Course Title: Manage Projects

Part B: Course Detail

Teaching Period: Term2 2010

Course Code: BUSM7769C

Course Title: Manage Projects

School: 130T Vocational Engineering

Campus: City Campus

Program: C6069 - Advanced Diploma of Engineering Technology

Course Contact: Program Manager

Course Contact Phone: +61 3 9925 4468

Course Contact Email: engineering-tafe@rmit.edu.au


Name and Contact Details of All Other Relevant Staff

  1. Other Course Contact: Steven Bevan
  2. Course Contact Phone +61 3 9925 4137
  3. Course Contact Email stevan.bevan@rmit.edu.au

Nominal Hours: 60

Regardless of the mode of delivery, represent a guide to the relative teaching time and student effort required to successfully achieve a particular competency/module. This may include not only scheduled classes or workplace visits but also the amount of effort required to undertake, evaluate and complete all assessment requirements, including any non-classroom activities.

Pre-requisites and Co-requisites

None

Course Description

This unit of competency covers the management of a straightforward project or a section of a larger project. It focuses on the application of project management skills and the management to meet timelines, quality standards, budgetary limits and other requirements set for the project.


National Codes, Titles, Elements and Performance Criteria

National Element Code & Title:

BSBCMN419A Manage projects

Element:

Administer and monitor project.

Performance Criteria:

.1 Action is taken to ensure that project team members are clear about their responsibilities and the requirements of the project

3.2 Support is provided to project team members, especially with regard to special needs, to ensure that the quality of the expected outcomes of the project and documented timelines are met

3.3 Required record keeping systems are established and maintained throughout the project

3.4 Plans for managing project finances, human, physical and technical resources and quality are implemented and monitored

3.5 Project reports are completed and forwarded as required to stakeholders

3.6 Risk management is undertaken as required to ensure project outcomes are met

3.7 Project deliverables are achieved

Element:

Define project. 

Performance Criteria:

1.1 Project scope and other relevant documentation is accessed

1.2 Project stakeholders are defined

1.3 Clarification is sought from delegating authority of any issues related to project and project parameters

1.4 Limits of own responsibility and reporting requirements are identified

1.5 Relationship of project to other projects and to the organisation's objectives is clarified

1.6 Available resources to undertake project are determined and accessed

Element:

Develop project plan.

Performance Criteria:

2.1 Project plan including timelines, task breakdown, roles and responsibilities is developed

2.2 Appropriate project management tools are identified and accessed

2.3 Risk management plan, which includes OHS, is formulated for project

2.4 Project budget is developed and approved

2.5 Team members are consulted and their views taken account of in planning the project

2.6 Project plan is finalised and any necessary approvals gained to commence project according to documented plan

Element:

Finalise project.

Performance Criteria:

4.1 Financial record keeping associated with project is completed and checked for accuracy

4.2 Staff involved in project are assigned to new roles or reassigned to previous roles

4.3 Project documentation is completed and any necessary sign offs obtained for concluding project

Element:

Review project

Performance Criteria:

5.1 Project outcomes and processes are reviewed against the project scope and plan

5.2 Team members are involved in the review of the project

5.3 Lessons learnt from project are documented and reported within the organisation


Learning Outcomes



Details of Learning Activities

The purpose of this module is to provide competency based training in allied and support functions related to aerospace engineering.
This module facilitates articulation into Aerospace and Engineering degree courses

Learning Outcomes
A participant will be expected to be able to:
• Analyze project briefs and prepare project plans
• Establish project team requirements, resource availability and costs
• Manage and evaluate projects


Teaching Schedule

Sessions 1 & 2: Analyzing and Planning for Project 

i. Get to know you and me;
ii. Course Structure;
iii. Course Requirements – 3 Written Assessments and Class Participation;
iv. Choose a Project and Work in Teams (Maximum 7 to a team)

Introduction to Topic:
i. Defining Project Management
a. Process and Project Work
b. Elements of Project Management 

ii. Project Life Cycle:
a. Project Management Process
b. Project Objectives and Outcomes

iii The Project Plan

iv. Project Parameters:
a. Defining the Project
b. Preliminary Gathering of Data
c. Potential Problems in Planning and Approvals
d. Action Plan
e. Project Boundaries 

