Skip to main content
Unit of study_

PMGT5877: Management of Project Organisations

Semester 1, 2020 [Normal day] - Camperdown/Darlington, Sydney

This course examines the challenges and approaches of managing project-oriented organisations. These could be independent business units or divisions within a larger corporation. Examples are construction contractors, ICT services, RandD units and many internal business units that concurrently undertake multiple projects. Today, more organisations are adopting project management as a management strategy to provide effective and timely solutions to clients. They are adapting organisational architectures to support both 'business as usual' and the multiple projects that are increasingly important to the organisation. Focus is on the relationship between project management and the following: organisational culture, structure, processes, cross-functional teams, project governance, performance management, organisational learning, change and knowledge management. The assessment comprises of a case study team assignment, quizzes and online discussions.

Unit details and rules

Unit code PMGT5877
Academic unit Civil Engineering
Credit points 6
Prohibitions
? 
None
Prerequisites
? 
None
Corequisites
? 
None
Assumed knowledge
? 

None

Available to study abroad and exchange students

No

Teaching staff

Coordinator Karyne Ang, karyne.ang@sydney.edu.au
Lecturer(s) Karyne Ang, karyne.ang@sydney.edu.au
Type Description Weight Due Length
Presentation group assignment Weekly Group Pecha Kucha presentations
Pecha Kucha presentations on allocated topics, 20 slides x 20 secs/slide
10% Multiple weeks 6 minutes 40 seconds
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO6 LO5 LO4 LO3 LO2
Presentation group assignment Part 2B: Team case study/research presentation
Teams will present a case or research that they have analysed.
20% Multiple weeks Up to 10 minutes
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO6 LO5 LO4 LO3 LO2
Assignment Online Discussion board contributions
Contribute to online discussions and respond to 1 other contributor weekly.
10% Multiple weeks Between 50-200 words
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO6 LO5 LO4 LO3 LO2
Assignment group assignment Part 2A: Team Case study or research summary
A short summary of the case study or research to be conducted.
10% Week 08
Due date: 20 Apr 2020 at 23:00

Closing date: 31 May 2020
1000-1500 words
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO6 LO3
Assignment Perspectives of project organisations
Report on observations of PO theories in practice (via interviews, news)
10% Week 10
Due date: 04 May 2020 at 23:00

Closing date: 31 May 2020
1000-2000 words
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO6 LO5 LO4 LO3 LO2
Assignment Thematic Analysis of the literature
Thematic analysis with links to practice, viva voce at random.
40% Week 12
Due date: 18 May 2020 at 23:00

Closing date: 31 May 2020
3000 words
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO6 LO5 LO4 LO3 LO2
group assignment = group assignment ?

Assessment summary

  • Online Discussion Board contributions: Contribute 50-200 words to online discussions and respond to 1 other contributor weekly.
  • Perspectives of project organisations: Short 1000-2000 word report on observations of PO theories in practice (via interviews, news)
  • Thematic Analysis of the literature: Thematic analysis 3000 word essay with links to practice, a viva voce at random.
  • Weekly Group Pecha Kucha presentations: 20 slides x 20 secs/slide
  • Part 2A: Team Case study or research summary: A short 1000-1500 word summary of the case study or research to be conducted.
  • Part 2B: Team case study/research presentation: Teams will present a case or research that they have analysed.

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 sydney.edu.au/students/guide-to-grades.

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:

5% deduction per day.

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 Overview of a project-oriented organisation Workshop (2 hr) LO2
Week 02 Organisational strategy Workshop (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3
Week 03 Organizational structure and design Workshop (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3
Week 04 Theories of organisations and dynamic capabilities Workshop (2 hr) LO1 LO3 LO4 LO6
Week 05 Translating strategy into action Workshop (2 hr) LO1 LO3 LO4
Week 06 Benefits realisation and value creation Workshop (2 hr) LO1 LO3 LO4 LO5
Week 07 Organisational culture Workshop (2 hr) LO1 LO3 LO4 LO6
Week 08 People, power and politics Workshop (2 hr) LO1 LO3
Week 09 Project governance and organisational control Workshop (2 hr) LO1 LO5
Week 10 Organisational project management (OPM) and organisational learning Workshop (2 hr) LO1 LO3 LO4 LO6
Week 11 Change management Workshop (2 hr) LO1 LO6
Week 12 Project manager development Workshop (2 hr) LO1 LO3 LO5
Week 13 Trends in managing project organisations; final presentations Workshop (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6

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. communicate complex ideas and concepts in a succinct, coherent and comprehensible manner to multiple stakeholders
  • LO2. explain the basic forms of organisational structures and the schools of thought in organisational design
  • LO3. identify the challenges of managing projects within a complex organisation and apply organisational theory to analysing project organisations
  • LO4. discuss the use of projects as vehicles for implementing strategy; the importance and challenges of realising business benefits and creating value in project organisations
  • LO5. describe the functions of various forms of project governance systems, and the development of project managers in project organisations
  • LO6. evaluate the challenges and approaches to managing organisational change and plan the implementation of change to a project oriented organisation.

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.

Modification to assessments to include an individual assignment with applications of theory to practice via student observations and research (interviews or desk-based research on current events). This ensures a clearer linkage of the unit to practice. This replaces the student quizzes. Added a 'Trends in managing project organisations' to keep students up to date with latest academic studies and industry practices.

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.