This subject enables students to acquire knowledge on techniques, methodology and tools of project management. It aims to provide students with an understanding of how to apply the knowledge, in difference project settings, to maximize the satisfactions to all stakeholders in their projects. The subject also provides an overview of the processes of project management and offer formal approaches to handle them. The subject is also designed to equip students with the skills in the use of project management software commonly used in the Industry and an awareness of the limitation of such a tool. The software is employed as a vehicle for students to understand the knowledge acquired and the dynamic aspects of project implementation and control.
Topics covered:
Scope management, time management, cost management, quality management, communication management, human resource management and team formation.
Project evaluation techniques
Factors affecting the success of projects
Project communication and reporting
Project planning, tracking, control and implementation
Managing multiple projects
Objectives
On completion of this subject, students will:
have knowledgeof:
project management methodology and techniques in critical areas such as scope management, time management, cost management, quality management, communication and human resource management
the scientific tools and techniques (both qualitative and quantitative) which project managers can use to improve the chances of success in their projects
common project management software tools used by professional in the Industry
jargon used in project management environment
gain understandingof:
how the knowledge in project management areas should be applied and the relationship exist between them
factors that contribute to a successful project
factors contributing to effective communication among project stakeholders
difficulties in the handling of human resources in project management
acquire skillsfor:
using project management techniques and methodology effectively to ensure project outcomes satisfy both the specified and the expected requirements of the project stakeholders
using a project management software tool to management projects
identifying problems that occur during the implementation phase of a projects and developing strategies to address the situation
using jargon learned to allow them to communicate effectively with project managers, project team members and other stakeholders
have developed attributes which allow students to:
view project management in its totality
develop their own framework to assist them in the interaction with their colleagues and other stakeholders towards the success of all future projects in which they may be involved
act professionally in managing or assisting in the handling of projects
Prerequisites
Before attempting this unit you must have satisfactorily completed Entry to the Master of Business Systems or equivalent Masters program, or equivalent.
Unit relationships
BUS5150 is an elective unit in the Master of Business Systems
Before attempting this unit you must have satisfactorily completed Entry to the Master of Business Systems or equivalent Masters program, or equivalent. You may not study this unit and
MBA9052, GCO5807, BUS4540, BUS5001
in your degree.
Texts and software
Required text(s)
Prescribed Text:
Rachel Bunin, Tutorials & Case Study: New Perspectives, Microsoft Project 2003, Course Technology
Recommended Text:
Meredith, J.R. and Mantel, S.J., (2000)Project Management: A Managerial Approach, 4th Edition, John Wiley.
Gido, J. and Clements, J.P. Successful Project Management, South-Western College Publishing Bennatan, E.M. (2000)On Time Within Budget, 3rd Edition, John Wiley.
Field, M. and Keller, L., (1998)Project Management, International Thomson Business Press.
Burke, R., (1999)Project Management: Planning and Control, 3rd Edition, John Wiley.
Reiss, G., (1992)Project Management Demystified: Today's tools and techniques, E & FN Spon.
Shtub, A., Bard, J.F., and Globerson, S., (1994)Project Management: Engineering, Technology, and Implementation, Prentice-Hall.
Pinto, J.K., and Kharbanda, O.P., (1995)Successful Project Managers: Leading Your Team to Success, Van Nostrand Reinhold.
Hollick, M., (1993)An introduction to Project Evaluation, Longman.
Weiss, J. W., and Wysocki, R. K., (1992)5-Phase Project Management: A Practical Planning and Implementation Guide, Addison-Wesley.
Turner, J.R., (1993)The Handbook of Project-based management, McGraw-Hill.
Textbook availability
Text books are available from the Monash University Book Shops. Availability from other suppliers cannot be assured. The Bookshop orders texts in specifically for this unit. You are advised to purchase your text book early.
Software requirements
There is no software requirement. Students will develop proficiency in the use of Microsoft Project 2003
Hardware requirements
Students studying off-campus are required to have the minimum system configuration specified by the Faculty as a condition of accepting admission, and regular Internet access. On-campus students, and those studying at supported study locations may use the facilities available in the computing labs. Information about computer use for students is available from the ITS Student Resource Guide in the Monash University Handbook. You will need to allocate up to n hours per week for use of a computer, including time for newsgroups/discussion groups.
