Course Title: Project Initiation Management

Part A: Course Overview

Course Title: Project Initiation Management

Credit Points: 12.00

Terms

Course Code

Campus

Career

School

Learning Mode

Teaching Period(s)

BUSM4411

City Campus

Postgraduate

325H Property, Construction & Project Management

Face-to-Face

Sem 2 2014,
Sem 1 2015,
Sem 2 2015,
Sem 1 2016,
Sem 2 2016,
Sem 1 2017,
Sem 2 2017,
Sem 1 2018,
Sem 2 2018,
Sem 1 2019,
Sem 2 2019,
Sem 1 2020,
Sem 2 2020,
Sem 1 2021,
Sem 2 2021,
Sem 1 2022,
Sem 2 2022,
Sem 1 2023,
Sem 2 2023,
Sem 1 2024,
Sem 2 2024

Flexible Terms

Course Code

Campus

Career

School

Learning Mode

Teaching Period(s)

BUSM4618

RMIT Online

Postgraduate

325H Property, Construction & Project Management

Internet

JulDec2017 (KP6)

BUSM4618

RMIT Online

Postgraduate

325H Property, Construction & Project Management

Internet

JanJun2019 (KP2)

BUSM4618

RMIT Online

Postgraduate

325H Property, Construction & Project Management

Internet

JulDec2019 (All)

BUSM4618

RMIT Online

Postgraduate

325H Property, Construction & Project Management

Internet

JulDec2020 (All)

BUSM4618

RMIT Online

Postgraduate

325H Property, Construction & Project Management

Internet

JulDec2022 (KP4)

BUSM4618

RMIT Online

Postgraduate

325H Property, Construction & Project Management

Internet

JanJun2023 (All)

BUSM4618

RMIT Online

Postgraduate

325H Property, Construction & Project Management

Internet

JulDec2023 (KP6)

BUSM4618

RMIT Online

Postgraduate

325H Property, Construction & Project Management

Internet

JulDec2024 (KP4)

Course Coordinator: Omid Haass

Course Coordinator Phone: +61 3 9925 3610

Course Coordinator Email: omid.haass@rmit.edu.au

Course Coordinator Location: 8.8.49

Course Coordinator Availability: by appointment


Pre-requisite Courses and Assumed Knowledge and Capabilities

None


Course Description

This course uses the case method, a Socratic method developed by Harvard University. It is designed to develop the specialised knowledge and skills required to undertake effective front end planning. Front end planning is core to the effective management of projects and occurs at the stage during which high-level, strategic planning and development is undertaken. The purpose of front end planning is to ensure that appropriate projects are selected to in turn ensure effective implementation.

Through your learning in this course you will critically examine the concepts, processes and tools relevant to front end planning in the local, national and global contexts.

Core topics covered in this course include: principles, processes and tools in front end planning; success factors and criteria; project success and project management success; value for money; strategic stakeholder management; strategic and team alignment; early risk management; scope definition; continuity from front end planning to project management planning; contemporary issues in early planning. This course also provides the opportunity for you to examine aspects of front end planning as negotiated with your lecturer.

Through your critical engagement with diverse case studies, both local and international, you will develop your knowledge of best practice in front end project management. In doing so you will apply your knowledge of project success factors and criteria to determine and justify effective front end planning. You will also enhance your negotiation and professional communication skills and decision making capability.
        


Objectives/Learning Outcomes/Capability Development

This course will develop the following program learning outcomes: 

  • Analyse, synthesise and apply complex project management theory to addres industry issues and implement new directions in project management
  • Professionally communicate your ideas and strategy, justifying decision making to diverse project management and organisational stakeholders  
  • Employ your knowledge of project management theory and recent industry developments to identify problems and formulate solutions that respond to the diverse needs of project stakeholders
  • Work autonomously and utlise effective team work skills to plan and develop project management strategy appropriate to a range of project management contexts


Upon successful completion of this course, you will be able to:

  1. Analyse and apply front end planning theories and best practice to undertake effective front end planning in local and global contexts
  2. Analyse, utilise and communicate project success factors and success criteria to deliver project success and value
  3. Critically analyse and evaluate the effectiveness of the front end planning process to advise key decision makers engaged in the front end planning process
  4. Develop and apply front end planning techniques to enable the effective management of projects


Overview of Learning Activities

You will develop your knowledge of front end planning primarily through your engagement with a series of case studies. You will participate in diverse learning activities that are designed to suit a wide range of learning styles and develop advanced, complex knowledge and skills.

In particular, you will prepare and discuss multiple case studies with your peers, which will develop your critical knowledge of front end planning and enhance your project management and leadership skills. Your learning will be fostered through your active participation in class discussions as facilitated by your lecturer and your own critical self-reflection. By working in teams you will further develop your professional communication, analytical and negotiation skills.

A major team project will be assigned for you to work within a group to develop a tool based on an established method for defining scope. You will be required to analyse readings in preparation for lectures and workshops and actively contribute your interpretations and opinions both in class and online. Towards the end of the course, you will critically review a project from the front end planning perspectives as part of your individual work.
         


Overview of Learning Resources

Your learning in this course will be supported through critical readings of peer reviewed journal papers, lecture materials, relevant professional standards and project management texts. You will also be expected to source relevant readings through the RMIT University Library.

RMIT will provide you with resources and tools for learning in this course through our online systems.


Overview of Assessment

You will be assessed on how well you meet the course learning outcomes and on your development against the program learning outcomes.

RMIT City Campus

Assessment Task 1: Class discussion, 50%, CLO1, CLO2, CLO3

Assessment Task 2: Group Project, 25%, CLO1, CLO2, CLO3, CLO4

Assessment Task 3: Individual Reflective Essay, 25%, CLO1, CLO2, CLO3, CLO4

RMITOnline

Assessment Task 1: Essay, 30%, CLO1, CLO2, CLO3

Assessment Task 2: Essay, 30%, CLO1, CLO2, CLO3, CLO4

Assessment Task 3: Individual Reflective Essay, 40%, CLO1, CLO2, CLO3, CLO4

Feedback will be given on all assessment tasks.

If you have a long term medical condition and/or disability it may be possible to negotiate to vary aspects of the learning or assessment methods. You can contact the program coordinator or Equitable Learning Services if you would like to find out more.

Your course assessment conforms to RMIT assessment principles, regulations, policies, procedures and instructions.