Managing Large Projects

This subject has the following teaching availabilities in 2015:

200 hours

Students enrolled in the two year 200 point Master of Information Systems must have completed 50 points of study.

None

Basic knowledge of MS-Project or equivalent software package.

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

Aims

This subject examines three advanced topics in the field of project management with an emphasis on commercial corporate practices and formal techniques used in the management of large projects:

1. Project planning, scheduling, estimation and control techniques
2. Project management models including the use of methodologies, outsourcing, procurement and project management office arrangements
3. Project financial management including budgeting, cash flow management and earned value tracking techniques
4. Project governance processes, models and techniques including risk management, value management, steering committee reporting and change management and stakeholder management
5. Corporate and Government project methodologies including PRINCE2, ITIL, MoR and CoBIT5

This subject builds upon the knowledge acquired in ISYS90037 Advanced IS Project Management. The subject seeks to ensure students develop skills and knowledge that can be directly applied in their work as project management practitioners, and that they can apply techniques and models appropriately to their work context.

Indicative Content

• Project control and governance including functions and interactions with steering committees, project control offices and management stakeholders.
• Essentials of project reporting and financial management in a corporate setting.
• Formal project scheduling and progress evaluation
• Essentials of project planning and estimating
• Differing project organisation models for differing development methodologies
• Essentials of PRINCE2
• Project Risk Management
• Use of metrics for system development
• Consideration of commercial certifications including ITIL, CoBIT, PMI and PRINCE2
• Management of outsourced projects
• Consideration of new “agile methods” in systems development and impact on project management.

Intended Learning Outcomes (ILOs)

On completion of this subject the student is expected to:

1. Apply a range of formal project management planning, controlling, scheduling and estimation techniques recognising in which context these techniques are useful to project success
2. Understand how project management methodologies assist in contributing to project success in a corporate environment and be able to critique a methodology
3. Develop expertise in a range of techniques associated with the governance of a project. In particular students should be capable of undertaking risk assessments of their project, define the value of their project in business terms, be capable of identifying and managing the various stakeholders to the project, and be able to report project status effectively to their stakeholders

All assessment tasks address all Intended Learning Outcomes.

• One 4000 word project action plan, in groups of 3-4, due around the middle of semester (25%), requiring approximately 33-37 hours of work per student.
• One 2000 word project progress report, in groups of 3-4, and 20 minute presentation due near the end of semester (25%), requiring approximately 33-37 hours of work per student.
• One 2-hour examination held in the examination period (40%).
• Participation mark (10%).

Hurdle requirement: To pass the subject students must obtain at least:

• 50% of the marks available for the non-examination based assessment
• 50% of the marks available for the examination

Kerzner, Harold 2009 or later edition, Project Management: A Systems Approach to Planning Scheduling, and Controlling, John Wiley & Sons

This subject is not available as a breadth subject.

On completion of this subject, students should have developed the following generic skills:

• Analysis
• Critical thinking
• Independent learning
• Confidence at presenting to a business audience.

Basic knowledge of MS-Project is required for this subject.

Learning and Teaching Methods

12 lectures are delivered covering all examinable topics combined with a series of mini-case studies involving problem solving and application of techniques.

A major case study is provided for project planning involving multi-site locations, with installation of computer equipment, telecommunications and application suite with multiple suppliers and subcontractors. This is done in small group syndicates.

A discussion forum is provided for students to raise issues and questions with stakeholders (role played by the lecturer).

A second round of the case study is then required which involves a review and revision of the project in terms of certain specific problems encountered and delivered as a presentation and progress report to a steering committee (role played).

Indicative Key Learning Resources

Prescribed Text – Project Management, A Systems Approach to Planning, Scheduling and Controlling by Harold Kerzner (Wiley) Edition 9 or later. Use of Microsoft Project Software or equivalent. Discussion forum provided via LMS. Materials from real-world cases are provided in class.

Careers/Industry Links

Alumni have joined major consulting firms, Telcos, and Government Departments as project managers, and several have been successful in overseas homeland appointments.