Session 3: Review of last Session

Planning for Project – Quality, Cost and Time

i. Planning for Quality:
a. Work Breakdown Structure;
b. Project Specification

ii. Planning the Time:
a. Gantt Chart;
b.. PERT diagram;

iii. Resources Requirement

iv. Planning the Cost

v. Planning a Summary Worksheet

vi. Alternatives and Options

vii. Review of Unit One

Session 4: Tutorial Session

REPORT ON UNIT 1 - DUE (date to be announced)


Session 5 Project Team Resources and Costs 
Introduction
i. Project Leader - Qualities

ii. Selecting Team Members, Resources and Provider:
a. Selecting the Team Members;
b. Skill Register;
c. Access to Appropriate People 

iii. Organizing the People:
a. Functional Project Organization;
b. Pure Project Organization;
c. Matrix Organization and
d. Mixed Organization

Session 6 Objective for the Work Team 
a. Resources
b. Providers

ii. Project Team Maintenance
a. Team Effectiveness Review (TER)

iii. Budgeting
a. Budgeting Tips regardless of the Type of Project

iv. Review of Unit Two (Tutorial)

REPORT ON UNIT 2 - DUE (date to be announced)

Session 7: Management and Evaluation 
Introduction

i. Project Control:
a. Establishing Standards;
b. Control Point Identification Charts;
c. Project Control Charts;
d. Milestone Charts;
e. Budget Control Charts

ii. Project Manager Control

iii. Project Administration

iv. Monitoring and Reporting
a. Monitoring the Budget

Session 8: Review of last session 
i. Common Project Problems:
a. The Floating Start Date;
b. Too Much Work, Not Enough Time;
c Too Many Reports, Not Enough Communication;
d. Get It Done Faster;
e. 90 Percent Done Problem;
f. Too Many Milestones, or Too Few;
g. Moving Target Objectives;
h. Key Person Leaves
i. Cost Out of Control;
j. Staff with Enthusiasm, Not Talent;
k. Impossible Not Achieved;
l. Politics
m. Steps to Take when Falling Behind

ii. Negotiation Skills
a. Why Negotiate?
(i). Win/ Win;
(ii). Win/ Lose;
(iii). Lose/ Lose
b. Some Steps in Negotiation
c. Barriers to Negotiation
d. Strategies
e. Feedback

iii. Completing the Project
a. Inclusion;
b. Integration;
c. Extinction

iv. Post-Implementation Review

v. Review of Unit Three

Session 9: Tutorial Session 

Session 10: Class Project Presentation 

Final Submission of Project – UNIT 3 DUE (date to be announced)


Learning Resources

Prescribed Texts


References


Other Resources

Suggested References:

  1.  Briner W., 1996, Project leadership (2nd Edition), Gower, England
  2.  Lewis, D., 1996, The Essentials of Project Management, Gower, England
  3.  Wilson-Murray R., 1997, Managing Projects: A New Approach, John Wiley and Sons, Queensland
  4. Advanced Project Management : Harold Kerzner, Ph.D.


 


Overview of Assessment

Assessment may incorporate a variety of methods including written/oral activities and demonstration of practical skills to the relevant industry standards. Participants are advised that they are likely to be asked to personally demonstrate their assessment activities to their teacher/assessor. Feedback will be provided throughout the course.


Assessment Tasks

Assessment

Participants are required to complete three assessment tasks.
Each Assessment task (Units 1, 2 and 3) is 30%
Class Participation in a presentation is awarded 10%

See Assessment Guides

Grading Criteria

NN 0-49%

PA 50 – 59%

CR 60 – 69%

DI 70 – 79%

HD 80-100%


Assessment Matrix

MANAGING PROJECTS - ASSESSMENT REQUIREMENTS (BUSM 6117/NGMS 213)

UNIT ONE - PROJECT PLAN ASSESSMENT TASK

PROJECT PLAN ASSESSMENT TASK

Prepare a full project plan (of 800 –1000 words) for a specific project for your case study organisation, or a project which could be presented to your case study organisation. It should represent a project proposal to the business manager and any other relevant manager, from you as the project manager.

