Outline

Overview

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

Teaching staff

Coordinator	Marzena Baker, marzena.baker@sydney.edu.au
Lecturer(s)	Catherine Graham, catherine.graham@sydney.edu.au

Type	Description	Weight	Due	Length
Assignment	Thematic Video Discussion 1 Thematic analysis and original video discussion linked to practice.	10%	Week 07 Due date: 09 Apr 2022 at 23:59 Closing date: 13 Apr 2022	3-4 minutes maximum
Outcomes assessed:
Assignment	Perspectives of project organisations Research and report on PO theories in practice based on interviews.	40%	Week 10 Due date: 07 May 2022 at 23:59 Closing date: 01 Jun 2022	3000 words maximum
Outcomes assessed:
Assignment	Thematic Video Discussion 2 Thematic analysis and original video discussion linked to practice	10%	Week 11 Due date: 14 May 2022 at 23:59 Closing date: 18 May 2022	4-5 minutes maximum
Outcomes assessed:
Assignment	Team Case study or research report A short report about the case study.	20%	Week 12 Due date: 18 May 2022 at 23:59 Closing date: 01 Jun 2022	1300-1500 words maximum
Outcomes assessed:
Presentation	Team case study/research presentation Teams will present a case or research that they have analysed.	10%	Week 13 Due date: 25 May 2022 at 23:59 Closing date: 01 Jun 2022	8-10 minutes maximum
Outcomes assessed:
Participation	Weekly Group Activity - Presentation and Discussions Group Presentations and Discussion, upload group-work outputs to Canvas	10%	Weekly	10 minutes (presentation and discussion)
Outcomes assessed:
= group assignment ?

Assessment summary

Perspectives of project organisations (Individual): 3000 word report worth 40% on researching and analysing PO theories in practice (minimum 2 in-depth interviews with project professionals/practitioners)
Thematic Video Discussion 1 (Individual): Worth 10%, 3-4 minutes maximum, observations and discussions link theory to practice
Thematic Video Discussion 2 (Individual): : Worth 10%, 4-5 minutes maximum, observations and discussions link theory to practice
Weekly Group presentations and activity submissions: Worth 10% overall, In-class group-work to be presented/discussed and uploaded onto Canvas (presentations wih discussion outcomes)
Team Case study or research report: Worth 20%, 1500 word (maximum), summary of the case study.
Team Case study or research presentation: Worth 10%, 10 minutes (max). Teams will present a case or research that they have analysed.

Detailed information for each assessment task can be found on Canvas.

Text-matching software for Assignment Submission:

As part of the assessment process, text matching software such as Turnitin will be used to identify plagiarism and/or be used for providing feedback.

Confidential Peer Evaluation:

As part of the group contribution assessment process, collaborative & self-peer evaluation tools (e.g. SparkPlus, CATME, etc.) may be used, either on a confidential or non-confidential basis, to understand contributions and interactions amongst group members. Marks may be adjusted for an individual team member, following on from the peer evaluation process.

Mark Moderation:

Mark moderation: There may be statistically defensible moderation when combining the marks from each component to ensure consistency of marking between markers, and alignment of final grades with unit outcomes.

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:

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.

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.

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.

Weekly schedule

WK	Topic	Learning activity
Multiple weeks	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.	Independent study (120 hr)
Week 01	Overview of a project-oriented organisation	Workshop (2 hr)
Week 02	Organisational strategy	Workshop (2 hr)
Week 03	Organizational structure and design	Workshop (2 hr)
Week 04	Theories of organisations and dynamic capabilities	Workshop (2 hr)
Week 05	Translating strategy into action	Workshop (2 hr)
Week 06	Benefits realisation and value creation	Workshop (2 hr)
Week 07	Organisational culture	Workshop (2 hr)
Week 08	Organisational power and politics	Workshop (2 hr)
Week 09	Project governance and organisational control	Workshop (2 hr)
Week 10	Organisational project management (OPM) and organisational learning	Workshop (2 hr)
Week 11	Change management	Workshop (2 hr)
Week 12	Project manager development	Workshop (2 hr)
Week 13	Trends in managing project organisations; final presentations	Workshop (2 hr)

Attendance and class requirements

Students are expected to attend the workshops and explicitly contribute to groupwork activities as there are assessed in-class groupwork components each week.

Please take note of S1 2022 calendar dates for weekly sessions and mid-semester breaks. Week 1-8, followed by the Mid-semester Break, then continues with Week 9 -13. Week 9 Monday classes (25 April 2022) will not be running due to a public holiday. Tuesday classes are not affected and will resume in Week 9 (26 April 2022) as normal.

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 for this unit can be accessed through the Canvas weekly modules and Reading Lists.

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. Communicate complex ideas and concepts in a succinct, coherent and comprehensible manner to multiple stakeholders
LO2. Create a shared understanding of project goals, requirements and outcomes amongst team members through effective communication strategies and listening skills
LO3. Use different mediums to communicate ideas across a project organisation.
LO4. Apply knowledge of the basic forms of organisational structures and the schools of thought in organisational design
LO5. Describe the concept of organisational culture, strategy, control, learning and politics; and relate to project organisations.
LO6. Understand the challenges of managing projects within a complex organisation and apply organisational theory to analysing project organisations
LO7. Explain how to use projects as vehicles for implementing strategy; the importance and challenges of realising business benefits and creating value in project organisations
LO8. Describe the functions and potential effects of PMOs, project governance systems, project sponsors and the development of project managers in project organisations.
LO9. Analyse the benefits and challenges of becoming an ambidextrous project organisation.
LO10. 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
Learning outcomes

Responding to student feedback

This section outlines changes made to this unit following staff and student reviews.

Modification to assessments based on student feedback include reduction of weekly group-work, and increase in weightage for the 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. Topic areas maintained and research-led in focus.

Additional information

Text-matching software for Assignment Submission:

As part of the assessment process, text matching software such as Turnitin will be used to identify plagiarism and/or be used for providing feedback.

Confidential Peer Evaluation:

Mark Moderation:

There may be statistically defensible moderation when combining the marks from each component to ensure consistency of marking between markers, and alignment of final grades with unit outcomes.

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

Late submission

Academic integrity

Learning support

Learning support

Simple extensions

Special consideration

Using AI responsibly

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

Disclaimer

On this page

Useful links

Media

Student links

About us

Connect

Current students

PMGT5877: Management of Project Organisations

Semester 1, 2022 [Normal day] - Remote

Overview

Overview

Unit details and rules

Teaching staff

Assessment

Assessment

Assessment summary

Assessment criteria

Late submission

Academic integrity

Learning support

Learning support

Simple extensions

Special consideration

Using AI responsibly

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

Disclaimer

On this page

Useful links

Media

Student links

About us

Connect