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Managing Large Projects (ISYS90052)
Graduate courseworkPoints: 12.5Not available in 2017
Overview
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Aims
This subject examines three advanced topics in the field of project management with an emphasis on commercial corporate practices and formal techniques used in the management of large projects:
- Project planning, scheduling, estimation and control techniques
- Project management models including the use of methodologies, outsourcing, procurement and project management office arrangements
- Project financial management including budgeting, cash flow management and earned value tracking techniques
- Project governance processes, models and techniques including risk management, value management, steering committee reporting and change management and stakeholder management
- Corporate and Government project methodologies including PRINCE2, ITIL, MoR and CoBIT5
This subject builds upon the knowledge acquired in ISYS90037 Advanced IS Project Management. The subject seeks to ensure students develop skills and knowledge that can be directly applied in their work as project management practitioners, and that they can apply techniques and models appropriately to their work context.
Indicative Content
- Project control and governance including functions and interactions with steering committees, project control offices and management stakeholders.
- Essentials of project reporting and financial management in a corporate setting.
- Formal project scheduling and progress evaluation
- Essentials of project planning and estimating
- Differing project organisation models for differing development methodologies
- Essentials of PRINCE2
- Project Risk Management
- Use of metrics for system development
- Consideration of commercial certifications including ITIL, CoBIT, PMI and PRINCE2
- Management of outsourced projects
- Consideration of new “agile methods” in systems development and impact on project management.
Intended learning outcomes
Intended Learning Outcomes (ILOs)
On completion of this subject the student is expected to:
- Apply a range of formal project management planning, controlling, scheduling and estimation techniques recognising in which context these techniques are useful to project success
- Understand how project management methodologies assist in contributing to project success in a corporate environment and be able to critique a methodology
- Develop expertise in a range of techniques associated with the governance of a project. In particular students should be capable of undertaking risk assessments of their project, define the value of their project in business terms, be capable of identifying and managing the various stakeholders to the project, and be able to report project status effectively to their stakeholders
Generic skills
On completion of this subject, students should have developed the following generic skills:
- Analysis
- Critical thinking
- Independent learning
- Confidence at presenting to a business audience.
Last updated: 3 November 2022
Eligibility and requirements
Prerequisites
Students enrolled in the two year 200 point Master of Information Systems must have completed 50 points of study.
Corequisites
None
Non-allowed subjects
None
Recommended background knowledge
Basic knowledge of MS-Project or equivalent software package.
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
- One group based project action plan (25%) with 3-4 group members of approximately 4000 words due mid semster, requiring approximately 33-37 hours of work per student. Intended Learning Outcomes (ILOs) 1 to 3 are addressed in the project action plan.
- One group based project progress report (25%) with 3-4 group members of approximately 2000 words and a presentation of 20 minutes duration due near the end of semester, requiring approximately 33-37 hours of work per student. ILOs 1 to 3 are addressed in the project progress report and presentation.
- One 2-hour examination (40%)held in the examination period (40%). ILOs 1 to 3 are addressed in the examination.
- Participation in seminars (10%). ILOs 1 to 3 are addressed in seminars.
Hurdle requirement: To pass the subject, students must obtain:
- at least 50% of the marks available in the non-examination based assessment
- at least 50% of the marks available in the examination
Last updated: 3 November 2022
Dates & times
Not available in 2017
Time commitment details
200 hours
Last updated: 3 November 2022
Further information
- Texts
Prescribed texts
Kerzner, Harold 2009 or later edition, Project Management: A Systems Approach to Planning Scheduling, and Controlling, John Wiley & Sons
- Subject notes
Basic knowledge of MS-Project is required for this subject.
Learning and Teaching Methods
12 lectures are delivered covering all examinable topics combined with a series of mini-case studies involving problem solving and application of techniques.
A major case study is provided for project planning involving multi-site locations, with installation of computer equipment, telecommunications and application suite with multiple suppliers and subcontractors. This is done in small group syndicates.
A discussion forum is provided for students to raise issues and questions with stakeholders (role played by the lecturer).
A second round of the case study is then required which involves a review and revision of the project in terms of certain specific problems encountered and delivered as a presentation and progress report to a steering committee (role played).
Indicative Key Learning Resources
Prescribed Text – Project Management, A Systems Approach to Planning, Scheduling and Controlling by Harold Kerzner (Wiley) Edition 9 or later. Use of Microsoft Project Software or equivalent. Discussion forum provided via LMS. Materials from real-world cases are provided in class.
Careers/Industry Links
Alumni have joined major consulting firms, Telcos, and Government Departments as project managers, and several have been successful in overseas homeland appointments.
- 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