Outline

Overview

In today’s fast-paced digital economy, project management is a core capability for leading successful technology-driven strategies. This unit equips students with the tools and mindset to lead high-performing teams in complex, fast-changing environments shaped by disruptive innovation. Focusing on the realities of advanced digital projects, students explore modern methodologies including Agile, DevOps, and CI/CD, alongside key practices such as design thinking, SCRUM, stakeholder engagement, forecasting, and risk management. Interactive discussions, hands-on exercises, and collaborative projects enable students to refine their technical and planning capabilities. For example, with an immersive “shadow boxing” approach, students face real-world dilemmas, make critical decisions, and see the consequences unfold—building practical, strategic, and leadership skills. Designed for those aiming to become product managers, project leaders, product owners, or transformation agents, the unit blends interactive discussion, hands-on tasks, and collaborative projects. It emphasises delivering outstanding customer experience (CX) and service design (SD) within high-stakes digital environments. By the end of the unit, students are equipped to lead digital transformation initiatives, manage emerging technologies, and drive sustainable, meaningful innovation.

Unit details and rules

Academic unit	Business Information Systems
Credit points	6
Prerequisites ?	None
Corequisites ?	At least 18 credit points of DMBA units, including DMBA6001
Prohibitions ?	None
Assumed knowledge ?	None
Available to study abroad and exchange students	No

Teaching staff

Coordinator	Mike Seymour, mike.seymour@sydney.edu.au

Assessment

The census date for this unit availability is 31 August 2026

Details
Criteria

Type	Description	Weight	Due	Length	Use of AI
Case studies	User stories Record a short video in which you present a set of user stories.	25%	Week 04 Due date: 30 Aug 2026 at 23:59 Closing date: 09 Sep 2026	10 minutes (minimum 5 user stories)	AI allowed
Outcomes assessed:
Portfolio or journal	Reflective Journal Costing and the importance of project estimation.	20%	Week 08 Due date: 27 Sep 2026 at 23:59 Closing date: 07 Oct 2026	1000 words	AI allowed
Outcomes assessed:
Presentation	Group Presentation with Q&A Students are to form a group of 4 for their presentation. Each student will speak for 3.5 mins each. Q&A will follow for up to 4 mins.	20%	Week 10 Due date: 18 Oct 2026 at 23:59 Closing date: 18 Oct 2026	20 mins	AI allowed
Outcomes assessed:
Interactive oral	Oral Assessment (Interactive) An interactive oral will be conducted on the main concepts learnt. This will take the form of a professional conversation between student and coordinator lasting no more than 15 mins. Students cannot make use of aids during the secure assessment.	35%	Week 12 Due date: 01 Nov 2026 at 23:59 Closing date: 11 Nov 2026	15 min	AI prohibited
Outcomes assessed:
= group assignment ?

Assessment summary

Case studies: Record a short video in which you present a set of user stories.

Presentation: Students are to form a group of 4 for their presentation. Each student will speak for 3.5 mins each. Q&A will follow for up to 4 mins.

Portfolio or journal: Costing and the importance of project estimation.

Interactive oral: An interactive oral will be conducted on the main concepts learnt. This will take the form of a professional conversation between student and coordinator lasting no more than 15 mins. Students cannot make use of aids during the secure assessment.

Assessment criteria

The University awards common result grades, set out in the Coursework Policy (Schedule 1).

As a general guide, a high distinction indicates work of an exceptional standard, a distinction a very high standard, a credit a good standard, and a pass an acceptable standard.

Result name	Mark range	Description
High distinction	85 - 100	Awarded when you demonstrate the learning outcomes for the unit at an exceptional standard, as defined by grade descriptors or exemplars outlined by your faculty or school.
Distinction	75 - 84	Awarded when you demonstrate the learning outcomes for the unit at a very high standard, as defined by grade descriptors or exemplars outlined by your faculty or school.
Credit	65 - 74	Awarded when you demonstrate the learning outcomes for the unit at a good standard, as defined by grade descriptors or exemplars outlined by your faculty or school.
Pass	50 - 64	Awarded when you demonstrate the learning outcomes for the unit at an acceptable standard, as defined by grade descriptors or exemplars outlined by your faculty or school.
Fail	0 - 49	When you don’t meet the learning outcomes of the unit to a satisfactory standard.

For more information see sydney.edu.au/students/guide-to-grades.

For more information see guide to grades.

