Project Management in Practice

This subject is not offered in 2014.

120 hours

Admission to the following Melbourne School of Design programs:

MC-ARCH2Y Master of Architecture (200 points)
MC-ARCH3Y Master of Architecture (300pts)
MC-LARCH2YMaster of Landscape Architecture (200 points)
MC-LARCH3Y Master of Landscape Architecture (300 points)
MC-CONMG2Y Master of Construction Management (200 pts)
MC-CONMG3Y Master of Construction Management (300 pts)
MC-PROP2Y Master of Property (200 pts)
MC-PROP3Y Master of Property (300 pts)
MC-URPL Master of Urban Planning
234AA Master of Design (100 pts)
234AH Master of Design (Heritage) (100 points)
373AA Graduate Diploma in Planning and Design
MC-URBDES Master of Urban Design
MC-DESURB Master of Design (Urban Design)

Or approval from the subject coordinator.

ABPL90025 Project Scope, Time and Cost

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 was formerly called Project Scope, Time and Cost.

Organized as an advanced seminar, the aim of this subject is to employ a real-life case project to deliver comprehensive application skills in integrating scope, cost and schedule in the study of the built environment. The use of a single complex project allows the student to understand the subject matter deeply while being cognisant of the practical application. Student’s work will be centred on two major outcomes: 1) Develop industry standard deliverables used to plan and manage construction operations. 2) Reflect on the application of current project management practices, their implementation and the potential to improve existing methodology.

Students will synthesise from lectures, readings, private research, in-class discussions and exercises the critical knowledge to accomplish these outcomes. A significant portion of the work is in group settings which allow students to learn from each other, as well develop a deep appreciation of the dynamics of managing a team.

On the completion of this subject, students should be able to:

• Discuss the project management trade-offs on balancing the triple-constraint: Scope, Time and Cost;

• Explain the integrated cost and schedule control processes;

• Construct work breakdown structure (WBS) using given project information;

• Discuss scope monitoring and change control system;

• Produce networks diagrams for project scheduling;

• Apply critical path analysis (CPA) in network scheduling;

• Apply critical chain method in project scheduling;

• Estimate the project cost and duration;

• Apply resource scheduling techniques;

• Construct a time-phased budget plan;

• Discuss cost monitoring and control processes;

• Undertake earned value analysis (EVA);

• Undertake integrated cost and schedule control processes; and

• Research current project management practices and issues.

• 10 weekly quizzes equivalent to 500 words (10%) due in week 3 to 12, covering major knowledge areas of class i.e. pre-project planning, project management in the construction phase and post job review.
• Group assignment (stage 1) equivalent to 1000 words per group member (20%) due in week 6. Students work in groups and create four deliverables which cover major areas of pre-project planning of an actual construction project.
• Group assignment (stage 2) equivalent to 1000 words per group member (20%) due in week 10. Students work in groups and create four deliverables which cover major areas of project management during the construction phase of the same construction project.
• Individual report equivalent to 1000 words (20%) due in week 12, focusing on an analysis of the pre-project planning and project management in the construction phase. Students will analyse a post job review report of the same construction project.
• Two hour examination equivalent to 2000 words during the examination period (30%) focussing on the major areas of pre-project planning, project management in the construction phase and post job review. Students will be required to reflect on the project experience gained through the readings and lectures during the semester and synthesise major points of knowledge. A minimum mark of 40% has to be achieved in the examination in order to pass this subject.

1. Course materials.
2. A Guide to the Project Management Body of Knowledge, 4th ed, Project Management Institute, 2008.
3. J.R. Turner, The Handbook of Project-Based Management, McGraw-Hill, 1998.
4. J.R. Meredith & S.J. Mantel, Project Management: A Managerial Approach, Wiley, 2005.

This subject is not available as a breadth subject.

At the completion of the subject students should have developed the following skills and capabilities:

• An appreciation of the integrated project control processes 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.

Computer Requirements: A PC with Windows operating system; 56k Modem for dial-up access, and a webcam.

Resources provided to distance students: Internet based IT framework (Learning Management System) with secured access facilitating interactions with other students and the subject coordinator/tutor and completion of academic exercises.