Outline

Overview

Projects exist within the broader context of organisational strategy and objectives, and may be part of larger organisational constructs such as programs, portfolios, and organisational governance mechanisms. Effective governance has been identified as one of the most influential factors in the success of projects. It involves both the organisational governance of projects and individual project governance and includes setting structured frameworks of responsibilities and accountabilities for decision making, control and authorisation of projects. In this unit, students will learn the strengths of different approaches to governance, and ways of establishing governance systems to ensure alignment with organisational strategy, structure, culture and regulatory systems. Coverage will include the important role of the project sponsor, and how project managers can work effectively with sponsors and governance boards. Students will learn the relationship between governance, standards, and regulation, and the importance of establishing appropriate infrastructure and communication systems to support management of projects, programs and portfolios. The project delivery process will be addressed at a high level, within the broader context of strategic project definition at the front-end, and benefits realisation practices post-delivery. Organisational project management capability and the role of the Project Management Office will be explored, including the sharing of insights between projects for continuous improvement of project management practice.

Unit details and rules

Academic unit	Project Management
Credit points	6
Prerequisites ?	None
Corequisites ?	None
Prohibitions ?	PMGT5877
Assumed knowledge ?	None
Available to study abroad and exchange students	No

Teaching staff

Coordinator	Lynn Crawford, lynn.crawford@sydney.edu.au
Tutor(s)	Lynn Crawford, lynn.crawford@sydney.edu.au

Assessment

The census date for this unit availability is 14 March 2025

Details
Criteria

Type	Description	Weight	Due	Length
Assignment	Assignment 4 : Learning Activity Portfolio Various activities to support learning.	20%	Multiple weeks	Various durations
Outcomes assessed:
Assignment	Assignment 1a: Governance Framework Review Assignment (Upload)	0%	Week 02 Due date: 03 Mar 2025 at 23:59	Approx. 2 pages
Outcomes assessed:
Assignment	Assignment 1a & b: Governance Framework Review Assignment (upload)	30%	Week 04 Due date: 17 Mar 2025 at 23:59	Approx. 12-20 pages
Outcomes assessed:
Assignment	Assignment 2a : Capability Assessment Report Written report	20%	Week 06 Due date: 31 Mar 2025 at 23:59	Approx 20 pages
Outcomes assessed:
Presentation	Assignment 2b : Capability Assessment Presentation summarising findings and recommendations of report	10%	Week 06 Due date: 31 Mar 2025 at 23:59	10 minute presentation
Outcomes assessed:
Assignment	Assignment 3 : Capability Improvement Initiative Assignment (Upload)	20%	Week 08 Due date: 14 Apr 2025 at 23:59	2500 words
Outcomes assessed:
= hurdle task ? = group assignment ? = AI allowed ?

Assessment summary

Governance Framework Review (Individual): Select an organisation that does projects and analyse how they define projects, programs and portfolios; identify the governance roles and reporting lines, governance processes and other questions provided in a template, and provide a brief list of recommendations. Weight 30%

Capability Assessment Report (Group): Select from organisations that were explored in Assignment 1 and assess the organisational project management capability through the lens of an OPM capability assessment model. Identify gaps, recommend improvements and propose possible measures to determine effectiveness of any improvements. Weight 20%

CapabilityAssessment Presentation(Group): High level presentation (executive summary) of your capability assessment report with emphasis on key recommendations and measures. Weight 10%

Capability Improvement Initiative (Individual): Select one improvement initiative from the recommendations in your team's capability Assessment in Assignment 2 and then develop a detailed and justified improvement initiative proposal. Weight 20%

Learning Activity Portfolio (Individual): You will be asked to undertake a number of activities in your independent study each week. Some of these will have marks allocated to them. These activities form part of the Learning Activity Portfolio. If you diligently carry out all the Learning Activities providing evidence of learning, and submit by the due date it is possible to achieve full marks for this item of assessment.

Confidential Peer Evaluation:

As part of the assessment process for group work, collaborative and self-peer evaluation tools (e.g., SparkPlus) may be utilised, either confidentially or non-confidentially, to assess contributions and interactions among group members. Based on the outcomes of the peer evaluation process, individual team member marks may be adjusted accordingly.

Reliability of Canvas Marks:

Canvas will be used in this unit for the submission of key assessments; however, it should not be relied upon to determine or predict a student’s final marks. Not all assessment results may be visible to students, and group or team marks may be adjusted for individual members based on peer evaluations

Mark Moderation:

Statistically defensible moderation may be applied when combining marks from individual assessment components to ensure consistency between markers and alignment of final grades with the unit outcomes.

Assessment criteria

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 guide to grades.

Use of generative artificial intelligence (AI) and automated writing tools

Except for supervised exams or in-semester tests, you may use generative AI and automated writing tools in assessments unless expressly prohibited by your unit coordinator.

For exams and in-semester tests, the use of AI and automated writing tools is not allowed unless expressly permitted in the assessment instructions.

The icons in the assessment table above indicate whether AI is allowed – whether full AI, or only some AI (the latter is referred to as “AI restricted”). If no icon is shown, AI use is not permitted at all for the task. Refer to Canvas for full instructions on assessment tasks for this unit.

Your final submission must be your own, original work. You must acknowledge any use of automated writing tools or generative AI, and any material generated that you include in your final submission must be properly referenced. You may be required to submit generative AI inputs and outputs that you used during your assessment process, or drafts of your original work. Inappropriate use of generative AI is considered a breach of the Academic Integrity Policy and penalties may apply.