Include in your proposal:

- Definition of the Project (Activity 1.5)

- Brief analysis of data collected and action plan (Activity 1.7)

- Work Breakdown Structure (WBS) and Project Specifications (Activity 1.8)

- Timeliness (may include either Gantt chart or PERT diagram, (Activities 1.9 and 1.10) and Critical Path identification.

- Resource Requirements (Activity 1.11)

- Costing Plan (Activity 1.12)

- Planning Summary worksheet or equivalent including responsibilities for each component or step (Activity 1.13)

- alternatives proposed, with recommendation made by yourself for preferred option (Activity 1.14)

ASSESSMENT GUIDELINES

Report must show understanding of:

- Planning documentation including work breakdown structure, Gantt charts/PERT diagrams, summary worksheet, costing plan

- Elements of a good project plan, including quality, timeliness and cost guidelines;

- The concept of project life cycle, project definition, development of project objectives

This submission comprise 30% of the course

ASSESSMENT CRITERIA Marks

1. provide planning details /6

2. demonstrate use of appropriate planning documents /5

3. describe the concept of project life cycle,
project definition, project objectives /5

4. address all parts of the task /6

5. use of levels of language, spelling and grammar
appropriate to professional management /3

6. provide source details of any other references used; /3

7. meet appropriate standards of presentation. /2

TOTAL /30

MANAGING PROJECTS - ASSESSMENT REQUIREMENTS (BUSM 6117/ NGMS 213)

UNIT TWO - PEOPLE, RESOURCES AND COST ASSESSMENT TASK


PEOPLE, RESOURCES AND COSTS ASSESSMENT TASK

For the same project as Assessment task 1, complete 800-1000 word on People, Resources and Cost proposal which includes:

- project team skills requirements and audit and list of project manager
competencies (incorporating part of Activity 2.4 and 2.6 responses)

- administration and organisation set-up (incorporating Activity 2.7 responses)

- resource requirements inventory and strategy (incorporating Activity 2.8)

- budgeting (incorporating Activity 2.10)

ASSESSMENT GUIDELINES

Report must show understanding of:

- task and people competencies for a project manager

- project team skills and team selection

- administration tasks and organisational framework

- resource requirements and how to achieve them

- the budgeting system for the project.

This submission comprise 30% of the course

ASSESSMENT CRITERIA Marks

1. identify key competencies for project managers and /6
team members

2. describe key administrative tasks /5

3. develop planning for resource requirements /5

4. analyse project budgeting as part of finance analysis /5
and control

5. address all parts of the task /3

6. use levels of language, spelling and grammar appropriate /2
to professional management

7. provide source details of any other references used /2

8. meet appropriate standards of presentation. /2

TOTAL /30

MANAGING PROJECTS - ASSESSMENT REQUIREMENTS (BUSM 6117/ NGMS 213)

UNIT THREE - MANAGEMENT AND EVALUATION ASSESSMENT TASK

MANAGEMENT AND EVALUATION ASSESSMENT TASK

This is the final report on the project from Assessment Task 1 and 2. Your report should be 1800 – 2000 words and include:

- major accomplishments

- achievements compared to original goals

- financial accounting (incorporate Activity 3.1, 3.2 and 3.4 responses)

- administrative evaluation (incorporating Activity 3.6 responses)

- communication networks involved and their effectiveness (incorporate Activity 3.8)

- team performance – confidential comments on how team operated, problems encountered

- issues/tasks to follow up

- termination process

- recommendations

- special acknowledgements to team members

ASSESSMENT GUIDELINES

Report must show understanding of:

- establishing standards through a range of charts, such as milestones, budget control

- monitoring performance using reports, inspections, review, testing, auditing

- taking corrective action incorporating negotiation, feedback and communication skils

- terminating a project;

- evaluating a project.

This submission comprise 30% of the course

ASSESSMENT GUIDELINES Marks

1. demonstrate the use of techniques to establish standards
for project control /6

2. identify the effectiveness of monitoring processes such as
reports, inspections, review, testing, auditing; /5

3. describe corrective actions to achieve appropriate project
outcomes; /5

4. identify processes of terminating and evaluating a project /5

5. address all parts of the task /3

6. use levels of language, spelling and grammar appropriate to
professional management /2

7. provide source details of any other references used /2

8. meet appropriate standards of presentation. /2

TOTAL /30

Course Overview: Access Course Overview