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Unit outline_

PMGT3851: Project Management Capstone Project B

Semester 2, 2020 [Normal day] - Camperdown/Darlington, Sydney

In this intensive PM capstone project, students are required to apply all of the skills necessary to successfully initiate, plan, execute, control and close a project. Working as part of a team on a simulated four-month, mid-sized, high-priority project, student will be responsible for developing the key project management deliverables, including the project charter, project plan, change control process, status reports and post-project reviews. Students will facilitate meetings, update the project plan with actuals and changes, present status to management, justify your decisions to key stakeholders and determine the impacts of your actions on multiple projects. Under the guidance of a senior project manager and their academic supervisor, students will be given direct feedback and techniques to increase efficiency and effectiveness. PM Capstone Project A and B provide an opportunity for students to undertake a major project in a specialised area relevant to civil engineering. Students will generally work in groups, although planning and writing of reports will be done individually; i. e. , a separate report must be submitted by each student. Only in exceptional circumstances and by approval of PM Capstone Project course coordinator and the relevant academic supervisor concerned will a student be permitted to undertake a project individually. PM Capstone Project is spread over a whole year, in two successive Units of Study of 6 credits points each, PM Capstone Project A (PMGT3850) and PM Capstone Project B (PMGT3851). This particular unit of study, which must be preceded by PMGT3850 PM Capstone Project A, should cover the second half of the required project work. In particular, it should include completion of all components planned but not undertaken or completed in PMGT3850 PM Capstone Project A.

Unit details and rules

Academic unit Project Management
Credit points 6
Prerequisites
? 
[30 cp of 2000 or 3000 level units of study] AND PMGT3850
Corequisites
? 
None
Prohibitions
? 
None
Assumed knowledge
? 

None

Available to study abroad and exchange students

No

Teaching staff

Coordinator Ken Chung, ken.chung@sydney.edu.au
Project supervisor(s) Muriel Rauch, muriel.rauch@sydney.edu.au
Margaret Ogston, margaret.ogston@sydney.edu.au
Graham Watt, graham.watt@sydney.edu.au
Type Description Weight Due Length
Assignment group assignment Team charter (due previous semester)
(Due Sem 1) Team Charter: A vital deliverable for this unit.
5% - n/a
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO5 LO4 LO2
Assignment group assignment Midway presentation (due previous semester)
(Due Sem 1) A formal oral presentation
10% - 15-20 minutes
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO6 LO3 LO2
Assignment group assignment Project proposal (charter) (due previous semester)
(Due Sem 1) Similar to a business case
15% - n/a
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO7 LO3 LO2
Participation Participation (previous semester)
(Assessed in Sem 1)
5% - n/a
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO8 LO7 LO6 LO3 LO2
Participation Participation
10% Multiple weeks n/a
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2 LO3 LO6 LO7 LO8
Presentation group assignment Final presentation
Final presentation for the project
10% Week 12 8-10 minutes
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO6 LO3 LO2
Assignment Individual reflection
Reflection report
5% Week 12 150-200 words per week
Outcomes assessed: LO2 LO4 LO6 LO8
Assignment group assignment Project report
Final project report
40% Week 13 Maximum of 50 pages
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO8 LO7 LO6 LO3 LO2
group assignment = group assignment ?

