Project Management Practices (ENGM90007)
Graduate courseworkPoints: 12.5On Campus (Parkville)
About this subject
Contact information
Semester 1
Professor Colin Duffield
Email: colinfd@unimelb.edu.au
Overview
| Availability | Semester 1 |
|---|---|
| Fees | Look up fees |
AIMS
In this subject students will learn about how to evaluate the feasibility of a project and then to define, structure and organise the initial planning phase for both construction projects and complex projects (e.g. IT, high technology projects). The interaction between commercial expectations and project management approaches will be considered broadly based on process and systems thinking. The subject builds on and integrates knowledge from CVEN90043 Sustainable Infrastructure Engineering and/or MCEN90010 Finance and Human Resources for Engineers where the fundamentals of economic appraisal is described, the planning approaches detailed in subject CVEN90045 Engineering Project Implementation and the fundamentals of risk management for which detailed approaches are provided in MULT90014 Business Risk Management. The subject is particularly important for students wishing to understand how to structure and scope projects such that they are well planned on the basis of triple bottom line thinking and the project management processes are efficiently structured.
INDICATIVE CONTENT
Techniques considered include the use of logic maps, business cases and system based project management concepts. Details include the development of acquisition strategies, system life-cycle, boundaries, scope management and mechanisms to control of client expectations and assist them to make sound project decisions leading to the sanctioning of a project. Expected value and Monte Carlo techniques are used as tools to refine project decisions based on risk evaluation.
Project governance arrangements are considered along with cultural context, resourcing requirements of a project and how this is organised and managed. Specific areas considered include the selection of consultants or contractors, communication processes, industrial relations, occupational health and safety, meetings, delegation and leadership.
Intended learning outcomes
INTENDED LEARNING OUTCOMES (ILO)
On completion of this subject the student is expected to be able to:
- Assist project owners to sensibly consider the feasibility of projects
- Develop investment logic maps
- Structure an acquisition strategy for either traditional projects or a complex engineering or IT project
- Clarify a project’s scope and establish boundaries to the scope of complex projects
- Analyse and evaluate project risks and project decisions
- Develop and communicate projects in a consolidated project management plan that considers client interface, governance, organizational structure and resources to assist in the management and control of projects to achieve targeted key performance indicators
- Understand the influence of cultural differences when resourcing large international projects.
Generic skills
- Ability to undertake problem identification, formulation, and solution
- Ability to utilise a systems approach to complex problems and to design and operational performance
- Ability to conduct an engineering project
- Ability to communicate effectively, with the engineering team and with the community at large
- Ability to manage information and documentation
- Understanding of professional and ethical responsibilities, and commitment to them
- Ability to function effectively as an individual and in multidisciplinary and multicultural teams, as a team leader or manager as well as an effective team member
- Capacity for lifelong learning and professional development.
Last updated: 3 November 2022
Eligibility and requirements
Prerequisites
None
Corequisites
None
Non-allowed subjects
None
Recommended background knowledge
Knowledge gained from the following subjects will assist learning in this subject:
| Code | Name | Teaching period | Credit Points |
|---|---|---|---|
| CVEN90043 | Sustainable Infrastructure Engineering | Semester 1 (On Campus - Parkville) |
12.5 |
| CVEN90045 | Engineering Project Implementation | Semester 2 (On Campus - Parkville) |
12.5 |
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 2000 word report (30%) due mid-semester, requiring approximately 35-40 hours of work. Intended Learning Outcomes (ILOs) 1, 2 and 6 are addressed in the report
- One 50 minute test (10%) due mid-semester. ILOs 1, 5 and 6 are addressed in the test
- One 10 minute poster presentation (10%) during the semester, requiring approximately 13-15 hours of work. ILOs 3 and 4 are addressed in the poster presentation
- One 2-hour examination (50%) held in the end of semester examination period. ILOs 1 to 7 are addressed in the examination.
Last updated: 3 November 2022
Dates & times
- Semester 1
Principal coordinator Colin Duffield Mode of delivery On Campus (Parkville) Contact hours 36 hours (Lectures: 2 hours per week; Tutorials: 1 hour per week) Total time commitment 200 hours Teaching period 4 March 2019 to 2 June 2019 Last self-enrol date 15 March 2019 Census date 31 March 2019 Last date to withdraw without fail 10 May 2019 Assessment period ends 28 June 2019 Semester 1 contact information
Professor Colin Duffield
Email: colinfd@unimelb.edu.au
Time commitment details
200 hours
Last updated: 3 November 2022
Further information
- Texts
- Subject notes
LEARNING AND TEACHING METHODS
The subject is based principally on presentations by experienced industry and academic professionals who outline both theory and project management processes as illustrated by project case studies. A major case study is dissected throughout the subject with students working in groups and as individuals to explore the strengths and weaknesses of the project management practices adopted. Workshop dialogue sessions are convened by the lecturer to assist students reflect on the topics presented. In addition to specific assignment work students prepare and present a poster on an aspect of systems based project management.
INDICATIVE KEY LEARNING RESOURCES
Background reading on a systems approach to project management is available:
Blanchard, B.S. and Fabrycky, W.J., 2005, Systems Engineering and Analysis. Upper Saddle River: Prentice Hall International.
CAREERS / INDUSTRY LINKS
Presenters from industry provide insights via the case studies presented. Reference materials are frequently industry based guidelines. Students who are already working in the industry can base their assignment on a project related to their workplace. The main case study dissected throughout the subject is a real and current project. - Related Handbook entries
This subject contributes to the following:
Type Name Course Master of Engineering Structures Course Master of Engineering Management Course Ph.D.- Engineering Course Master of Engineering Project Management Course Master of Philosophy - Engineering Course Doctor of Philosophy - Engineering Specialisation (formal) Civil - 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.
Please note Single Subject Studies via Community Access Program is not available to student visa holders or applicants
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
- Available to Study Abroad and/or Study Exchange Students
Last updated: 3 November 2022