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Unit of study_

INFS5001: Project Management

Semester 1, 2020 [Normal evening] - Camperdown/Darlington, Sydney

Based on the Project Management Body of Knowledge (PMBOK) this unit introduces the end-to-end project management lifecycle. Students learn how to select appropriate projects based on their alignment with an organisation's strategy and then how to manage those projects successfully from initiation through execution to completion. The unit covers the essential components of effective project management and how to apply them in an integrated manner. The unit also explores both the technical and behavioural aspects of project management - including Microsoft Project - and students gain experience in critically analysing the application of concepts in specific project contexts. As organisations increasingly structure their activities on a project basis, the unit is of value to a range of discipline specialisations. The unit can also contribute to the achievement of internationally recognised accreditation from the Project Management Institute (PMI).

Unit details and rules

Unit code INFS5001
Academic unit Business Information Systems
Credit points 6
Prohibitions
? 
INFS6014
Prerequisites
? 
None
Corequisites
? 
None
Assumed knowledge
? 

None

Available to study abroad and exchange students

Yes

Teaching staff

Coordinator Peter Kavalamthara, peter.kavalamthara@sydney.edu.au
Type Description Weight Due Length
Assignment Individual assignment 2
Written task
40% Formal exam period
Due date: 13 Jun 2020 at 14:42

Closing date: 16 Jun 2020
2500 words
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO3
Assignment Individual assignment 1
Written task
30% Week 09
Due date: 08 May 2020 at 23:59

Closing date: 18 May 2020
1200 words
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO4 LO3 LO2
Assignment group assignment Group assignment
Case study
30% Week 11
Due date: 22 May 2020 at 23:59

Closing date: 01 Jun 2020
2500 words
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4
group assignment = group assignment ?

Assessment summary

  • Individual assignment 1: Based on individual research on the implementation of project management practices in industry and lessons from a given case, students are required to identify key challenges in instituting best practices in project management in an organisation and how these challenges may be overcome.
  • Individual assignment 2: Students will research project management concepts and practices and prepare an analytical report.
  • Group assignment: Students are required to apply analytical techniques fundamental to professional project management. Also, based on a case study and their own independent research, students are required to identify key lessons that can be learnt from a project with regard to PMBOK knowledge areas and discuss how/if a systematic approach may have helped.

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

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.

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.

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
Week 01 Project management overview Lecture (3 hr)  
Week 02 Project selection and planning Lecture (3 hr)  
Week 03 Planning, scheduling and costing 1 Lecture (3 hr)  
Week 04 Planning, scheduling and costing 2 (lab) Lecture (3 hr)  
Week 05 Organisation, manager and team: HR management Lecture (3 hr)  
Week 06 Managing stakeholders and communication Lecture (3 hr)  
Week 07 Managing project risk Lecture (3 hr)  
Week 08 Assignment workshop Workshop (3 hr)  
Week 09 Managing project quality Lecture (3 hr)  
Week 10 Project procurement Lecture (3 hr)  
Week 11 Project manager and project integration Lecture (3 hr)  
Week 12 Controlling and executing the project Lecture (3 hr)  
Week 13 Review and exam preparation Lecture (3 hr)  

Attendance and class requirements

Lecture recordings: All lectures and seminars are recorded and will be available on Canvas for student use. Please note the Business School does not own the system and cannot guarantee that the system will operate or that every class will be recorded. Students should ensure they attend and participate in all classes.

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

Pinto, J.K. (2016) Project Management: Achieving Competitive Advantage, (4th ed.). Prentice Hall.

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

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. apply the PMBOK (Project Management Body of Knowledge) knowledge areas for project management planning
  • LO2. create a project plan applying relevant project management techniques, including MS project and critical path analysis
  • LO3. conceptualise and understand factors affecting the team processes in projects and critically analyse your assumptions for managing projects to formulate effective strategies to manage projects
  • LO4. engage in active learning and team collaboration of case studies to identify and critically assess project challenges, success factors and the applicability of PMBOK.

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.

No changes have been made since this unit was last offered.

Disclaimer

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