Project Evaluation and Management

This subject has the following teaching availabilities in 2009:

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 will develop fundamental knowledge in project financial modelling and evaluation, taking a broad view on business viability analysis of public and private sector building projects. Topics covered include capital formation; role of interest rates; assessing financial feasibility and the investment decision; project financing and financing instruments; profitability; socio-economic impact of projects; cost-benefit analysis; and revision of forecasts and financial decisions during project implementation. Students will apply theoretical concepts to case studies in the built environment to devise holistic solutions to meeting strategic business objectives.

The subject comprises two components: research and application. Students are required to develop fundamental theoretical knowledge based on lecture and course materials and a range of online and print resources. Students will then work on applying this knowledge to problems/case studies considered in teams of 4-5 and to a larger-scale real-life case study project requiring students to devise holistic solutions to issues.

Students in this subject will work in pre-assigned teams using access to an online team forum. They will discuss ideas, research, problems and issues on a regular basis with the subject coordinator and through participation in team interactions. A general subject discussion forum will also be available for students to raise issues and interact with the rest of the class and the subject coordinator/tutors. All learning materials and activities will be available online. Assessment submissions will be online in electronic format. Team work activities will be complemented by individual reports and online presentations allowing students to reflect on and highlight their personal research and contributions to team tasks.

The subject will be partly delivered using the Blackboard platform, where there will be a discussion forum and file exchange facilities for students to interact with peers as well as tutors and coordinators. The subject will have its own learning materials and resources section. The subject coordinator will provide the relevant learning material or appropriate references on-line for students to access. In addition to this, students will have full access to the University library for both on-the-shelf and electronic resources.

To develop skills in project financial modelling and evaluation, making investment decisions and evaluating project feasibility in building industries.

The core objectives include:

• Understanding of financial and economic aspects of project management;
• Analytical and problem-solving skills in relation to financial and economic aspects of project management;
• Ability to evaluate project feasibility;
• Decision-making on project investments.

• Team assignment - 2000 words (40%);
• Individual Reflective Report - 1000 words (20%);
• 2-hour final exam - 2000 words (40%).

1. Course materials.
2. Principles of Engineering Economy, Grant, Ireson and Leavenworth, Wiley & Sons.
3. Engineering Economy, L. Blank and A. Tarquin, McGraw Hill.

This subject is not available as a breadth subject.

• An appreciation of the scope and dimensions of professional roles;
• The ability to function effectively as either a team leader or member within multi-disciplinary and multi-cultural teams;
• A commitment to, and fundamental appreciation of, the concept of successful teamwork and the ability to communicate effectively, clearly and concisely as a team leader or member of the group;
• An ability to communicate ideas, concepts and solutions to both technical and non-technical audiences effectively, clearly and concisely;
• An ability to carry out research and apply fundamental theoretical knowledge to problem solving in relevant disciplines.

Special Computer Requirements: A PC with Windows operating system; internet access and a webcam.

Resources provided to distance students: Internet-based IT framework (Learning Management System) with secured access facilitating completion of assignments handed out during the workshop session and online access to other students and the subject coordinator/tutor.