Course Title: Develop project management plan

Part B: Course Detail

Teaching Period: Term2 2010

Course Code: BUSM6158C

Course Title: Develop project management plan

School: 130T Vocational Engineering

Campus: City Campus

Program: C6080 - Advanced Diploma of Telecommunications Engineering

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

Nominal Hours: 150

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

There are no pre-requisites

Course Description

This unit may apply to switching, transmission and radio (both fixed and mobile) network and the various transmission paths, i.e. cable, optic fibre, radio. Assessment candidates will have a wide range of telecommunications industry skills, knowledge and competency at Diploma level or above before attempting this unit.


National Codes, Titles, Elements and Performance Criteria

National Element Code & Title:

ICTTC033C Develop project management plan

Element:

1. Evaluate and assess project

Performance Criteria:

1.1 Documentation associated with planning project brief is checked for completeness and accuracy and further briefing from planners arranged where necessary
1.2 A site evaluation is undertaken or organised and all barriers to the installation identified
1.3 Safety aspects of the building/area are evaluated and necessary precautions noted for inclusion in job specification
1.4 Equipment/system needs are identified and availability assessed
1.5 Actual needs of the customer are verified where appropriate and any changes are further discussed with planners

Element:

2. Detail project tasks and associated timelines

Performance Criteria:

2.1 Overall project is broken down into tasks and a work breakdown structure is developed
2.2 All tasks associated with the project are identified and detailed
2.3 The relationship between tasks is identified and a logical networking of tasks is developed
2.4 Critical paths are identified and planned
2.5 Need for and extent of network outages and restrictions imposed as a result are identified and allowed for in developing the plan and associated timeframes
2.6 Timeframes associated with each aspect of the project are identified
2.7 Resource needs are identified and built into the plan
2.8 Necessary planning approvals are obtained and/or organised
2.9 Plan is documented in a manner which facilitates ease of management of the project
2.10 Quality plans incorporating flow process charts are developed as appropriate
2.11 Plan is verified with all appropriate personnel including the customer where appropriate
2.12 Contingency plans are developed to account for delays or other problems experienced during the project
2.13 Modifications to the plan are recognised and instituted within accepted timeframes

Element:

3. Assess resource requirements

Performance Criteria:

3.1 Standard installation times are used to develop total hours required
3.2 Identified barriers and difficulties are allowed for in developing installation hours required
3.3 Allowance for contingencies is catered for
3.4 Required competencies are identified and skill gaps determined
3.5 Special award conditions are recognised and allowed for in developing business case
3.6 Possible resource banks are identified
3.7 Use of contract versus enterprise resources is assessed
3.8 Project is subjected to tendering process in accordance with enterprise policy where required
3.9 Material requirements including spare parts are established
3.10 Test gear and tools necessary for the project are determined
3.11 Systems including man/machine communication tools are identified

Element:

4. Organise training

Performance Criteria:

4.1 Detail of training required is ascertained given project requirements and identified skill gaps
4.2 Timeframe for training is established
4.3 Method of training delivery and location of such training are determined in a manner which gives best return to the enterprise both from a training and economic perspective
4.4 Resources to undertake the level of training required are identified and organised

Element:

5. Organise resources

Performance Criteria:

5.1 A workforce with required numbers and skills is established and fully briefed as to job requirements and timeframe
5.2 Priorities are organised to ensure timeframe agreed with the customer is met
5.3 Manuals, specifications, plans and design briefs are organised and delivered to site prior to installation
5.4 Labour contract is let and contract documents specifying the project detail is agreed with the successful tenderer
5.5 Material, test gear, tools and systems are ordered and arrangements initiated to ensure delivery to site in accordance with planned timeframes
5.6 Transport of mechanical aids/special vehicles to the site is organised

Element:

6. Determine budgetary requirements

Performance Criteria:

