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SUBJECT OUTLINE 32541 Project Management Course area

UTS: Information Technology

Delivery

Autumn 2016; City

Credit points 6cp Result type

Grade and marks

Recommended studies: an understanding of IT projects and an awareness of the IT industry

Subject coordinator Dr Alan Sixsmith Room 11.12.214 Phone: 9514 4490 Email: [email protected] The Subject Coordinator may be contacted by email or phone if you have matters of a personal nature to discuss, e.g., illness, study problems, team problems, team re-assignment, or a request for an appointment outside the given consultation hours. All email must bear a meaningful description in the ‘Subject’ box of the email, beginning with the Subject number: e.g., 32541 Team problems, 32541 Request for late submission due to illness, etc. Generally questions regarding assessment and the Subject should be raised in the lectures or the appropriate forum in UTS Online. This ensures all students get the benefit of the information given. Emails that are considered better answered in class or via a forum may not receive a response.

Teaching staff Dr Alan Sixsmith Email: [email protected] Simon Crawford Email: [email protected]

Subject description This postgraduate subject covers the management of the development and implementation of information technology solutions, with particular emphasis on information systems, project management and contemporary issues in the delivery of information technology solutions to business. It considers the role of project management in business and identifies the managerial control and reporting aspects necessary from inception to implementation of a development project.

Subject objectives Upon successful completion of this subject students should be able to: 1. explain the project management process; 2. recognize and apply techniques appropriate for successful IT project management; 3. identify the areas of knowledge required for successful IT project management; 4. evaluate contemporary issues and topics in IT project management and show how traditional techniques can be adapted to address these issues; 5. construct project related documentation while working in a team environment

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This subject also contributes specifically to the development of the following course intended learning outcomes: A1. Identify, interpret and analyse stakeholder needs. (A.1) A2. Establish priorities and goals (A.2) A3. Identify constraints, uncertainties and risk of the system (social, cultural, legislative, environmental, business etc.) (A.3) B1. Identify and apply relevant problem solving methodologies (B.1) B4. Apply decision-making methodologies to evaluate solutions for efficiency, effectiveness and sustainability (B.4) D1. Manage own time and processes effectively by prioritising competing demands to achieve personal goals (Manage self) (D.1) E1. Communicate effectively in ways appropriate to the discipline, audience and purpose. (E.1) E2. Work as an effective member or leader of diverse teams within a multi-level, multi-disciplinary and multi-cultural setting (E.2) E3. Identify and apply relevant project management mothodologies (E.3)

Teaching and learning strategies The subject will be conducted via a weekly 3 hour workshop comprising of an interactive session combining topic presentations, discussions, case studies, informal student presentations and project activities (such as scope definition, task identification an sequencing, risk assessment, time estimation and project control). Some sessions will feature an industry guest speaker. Students are expected to undertake pre-work before each weekly session. This involves watching videos and content presentations and completing weekly challenge questions. Subject assignments utilise a case study as the core content from which students produce authentic project related documentation aligned to professional practice. Over the semester, students will be required to participate on in-class peer evaluations (by providing either verbal or written feedback) or by using Spark Plus.

Content This subject covers three (3) key areas of projects and project management: Firstly, an overview of project management is given through the topics of The Nature of IT Projects and Conceptualizing and Initializing IT Projects. Secondly, core project management topics are covered. These include Scope Management, The Work Breakdown Structure, Time Estimation, Scheduling, Budgeting, Quality Management, Project Resourcing, Risk Management, Communications, Project Reporting, Stakeholder Management, and Tracking, Implementation and Closure. Lastly, views on contemporary project management are provided by industry guest speakers who present on IT project management in practice.

Program Week/Session

Dates

Description

-1

7 Mar

Orientation to the UTS Model of Learning Watch the following videos which are available in UTS Online: Learning Futures - New Learning Environments Learning 2014

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0

14 Mar

Transition to Project Management Watch the following videos which are available in UTS Online: Subject Welcome Subject Overview

1

21 Mar

PM Topic - The Nature of IT Projects Before the class in Week 1 watch the following presentations and then answer the Week 1 questions: a. b. c. d.

Introduction to Project Management The Context of Project Management Introduction to the Project Management Body of Knowledge (5th edn) Project Success

Notes: Case Study - The Project Manager's Diary

2

28 Mar

PM Topic - Conceptualizing & Initializing Projects Before the class in Week 2 watch the following presentations and then answer the Week 2 questions: a. IT Project Management Methodology b. The Business Case & MOV c. Project Selection & Approval Notes: Project Activity – Group Formation and Project Selection

3

4 Apr

Core Topic - Managing Project Scope Before the class in Week 3 watch the following presentations and then answer the Week 3 questions: a. Background to Project Scope b. Defining Project Scope c. Managing Project Scope Notes: Project Activity – Identifying Project Scope

4

11 Apr

Core Topics - The Work Breakdown Structure & Project Estimation Before the class in Week 4 watch the following presentations and then answer the Week 4 questions: a. b. c. d.

