Outline

Overview

Successful projects require engagement of multiple stakeholders to gain cooperation and commitment. This in turn requires communication at multiple levels within and without the temporary organisation. This Unit covers principles of effective personal and project communication, facilitation processes, and stakeholder engagement. It includes the development of communication and stakeholder engagement strategies and plans and the development and maintenance of networks and alliances.

Unit details and rules

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

Teaching staff

Coordinator	Julien Pollack, julien.pollack@sydney.edu.au
Lecturer(s)	Julien Pollack, julien.pollack@sydney.edu.au

Type	Description	Weight	Due	Length
Assignment	Discussion Board Engagement with weekly content	30%	Multiple weeks	Posts of less than one page
Outcomes assessed:
Assignment	Teamwork Reflection Reflective work	25%	STUVAC Due date: 07 Jul 2024 at 23:59	Less than 2,000 words
Outcomes assessed:
Assignment	Building Trust Stories A short submitted video	15%	Week 01 Due date: 25 Sep 2024 at 18:30	A video of less than three minutes
Outcomes assessed:
Assignment	Communications Plan Submitted work	30%	Week 08 Due date: 13 Nov 2024 at 23:59	A video and a 1-page submission
Outcomes assessed:

Assessment summary

Assignment 1: Building Trust Stories. You will be asked to write a true personal story designed to rapidly build a sense of value, identity and trust. The story will be structured according to a template and form a component in building cohesion within the unit cohort.

Assignment 2: Discussion Board. Throughout the unit, you will be provided with a series of discussion board prompts, designed to help you engage with the class content and readings. You will be assessed based on your engagement with the material, and engagement with others students' posts.

Assignment 3: Teamwork Reflection (Individual). You will be working in teams for most of your workshop activities. In this assignment, you will use the models introduced in class to reflect on how your team has been interacting.

Assignment 4: Communications Plan (Group). You will bring together the many elements presented in this class to create a communications plan for a case study project.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION RELATED TO ASSESSMENT

Use of Generative AI:

At the University of Sydney, the use of generative AI for learning is permitted, however, use in assessments is prohibited unless explicitly allowed by your unit coordinator.

Your coordinator will let you know at the beginning of semester whether use of generative AI tools is permitted in their unit for assessment purposes. This means, if your unit coordinator has not addressed use of generative AI, you are not permitted to do so for the purposes of assessment.

Text-matching software for Assignment Submission:

As part of the assessment process, text matching software such as Turnitin may be used to identify plagiarism and/or be used for providing feedback.

Confidential Peer Evaluation:

As part of the group contribution assessment process, collaborative & self-peer evaluation tools (e.g. SparkPlus, CATME, etc.) may be used, either on a confidential or non-confidential basis, to understand contributions and interactions amongst group members. Marks may be adjusted for an individual team member, following on from the peer evaluation process.

Reliability of Canvas Marks:

Canvas will be used in this unit and while key assessments may be submitted via Canvas, it cannot be used to determine/ predict a student’s final marks in this unit. Not all assessment results may be visible to students and group/team marks can change for each individual team member based on the peer-evaluations conducted at the end of the semester.

Recycling Assignments Not Allowed:

Recycling involves submitting (or resubmitting) your own work that has already been assessed without the permission of the lecturer of this unit, and for which you have already been given feedback. Recycling is a form of academic dishonesty and will be handled in line with the coursework policy.

Mark Moderation:

There may be statistically defensible moderation when combining the marks from each component to ensure consistency of marking between markers, and alignment of final grades with unit outcomes.

Assessment criteria

A marking rubric will be provided for each assignment as part of the assignment brief. However, as a guide, the following can be helpful.

Pass - the assignment would be considered adequate in a professional setting;
Credit - the assignment would be credible, trustworthy or reliable in a professional setting;
Distinction - the assignment would be distinctive in a professional setting;
Hi distinction - the assignment would be highly distinctive in a professional setting.

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 5% penalty will be applied. For example, if you handed in your assignment one day late and it would have otherwise received a perfect mark of 100%, it will now receive 95%. If it would have received 50% it will now receive 47.5% (50 * .95). If you handed in your assignment three days late and it would have otherwise received a perfect mark of 100%, it will now receive 85%. If it would have received 50% it will now receive 42.5% (50 * .85).

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.

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

You may only use generative AI and automated writing tools in assessment tasks if you are permitted to by your unit coordinator. If you do use these tools, you must acknowledge this in your work, either in a footnote or an acknowledgement section. The assessment instructions or unit outline will give guidance of the types of tools that are permitted and how the tools should be used.

Your final submitted work must be your own, original work. You must acknowledge any use of generative AI tools that have been used in the assessment, and any material that forms part of your submission must be appropriately referenced. For guidance on how to acknowledge the use of AI, please refer to the AI in Education Canvas site.