6.1 A detailed financial statement detailing costs associated with each task/phase of the project is prepared in accordance with enterprise policy
6.2 A project budget is prepared and submitted for approval prior to project commencement
6.3 Expenditure approval procedures are developed and agreed in accordance with enterprise policy
6.4 Costings are checked to ensure that company guidelines relating to profit margin are achieved
6.5 A risk analysis study is undertaken and various financial options developed

Element:

7. Document plan

Performance Criteria:

7.1 Tasks are fully documented within the plan along with timeframes and resource requirements
7.2 Installation processes including test requirements are fully described in the plan
7.3 Project verification and monitoring and control processes are developed and detailed in the plan
7.4 Review processes including quality audits are planned and described within the project plan
7.5 Plans, drawings, system/equipment specifications, manuals both enterprise and vendor and process flow documents are included with the plan
7.6 All parties associated with the process are identified and their particular roles fully documented
7.7 A project management meeting with all parties associated with the project is organised

Element:

8. Arrange plan approval

Performance Criteria:

8.1 Plan, outlining tasks, timeframes, resource requirements and financial details are submitted for approval prior to implementation in accordance with enterprise requirements
8.2 Plan is provided to design staff for detailed design upon approval
8.3 Plan together with design details are discussed with installation staff prior to project commencement

Element:

9. Oversight project completion

Performance Criteria:

9.1 Plan is monitored and controlled in accordance with recognised quality principles
9.2 Difficulties with plan execution are identified early and contingency plans implemented
9.3 Project overruns are assessed from both an economic and customer impact perspective and appropriate action initiated to minimise impact
9.4 Completion advice is completed in conjunction with planners, installation manager and operational staff and asset declared ready for use
9.5 Quality audit is undertaken on project completion and recommendations made for process improvement where necessary


Learning Outcomes



Details of Learning Activities

In this unit you will learn industry recognized skills in designing, implementing and managing a local and wide area network.
Classroom activities:
Lectures:
to introduce the important concepts.
• Attending lectures will make it much easier for you to understand the central concepts of the course
• You will feel more comfortable and you will learn more if you read the relevant material before you attend the lectures
Tutorials: to enable you to ask questions and to clarify unresolved issues
• Review the material and prepare your questions before you come to class.
• There will be an overview of course content with a focus on the material students find difficult
• If something is unclear or if you find yourself falling behind please ask for help immediately
• You may be given worksheets to complete during the tutorial
Reflective Lab Journal: You will perform the exercise and write it up in a reflective lab journal.
The reflective journal will be an Online Blog created in the Learning Hub.
A reflective lab journal is a means to reflect on your learning (and learning experiences) in different ways. They are used to:
• record the development of your ideas and insights and / or those of a group in a given context and can include concepts, ideas and main points from experience and theory
• reflect upon the subject content and personal experiences as a means to increase your understanding
• analyse your own learning in and for self development.
They are used to explore situations from a personal perspective, but generally within the context of learning from your experiences. They are used to reflect on, in and for action. Common questions arising from ’reflection’ are:
• What happened? (Reflecting on actions)
• Why did it happen? (Reflecting in actions)
• What can be learnt from this for future actions? (Reflecting for actions)
The write up will be a record of your actions as they are performed and your corresponding observations.
The write up must be performed in the class as you perform the exercise, not at a later date.
o Write ups not in the Blog will not be marked.
o Write ups which are not done concurrently with the performance of the exercise will not be marked.
In general the detail of the write up must be sufficient for you to be able to comfortably perform the practical exercise a year or more lately directly from the reflective lab journal
Any difficult or tricky points should be especially noted in the reflective journal for future reference.
The neatness, completeness and the presentation of the reflective journal must be of a quality such that you would be prepared to show it to a future employer as an example of your work.
Work simulated activities: you will progressively implement a networking scenario as you would be expected to do in industry.
• You will be expected to work on a networking scenario progressively as you learn the material required for you to be able to do so.
• Leaving the work to a late stage and then rushing to complete it is bad industrial practice. It will be strongly discouraged and marked down heavily. You will be expected to meet progressive milestones in the completion of this activity.
Occupational Health and Safety:
• Conduct in lecture theatres, classrooms and laboratories will be of a standard required by OH&S legislation as applied to industry.
• You must behave in such a way as not to place the health and safety of yourself or anyone else at risk
• Covered shoes must be worn in all labs
• Thongs and sandals must not be worn in any lab
Preparation for the Work place:
All skills and knowledge in this course are oriented towards current industry practices and technologies. An essential industry expectation is that you are responsible for your behaviour and actions. When you are in employment you will be expected to attend work on time on a regular basis, perform you work on time to an accepted standard and be responsible for what you do. Industry will expect you to comprehend and follow both verbal and written instructions. All industry expectations will be applied to you in this course.
You will be expected to:
• Observe all Occupational Health and Safety requirements
• You must behave in such a way as not to place the health and safety of yourself or anyone else at risk
• Prepare for classes
• Attend all classes regularly and on time
• Use your class time in a productive and responsible way
• Finish your work on time to an accepted standard
• Pay attention to, comprehend and follow both verbal and written instructions.
• It is your personal responsibility to be aware of course requirements and timelines
• Please ask if something is not clear
The Preparation for the Workplace component will be an essential part of the assessment for this course. It will be included in the assessment of the practical and work simulated activities.
Activities Outside of Class:
It is expected that students allocate at least 60% of course hours for reading, independent study, project research, design, implementation, testing and problem solving activities.


