Unit outline_

PMGT3623: Scheduling

Semester 2, 2025 [Normal day] - Camperdown/Darlington, Sydney

Projects typically need to be delivered within a defined timescale. Providing robust estimates, monitoring and controlling project duration are crucial to understand the ongoing viability of the investment made in a project. This Unit provides students with a background in advanced scheduling and estimation techniques, supported by project management software.

Unit details and rules

Academic unit Project Management
Credit points 6
Prerequisites
? 
[24 credit points of BPM core 2000 level units] or [30 credit points of any 2000 level or higher units of study]
Corequisites
? 
None
Prohibitions
? 
CIVL3806
Assumed knowledge
? 

None

Available to study abroad and exchange students

Yes

Teaching staff

Coordinator Shahadat Uddin, shahadat.uddin@sydney.edu.au
The census date for this unit availability is 1 September 2025
Type Description Weight Due Length Use of AI
Written exam
? 
Final Exam
- Short questions, closed book - During the final exam period
50% Formal exam period 80 minutes AI prohibited
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6 LO7
In-class quiz Knowledge Test
In-semester small test
20% Week 07
Due date: 19 Sep 2025 at 23:59
40-50 minutes AI allowed
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6
Presentation group assignment Group Assignment Presentation
Presentation based on the group assignment report
5% Week 12
Due date: 31 Oct 2025 at 23:59
10 minutes per group AI allowed
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6 LO7
Written work group assignment Group Assignment Report Submission
MS Project-based feasible solution design and report
15% Week 13
Due date: 07 Nov 2025 at 23:59
Full report from each group AI allowed
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6 LO7
Out-of-class quiz Weekly Task
Weekly tasks related to the workshop topics.
10% Weekly 10-20 minutes AI allowed
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6 LO7
group assignment = group assignment ?

Assessment summary

Detailed information for each assessment can be found on Canvas.

Assessment Name Weight Due in
Weekly Participation 10% Weekly
Knowledge Test 20% Week 7
Group Assignment Presentation 5% Week 12
Group Assignment Report Submission 15% Week 13
Final Exam 50% Final Examination Period

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

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

Use of generative artificial intelligence (AI)

You can use generative AI tools for open assessments. Restrictions on AI use apply to secure, supervised assessments used to confirm if students have met specific learning outcomes.

Refer to the assessment table above to see if AI is allowed, for assessments in this unit and check Canvas for full instructions on assessment tasks and AI use.

If you use AI, you must always acknowledge it. Misusing AI may lead to a breach of the Academic Integrity Policy.

Visit the Current Students website for more information on AI in assessments, including details on how to acknowledge its use.

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 University expects students to act ethically and honestly and will treat all allegations of academic integrity breaches seriously.

Our website provides information on academic integrity and the resources available to all students. This includes advice on how to avoid common breaches of academic integrity. Ensure that you have completed the Academic Honesty Education Module (AHEM) which is mandatory for all commencing coursework students

Penalties for serious breaches can significantly impact your studies and your career after graduation. It is important that you speak with your unit coordinator if you need help with completing assessments.

Visit the Current Students website for more information on AI in assessments, including details on how to acknowledge its use.

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

WK Topic Learning activity Learning outcomes
Week 01 Introduction to Scheduling, Course Resources and Assessment Components Workshop (2 hr) LO1 LO2
Week 02 Define and Sequence Project Tasks Workshop (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3
Week 03 Project Network Diagram (Discrete Approach) Workshop (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3
Week 04 Probabilistic Approach to Project Network Diagram – Part I Workshop (2 hr) LO2 LO3 LO4
Week 05 Probabilistic Approach to Project Network Diagram – Part II Workshop (2 hr) LO2 LO3 LO4
Week 06 Confidence Analysis of Project Network Diagram Workshop (2 hr) LO5 LO3 LO4
Week 07 Knowledge Test Workshop (2 hr) LO1 LO5 LO2 LO3 LO4
Week 08 Implementation of Project Network Diagram using Microsoft Project Workshop (2 hr) LO5 LO3 LO4
Week 09 Simple Task Allocation Approach Workshop (2 hr) LO5 LO3 LO4 LO6
Week 10 Complex Task Allocation Approach Workshop (2 hr) LO5 LO6 LO7
Week 11 Progress Reporting and Earned Value Analysis Workshop (2 hr) LO5 LO4 LO6 LO7
Week 12 Group Assignment Presentation Workshop (2 hr) LO1 LO5 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO6 LO7
Week 13 Review Block teaching (2 hr) LO1 LO5 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO6 LO7
Weekly Self Study - Every week 6 hours self study is expected from students Independent study (90 hr) LO1 LO5 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO6 LO7

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

There are no prescribed readings. However, the weekly topics each have their own suggested reading material. Access to this is provided in the Canvas modules.

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. Select appropriate planning and scheduling approaches for different project types.
  • LO2. Understand different formats of project schedules such as precedence diagrams and Gantt charts..
  • LO3. Demonstrate competence in the creation of project schedules, manually and using commonly used computer software.
  • LO4. Demonstrate the ability to construct feasible project schedules under resource constraints.
  • LO5. Demonstrate the ability to track and manage costs using scheduling tools.
  • LO6. Demonstrate the ability to track and manage task progress using scheduling tools.
  • LO7. Demonstrate the ability to extract relevant management reporting information from scheduling tools.

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.

Significant changes have been made since this unit was last offered in response to student feedback.

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.

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.