Managing IS Projects: People & Politics (ISYS90037)

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.