Teaching Schedule

Weeks

1 Initiation - Ouline of the course and assessment, intro to MS Project
2 Nature of IT Projects
3 Initialization of a Project
4 Discuss Team Charter and Business Case - Agree on Charter and Case as class set
5 Project Charter and Baseline Plan
6 Human Side of Project Management
7 Teams - Organisational Structures - Mars Inc. vs BHP Billiton vs Army
8 Defining Project Scope
9 Project Resources - define and list
10 Discuss Scope, Task and Resource Lists - Agree on class set
11 Software Search - Internet search and report on CPM PERT software - cost and features
12 Project Schedule - introduction to CPM
13 Schedule and Budget
14 Risk Assessment
15 Managing Risk
16 Discuss Schedule and Risk Plan - Agree on class set.
17 Define requirements for MS Project - what reports and when?
18 Huskey Air - load into MS Project and make a baseline

Semester Break


19 Communication, Tracking and Reporting
20 Cash Flow - calss exercise
21 Quality Management
22 Change, Resistance and Conflict
23 Procurement and Outsourcing
24 Project Implementation - assignment of duties role play
25 Project Implementation - assignment of duties role play
26 Project Implementation - assignment of duties role play
27 Project Implementation - assignment of duties role play
28 Project Implementation - assignment of duties role play
29 Leadership Styles - Power/Alignment
30 Project Implementation - assignment of duties role play
31 Project Implementation - assignment of duties role play
32 Project Implementation - assignment of duties role play
33 Project Implementation - assignment of duties role play
34 Project Closure
35 Round out project submissions etc…
36 Round out project submissions etc…


Learning Resources

Prescribed Texts

IT Project Management, Marchewka, 3/e, John Wiley & Sons

Project Management , Principles, Prospects & Practice, Stephen Hartley , 3/e, Pearson


References


Other Resources


Overview of Assessment

This is a project based course - there will be progressive assessment(s) of Project Exercise(s).


Assessment Tasks

First Semester

1. Project Scope 10%
2. Feasbilty Study 30%
3. Project Proposal 10%
4. Project Design 30%
5. Participation and Teamwork 20%

Second Semester

1. Interim Project Report 15% 
2. Project Implementation 30%
3. Final Project Report 20%
4. Participation and Teamwork 20%
(Reflective Journal)
5. Presentation 15%

Based on two semester’s assessment, an avergae would be calculated to provide marks on 100% scale.


Assessment Matrix

Course Overview: Access Course Overview