Assessment summary

  • Team charter: The team charter is a vital deliverable for this unit. Using a suitable template, you will lay out the ground rules for the successful operation of your team. A student who appends their signature to a charter in which all sections have been completed to a satisfactory standard will receive full marks.
  • Midway presentation: A formal oral presentation. During this presentation, teams showcase their project proposal to an academic and/or industry partner with the use of a presentation medium. Every team member is expected to contribute and participate in presentations.
  • Project proposal (charter): The project proposal is very similar to a business case in that the background of the problem or new opportunities, objectives, listing; and evaluation of alternative solutions to the problem or new opportunity is presented. Also, the high-level plan, scope of work, assumptions, resource commitments, cost, and time estimates need to be provided. The project charter should also be included and signed off by all team members of the project. In the event of a research project, a research plan and progress report is required from the group.
  • Participation: The purpose of this assessment is to equip students with the capacity to work in teams. Participation will be assessed by active engagement, and self and peer assessment. Active engagement includes the consistency and quality of engagements, useful contribution, and constructive feedback an individual brings to the team. This will be noted by the supervisor throughout the project life cycle (or year). The self and peer assessment allows each and every team member to reflect and confidentially evaluate the contribution of every other team member including themselves.
  • Individual reflection: The purpose of this assessment is to equip students with the capabilities of a reflective practitioner. Students will be required to keep an individual reflective journal that captures the progression and dynamics of the project, as well as record personal/team learning and development. This reflection exercise should be continuously undertaken 12 weeks of each semester over the year. The assessment of this activity will be based on the regularity of submissions, the conscientious effort made by the student, and the degree of critical insight of the entries.
  • Presentation seminar: The purpose of this assessment is to equip students with the capability to succinctly present their projects. During these presentations, teams will be given the opportunity to showcase their project through the use of a large display to industry professionals and academics. Every team member is expected to contribute and participate in both presentations, failure to do so will result in a ``Fail`` in this unit of study for the individual member.
  • Project report: The purpose of this assessment is to equip students with the knowledge and capabilities to develop and deliver a project. While the project work is conducted in groups, the Project Report must be written and submitted individually. Students should closely consult Project Guidelines handout and Project Marking Sheet for content and formatting requirements.

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.

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 work Workshop (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6 LO7 LO8
Week 02 Project Work Workshop (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6 LO7 LO8
Week 03 Project Work Workshop (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6 LO7 LO8
Week 04 Project Work Workshop (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6 LO7 LO8
Week 05 Project Work Workshop (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6 LO7 LO8
Week 06 Project work Workshop (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6 LO7 LO8
Week 07 Project work Workshop (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6 LO7 LO8
Week 08 Project work Workshop (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6 LO7 LO8
Week 09 Project work Workshop (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6 LO7 LO8
Week 10 Project work Workshop (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6 LO7 LO8
Week 11 Project work Workshop (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6 LO7 LO8
Week 12 Project work Workshop (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6 LO7 LO8
Weekly There is an expectation on average of about 10 hours of self-study as well as group-related work per semester week in this unit of study Independent study (120 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6 LO7 LO8

Attendance and class requirements

  • Workshop: Students are expected to attend weekly workshops with their supervisor/sponsor, unless otherwise agreed.
  • Practical work: Students will need to undertake an additional 10 hours per week of independent and team-based work in order to achieve the outcomes of the unit and complete assessment activities.

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. prepare planning contributions for complex large-scale projects that are credible, transparent, and complete, including project strategy, scope, business case, and assessment of time, costs, risks, and probabilities
  • LO2. develop and implement effective control and response mechanisms for specific aspects of project contracting, procurement, quality control, and progress management, with due regard for overall project goals, dependencies, and business value (includes handling of minor variations)
  • LO3. convey complex material accurately, informatively, and constructively for broadly defined objectives and audiences
  • LO4. demonstrate probing critical judgement regarding content requirements, issues, evidence, assumptions, and uncertainties within given theoretical and practical guidelines
  • LO5. interpret and make appropriate use of specialist language
  • LO6. contribute to development of a productive shared approach to project roles and responsibilities, and their alignment with project goals and strategy (consistent with relevant principles and practice)
  • LO7. use modelling tools and methods, as appropriate for assigned project objectives, with thorough understanding of assumptions and limitations involved
  • LO8. take initiative in furthering own PM professional development and engage with recommended PM knowledge sources, whether from PMI or other industry bodies.

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.

As a result of feedback from previous experience, this unit is run as a consultancy based unit.

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.