Use of generative artificial intelligence (AI)

You can use generative AI tools for open assessments. Restrictions on AI use apply to secure, supervised assessments used to confirm if students have met specific learning outcomes.

Refer to the assessment table above to see if AI is allowed, for assessments in this unit and check Canvas for full instructions on assessment tasks and AI use.

If you use AI, you must always acknowledge it. Misusing AI may lead to a breach of the Academic Integrity Policy.

Visit the Current Students website for more information on AI in assessments, including details on how to acknowledge its use.

Late submission

In accordance with University policy, these penalties apply when written work is submitted after 11:59pm on the due date:

Deduction of 5% of the maximum mark for each calendar day after the due date.
After ten calendar days late, a mark of zero will be awarded.

This unit has an exception to the standard University policy or supplementary information has been provided by the unit coordinator. This information is displayed below:

Late penalties will be applied per University policy.

Academic integrity

The University expects students to act ethically and honestly and will treat all allegations of academic integrity breaches seriously.

Our website provides information on academic integrity and the resources available to all students. This includes advice on how to avoid common breaches of academic integrity. Ensure that you have completed the Academic Honesty Education Module (AHEM) which is mandatory for all commencing coursework students

Penalties for serious breaches can significantly impact your studies and your career after graduation. It is important that you speak with your unit coordinator if you need help with completing assessments.

Visit the Current Students website for more information on AI in assessments, including details on how to acknowledge its use.

Learning support

Simple extensions

If you encounter a problem submitting your work on time, you may be able to apply for an extension of five calendar days through a simple extension.  The application process will be different depending on the type of assessment and extensions cannot be granted for some assessment types like exams.

Special consideration

If exceptional circumstances mean you can’t complete an assessment, you need consideration for a longer period of time, or if you have essential commitments which impact your performance in an assessment, you may be eligible for special consideration or special arrangements.

Special consideration applications will not be affected by a simple extension application.

Using AI responsibly

Co-created with students, AI in Education includes lots of helpful examples of how students use generative AI tools to support their learning. It explains how generative AI works, the different tools available and how to use them responsibly and productively.

Support for students

The Support for Students Policy reflects the University’s commitment to supporting students in their academic journey and making the University safe for students. It is important that you read and understand this policy so that you are familiar with the range of support services available to you and understand how to engage with them.

The University uses email as its primary source of communication with students who need support under the Support for Students Policy. Make sure you check your University email regularly and respond to any communications received from the University.

Learning resources and detailed information about weekly assessment and learning activities can be accessed via Canvas. It is essential that you visit your unit of study Canvas site to ensure you are up to date with all of your tasks.

If you are having difficulties completing your studies, or are feeling unsure about your progress, we are here to help. You can access the support services offered by the University at any time:

Support and Services (including health and wellbeing services, financial support and learning support)
Course planning and administration
Meet with an Academic Adviser

Weekly schedule

WK	Topic	Learning activity
Week 01	Intro and overview, introduction to the project management	Workshop (2 hr)
Week 01	Intro and overview, introduction to the project management	Self-directed learning (2 hr)
Week 02	Introduction to Agile Project Management, CX and SD	Workshop (2 hr)
Week 02	Introduction to Agile Project Management, CX and SD	Self-directed learning (2 hr)
Week 03	Project Scope what is it? How do I Do the Right thing, then Do it Right?	Workshop (2 hr)
Week 03	Project Scope what is it? How do I Do the Right thing, then Do it Right?	Self-directed learning (2 hr)
Week 04	Scheduling, and Design Sprints 5.Project life cycles, and Service Design	Workshop (2 hr)
Week 04	Scheduling, and Design Sprints 5.Project life cycles, and Service Design	Self-directed learning (2 hr)
Week 05	Project life cycles, and Service Design	Workshop (2 hr)
Week 05	Project life cycles, and Service Design	Self-directed learning (2 hr)
Week 06	Costing and importance of cost management. Answering: “How’s it going?”	Workshop (2 hr)
Week 06	Costing and importance of cost management. Answering: “How’s it going?”	Self-directed learning (2 hr)
Week 07	Risk management (with CI/CD)	Workshop (2 hr)
Week 07	Risk management (with CI/CD)	Self-directed learning (2 hr)
Week 08	Stakeholder management and expectation management.	Workshop (2 hr)
Week 08	Stakeholder management and expectation management.	Self-directed learning (2 hr)
Week 09	Project Quality Assurance and Quality Control	Workshop (2 hr)
Week 09	Project Quality Assurance and Quality Control	Self-directed learning (2 hr)
Week 10	Putting the Package together as a Project.	Workshop (2 hr)
Week 10	Putting the Package together as a Project.	Self-directed learning (2 hr)

Study commitment

Typically, there is a minimum expectation of 1.5-2 hours of student effort per week per credit point for units of study offered over a full semester. For a 6 credit point unit, this equates to roughly 120-150 hours of student effort in total.

