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Unit of study_

ENGG5812: Project Delivery Approaches

Semester 1, 2021 [Normal day] - Camperdown/Darlington, Sydney

This unit develops skills in critically evaluating different project management methods and tools in relation to the complex systems environments that they are required to manage. Students will work on project case studies and be given the opportunity to consider different contemporary project delivery approaches and the relationship with both benefits and organisational change management. Lean Six Sigma, PRINCE2, PMBoK, agile methods and others will be examined in addition to hybrid models that blend more than one framework or method. The unit targets the higher analytical capabilities required at Practitioner to Manager levels (Levels 3 to 4) on the Project Management Learning Progression Table, addressing the critical thinking and systems thinking dimensions of Project Methods, Project Development, Project Communication and Project Delivery. The distinguishing quality of thinking at this level is its systematic character, working from a broad-based theoretical and practical understanding of the project delivery environment. The unit will go beyond what the approaches are and critically explore how to select the most suitable delivery method for your project. The aim at this level is not only to formulate reasonable and critical responses to a given problem, but also to articulate thorough and conclusive assessments for the development of tailored project delivery approaches that combine elements from different project delivery systems and methodologies. You need to identify key elements of the project and organise them into a coherent and persuasive argument about the recommended project delivery approach, encompassing consideration of the various risks, benefits, costs and processes involved. The unit builds upon the skills of complex problem analysis developed at a more basic level in Critical and Systems Thinking and together with this unit forms a two-part sequence dealing with the analytical abilities required in determining specific project delivery approaches for complex projects with different characteristics. Students enrolling in this unit are expected to have already developed a basic level of ability in forming and communicating critical judgments regarding complex problem situations through completion of the Critical and Systems Thinking unit or equivalent.

Unit details and rules

Unit code ENGG5812
Academic unit Project Management
Credit points 6
Prohibitions
? 
None
Prerequisites
? 
None
Corequisites
? 
None
Assumed knowledge
? 

None

Available to study abroad and exchange students

Yes

Teaching staff

Coordinator Karyne Ang, karyne.ang@sydney.edu.au
Lecturer(s) Chris Lawler, chris.lawler@sydney.edu.au
Type Description Weight Due Length
Assignment Academic sources and critical analysis
Annotated bibliography and analysis. See assessment guideline on Canvas.
25% Week 03
Due date: 21 Mar 2021 at 23:59
n/a
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO10 LO9 LO7 LO3 LO2
Presentation group assignment Showcase
Supported by work undertaken during workshops. See Canvas for more detail.
20% Week 08
Due date: 26 Apr 2021 at 23:59
n/a
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6 LO7 LO8 LO9 LO10
Creative assessment / demonstration Learning reflection video blog
Questions that reflect on weekly content and progressive learning.
30% Week 10
Due date: 16 May 2021 at 23:59
n/a
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO10 LO9 LO8 LO7 LO6 LO5 LO4 LO3
Online task Short answer and multiple choice test
Short answer and multiple choice on Canvas held during workshop session.
25% Week 13 70 minutes
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO10 LO9 LO8 LO7 LO6 LO5 LO4 LO3 LO2
group assignment = group assignment ?

Assessment summary

Academic Sources & Critical Analysis (25%) - This assignment will guide you in reviewing some of the most current research and is a foundation for undertaking critical analysis. You are asked to select from a range of topics and use articles for a set list of journals.

Showcase (20%) - This group task is the culmination of your weekly workshop activities however it is anticipated your group will spend some additional time outside of class to further research and refine key outputs. The Showcase event occurs during normal workshop times in Week 8.

Learning reflection interviews & video blog (30%) You will be provided with a set of questions that ask you to reflect on your team and learning activities. These will assist you to connect the online content and the workshop activities at a deeper level of learning. This activity will include video blogging and live interviews with the teaching team. 

Short Answer and Multiple Choice Quiz (25%) The test is comprised of multiple / multi choice questions and challenging short answer questions covering the entire unit content. The short answer questions are targeted at the deepest level of learning and require you to demonstrate some sophisticated insight into the unit themes. Detailed information for each assessment can be found on Canvas.

Assessment criteria

The University awards common result grades, set out in the Coursework Policy 2014 (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

 

Distinction

75 - 84

 

Credit

65 - 74

 

Pass

50 - 64

 

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.

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:

For every calendar day up to and including ten calendar days after the due date, a penalty of 5% of the maximum awardable marks will be applied to late work. The penalty will be calculated by first marking the work, and then subtracting 5% of the maximum awardable mark for each calendar day after the due date. Example: Consider an assignment's maximum awardable mark is 10; the assignment is submitted 2 days late; and the assignment is marked as 7/10. After applying the penalty, marks will be: 7 - (0.5 x 2) = 6/10. For work submitted more than ten calendar days after the due date a mark of zero will be awarded. The marker may elect to, but is not required to, provide feedback on such work. Refer to section 7A of Assessment procedures policy available at: http://sydney.edu.au/policies/showdoc.aspx?recnum=PDOC2012/267&RendNum=0

Academic integrity

The Current Student website  provides information on academic integrity and the resources available to all students. The University expects students and staff to act ethically and honestly and will treat all allegations of academic integrity breaches seriously.  

We use similarity detection software to detect potential instances of plagiarism or other forms of academic integrity breach. If such matches indicate evidence of plagiarism or other forms of academic integrity breaches, your teacher is required to report your work for further investigation.

