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Managing IS Projects: People & Politics (ISYS90037)
Graduate courseworkPoints: 12.5Not available in 2017
Overview
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Aims
In this subject students practice the processes of information systems project management with a focus on people in the presence of organisational politics. The first half of the semester discusses eight of the nine knowledge areas of the Project Management Body of Knowledge (PMBOK) - scope, cost, time, human resources, risk, quality, communication and integration management. The second half of this subject focuses on developing skills necessary to manage projects within an organisational setting and discusses topics including project management processes; teamwork; stakeholder behaviour; conflict; change management; politics; and project success factors.
A key feature of the subject is the use of a case that spans all assignments and enables students to engage with stakeholders through an LMS forum. The case provides the vehicle for students to initiate, plan and recover a project. Student teams also have the opportunity to meet with a manager from the case’s ‘project office’ to review their work and obtain guidance prior to report submission.
Indicative Content
Content includes: the techniques as discussed in the (PMBOK) as developed by the Project Management Institute: Myers-Briggs (MBTI) Personality Type as applied to project managers; and various organisational theories applicable to change management, group and team work, staff motivation, conflict management and negotiation.
Intended learning outcomes
Intended Learning Outcomes (ILO)
Having completed this unit the student is expected to:
- Be capable of applying the foundations of project management practice including processes, tools and techniques as represented in the Project Management Institute’s Project management Body of Knowledge (PMBOK) and in the general management literature
- Be familiar with various project organisations and processes which are contingent upon the technology, organizational structures and IS methodology being used
- Have an understanding of a number of advanced and related topics including, project success and failure factors, project manager influence and power
- Have confidence in identifying problems including if a project is ‘off the rails’ and solving such problems
Generic skills
On completion of this subject, students should have developed the following generic skills:
- Analytical and decision making skills through examination of case scenarios
- Team-work, collaboration through group work and assessment
- Problem solving skills related to project management, project risk assessment, project resource utilization and project communication management
- Communication skills including report writing and presentation skills to both technical and managerial audiences
Last updated: 3 November 2022
Eligibility and requirements
Prerequisites
Students who are enrolled in the two year 200 point Master of Information Systems must have completed 50 points of study to enrol in this subject.
Corequisites
None
Non-allowed subjects
None
Inherent requirements (core participation requirements)
The University of Melbourne is committed to providing students with reasonable adjustments to assessment and participation under the Disability Standards for Education (2005), and the Assessment and Results Policy (MPF1326). Students are expected to meet the core participation requirements for their course. These can be viewed under Entry and Participation Requirements for the course outlines in the Handbook.
Further details on how to seek academic adjustments can be found on the Student Equity and Disability Support website: http://services.unimelb.edu.au/student-equity/home
Last updated: 3 November 2022
Assessment
Additional details
- Class participation (10%). Intended Learning Outcomes (ILOs) 1 to 4 are addressed in classes.
- One individual assignment of about 2500 words, due before mid-semester break (15%), requiring 19-21 hours of work. ILOs 1 are 2 are addressed in the individual assignment.
- One group assignment, in groups of 3-4, of 3500 words, due after mid-semester break (20%), requiring 26-30 hours of work per student. ILOs 1 and 2 are addressed in the group assignment.
- One group based presentation (15%) with 3-4 group members of approximately 20 minutes duration, including including a Powerpoint presentation of 15-20 slides, due at the end of semester, requiring approximately 19-21 hours of work per student. ILOs 1 to 4 are addressed in the group presentation.
- One written 2 hour closed book end of semester examination (40%). ILOs 2-4 are addressed in the examination.
Last updated: 3 November 2022
Dates & times
Not available in 2017
Time commitment details
200 hours
Additional delivery details
An enrolment quota of 50 students applies to this subject. Students applying to complete this subject will be ranked based on their overall average mark, and their marks in ISYS90050.
Last updated: 3 November 2022
Further information
- Texts
Prescribed texts
Schwalbe, K. 2010 Information Technology Project Management, Course Technology: Boston.A reading pack for this subject is available from the bookroom and contains support materials and articles related to the lectures.
- Subject notes
Learning and Teaching Methods
Teaching methods include:
- Lectures, Class Case Studies and Exercises
The subject is delivered over a number of day sessions. The sessions include lectures drawing on the project management literature, the actual experiences of the presenters and the experiences of other students. Class case studies and exercises occur throughout the sessions and enable students to apply knowledge. - Readings
The readings include selections from various text books, practitioner literature and journal articles. The Reading Pack compliments the prescribed text by Schwalbe (2010) and provides information on subjects outside of the Project Management Body of Knowledge. - Case Study Assignments and Project Management Office Reviews
A case study spans all three major assignments. Students develop a Project Charter, a Project Plan and finally have to rescue the project as consultants when it is off-the-rails. The assignments are designed to simulate the real world. Students must question stakeholders (through a forum), to gather project information. Students consult with the “Project Management Office” to obtain interim reviews of assignments. These review sessions enable students to be coached and buddied individually. - Class Participation
Class discussion provide students with an opportunity to put forward opinions, offer arguments and ask dumb questions – all of which are useful skills for project managers. - Presentation Assignment
The final presentation provides an opportunity for students to experience presenting to a steering committee in a formal setting.
Indicative Key Learning Resources
A reading pack is supplied on CD-ROM which includes key articles on project management and organisational behaviour, to supplement class slides.
Careers/Industry Links
This subject is relevant to aspiring program and project managers as well as team leaders who may be part of a project team. The subject is delivered by practitioners who consult on projects and manage projects.
- Lectures, Class Case Studies and Exercises
- Related Handbook entries
This subject contributes to the following:
- Links to additional information
- Available through the Community Access Program
About the Community Access Program (CAP)
This subject is available through the Community Access Program (also called Single Subject Studies) which allows you to enrol in single subjects offered by the University of Melbourne, without the commitment required to complete a whole degree.
Entry requirements including prerequisites may apply. Please refer to the CAP applications page for further information.
Additional information for this subject
Subject coordinator approval required
Last updated: 3 November 2022