Project Management Practices

This subject is not offered in 2013.

120 hours

None

None

Knowledge gained from the following subjects will assist learning in this subject

None

For the purposes of considering request for Reasonable Adjustments under the Disability Standards for Education (Cwth 2005), and Student Support and Engagement Policy, academic requirements for this subject are articulated in the Subject Overview, Learning Outcomes, Assessment and Generic Skills sections of this entry.

It is University policy to take all reasonable steps to minimise the impact of disability upon academic study, and reasonable adjustments will be made to enhance a student's participation in the University's programs. Students who feel their disability may impact on meeting the requirements of this subject are encouraged to discuss this matter with a Faculty Student Adviser and Student Equity and Disability Support: http://services.unimelb.edu.au/disability

This subject focuses on specific systems, tools and techniques used by project managers to initiate and structure major projects. Systems appropriate for both construction projects and complex projects (e.g. IT, high technology projects) are considered

Techniques considered include the use of logic maps, business cases and system based project management concepts. Details include the development of acquisition strategies, system life-cycle, boundaries, scope management and mechanisms to control of client expectations and assist them to make sound project decisions leading to the sanctioning of a project. Expected value and Monte Carlo techniques are used as tools to refine project decisions based on risk evaluation

Project governance arrangements are considered along with cultural context, resourcing requirements of a project and how this is organised and managed. Specific areas considered include the selection of consultants or contractors, communication processes, industrial relations, occupational health and safety, meetings, delegation and leadership

On successful completion of this subject students should be able to:

• Assist project owners to sensibly consider the feasibility of projects
• Develop investment logic maps
• Structure an acquisition strategy for either traditional projects or a complex engineering or IT project
• Clarify a project’s scope and establish boundaries to the scope of complex projects
• Analyse and evaluate project risks and project decisions
• Develop and communicate projects in a consolidated project management plan that considers, client interface, governance, organizational structure and resources to assist in the management and control of projects to achieve targeted key performance indicators

• One 2000 word report, due mid-semester and end of semester (30%)
• One 50 minute test, mid-semester (10%)
• One 10 minute seminar presentation, during the semester (10%)
• One 2-hour examination held in the examination period (50%)

None

This subject is not available as a breadth subject.

• Ability to undertake problem identification, formulation, and solution
• Ability to utilise a systems approach to complex problems and to design and operational performance
• Ability to conduct an engineering project
• Ability to communicate effectively, with the engineering team and with the community at large
• Ability to manage information and documentation
• Understanding of professional and ethical responsibilities, and commitment to them
• Ability to function effectively as an individual and in multidisciplinary and multicultural teams, as a team leader or manager as well as an effective team member
• Capacity for lifelong learning and professional development