and comply with requirements of both the subject outline and any instructions posted on UTSOnline during the semester.

Students are expected to regularly check the UTSOnline page of the subject.

Subject objectives/outcomes

Upon completion of this subject, students are expected to be able to:

1. Describe the nature of projects and how they differ from processes and operations.
2. Develop competence in presenting concepts through constructive oral and written communications.
3. Identify and appreciate the role of people in management and engineering interdependence.
4. Develop problem-solving techniques.
5. Understand and evaluate the impact of decisions on interrelated systems.
6. Develop skills in collaborative communication and team work
7. Understand and use project management tools such as WBS, Gantt chart and CPM of network charts.
8. Consider different ways by which people can be motivated.

Contribution to course aims and graduate attributes

The subject assures that students develop skills to communicate effectively (E1) whilst developing the abilities to research (B6) and abstract (C1) as well as synthesise knowledge, concepts and procedures (B3) through a research assessment.

Through collaborative discussions and reflective tasks, this subject assures students’ ability to identify and apply project management methodologies (E3) that includes analyse stakeholders’ needs (A1), establish project goals (A2), identify constraints, uncertainties and risks (A3), work as an effective team member (E2) and apply system thinking to projects (A5).

Additionally, students will learn to apply relevant problem solving (B1), decision making methodologies (B4), design components (B2) and develop models (C2) to evaluate solutions for set criteria.

Through all of the assessment tasks of this subject student learn to self-manage their own time and processes effectively (D1), and reflect on personal and professional experiences for lifelong learning (D2).

This subject contributes to the following Graduate Attributes:

A1. Needs analysis, A2 establishing priorities and goals, A3. Identify constraints, uncertainties and risks, A5. apply system thinking to projects, B1. Problem solving, B2. Design components, B3. Synthesis, B4. Decision making, B6. Research skills, C1. Abstraction, develop models (C2), D1. Self management, D2. Life long learning, E1. Communicate effectively, E2. Work as an effective team member, E3. Project management methodologies,.

A complete list and description of Graduate Attributes for the Faculty of Engineering and Information Technology can be found at

http://feit.uts.edu.au/faculty/graduate-attributes.html

Teaching and learning strategies

By their nature, most management practices are not rigid and are not always solved by mathematical equations. The teaching and learning methods together with the assessment items, are designed to allow students to reflect on the management topics covered in this course, and encourage brainstorming and investigation.

The fundamental approach to learning in this course can be summarised as follows:

• Understand rather than memorise
• Take responsibility for your own learning
• Explore and test ideas, without limiting yourself to textbook situations
• Work collaboratively with others
• Above all, enjoy the experience

For Standard Mode

To achieve the objectives of this course, a combination of lecture presentations, tutorials and assessment exercises are used. These methods introduce general management principles to students to enable them to critically reflect on how these principles are employed in the real world. Students’ experiences and readings should be reflected through active contributions to class and tutorial discussion to facilitate learning from each other.

Lecture notes, and suggested references, tutorial material and other resources are provided to assist you in this endeavour.

Teaching and learning strategies for standard mode students

Lectures

• Find out what you must learn
• Follow worked examples
• Hear announcements on any course changes

Tutorials

• Practice principles and theories learnt in lectures
• Practice solving set problems
• Ask questions

Private Study For each hour of contact it is expected that you will dedicate at least 1.5 hours to private study.

• Review lecture material, textbook and references
• Do any set exercises and assignments
• Join in discussions
• Reflect on class and tutorial material
• Keep up with notices and find out marks

Assessment

• Demonstrate your knowledge and skills
• Demonstrate higher understanding and problem solving

For Distance Mode

By opting to be enrolled as a distance-mode student you have chosen to be an independent learner who is separated from the classroom environment. Hence, the teaching strategies are different to those used in standard mode.

The objective of the provided tools is to assist and support students in achieving the learning objectives of this subject.

Teaching and learning strategies and tools for distant mode students

Subject Outline

• Find out what you must learn
• Find out what the learning objectives of the subject are

Learning and Teaching Material

• Expand your knowledge of the topics covered in the subject

UTSOnline

• Check announcements on any course changes
• Keep up with notices and find out marks
• Check lecture slides
• Use Discussion Boards to communicate with others and to ask questions

Private Study

• Review lecture material, textbook and references
• Do any set exercises and assignments

Assessment

• Demonstrate your knowledge and skills
• Demonstrate higher understanding and problem solving

Content

This subject includes the following topics in the context of project management:

• Communication Management
• Project Scope Management
• Estimation
• Time management
• Developing a Project Plan
• Risk Management
• Resource Management
• Cost Management
• Reducing Project Duration
• HR Management
• Contracts Management and conflict resolution

Assessment

Assessment Item 1: Individual Research Report

Objective(s):	- Objectives: 1, 2, 5, 8 - Graduate attributes: A1, A3, A5, B4, B6, C2, E1, E3.
Weighting:	20%
Length:	2000 words maximum

Assessment Item 2: Group Project Report

Objective(s):	- Objectives: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8 - Graduate Attributes: A1, A2, A3, A5, B1, B2, B3, B4, C1, C2, D1, D2, E1, E2, E3
Weighting:	30%
Criteria:	The details of the different components of the reports will be assessed. A complete marking guide will be made available in week 2.