You may only use artificial intelligence and writing assistance tools in assessment tasks if you are permitted to by your unit coordinator, and if you do use them, you must also acknowledge this in your work, either in a footnote or an acknowledgement section.

Studiosity is permitted for postgraduate units unless otherwise indicated by the unit coordinator. The use of this service must be acknowledged in your submission.

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.

WK Topic Learning activity Learning outcomes
Ongoing Independent study guided by the online content & lectures. You are expected to undertake 8 - 10 hours per week of independent study in addition to the workshops. Independent study (100 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6 LO7 LO8 LO9 LO10
Week 01 1. Introduction; 2. Overview of project approaches; 3. Definitions; 4. Working in diverse teams Workshop (2 hr) LO1
Week 02 1. Strategy, benefits and organisational change management; 2. PMBOK, PRINCE2; 3. Standards and bodies of knowledge Workshop (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4
Week 03 1. Waterfall, agile, hybrid; 2. Lean and Six Sigma; 3. Constant innovation of practice Workshop (2 hr) LO1 LO5 LO6
Week 04 1. Industry specific project management: construction, IT, government and In House methods; 2. Contracting and procurement models; 3. Crowdsourcing Workshop (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO6 LO9 LO10
Week 05 1. Agile: a closer inspection; 2. Methods, tools and principles in action Workshop (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO6
Week 06 Benefits management and organsiational change management: a closer inspection Workshop (2 hr) LO3 LO6 LO7 LO8
Week 07 1. Project structures and deployment models; 2. Project, program, PMO and portfolios; 3. Deployment models: big bang, rolling wave Workshop (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO7 LO10
Week 08 1. Project complexity and complication; 2. Risks and issues of your approach; 3. Project governance Workshop (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO7
Week 09 1. Sustainability and project management; 2. Workplace health and safety; 3. Privacy, data security and compliance; 4. Business writing Workshop (2 hr) LO6 LO7 LO8 LO9
Week 10 1. Project people and capability; 2. Professionalism, ethics, certifications and qualifications; 3. Professional associations; 4. Integrating, remaining current, emergent and innovating approaches; 5. Lessons learned, knowledge management and closure Workshop (2 hr) LO7 LO8 LO9
Week 11 Recap and consolidation Workshop (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6 LO7 LO8 LO9 LO10
Week 12 Integration, evaluation, synthesis and creativity - unifying the unit themes. Workshop (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6 LO7 LO8 LO9 LO10
Week 13 A4 assignment scheduled Workshop (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6 LO7 LO8 LO9 LO10

Attendance and class requirements

SPECIAL NOTES:

This unit has for the last few years been delivered using a blend of virtual, online and workshop. This has meant we are in an excellent position to work with any aspects of travel restrictions.  VIRTUAL or ONLINE is a major feature of this unit. We have found enormous success in working in an online and distributed way and our goal in this unit is to extend your skills in modern ways of working globally.

Some Sydney face to face workshops will be scheduled only if:

  • it is safe to do so under any COVID-19 requirements
  • Sydney based students support it

A substantial part of this unit is based on the experiences and outputs from the weekly workshops. This makes regular attendance of high importance.

Please note there is not always a direct relationship between the week’s workshop activity and the online module. However, these become more unified by the time we reach the culminating Showcase (A2) and Reflection/Review (A3). All content is integrated into the final in-class quiz (A4).

ADDITIONAL VIRTUAL SESSIONS

Zoom meetings with either the lecturer or a marker will also be available to support all student groups undertaking the large Group activity and the following interviews.

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.

Required readings

All readings for this unit can be accessed through the Library eReserve, available on Canvas.

Agile Practice Guide (PMI 2017)  is the set text.

Readings and lectures are integrated within the material on Canvas. You are expected to study these as part of your independent study time each week.

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.

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

  • LO1. critically evaluate the different contemporary project delivery frameworks and methodologies including Lean Six Sigma, the PMBoK Project Lifecycle, Agile methods and others
  • LO2. provide due consideration to project characteristics and contexts in selecting and adapting different project delivery frameworks and methodologies
  • LO3. critically evaluate differing project delivery approaches and their impact on benefits, change, strategy implementation, risk, governance and the triple constraint
  • LO4. provide due consideration to stakeholder characteristics and contexts in selecting and adapting different change, benefits, governance and risk management approaches
  • LO5. provide recommendations and provide thorough and convincing rationale for choice of project delivery approaches for different projects
  • LO6. adapt and combine differing project delivery methodologies for application to projects in different contexts in order to deliver specific project outputs and outcomes (benefits)
  • LO7. apply critical thinking skills and complex decision making frameworks within a project management context in order to prepare and deliver presentations to senior stakeholders
  • LO8. provide due consideration to contributing to PM knowledge and promoting PM best practice within the project team
  • LO9. critically evaluate developments in PM knowledge and professional practice across a broad range of sources, and advises on operational implications
  • LO10. critically evaluate project contracting and procurement approaches with due regard for overall project goals, dependencies and business value.

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
GQ1 GQ2 GQ3 GQ4 GQ5 GQ6 GQ7 GQ8 GQ9

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

Following feedback from students, we have added in an additional session to develop skills in how to respond to the short answers in the final assessment. Working online and holding group-based support sessions with teams has been very popular so this will continue where staffing levels permit.

Microphones and webcams will be required for online sessions, especially for group work in Zoom breakout rooms.

Disclaimer

The University reserves the right to amend units of study or no longer offer certain units, including where there are low enrolment numbers.

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