Learning outcomes

Learning outcomes are what students know, understand and are able to do on completion of a unit of study. They are aligned with the University's graduate qualities and are assessed as part of the curriculum.

Outcomes
Graduate qualities

At the completion of this unit, you should be able to:

LO1. Critically evaluate key principles, theories, concepts, and contemporary debates in Project Management, providing informed perspectives
LO2. Apply agile project management methodologies and ethical frameworks to effectively design customer-centric experiences and services
LO3. Apply strategic planning methods and data analysis techniques to critically evaluate business project viability and outcomes
LO4. Employ Agile design sprints and Scrum methodologies to effectively develop innovative, technology-driven projects
LO5. Effectively present, justify and engage diverse stakeholders, senior management and clients with detailed project plans, proposals, and outcomes

Graduate qualities

The graduate qualities are the qualities and skills that all University of Sydney graduates must demonstrate on successful completion of an award course. As a future Sydney graduate, the set of qualities have been designed to equip you for the contemporary world.

GQ1	Depth of disciplinary expertise Deep disciplinary expertise is the ability to integrate and rigorously apply knowledge, understanding and skills of a recognised discipline defined by scholarly activity, as well as familiarity with evolving practice of the discipline.
GQ2	Critical thinking and problem solving Critical thinking and problem solving are the questioning of ideas, evidence and assumptions in order to propose and evaluate hypotheses or alternative arguments before formulating a conclusion or a solution to an identified problem.
GQ3	Oral and written communication Effective communication, in both oral and written form, is the clear exchange of meaning in a manner that is appropriate to audience and context.
GQ4	Information and digital literacy Information and digital literacy is the ability to locate, interpret, evaluate, manage, adapt, integrate, create and convey information using appropriate resources, tools and strategies.
GQ5	Inventiveness Generating novel ideas and solutions.
GQ6	Cultural competence Cultural Competence is the ability to actively, ethically, respectfully, and successfully engage across and between cultures. In the Australian context, this includes and celebrates Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures, knowledge systems, and a mature understanding of contemporary issues.
GQ7	Interdisciplinary effectiveness Interdisciplinary effectiveness is the integration and synthesis of multiple viewpoints and practices, working effectively across disciplinary boundaries.
GQ8	Integrated professional, ethical, and personal identity An integrated professional, ethical and personal identity is understanding the interaction between one’s personal and professional selves in an ethical context.
GQ9	Influence Engaging others in a process, idea or vision.

Outcome map

Learning outcomes	Graduate qualities
Learning outcomes

Responding to student feedback

This section outlines changes made to this unit following staff and student reviews.

This unit is being offered for the first time in 2026.

Disclaimer

Important: the University of Sydney regularly reviews units of study and reserves the right to change the units of study available annually. To stay up to date on available study options, including unit of study details and availability, refer to the relevant handbook.

To help you understand common terms that we use at the University, we offer an online glossary.

Current students

Overview

Overview

Unit details and rules

Teaching staff

Assessment

Assessment

Assessment summary

Assessment criteria

Use of generative artificial intelligence (AI)

Late submission

Academic integrity

Learning support

Learning support

Simple extensions

Special consideration

Using AI responsibly

Support for students

Weekly schedule

Weekly schedule

Study commitment

Learning outcomes

Learning outcomes

Graduate qualities

Outcome map

Responding to student feedback

Responding to student feedback

Disclaimer

On this page

Useful links

DMBA6005: Agile Project Development

Semester 2, 2026 [Online] - Camperdown/Darlington, Sydney

Overview

Overview

Unit details and rules

Teaching staff

Assessment

Assessment

Assessment summary

Assessment criteria

Use of generative artificial intelligence (AI)

Late submission

Academic integrity

Learning support

Learning support

Simple extensions

Special consideration

Using AI responsibly

Support for students

Weekly schedule

Weekly schedule

Study commitment

Learning outcomes

Learning outcomes

Graduate qualities

Outcome map

Responding to student feedback

Responding to student feedback

Disclaimer

On this page

Useful links