Recommended reading
Prescribed Text:
Tutorials & Case Study: Rachel Bunin, New Perspectives, Microsoft Project 2003, Course Technology
Recommended Text:
Information Technology Project Management by Kathy Schwalbe, 4th Ed., Thomson Course Technology 2006
Project Management by Meredith, Jack, R. and Mantel, Samuel Jr, 5th Ed. John Wiley & Sons 2003
New Perspectives, Microsoft Project 2003 by Rachel Bunin, Thomson Course Technology 2006
Successful Project Management by Gido, Jack and Clements James P., 2nd Ed. Thomson 2003
Effective Project Management by Wysocki, Robert K., Beck, Robert, jr and Crane, David B., 2nd Ed John Wiley & Sons 2003
Project Management - A systems Approach to Planning, Scheduling and controlling by Kerzner, Harold, 7th Ed, John Wiley & Sons 2001
Reference:
Reiss, G., (1992)Project Management Demystified: Today's tools and techniques, E & FN Spon.
Shtub, A., Bard, J.F., and Globerson, S., (1994)Project Management: Engineering, Technology, and Implementation, Prentice-Hall.
Pinto, J.K., and Kharbanda, O.P., (1995)Successful Project Managers: Leading Your Team to Success, Van Nostrand Reinhold.
Hollick, M., (1993)An introduction to Project Evaluation, Longman.
Weiss, J. W., and Wysocki, R. K., (1992)5-Phase Project Management: A Practical Planning and Implementation Guide, Addison-Wesley.
Turner, J.R., (1993)The Handbook of Project-based management, McGraw-Hill.
Library access
You may need to access the Monash library either personally to be able to satisfactorily complete the subject. Be sure to obtain a copy of the Library Guide, and if necessary, the instructions for remote access from the library website.
Study resources
Study resources for BUS5150 are:
Use of recommended texts as a guide to the lecture notes.
Tutorials are based on the Prescribed text.
Structure and organisation
Week
Topics
Key Dates
1
Introduction to Project Management
Week 1
2
Projects in Organizations
Week 2
3
Project Lifecycles & Phases
Week 3
4
Project Estimation
Week 4
5
The Planning Phase
Week 5
6
Resourcing and Budgeting
Week 6
7
Project Monitoring
Week 7
8
Resource Allocation & Crashing
Week 8
9
Quality and Change Management
Week 9
10
Risk Management
Week 10
Non teaching week
11
Communications in Project Management
Week 11
12
Mega Projects and Project termination
Week 12
13
Revision
Week 13
Timetable
The timetable for on-campus classes for this unit can be viewed in Allocate+
Assessment
Assessment weighting
Assessment will consist of:
Examination (2 hours) - 75%
Assignment - 15%
Tutorial Case Study - 10%
Assessment Policy
To pass this unit you must:
To pass the subject it is essential to pass the examination. Students who fail the examination will be allocated examination mark only as their final mark in the subject
Your score for the unit will be calculated by:
The sum of adjusted mark for assignment, plus the adjusted mark for the Tutorial Case Study plus the adjusted mark for the examination.
If the examination mark is less than 50% then the score will be determined as the adjusted mark of the examiantion only.
Assessment Requirements
Assessment
Due Date
Weighting
Project assignment
2/10/2006
15%
Tutorial Case Study
9/10/2006
10 %
The exam is 2 hours long and is closed book.
Exam period (S2/06) starts on 23/10/06
75 %
Assignment specifications will be made available See MUSO Page.
Assignment Submission
Assignments must be handed in to the Unit Tutor or the Unit Lecturer before the due date and time.
Extensions and late submissions
Late submission of assignments
Assignments received later than one week after the due date will not normally be accepted."
This policy is strict because comments or guidance will be given on assignments as they are returned, and sample solutions may also be published and distributed, after assignment marking or with the returned assignment.
Extensions
It is your responsibility to structure your study program around assignment deadlines, family, work and other commitments. Factors such as normal work pressures, vacations, etc. are seldom regarded as appropriate reasons for granting extensions.
No extnesions are granted.
Grading of assessment
Assignments, and the unit, will be marked and allocated a grade according to the following scale:
Grade
Percentage/description
HD High Distinction -
very high levels of achievement, demonstrated knowledge and understanding, skills in application and high standards of work encompassing all aspects of the tasks.
In the 80+% range of marks for the assignment.