The unapproved use of these tools or unacknowledged use will be considered a breach of the Academic Integrity Policy and penalties may apply.

Studiosity is permitted unless otherwise indicated by the unit coordinator. The use of this service must be acknowledged in your submission as detailed on the Learning Hub’s Canvas page.

Outside assessment tasks, generative AI tools may be used to support your learning. The AI in Education Canvas site contains a number of productive ways that students are using AI to improve their learning.

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	Persuasion and Influence	Independent study (14 hr)
Week 01	Persuasion and Influence	Workshop (1.5 hr)
Week 02	Stakeholder Analysis	Independent study (14 hr)
Week 02	Stakeholder Analysis	Workshop (1.5 hr)
Week 03	Communications Planning	Independent study (14 hr)
Week 03	Communications Planning	Workshop (1.5 hr)
Week 04	Conflict, Negotiation, Mediation and Feedback	Independent study (14 hr)
Week 04	Conflict, Negotiation, Mediation and Feedback	Workshop (1.5 hr)
Week 05	Organisational Storytelling and Structuring Information	Independent study (14 hr)
Week 05	Organisational Storytelling and Structuring Information	Workshop (1.5 hr)
Week 06	Delivery, Presentation and Elegance in Writing	Independent study (14 hr)
Week 06	Delivery, Presentation and Elegance in Writing	Workshop (1.5 hr)
Week 07	Final Reading and Assignment Work	Independent study (14 hr)
Week 08	Final reading and assignment work	Independent study (14 hr)

Attendance and class requirements

Study Commitment:
Typically, there is a minimum expectation of 120-150 hours of student effort for a 6-credit point Unit.

Attendance Requirements:
Attendance, active engagement and contribution to the online Live Sessions is required.

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 90 percent of timetabled activities for a unit of study unless granted exception by the Dean or Head of School most concerned. A student may be determined to fail a unit of study because of inadequate attendance. Alternatively, at their discretion, they may set additional assessment items where attendance is lower than 90 percent.

Workshop Participation:

It is expected that students turn on the cameras during online workshops. Failure to do so, will result in the student being requested to show cause and failure to comply could be viewed as non-participation for assessment purposes.

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. Identify, analyse interests and expectations and develop plans for engagement of stakeholders
LO2. Develop and evaluate options and alternatives with the potential to meet the needs of all parties
LO3. Build networks and relationships
LO4. Apply facilitation techniques to advance the project, program or portfolio
LO5. Mediate and resolve conflicts and crises and/or their impact
LO6. Formulate communication strategies that are tailored to the needs of the audience and foster engagement
LO7. Devise and develop personal and organisational approaches that promote open and effective communications

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 is the first time this unit has been offered.

Additional information

Work, health and safety

The University is dedicated to ensuring that all students have equal access to learning. Students can register with Disability Services and gain access to the adjustments and services they need to succeed in their studies. Faculty Disability Liaison Officers (FDLOs) can provide quick advice and support specific to your learning environment. As a student with a disability, Disability Services Officers are your main point of contact. Eligibility for these services is determined on an individual needs basis, upon review of the recommendations made in your supporting documentation and your consultation with a Disability Services Officer.

Our students’ wellbeing is our highest priority. The University offers several support channels to help you find relief from current emotional distress, explore coping strategies and advice pathways for longer term solutions:

Wellbeing support

If you would like support or to talk confidentially about any concerns that may be impacting on your academic performance or mental health and wellbeing with the Student Wellbeing team, the first step is to fill in this form. Once your form is received, a clinician from Student Wellbeing will call you within 1-2 business days to discuss your support needs.

Sonder

All University of Sydney International Students have free access to Sonder, a 24/7 on-demand safety and wellbeing app, to get you the support you need whenever you need, wherever you are.

Learn more: sydney.edu.au/students/sonder.html

Innowell

This is free to all students at the University. It is a digital platform designed to give you 24/7 on demand access to tools that assist in self-management of mental wellbeing and health and provide information about how to seek help as needed.

Learn more: sydney.edu.au/students/innowell.html

After hours mental wellbeing support line

If you’re in Australia and require support after hours, you can contact the Mental Wellbeing Support Line by calling 1300 474 065 or by texting 0488 884 429.

The Mental Wellbeing Support Line is available after 5pm from Monday to Friday, 24 hours on Saturday and Sunday, and during University close-down periods and public holidays.

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

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

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

OPMG6878: Communications and Stakeholder Engagement

Semester 2b, 2024 [Online] - Online Program

Overview

Overview

Unit details and rules

Teaching staff

Assessment

Assessment

Assessment summary

Assessment criteria

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

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