Project Management & Design

This subject has the following teaching availabilities in 2016:

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. We focus on strategy, vision and mission formulation, as well as problem identification and analysis, objectives analysis, stakeholder analysis, formulation of projects and budgets, implementation, and monitoring and evaluation. Students will be familiarised with programme management tools of Logical Framework Analysis and Program Logic and Theories of Change which will be contrasted with alternative, participatory and ‘learning process’/social enterprise approaches. We will examine how different functions require different forms of program design and planning. The sensitivity of programs to gender inequalities and the concerns of disadvantaged groups and the ethics and motivations of field workers will be explored. Students will also be introduced to recent critiques of, and debates on, program 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 2000 words (35%) due during the semester.
• A group project equivalent to 3000 words (65%, comprised of several components) due at the end of semester.

Hurdle requirement: Students must attend a minimum of 80% of classes in order to pass this subject. All pieces of written work must be submitted to pass this subject.

A reading list will be provided by the subject coordinator.

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.