Outline

Overview

There is more than one way to manage a project. However many organisations become entrenched in standardisation that may no longer meet their needs, including consideration of change required for the project to be successful. This Unit of Study introduces students to a range of different approaches to project management, building the ability to critically question current practice and improve organisational outcomes.

Unit details and rules

Academic unit	Project Management
Credit points	6
Prerequisites ?	PMGT2854
Corequisites ?	None
Prohibitions ?	CIVL4817
Assumed knowledge ?	None
Available to study abroad and exchange students	Yes

Teaching staff

Coordinator	Nader Naderpajouh, nader.naderpajouh@sydney.edu.au
Lecturer(s)	Claire Kim-Chung, claire.kimchung@sydney.edu.au
Tutor(s)	Leo Ridge, leo.ridge@sydney.edu.au

Assessment

The census date for this unit availability is 31 March 2025

Details
Criteria

Type	Description	Weight	Due	Length
Presentation	Group Task 3: Final Presentation Final Group presentation (weeks 11 & 12)	20%	Multiple weeks	10 minutes + 5 mins Q&A
Outcomes assessed:
Participation	Participation Participation includes engagement during workshops and on Canvas	10%	Progressive	During the workshop
Outcomes assessed:
Presentation	Group Task 1: Introduction Presentation Introduction presentation of the group. See details on Canvas.	10%	Week 05	5 mins
Outcomes assessed:
Tutorial quiz	Individual Quiz 1 MCQ & Short Answers	20%	Week 07	1 hour
Outcomes assessed:
Assignment	Group task 2: Group Report Final group report of the process of project delivery.	15%	Week 08 Due date: 20 Apr 2025 at 23:59	1500 words max
Outcomes assessed:
Tutorial quiz	Individual Quiz 2 MCQ & Short answer	25%	Week 13	1 hours
Outcomes assessed:
= group assignment ? = AI allowed ?

Assessment summary

Assessment components:

Individual Quiz 1: This is a multiple choice and short answer type quiz held in your workshop using pen and paper, covering topics from weeks 1 - 6 inclusive. Duration is for 1 hour.

Individual Quiz 2: Taking the same format of quiz 1, quiz 2 will cover topics from weeks 6-12 inclusive. Duration is for 1.5 hours.

Group Task 1: Introduction Presentation: This is your first presentation, where you will formally introduce your team, and the choice of organisation you wish to propose a project for.

Group Task 2: Final Report: As you progress along each week of semester, utilise the various learnings (e.g. PM frameworks, governance models, etc.) to build into your final report, which will also guide your final presentation.

Group Task 3: Final Group Presentation: In this final presentation, you will provide analysis of the organisation/company's problem area(s) chosen, and your proposed project, along with PM frameworks, governance models, and risk management aspects that are adaptable to the organisation.

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 2021 (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 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 2023 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 2023. 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	Introduction and overview	Workshop (2 hr)
Week 01	Independent study expanding on the weekly module and workshop.	Independent study (7 hr)
Week 02	Culture, environment and context	Workshop (2 hr)
Week 02	Independent study expanding on the weekly module and workshop.	Independent study (7 hr)
Week 03	Approaches, frameworks, methods, methodology and tools	Workshop (2 hr)
Week 03	Independent study expanding on the weekly module and workshop.	Independent study (7 hr)
Week 04	1. Governance versus management; 2. Standards and guides	Workshop (2 hr)
Week 04	Independent study expanding on the weekly module and workshop.	Independent study (7 hr)
Week 05	Communicating for governance	Workshop (2 hr)
Week 05	Independent study expanding on the weekly module and workshop.	Independent study (7 hr)
Week 06	Project approaches - diving deeper	Workshop (2 hr)
Week 06	Independent study expanding on the weekly module and workshop.	Independent study (7 hr)
Week 07	Developing an enterprise PM method or framework: part 1	Workshop (2 hr)
Week 07	Independent study expanding on the weekly module and workshop.	Independent study (7 hr)
Week 08	Stability to chaos	Workshop (2 hr)
Week 08	Independent study expanding on the weekly module and workshop.	Independent study (7 hr)
Week 09	Change, transformation and purpose	Workshop (2 hr)
Week 09	Independent study expanding on the weekly module and workshop.	Independent study (7 hr)
Week 10	Developing an enterprise PM method or framework: part 2	Workshop (2 hr)
Week 10	Independent study expanding on the weekly module and workshop.	Independent study (7 hr)
Week 11	Implementing a PM method	Workshop (2 hr)
Week 11	Independent study expanding on the weekly module and workshop.	Independent study (7 hr)
Week 12	Other: Evaluating your PM method or framework	Workshop (2 hr)
Week 12	Independent study expanding on the weekly module and workshop.	Independent study (7 hr)
Week 13	1. You; 2. Your role; 3. Your influence	Workshop (2 hr)
Week 13	Independent study expanding on the weekly module and workshop.	Independent study (5 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.

A substantial part of this unit is based on the experiences and outputs from the weekly workshops. This makes regular engagement of high importance.

Please note there is not always a direct relationship between the week’s workshop activity and the online module. However, these become more unified by the time we reach the final presentation and the group report submission deadline.

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

Readings and lectures are integrated within the material on Canvas. You are expected to study these as part of your independent study time each week.

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. Demonstrate understanding of how methodologies are constructed
LO2. Explain the relationship between governance and methodology in projects
LO3. Demonstrate how the project is aligned with internal reporting and control processes within different project contexts
LO4. Identify essential differences between methodologies commonly used in a range of different contexts
LO5. Assess project complexity and its consequences for the approach
LO6. Identify and implement change and transformation requirements related to the project
LO7. Build a methodology to suit the needs of a non-standard project

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.

Following feedback from students, we have more clearly identified the individual and group contributions that are linked to assessments and workshop activity. The Symposium group activity was very confusing and thus now replaced with two presentations. This will greatly assist with their preparation of the final report as well.

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

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

Media

Student links

About us

Connect

Current students

PMGT3858: Adapting to Project Context

Semester 1, 2025 [Normal day] - Camperdown/Darlington, Sydney

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

Media

Student links

About us

Connect