The Current Students website provides information on artificial intelligence in assessments. For help on how to correctly acknowledge the use of AI, please refer to the  AI in Education Canvas site.

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.

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	Governance Frameworks	Independent study (16 hr)
Week 01	Governance Frameworks: Live Session	Workshop (1.5 hr)
Week 02	Governance Mechanisms	Independent study (16 hr)
Week 02	Governance Mechanisms: Live Session	Workshop (1.5 hr)
Week 03	Organisational Project Management Capability	Independent study (16 hr)
Week 03	Organisational Project Management Capability: Live Session	Workshop (1.5 hr)
Week 04	Assessment, reporting and Benchmarking Organisational PM Capability	Independent study (16 hr)
Week 04	Assessment, reporting and Benchmarking Organisational PM Capability: Live Session	Workshop (1.5 hr)
Week 05	The PMO	Independent study (16 hr)
Week 05	The PMO: Live Session	Workshop (1.5 hr)
Week 06	Governance and OPM - Context and Implementation	Independent study (16 hr)
Week 06	Governance and OPM - Context and Implementation: Live Session	Workshop (1.5 hr)
Week 07	Final reading and assignment work	Independent study (16 hr)
Week 08	Final reading and assignment work.	Independent study (10 hr)

Attendance and class requirements

As per the Faculty of Engineering Coursework Awards Resolutions, students are expected to attend and actively engage in all timetabled activities of their respective units of study.

For this unit of study, students are expected to attend a minimum of 85 percent of timetabled activities. Exceptions to this requirement may be granted only by the Dean or the Head of School.

Failure to meet the minimum attendance requirement may result in a fail grade.

Heads of School, Program Directors and / or Unit of Study Coordinators may set additional assessment items where the attendance requirement differs from 85 percent.

Workshop Participation:

Students are required to engage in a professional manner during workshops. This includes being fully prepared by thoroughly reviewing and engaging with all materials provided by the Unit of Study Coordinator and / or teaching team prior to the workshop where applicable. Active participation in class activities, discussions, and team-based tasks is expected to ensure meaningful contributions and effective collaboration.

Students participating in learning activities, including workshops conducted remotely or online, are strongly encouraged to have their cameras turned on for the duration of the session. Failure to comply may result in a request to show cause. Continued non-compliance may be deemed as non-participation, which could impact assessment outcomes.

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

Text:

Müller, R., Drouin, N., & Sankaran, S. (2019). Organizational Project Management: Theory and Implementation. Edward Elgar Publishing - available online as an eBook in the University of Sydney Library.

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. Evaluate and select project governance framework, structures, processes, roles and responsibilities that align with the organisational structure, culture and context.
LO2. Assess and make recommendations for development and improvement of organisational infrastructure to support management of projects, programs and portfolios.
LO3. Recommend processes for establishing, monitoring and maintaining strategic alignment, project performance and benefits realisation.
LO4. Appraise legislation, regulations, codes of conduct, industry and professional standards relevant for compliance of projects.
LO5. Evaluate the governance and resourcing implications of procurement strategies and business models.

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.

Minor changes responding to feedback.

Additional information

Requests for References from Teaching Staff:

Unit of Study Coordinators and the teaching team for this unit are not obligated to, and typically will not, provide personal references for students.

Students requiring a letter of good standing should direct their request to the Student Centre as the first point of contact.

Support with Administrative / Enrolment Matters:

The Student Centre is the primary point of contact for students seeking assistance with administrative, enrolment, or timetable matters.

In certain cases, the School’s Administrative Team may be able to provide additional support and can be contacted at: project.management@sydney.edu.au.

Work, health and safety

Work Health and Safety

We are governed by the Work Health and Safety Act 2011, Work Health and Safety Regulation 2011 and Codes of Practice.

Everyone has a responsibility for health and safety at work. The University’s Work Health and Safety policy explains the responsibilities and expectations of workers and others, and the procedures for managing WHS risks associated with University activities.

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.

Current students

Overview

Overview

Unit details and rules

Teaching staff

Assessment

Assessment

Assessment summary

Assessment criteria

Use of generative artificial intelligence (AI) and automated writing tools

Late submission

Academic integrity

Learning support

Learning support

Simple extensions

Special consideration

Using AI responsibly

Support for students

Weekly schedule

Weekly schedule

Attendance and class requirements

Study commitment

Required readings

Learning outcomes

Learning outcomes

Graduate qualities

Outcome map

Responding to student feedback

Responding to student feedback

Additional information

Additional information

Work, health and safety

Disclaimer

On this page

Useful links

OPMG6877: Governance and Organisational PM

PG Online Session 1A, 2025 [Online] - Online Program

Overview

Overview

Unit details and rules

Teaching staff

Assessment

Assessment

Assessment summary

Assessment criteria

Use of generative artificial intelligence (AI) and automated writing tools

Late submission

Academic integrity

Learning support

Learning support

Simple extensions

Special consideration

Using AI responsibly

Support for students

Weekly schedule

Weekly schedule

Attendance and class requirements

Study commitment

Required readings

Learning outcomes

Learning outcomes

Graduate qualities

Outcome map

Responding to student feedback

Responding to student feedback

Additional information

Additional information

Work, health and safety

Disclaimer

On this page

Useful links