D Distinction -
high levels of achievement, but not of the same standards. May have a weakness in one particular aspect, or overall standards may not be quite as high.
In the 70-79% range.
C Credit -
sound pass displaying good knowledge or application skills, but some weaknesses in the quality, range or demonstration of understanding.
In the 60-69% range.
P Pass
acceptable standard, showing an adequate basic knowledge, understanding or skills, but with definite limitations on the extent of such understanding or application. Some parts may be incomplete.
In the 50-59% range.
N Not satisfactory
failure to meet the basic requirements of the assessment.
Below 50%.
Assignment return
We will aim to have assignment results made available to you within two weeks after assignment receipt.
Feedback
Feedback to you
You will receive feedback on your work and progress in this unit. This feedback may be provided through your participation in tutorials and class discussions, as well as through your assignment submissions. It may come in the form of individual advice, marks and comments, or it may be provided as comment or reflection targeted at the group. It may be provided through personal interactions, such as interviews and on-line forums, or through other mechanisms such as on-line self-tests and publication of grade distributions.
Feedback from you
You will be asked to provide feedback to the Faculty through a Unit Evaluation survey at the end of the semester. You may also be asked to complete surveys to help teaching staff improve the unit and unit delivery. Your input to such surveys is very important to the faculty and the teaching staff in maintaining relevant and high quality learning experiences for our students.
And if you are having problems
It is essential that you take action immediately if you realise that you have a problem with your study. The semester is short, so we can help you best if you let us know as soon as problems arise. Regardless of whether the problem is related directly to your progress in the unit, if it is likely to interfere with your progress you should discuss it with your lecturer or a Community Service counsellor as soon as possible.
Unit improvements
Unit has been strengthened with additional topics to broaden the scope.
Plagiarism and cheating
Plagiarism and cheating are regarded as very serious offences. In cases where cheating has been confirmed, students have been severely penalised, from losing all marks for an assignment, to facing disciplinary action at the Faculty level. While we would wish that all our students adhere to sound ethical conduct and honesty, I will ask you to acquaint yourself with Student Rights and Responsibilities and the Faculty regulations that apply to students detected cheating as these will be applied in all detected cases.
In this University, cheating means seeking to obtain an unfair advantage in any examination or any other written or practical work to be submitted or completed by a student for assessment. It includes the use, or attempted use, of any means to gain an unfair advantage for any assessable work in the unit, where the means is contrary to the instructions for such work.
When you submit an individual assessment item, such as a program, a report, an essay, assignment or other piece of work, under your name you are understood to be stating that this is your own work. If a submission is identical with, or similar to, someone else's work, an assumption of cheating may arise. If you are planning on working with another student, it is acceptable to undertake research together, and discuss problems, but it is not acceptable to jointly develop or share solutions unless this is specified by your lecturer.
Intentionally providing students with your solutions to assignments is classified as "assisting to cheat" and students who do this may be subject to disciplinary action. You should take reasonable care that your solution is not accidentally or deliberately obtained by other students. For example, do not leave copies of your work in progress on the hard drives of shared computers, and do not show your work to other students. If you believe this may have happened, please be sure to contact your lecturer as soon as possible.
Cheating also includes taking into an examination any material contrary to the regulations, including any bilingual dictionary, whether or not with the intention of using it to obtain an advantage.
Plagiarism involves the false representation of another person's ideas, or findings, as your own by either copying material or paraphrasing without citing sources. It is both professional and ethical to reference clearly the ideas and information that you have used from another writer. If the source is not identified, then you have plagiarised work of the other author. Plagiarism is a form of dishonesty that is insulting to the reader and grossly unfair to your student colleagues.
Communication
Communication methods
Communication will be through the lecturer and tutor and through the Unit MUSO web page.
Notices
Notices related to the unit during the semester will be placed on the Notices Newsgroup in the Unit Website. Check this regularly. Failure to read the Notices newsgroup is not regarded as grounds for special consideration.
Consultation Times
Available by appointment only.
If direct communication with your unit adviser/lecturer or tutor outside of consultation periods is needed you may contact the lecturer and/or tutors at:
This person's profile is not available.
All email communication to you from your lecturer will occur through your Monash student email address. Please ensure that you read it regularly, or forward your email to your main address. Also check that your contact information registered with the University is up to date in My.Monash.
