Project Management & Design

This subject has the following teaching availabilities in 2015:

170 hours

Development Studies or equivalent at the undergraduate level.

For the purposes of considering request for Reasonable Adjustments under the disability Standards for Education (Cwth 2005), and Students Experiencing Academic Disadvantage Policy, academic requirements for this subject are articulated in the Subject Description, Subject Objectives, Generic Skills and Assessment Requirements of this entry.The University is dedicated to provide support to those with special requirements. Further details on the disability support scheme can be found at the Disability Liaison Unit website: http://www.services.unimelb.edu.au/disability/

An introduction to project management and design from interdisciplinary and critical perspectives. We begin by understanding the standard project cycle approach to project management: problem identification and analysis, stakeholder analysis, feasibility studies, formulation of proposals and budgets, implementation, monitoring and evaluation. Students will be familiarized with programme management tools of Logical Framework Analysis, which will be contrasted with alternative, participatory and ‘Learning Process’ approaches to project design. We then critically examine how different functions require different forms of capacity building within projects. The sensitivity of programmes to gender inequalities and the concerns of disadvantaged groups will also be explored. Students will be introduced to recent critiques of, and debates on, programme management and development practice. Case studies of projects in developing countries and practical exercises will be integral to the syllabus.

Students who sucessfully complete this subject will:

• Understand the body of knowledge on project management and design within the field of development;
• Demonstrate their understanding of the links between theory and professional development practice through the execution of a substantial, research based design of a development porject;
• Enhance their ability to critically appraise development projects;
• Advance their communication, presentation and cross-cultural interaction skills through active collaboration with peers;
• Increase their capacity to respond reflexively and innotatively to new situations in professional development practice.
  

An assignment of 1500 words (30%) due during the semester, a group project equivalent to 2500 words (60%) due at the end of semester, and a learning diary of 1000 words (10%) due during the examination period.

Hurdle Requirement: As this is an Intensively-taught subject, Lecture/Seminar attendance is compulsory on all 6 days. Regular participation in class is required.

Assessment submitted late without an approved extension will be penalised at 10% per working day. In-class tasks missed without approval will not be marked. All pieces of written work must be submitted to pass this subject.

Reading material will be available online via the subject's LMS site

This subject is not available as a breadth subject.

On completion of this sujbect students shoud:

• be able to demonstrate a high degree of conceptual and analytical skills;
• be able to work on team-based projects requiring coordination and negotiation skills;
• be able to demonstrate sensitivity to local conditions and needs.