Year
2024Credit points
5Campus offering
Prerequisites
Nil
Unit rationale, description and aim
This unit offers a comprehensive introduction to the issues and methodologies essential for effectively planning and managing projects, from inception to completion. Recognising project management as a multifaceted, team-oriented endeavour within modern organisations, the unit delves into the utilisation of diverse technologies, including project management software and collaborative tools, as integral components of the planning and managing process.
The core objective of this unit is to furnish students with a robust comprehension of the concepts, methodologies, and pivotal techniques requisite for planning and executing projects. The unit equips students with a solid foundation in project management, a vital skill applicable across various disciplines and industries.
Learning outcomes
To successfully complete this unit you will be able to demonstrate you have achieved the learning outcomes (LO) detailed in the below table.
Each outcome is informed by a number of graduate capabilities (GC) to ensure your work in this, and every unit, is part of a larger goal of graduating from ACU with the attributes of insight, empathy, imagination and impact.
Explore the graduate capabilities.
| Learning Outcome Number | Learning Outcome Description | Relevant Graduate Capabilities |
|---|---|---|
| LO1 | Reflect on the life cycle of a project and develop relevant, achievable and measurable project goals necessary for successful project planning and implementation. | GC1, GC2 |
| LO2 | Identify and evaluate strategies to manage project quality and project risks by effectively utilising project information and project management tools. | GC7, GC9 |
| LO3 | Identify and evaluate project charter and scope statement, resource allocation and cost strategies utilising project information and project management tools. | GC7, GC9 |
Content
Topics will include:
- Introduction to project management and its role in achieving organisational objectives
- Project life cycle
- Determining project goals and objectives
- Evaluation of project risks and project quality
- Evaluation of project charter and scope statement, resource allocation and project cost.
Learning and teaching strategy and rationale
The standard mode of delivery for this unit is multi-mode, via online and in-person classes, which may include full-day sessions, to enable interaction. Activities that require attendance will appear in a student’s timetable. This unit will be offered over 2 weeks period during professional terms.
Students will have access to all primary learning materials online through CANVAS, along with formative and summative assessments, all of which will be available online.
Students should anticipate undertaking 75 hours of study for this unit, including readings, videos, online forum participation and assessment preparation.
Assessment strategy and rationale
The assessment strategy for this unit is based on the need to determine authentic student achievement of the learning outcomes. The following assessment overview is indicative and may vary over time according to industry requirements, delivery mode, University policy and regulatory requirements.
Unit Assessment will assess students’ theoretical knowledge, understanding and skills required to determine and evaluate projects risks, quality, resource allocation, costs and budget. For this purpose, students will be engaging with an actual/real life project from a local, national or international context.
Overview of assessments
| Brief Description of Kind and Purpose of Assessment Tasks | Weighting | Learning Outcomes | Graduate Capabilities |
|---|---|---|---|
Assessment: Project case study This assessment task consists of analysing a project case study to assess and develop risk management strategy, quality assurance strategy, as well as a resource and budget formulation while addressing issues relating to good project management practices. | 100% | LO1, LO3, LO4 | GC1, GC2, GC7, GC9 |
Representative texts and references
Larson, EW, Gray, CF, Honig, B, Baccarini, D & Dantin, U., 2018, Project Management: The Managerial Process, 7th edn, McGraw Hill, New York, NY.
Gido, J & Clements, J 2018, Successful project management, 7th edn, South-Western, Boston, MA.
Harned, B., Storey, G., Aoki, D., 2017, Project Management for Humans: Helping People get Things Done. Rosenfelds Media
Heagney, J 2016, Fundamentals of project management, 5th edn, AMACOM, New York.
Project Management Institute 2020 A Guide to the Project Management Body of Knowledge (PMBOK) Guide, 6th ed.,