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Unit outline_

PMGT3612: Agile Project Management

Intensive June - July, 2021 [Block mode] - Remote

Agile project methodologies, were initially developed for small IT projects and gained popularity following the publication of the Agile Manifesto. With the demand for shorter delivery timescales and organisational agility, the popularity of agile approaches has rapidly increased across industries and project scales. This Unit provides students with a grounding in the SCRUM methodology, one of the most widely recognised approaches to Agile, leading to an option for industry certification.

Unit details and rules

Academic unit Project Management
Credit points 6
Prerequisites
? 
PMGT1711 and [30cp 1000 level of any UoS] and WAM >= 65
Corequisites
? 
None
Prohibitions
? 
None
Assumed knowledge
? 

None

Available to study abroad and exchange students

Yes

Teaching staff

Coordinator Julien Pollack, julien.pollack@sydney.edu.au
Lecturer(s) Rowan Bunning, rowan.bunning@sydney.edu.au
Type Description Weight Due Length
Online task Multiple Choice Test
Test on understanding the first 1/4 of workshop content
10% Week 03
Due date: 06 Jul 2021 at 16:30
30 mins maximum
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO3
Online task Mid-Unit Test
Test on understanding the first 1/2 of workshop content
20% Week 04
Due date: 13 Jul 2021 at 09:00

Closing date: 13 Jul 2021
90 minutes maximum
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO3
Assignment Individual Literature Review
Video presentation on case study
15% Week 04
Due date: 16 Jul 2021 at 17:00
6-8 mins
Outcomes assessed: LO1
Assignment group assignment Group Literature Review
Group written essay comparing case studies
15% Week 06
Due date: 23 Jul 2021 at 17:00
Essay of up to 4,000 words
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2
Online task Scrum Exam
Test on understanding all Scrum related content in the unit
30% Week 06
Due date: 30 Jul 2021 at 15:30
90 minutes
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO3
Assignment group assignment Team Reflection
An examination of the behaviours of your team, considered in light of Scrum
10% Week 07
Due date: 03 Aug 2021 at 17:00
Written submission
Outcomes assessed: LO2
group assignment = group assignment ?

Assessment summary

Multiple-choice Test (10%). This is a multiple-choice test on Agile and Scrum topics studied on day 1. This is to be taken online during class time.

Mid Unit Test (20%). This is a combination multiple-choice and short answer test on topics studied on topics studied to and including day 2. This is to be taken online outside of class time.

Individual Literature Review (15%). This is a 6-8 min video of you responding to a series of questions about one case study and other readings on Agile principles (worth 15%). Details of the case studies and readings will be provided prior to conclusion of day 2.

Group Literature Review (15%). This is an essay written collaboratively by your group comparing all case studies studied by group members from the perspective of Agile principles and practices.

Scrum Exam (30%). This is a multiple-choice test on Agile, Scrum theory, Scrum values, Scrum events, Scrum artefacts and Scrum roles. This is to be taken online during day 4 class time.

Passing this Unit is not dependent on passing or even taking the Scrum Alliance's Certified ScrumMaster® (CSM) certification. The Certified ScrumMaster certification is optional within a 90 day period after conclusion of the Unit. 

Team Reflection (10%). This involves written submissions on the behaviour of your team since session 1 as pertain to how it identified and formulated measurable means of assessing its performance and opportunities for improvement as well as its follow-through on these.

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 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.

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.

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
Progressive Independent preparation, study, and assessment Independent study (70 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3
Week 03 Workshop 1: Scrum Values, Applicability of Agile, Agile Methods, Agile Value and Principles, and Lean Principles Workshop (7.5 hr) LO1 LO3
Workshop 2: Scrum Overall, Empiricism, Events, Scrum Roles, and Team Development Workshop (7.5 hr) LO1 LO3
Week 06 Workshop 3: Scrum Artefacts, Progress Tracking, The Sprint, Service to the Scrum Team, and Sprint Planning Scrum Practical Sprint Retrospective Workshop (7.5 hr) LO2 LO3
Workshop 4: Agile Project Initiation, Service to the Product Owner, Definition of Done, Development Practices, and Leadership Organisational Change Workshop (7.5 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3

Attendance and class requirements

Study commitment: This unit is delivered through online learning modules. For the majority of the semester, you will be led through the theory of strategic delivery of change through videos, readings and online discussion. The online delivery has been designed to allow some flexibility in how you engage with the material, althrough there is a minimum workshop participation requirement associated with Scrum Certification. 

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 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 analyse elements of project planning and performance, with reference to business constraints and requirements
  • LO2. Develop more advanced interpersonal skills and practices including creative problem-solving. Analyse and recommend team and stakeholder management methods under ideal and non-ideal scenarios
  • LO3. Successfully facilitate and enable all technical aspects of project planning and execution using Agile Methodologies. Determine and apply effective procedures for specific aspects of project planning

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 significant changes have been made since this unit was last offered.

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.