Project Management in Science

This subject has the following teaching availabilities in 2016:

200 hours

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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

Projects drive most modern science organisations. Learn how to plan and manage projects, and to relate to a client, team members, and to other stakeholders. The subject covers the processes and tools / techniques in project management as well as the ‘soft side’ of managing people in projects. The subject uses the project management body of knowledge (PMBOK) covering the competencies in project management including scope, time, cost, quality, resource, risk, communication and integration management.

INTENDED LEARNING OUTCOMES (ILO)

Having completed this subject the student is expected to be able to:

1. Plan a science consulting project
2. List and describe the stages of the project life cycle, and the tasks and deliverables for each stage
3. Describe and apply key processes in project management including risk management;
4. Apply various techniques in project execution and monitoring including diagramming techniques such as PERT charts, the critical path method and resource levelling
5. Describe and apply leadership and management capabilities required for managing projects.

1. A group assignment on writing a project charter, requiring approximately 13 - 15 hours or work (10%)
2. A group assignment involving an analysis of a project and a short oral presentation, requiring approximately 55 - 60 hours of work (45%)
3. An individual assignment applying skills in computerized project management tools, requiring approximately 13 - 15 hours of work (10%)
4. A closed book, 2 hour final exam (35%), requiring approximately 13 - 15 hours of work

None. Readings will be provided on-line.

This subject is not available as a breadth subject.

Students should have honed generic skills such as clear thinking, improved reading and writing, enhanced ability to work in a team of people, and presentation skills.

INDICATIVE CONTENT

The following content will be covered

• What is a project?
• Scooping
• Project Roles
• Planning a Project
• Budgeting and cost estimation
• Risk Management
• Documentation of Projects
• Organisational Structure and Culture
• Evaluating and ending projects

INDICATIVE KEY LEARNING RESOURCES

There will be no set text book but the following recommended texts are appropriate.

1. Schwalbe, K., Introduction to Project Management, Fourth Edition, Course Technology 2012 (or similar books by Schwalbe)
2. Gido and Clements., Successful Project Management, 5th ed., South-Western Cengage Learning, 2011.
3. Meredith, J and Mantel, S. Project Management: A Managerial Approach, 8th Ed., Wiley, 2012.

CAREERS / INDUSTRY LINKS

This subject is relevant to careers as project consultants and managers in scientific fields. Since many large science-based organizations today carry out significant project work there is a large on-going demand for people with knowledge of this topic from both private consulting and government run organizations. Students will develop real world skills that they can use in industry. There will be one or two lectures from invited practitioners from industry.