Advanced IS Project Management

Subject 615-659 (2009)

Note: This is an archived Handbook entry from 2009. Search for this in the current handbook

Credit Points: 12.50
Level: 9 (Graduate/Postgraduate)
Dates & Locations:

This subject has the following teaching availabilities in 2009:

For information about these dates, click here.
Time Commitment: Total Time Commitment: Not available
Prerequisites:

Students who are enrolled in the two year 200 point Master of Information Systems must have completed 50 points of study to enrol in this subject.

Corequisites: None
Recommended Background Knowledge: None
Non Allowed Subjects: None
Core Participation Requirements:

It is University policy to take all reasonable steps to minimise the impact of disability upon academic study and reasonable steps will be made to enhance a student's participation in the University's programs. Students who feel their disability may impact upon their active and safe participation in a subject are encouraged to discuss this with the relevant subject coordinator and the Disability Liaison Unit.

Contact

Chris Waddell
Subject Overview:

Projects are typically characterized as being temporary in nature, having a defined start-end, involving the accomplishment of a novel or unique task and operating under constraints. Obviously the goal of a project is "success". The PMBOK (Project Management Body of Knowledge) provides practitioners with a suite of tools and techniques intended to ensure projects successfully deliver on time, to budget and to quality goals. However this mechanistic view of projects belies the complexity of many IS projects, which frequently face external, social, political, organizational and cultural barriers. IS projects often involve multiple stakeholders with competing interests, operate in changing business environments and must deliver business value in increasingly short time-frames. The first half of this subject examines the foundations of project management including the nine knowledge areas of the PMBOK (scope, cost, time, human resources, procurement, risk, quality, communication and integration) in the context of information systems projects and methodologies, while also providing the opportunity to develop advanced skills necessary to effectively respond to the organizational, political and cultural barriers IS projects typically face. The second half of the subject will also consider a set of advanced topics including project governance, management of cross-organisational projects, knowledge management, vendor and customer relationship management, benefits realization, project office functions and project management toolsets.

Assessment: Class participation (10%); a group assignment of between 2 and 5 pages due before mid-semester break (10%); a group assignment of between 15 and 30 pages due after mid-semester break (25%); a group assignment consisting of a Powerpoint presentation of 15-20 slides due at the end of semester (25%); a take-home examination paper in the examination period (30%).

Prescribed Texts: None
Breadth Options:

This subject is not available as a breadth subject.

Fees Information: Subject EFTSL, Level, Discipline & Census Date
Generic Skills:

Students should acquire a number of transferable skills including:

  • analytical and decisioning skills through examination of case scenarios
  • collaboration, communication and presentation skills through group work and assessment, and
  • problem solving skills related to project management, project risk assessment, project resource utilization and project communication management.
Links to further information: http://www.dis.unimelb.edu.au/current/postgrad/subjects/index.html
Related Course(s): Master of Business Administration/Master of Information Systems
Master of Information Systems
Master of Information Systems
Master of Information Systems (Coursework)
Master of Information Systems/Postgraduate Diploma in Management
Master of Information Technology
Related Majors/Minors/Specialisations: R05 RI Master of Science - Information Systems

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