Project Management

This subject has the following teaching availabilities in 2009:

The subject will provide an overview of the management issues associated with initiating, implementing and terminating projects. Particular emphasis will be given to the planning dimension in areas such as; project or problem selection; defining project scope; identification of project stakeholders; project scheduling; and resource allocation. The project the students eventually undertake will be used to simulate the project planning and management strategies. A range of suitable business research methods will be introduced including relevant quantitative and qualitative approaches. Students will be expected to nominate an agribusiness issue or problem suitable for study, develop a brief proposal/method and commence an examination of the background literature. Individual students will work with the Subject Coordinator on the development of the problem description and proposal.

The objective of this subject is to extend the student’s ability to focus on the critical aspects of an industry firm or problem; understand management issues associated with initiating, implementing and terminating projects; assess approaches suitable for investigation of industry issues/problems; develop a proposal justifying the techniques suitable to investigation of the problem; analyse background literature relevant to the project area.

In an applied program such as this it is critical that students have the opportunity to undertake a project-based subject in which they can apply the concepts and skills they have acquired from their earlier subjects. In most cases students will be employed in the agribusiness sector and will have a number of problems, projects or issues in their own company or organization that they would be interested in investigating in some detail and with rigor. This subject provides a foundation for their work in the final project subject 208 731 Agribusiness Project. The project students undertake will hopefully effect some change within the student’s organisation or industry. The project will at least have a strong link to organisational problem solving.

Online discussion participation (20%*); written assignment of 2,500 words (40%); project proposal including project management strategies of 2,000 words (40%).

Project Management Institute, (2004), A Guide to the Project Management Body of Knowledge, 3rd Edition.

This subject is not available as a breadth subject.

• A profound respect for truth, intellectual and professional integrity and the ethics of scholarship
• Capacity for independent critical thought, rational inquiry and self-directed learning and research
• Ability to derive, interpret and analyse information from primary and other sources in addressing specific management problems and decision making
• Ability to integrate information across related management disciplines to solve problems in applied situations
• Highly developed written communication skills to allow informed dialogue with individuals and groups from industry, government and the community
• Ability to collaborate, exchange ideas and debate across on-line learning platforms
• Ability to plan, use time effectively and manage small projects.