Assessment Item 3: Final Exam

Objective(s):	- Objectives: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8 - Graduate Attributes: A1, A2, A3, A5, B1, B2, B3, B4, C1, C2, E1, E3
Weighting:	50%

Minimum requirements

Students are advised that a 50% grade in the final exam is a mandatory requirement for passing the subject.

Students who obtain a mark of >= 50% for this subject, but have failed in the final examination will be awarded a Fail (X) grade for this subject.

Required texts

Al-Kilidar, Hiyam; 49002-Manging Projects; Mcgraw-Hill Australia & New Zealand (ISBN 978-1-12-183236-7).

The textbook required for this subject is available from the Co-Op Bookshop.

The Co-op will also mail the book: order through www.bookshop.com.au, Phone (02)9212 3078 or fax (02) 9212 6303. They require details of credit card, student ID number and Co-op number if you are a member .

References

Carbone, T.A. 2004. ‘Project Risk Management Using the Project Risk FMEA’, Engineering Management Journal, vol. 16, no. 4, pp. 28–35.

Crawford, J. 2002. Project Management Maturity Model: Providing a Proven Path to Project Management Excellence, Marcel Dekker, New York.

Fleming, Q. & Koppelman, J. 2006. Earned Value Management, Project Management Institute, 3rd ed., Project Management Institute; 3rd edition (February 2006).

Flyvbjerg, B. 2006. ‘From Nobel Prize to Project Management: Getting Risks Right’, Project Management Journal, Research Quarterly, vol. 37, no. 3, Special PMI Research Conference Edition, August 2006.

Gonçalves, M. 2005. Managing Virtual Projects, McGraw-Hill, New York.

Grant, K. & Pennypacker, S. 2006. ‘Project Management Maturity: An Assessment of Project Management Capabilities Among and Between Selected Industries’, IEEE Transactions On Engineering Management, vol. 53, no. 1.

Gray, C. F. & Larson E. W. 2006. Project Management: the Management Process, 3rd ed., McGraw-Hill Irwin, New York.

Kerzner, H. 2005. Project Management, A systems approach to planning, scheduling and controlling, 9th ed., Wiley.

Kerzner, H. 2006. Project Management Case Studies, McGraw-Hill.

Kwak,Y. & Ibbs, C. 2000. ‘Calculating project management’s return on investment’, Project Management Journal, vol. 31, no. 2, pp. 38–47.

Leach, L. 2004. Critical Chain Project Management, 2nd ed., Artech House Publishers.

Leach, L. 2006. Lean Project Management: Eight Principles for Success, BookSurge Publishing, New York.

Lewis, J. 2005. Fundamentals of Project Management, 3rd ed., AMACOM/American Management Association.

Lloyd, S. & Simpson, A. 2005. ‘Project Management in Multi-Disciplinary Collaborative Research’, 2005 IEEE International Professional Communication Conference Proceedings.

Loch, C., Meyer, A. & Pich, M. 2006. Managing the Unknown: a New Approach to Managing High Uncertainty and Risk in Projects, Wiley, New York.

Lock, D. 2003. Project Management, 8th edition, Gower, Vermont.

Loosemore, M. 2006. Risk management in projects, 2nd ed., Taylor and Francis, London.

Meredith, J. & Mantel, S. 2005. Project Management: A Managerial Approach, 6th ed., Wiley.

Pollock, S. 2005. ‘Create a Simple Framework to Validate FMEA Performance,’ Six Sigma Forum Magazine, August 2005.

Project Management Institute 2004. Project Management Body of Knowledge, 3rd ed.

Rad, P. & Levin, G. 2003. Achieving Project Management Success Using Virtual Teams, J. Ross, Publishing.

Regev, S. Shtub, A. & Ben-Haim, Y. 2006. ‘Managing Project Risks as Knowledge Gaps’, Project Management Journal, Research Quarterly, vol. 37, no. 5.

Rozenes, S., Vitner, G. & Spraggett S. 2006. ‘Project Control: Literature Review’, Project Management Journal, Research Quarterly, vol. 37, no. 4.

Taylor, H. 2006. ‘Risk Management and Problem Resolution Strategies for IT Projects: Prescription and Practice’, Project Management Journal, Research Quarterly, vol. 37, no. 5.

Wysocki, R. F. 2006. Effective Project Management: Traditional, Adaptive, Extreme, 4th ed., Wiley.

Other resources

Lectures and Reading Material (LRM)

Students enrolled in Distance mode will receive the LRM by mail. Students enrolled in the Standard Mode can elect to obtain the LRM from UTS Union, Level 3 Building 1. The LRM is sold at cost to students enrolled in this subject. For more information, visit:
http://my.feit.uts.edu.au/pages/course/postgraduate /distance_mode/materials

Faculty Student Guide

For further information see the faculty’s Student Guide at: http://my.feit.uts.edu.au/modules/ myfeit/downloads/StudentGuide_Online.pdf