The WBS The WBS – Level by Level Project Estimation – the PM Approach Project Estimation – SW Engineering Approach

Notes: Project Activity - Work Breakdown Structure

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5

18 Apr

Core Topic - Project Risk Before the class in Week 5 watch the following presentations and then answer the Week 5 questions: a. Background to Risk b. Project Risk Management c. A Practical Approach to Risk Management Notes: Project Activity - Task Identification

6

25 Apr

Stu Vac - No Classes

7

2 May

Core Topics - The Project Scheduling & The Budget Before the class in Week 7 watch the following presentations and then answer the Week 7 questions: a. Network Diagrams b. Project Scheduling c. The Budget Notes: Project Activity - Project Risk

8

9 May

Core Topics - Project Quality Management & Project Resourcing Before the class in Week 8 watch the following presentations and then answer the Week 8 questions: a. Project Quality Management b. The IT Project Quality Plan c. Project Resourcing Notes: Project Activity - Time Estimation

9

16 May

Core Topics - Project Communication, Reporting & Stakeholder Management Before the class in Week 9 watch the following presentations and then answer the Week 9 questions: a. Project Communications b. Information Distribution & Reporting c. Stakeholder Management Notes: Project Activity - Network Diagrams

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10

23 May

Core Topics - Project Tracking, Implementation & Closure Before the class in Week 10 watch the following presentations and then answer the Week 10 questions a. Project Tracking b. Project Implementation and Closure Notes: Project Activity - Task Sequence Diagram

11

30 May

PM Topic - A Dynamic Project Landscape Before the class in Week 11 watch the following presentations Review and answer the Week 11 questions a. Traditional, Agile & Extreme - The Dynamic Project Landscape Notes: Project Activity - Project Monitoring and Control

12

6 Jun

Guest Lecture Notes: Project Activity - TBA

13

13 Jun

Stu Vac - No Classes

Additional information Note: As this subject is run in a face to face mode the Faculty of Engineering and IT expects that all studnets will attend and particpate in all scheduled sessions for this subject. The program may change depending on the availability of guest lecturers. The University’s rules regarding academic misconduct can be found at www.gsu.uts.edu.au/rules/16-2.html

Assessment Late assignments will be deducted one mark per day late, more than seven days late the assignment will receive zero. Special consideration, for late submission, must be arranged beforehand with the Subject Co-ordinator. For the group assignment students will be assessed as a team, which means each group member will normally receive the same mark. If you have trouble with the operation of your group, contact your tutor for advice (preferably ask as a group). If some of the group feel that other members are not contributing the tutor should be informed and a group meeting held to produce a solution. In extreme cases a group member may be asked by the Subject Co-ordinator to do extra work or accept a lower mark. No complaints about group operation will be considered after the assignment has been handed in.

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Assessment task 1: Assignment 1 - Project Charter Objective(s): This assessment task addresses the following subject learning objectives: 1, 2 and 3 This assessment task contributes to the development of the following course intended learning outcomes: A.1, A.2, D.1, E.1 and E.3 Type:

Case study

Groupwork: Individual Weight:

15%

Task:

Each student will analyze a case study and produce components of a project charter. Full details of this authentic project charter assignment and its associated case study will be available in UTS Online. It is envisaged that assignment marks with appropriate written feedback and a generic assignment 1 solution will be returned in the next class. This formative feedback is to then be used as a basis for, and incorporated in, assignment 2.

Length:

Approximately 1500 words

Due:

Week 5 11.59pm, Thursday 21st April, 2016 - in the Assignment 1 Dropbox in UTS Online

Criteria linkages:

Criteria

Weight (%)

SLOs

CILOs

Preparation and submission of a project charter based on the interpretation of a case study

50

1, 2, 3

A.1, A.2, E.3

Ability to demonstrate clear thinking

10

2

D.1

Quality and completeness of project charter

10

1

E.1

Demonstrate an understanding of appropriate components of project management required in a project charter

30

1, 2, 3

A.1, A.2, E.3

SLOs: subject learning objectives CILOs: course intended learning outcomes

Assessment task 2: Assignment 2 - Project Plan Objective(s): This assessment task addresses the following subject learning objectives: 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5 This assessment task contributes to the development of the following course intended learning outcomes: A.1, A.2, A.3, E.1, E.2 and E.3 Type:

Case study

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Groupwork: Group, group assessed Weight:

20%

Task:

In groups, students will analyze a case study and produce a project plan. Full details of this authentic project plan assignment and the associated case study will be provided in UTS Online. It is envisaged that assignment marks with appropriate written feedback will be distributed to students within 2 weeks of the assignment submission. Students are expected to use and incorporate the feedback obtained from assignemnt 1 in their assignment 2 submission.

