49002 Managing Projects
Warning: The information on this page is indicative. The subject outline for a
particular session, 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.
Subject handbook information prior to 2018 is available in the Archives.
Credit points: 6 cp
Subject level:
Postgraduate
Result type: Grade and marksThere are course requisites for this subject. See access conditions.
Anti-requisite(s): 31272 Project Management and the Professional AND 32541 Project Management AND 48260 Ver 4 Engineering Project Management
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 session. Students are expected to enrol and remain in a particular session all session.
- 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 in conjunction with any subject instructions posted on UTSOnline in any specific session. The instructions provide additional information and advice on any facet of the subject content, its administration and students' obligations.
Students are expected to regularly check the UTSOnline page of the subject.
Subject learning objectives (SLOs)
Upon successful completion of this subject students should 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. | Evaluate the impact of decisions on interrelated systems. |
| 6. | Develop skills in collaborative communication and team work |
| 7. | Use project management tools such as WBS, Gantt chart and CPM of network charts. |
| 8. | Consider different ways by which people can be motivated. |
Course intended learning outcomes (CILOs)
This subject also contributes specifically to the development of the following faculty Course Intended Learning Outcomes (CILOs) and Engineers Australia (EA) Stage 1 competencies:
- Needs contexts and systems (A.0)
- Identify, interpret and analyse stakeholder needs. (A.1)
- Identify constraints, uncertainties and risk of the system (social, cultural, legislative, environmental, business etc.) (A.3)
- Apply systems thinking to understand complex system behaviour including interactions between components and with other systems (social, cultural, legislative, environmental, business etc.) (A.5)
- Identify and apply relevant problem solving methodologies (B.1)
- Synthesise alternative/innovative solutions, concepts and procedures (B.3)
- Apply decision-making methodologies to evaluate solutions for efficiency, effectiveness and sustainability (B.4)
- Demonstrate research skills (B.6)
- Manage own time and processes effectively by prioritising competing demands to achieve personal goals (Manage self) (D.1)
- Communication and coordination (E.0)
- Communicate effectively in ways appropriate to the discipline, audience and purpose. (E.1)
- Work as an effective member or leader of diverse teams within a multi-level, multi-disciplinary and multi-cultural setting (E.2)
- Identify and apply relevant project management methodologies (E.3)
Contribution to the development of graduate attributes
Engineers Australia Stage 1 competencies
Students enrolled in the Master of Professional Engineering Practice should note that this subject contributes to the assurance of Engineers Australia Stage 1 competencies: 1.6, 2.1, 2.4, 3.2, 3.6.
Teaching and learning strategies
By their nature, most management practices are not rigid and managerial problems 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 subject, 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
To achieve the objectives of this course, students are expected to prepare for the lecture through private study and participate in class discussions. A combination of weekly lecture presentations, discussions and assessment exercises are used to assist studnets in this endeavour. These methods introduce general management principles to students to enable them to critically reflect on how these principles are applied in real world examples. Students’ experiences and readings should be reflected through active contributions to class and/or online discussions to facilitate self and peer learning.
Teaching and learning strategies and resources include:
Weekly In-class sessions
- Find out what you must learn
- Follow worked examples
- Participate in discussions
- Practice principles and theories learnt
- Practice solving set problems
- Ask questions
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
Assessment
- Demonstrate your knowledge and skills
- Demonstrate higher understanding, research and problem solving skills
- Gain Feedback
Subject Outline
- Find out what you must learn
- Find out what the learning objectives of the subject are.
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
- Do any set exercises and assignments
- Join in discussions
- Reflect on class material
- Keep up with notices and find out marks
Note for Distance Mode Students
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, some of the teaching strategies (such as class discussions) are different to those used in standard mode. Distance mode students may opt to emphasise their contributions to the online discussion board if they wish to do so.
The objective of the provided tools is to assist and support students in achieving the learning objectives of this subject.
Content (topics)
This subject includes the following topics in the context of project management:
- Stakeholder Managemnt
- Communication Management
- Project Scope Management
- Estimation
- Time Management
- Developing a Project Plan
- Resource Management
- Risk Management
- Cost Management
- Reducing Project Duration
Assessment
Assessment task 1: Research
| Objective(s): | This assessment task addresses the following subject learning objectives (SLOs): 2, 5 and 8 This assessment task contributes to the development of the following course intended learning outcomes (CILOs): A.5, B.3, B.6, E.1 and E.3 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Type: | Demonstration | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Groupwork: | Individual | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Weight: | 20% | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Length: | Up to 25 pages for part 1(following the template), and up to 5 pages for part 2. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Criteria: | Please note: The weighting of Assessment Criteria is approximate; for detailed information, please see your Marking Guide. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Criteria linkages: |
SLOs: subject learning objectives CILOs: course intended learning outcomes |
Assessment task 2: Group Project Report
| Objective(s): | This assessment task addresses the following subject learning objectives (SLOs): 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 and 7 This assessment task contributes to the development of the following course intended learning outcomes (CILOs): A.0, A.1, A.3, B.3, B.4, D.1, E.0, E.1 and E.2 | ||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Type: | Project | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Groupwork: | Group, group assessed | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Weight: | 30% | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Length: | 3000 words maximum | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Criteria: | Please note: The weighting of Assessment Criteria is approximate; for detailed information, please see your Marking Guide. | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Criteria linkages: |
SLOs: subject learning objectives CILOs: course intended learning outcomes |
Assessment task 3: Final Exam
| Objective(s): | This assessment task addresses the following subject learning objectives (SLOs): 1, 2, 4, 5 and 7 This assessment task contributes to the development of the following course intended learning outcomes (CILOs): A.3, B.1, E.1 and E.3 | ||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Type: | Examination | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Groupwork: | Individual | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Weight: | 50% | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Criteria: | Please note: The weighting of Assessment Criteria is approximate; for detailed information, please see your Marking Guide. | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Criteria linkages: |
SLOs: subject learning objectives CILOs: course intended learning outcomes |
Minimum requirements
To pass the subject student should obtain:
- 50% marks or above in the final examination
- 50% marks or above in the overall subject.
Students who do not meet these minimum requirements but achieve an overall mark of 50% or greater will fail the subject and receive their overall mark with an "X" (fail) grade.
Recommended texts
Larson E.W., Honig B., Gray C.F., Dantin U., Baccarini D., 2016, Project Management - The Managerial Process,
McGraw - Hill Education, Australia ISBN 9781743071809 (pbk.)
This book is available for purchase through UTS:Co-Op Bookshop or as an e-book through the publisher.
Copies are in UTS:Library and FEIT Building 11 Learning Precinct.
Other resources
Lectures and Reading Material (LRM)
Students will downlaod teaching and reading material through UTSOnline
