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 2021 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.
Subject learning objectives (SLOs)
Upon successful completion of this subject students should be able to:
| 1. | Present concepts in both oral and written communication |
|---|---|
| 2. | Evaluate the impact of decisions on interrelated systems |
| 3. | Apply skills in collaborative communication and team work |
| 4. | Use project management tools and techniques |
Course intended learning outcomes (CILOs)
This subject also contributes specifically to the development of the following Course Intended Learning Outcomes (CILOs):
- Socially Responsible: FEIT graduates identify, engage, and influence stakeholders, and apply expert judgment establishing and managing constraints, conflicts and uncertainties within a hazards and risk framework to define system requirements and interactivity. (B.1)
- Design Oriented: FEIT graduates apply problem solving, design thinking and decision-making methodologies in new contexts or to novel problems, to explore, test, analyse and synthesise complex ideas, theories or concepts. (C.1)
- Technically Proficient: FEIT graduates apply theoretical, conceptual, software and physical tools and advanced discipline knowledge to research, evaluate and predict future performance of systems characterised by complexity. (D.1)
- Collaborative and Communicative: FEIT graduates work as an effective member or leader of diverse teams, communicating effectively and operating autonomously within cross-disciplinary and cross-cultural contexts in the workplace. (E.1)
- Reflective: FEIT graduates critically self-review their own and others' performance with a high level of responsibility to improve and practice competently for the benefit of professional practice and society. (F.1)
Contribution to the development of graduate attributes
Engineers Australia Stage 1 Competencies
Students enrolled in the Master of Professional Engineering should note that this subject contributes to the development of the following Engineers Australia Stage 1 competencies:
- 1.5. Knowledge of engineering design practice and contextual factors impacting the engineering discipline.
- 1.6. Understanding of the scope, principles, norms, accountabilities and bounds of sustainable engineering practice in the specific discipline.
- 2.4. Application of systematic approaches to the conduct and management of engineering projects.
- 3.2. Effective oral and written communication in professional and lay domains.
- 3.4. Professional use and management of information.
- 3.5. Orderly management of self, and professional conduct.
- 3.6. Effective team membership and team leadership.
Teaching and learning strategies
The subject outline must be read in conjunction with any subject instructions posted on CANVAS 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 CANVAS subject site.
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 students 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
Canvas
- 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
Content (topics)
This subject includes the following topics in the context of project management:
- Stakeholder Management
- 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 and Reflections
| Objective(s): | This assessment task addresses the following subject learning objectives (SLOs): 2 and 4 This assessment task contributes to the development of the following Course Intended Learning Outcomes (CILOs): B.1, C.1, D.1 and F.1 |
|---|---|
| Type: | Report |
| Groupwork: | Individual |
| Weight: | 45% |
| Length: | Up to 25 pages for part 1, and up to 10 pages for part 2 (both following templates provided) |
| Criteria: | Please note: The weighting of Assessment Criteria is approximate; for detailed information, please see your Marking Guide. |
Assessment task 2: Group Project Report
| Objective(s): | This assessment task addresses the following subject learning objectives (SLOs): 1, 2, 3 and 4 This assessment task contributes to the development of the following Course Intended Learning Outcomes (CILOs): B.1, C.1, D.1, E.1 and F.1 |
|---|---|
| Type: | Project |
| Groupwork: | Group, individually assessed |
| Weight: | 40% |
| Length: | 2,000 and 3,000 words, excluding appendices |
| Criteria: | The weighting of Assessment Criteria is approximate; for detailed information, please see your Marking Guide. |
Assessment task 3: Project Manager Diary
| Objective(s): | This assessment task addresses the following subject learning objectives (SLOs): 1, 2 and 4 This assessment task contributes to the development of the following Course Intended Learning Outcomes (CILOs): C.1, D.1, E.1 and F.1 |
|---|---|
| Type: | Report |
| Groupwork: | Individual |
| Weight: | 15% |
| Criteria: | The weighting of Assessment Criteria is approximate; for detailed information, please see your Marking Guide. |
Minimum requirements
In order to pass the subject, a student must achieve an overall mark of 50% or more.
Recommended texts
Larson E. W., & Gray C. F. 2018, Project Management - The Managerial Process, McGraw - Hill Education, Australia ISBN 9781259666094
This book is available for purchase or as an e-book through the publisher. Copies are in UTS:Library and FEIT Building 11 Learning Precinct.