Length:

Approximately 20 -25 pages

Due:

Week 12 11.59pm, Thursday 9th June, 2016 in the Assignment 2 dropbox in UTS Online

Criteria linkages:

Criteria

Weight (%)

SLOs

CILOs

Preparation and submission of a project plan based on the interpretation of a case study

50

1, 2, 3, 4, 5

A.1, A.2, A.3, E.3

Effective participation in a group to enable the realisation of team deliverables

15

3, 5

E.2

Able to demonstrate and articulate key ideas and concepts required in a project plan

25

1, 2, 3

E.1, E.3

Quality and completeness of project plan

10

1, 2, 3

E.1, E.3

SLOs: subject learning objectives CILOs: course intended learning outcomes

Assessment task 3: Final Exam Objective(s): This assessment task addresses the following subject learning objectives: 1, 2, 3 and 4 This assessment task contributes to the development of the following course intended learning outcomes: A.1, A.2, A.3, B.1, B.4, D.1, E.1 and E.3 Type:

Examination

Groupwork: Individual Weight:

50%

Task:

Closed book exam

Due:

UTS Exam Period

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Criteria linkages:

Criteria

Weight (%)

SLOs

CILOs

Demonstrate comprehension of fundamental elements of the project management discipline

20

1, 2, 3, 4

A.1, A.2, A.3, E.3

Clarity of written expression and communication

20

2

E.1

Demonstrate a command of techniques for successful project management

20

2, 3

B.1, E.3

Ability to conceptualise contemporary issues and traditional techniques in projects to identify how project management can be adapted to overcomes these

20

1, 2, 3, 4

B.4, E.3

Ability to time manage in order to establish and prioritise goals

20

1, 2, 3

A.2, D.1

SLOs: subject learning objectives CILOs: course intended learning outcomes

Assessment task 4: Class Activities Objective(s): This assessment task addresses the following subject learning objectives: 1, 2, 3 and 5 This assessment task contributes to the development of the following course intended learning outcomes: A.2, A.3, B.4, D.1, E.1, E.2 and E.3 Type:

Laboratory/practical

Groupwork: Group, group and individually assessed Weight:

15%

Task:

On a weekly basis (comencing in week 2) students will workshop various components of a project charter / project plan as set out in the Project Workshops Instructions document which can be found in UTS Online. Summative feedback from this activity will be provided to students as a guide for the submission of both assignment 1 and 2.

Due:

Week 2 through to Week 12

Criteria linkages:

Criteria

Weight (%)

SLOs

CILOs

Practical demonstration of fundamental elements of the project life cycle

60

1, 2, 3, 5

A.2, A.3, B.4, E.1, E.2, E.3

Undertake approriate preparatory work

20

1, 2

D.1

Present results of in-class activities

20

2, 5

E.1, E.2

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SLOs: subject learning objectives CILOs: course intended learning outcomes

Use of plagiarism detection software Assignments may be subjected to a review through the turnitin plagarism checker ( http://www.turnitin.com)

Supplementary assessments No supplementary examination will be given in this Subject. If you miss any piece of assessment through documented illness or misadventure, you should consult with the Subject Coordinator.

Minimum requirements Recommended texts Marchewka, J.T. (2012) Information Technology Project Management Providing Measureable Organizational Value, 4th edition, John Wiley & Sons, Hoboken, NJ

Other resources Soft copies of subject materials may be found on UTS Online - http://online.uts.edu.au/ A useful alternate textbook Schwalbe, K. (2010) Information Technology Project Management. 6th edition, Course Technology, Cengage Learning, Boston, MA

Graduate attribute development For a full list of the faculty's graduate attributes, refer to the Student Guide.

Academic liaison officer Academic Liaison Officers (ALOs) are academic staff in each faculty who assist three groups of students: students with disabilities and ongoing illnesses; students who have difficulties in their studies because of their family commitments (e.g. being a primary carer for small children or a family member with a disability); and students who gained entry through the UTS Educational Access Scheme or Special Admissions. ALOs are responsible for determining alternative assessment arrangements for students with disabilities. Students who are requesting adjustments to assessment arrangements because of their disability or illness are requested to see a Disability Services Officer in the Special Needs Service before they see their ALO. The ALO for UG students is: Chris Wong Phone: +61 2 9514 4501 The ALO for PG students is: Dr Prasanthi Hagare Phone: +61 2 9514 1952

Disclaimer This outline serves as a supplement to the Faculty of Engineering and Information Technology Student Guide. On all matters not specifically covered in this outline, the requirements specified in the Student Guide apply.

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