IS Projects: People Process and Politics

Subject ISYS90037 (2012)

Note: This is an archived Handbook entry from 2012.

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

This subject has the following teaching availabilities in 2012:

Semester 1, Parkville - Taught on campus.
Pre-teaching Period Start not applicable
Teaching Period not applicable
Assessment Period End not applicable
Last date to Self-Enrol not applicable
Census Date not applicable
Last date to Withdraw without fail not applicable


Timetable can be viewed here. For information about these dates, click here.
Time Commitment: Contact Hours: 36 hours over the semester (block mode)
Total Time Commitment: 10 hours per week, 120 hours in total
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.

Coordinator

Dr Sean Maynard

Contact

Christopher Waddell
Email: cwaddell@unimelb.edu.au

Subject Overview:

In this subject students practice the processes of information systems project management with a focus on people in the presence of organisational politics. The first half of the semester discusses eight of the nine knowledge areas of the PMBOK - scope, cost, time, human resources, risk, quality, communication and integration management. The second half of this subject focuses on developing skills necessary to manage projects within an organisational setting and discusses topics including project management processes; teamwork; stakeholder behavior; conflict; change management; politics; and project success factors.
A key feature of the subject is the use of a case that spans all assignments and enables students to engage with stakeholders through an LMS forum. The case provides the vehicle for students to initiate, plan and recover a project. Student teams also have the opportunity to meet with a manager from the case’s ‘project office’ to review their work and obtain guidance prior to report submission.
Objectives:

Upon completion of this subject, students will:

  • be capable of applying the foundations of project management practice including processes, tools and techniques as represented in the Project Management Institute’s PMBOK and in the general management literature
  • be familiar with various project organisations and processes which are contingent upon the technology, organizational structures and IS methodology being used
  • have an understanding of a number of advanced and related topics including, project success and failure factors, project manager influence and power; and
  • have confidence in identifying problems including if a project is ‘off the rails” and solving such problems.
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: Schwalbe, K (2010), Information Technology Project Management, Course Technology: Boston.
A reading pack for this subject is available from the bookroom and contains support materials and articles related to the lectures.
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): Bachelor of Information Systems (Degree with Honours)
Master of Information Systems
Master of Information Systems
Master of Information Systems
Master of Science (Information Systems)

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