Course Title: Manage IT projects
Part B: Course Detail
Teaching Period: Term2 2015
Course Code: BUSM6459C
Course Title: Manage IT projects
School: 650T Vocational Business Education
Campus: City Campus
Program: C5300 - Diploma of Information Technology
Course Contact : Swati Dave
Course Contact Phone: +61 3 9925-5811
Course Contact Email:swati.dave@rmit.edu.au
Name and Contact Details of All Other Relevant Staff
Course Coordinator: Paul Lewis
Telephone: +61 3 9925-1615
Email: paul.lewis@rmit.edu.au
Teacher: Sunam Pradhan
Email: sunam.pradhan@rmit.edu.au
Nominal Hours: 80
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 describes the performance outcomes, skills and knowledge required to manage information technology (IT) projects within a medium to large organisation.
This unit is delivered using a blend of classroom based and self-paced learning activities.
National Codes, Titles, Elements and Performance Criteria
National Element Code & Title: |
ICAPMG501A Manage IT projects |
Element: |
1. Manage project definition activities |
Performance Criteria: |
1.1 Confirm organisational project governance policy and processes |
Element: |
2. Undertake project planning |
Performance Criteria: |
2.1 Plan information-gathering activities to determine project requirements, constraints and risks |
Element: |
3. Establish the IT project team |
Performance Criteria: |
3.1 Identify and select team members, including roles and responsibilities, based on project solution requirements |
Element: |
4. Manage project execution activities |
Performance Criteria: |
4.1 Monitor delivery and acceptance of assigned project team work activities and manage individuals as necessary |
Element: |
5. Coordinate project closure |
Performance Criteria: |
5.1 Prepare IT support plans and maintenance or support documents |
Learning Outcomes
Details of Learning Activities
A range of learning activities are planned for this course including self-paced and collaborative classroom based activities.
Learning activities will include laboratory-based sessions on a variety of topics as shown in the weekly breakdown. Learning activities will generally consist of practical computer exercises based on teacher handouts. You should attend all sessions.
You will also be expected to undertake work on a small IT project and other activities for homework.
The collaborative classroom based activities will include group discussion, group problem solving activities and opportunities to practice your skills in a simulated/real workplace environment.
We expect you to participate and contribute in all scheduled learning activities.
Teaching Schedule
The Teaching Schedule for this course is as follows:
Induction Session
Prior to training commencement a program level induction session will be conducted that comprises the following:
- Program overview and requirements
- MyRMIT/Blackboard
- Overview of assessment requirements
- Pre-Training Review including:
- Recognition of Prior Learning and Credit Transfers
- Assessment of current skills and knowledge
- Competency/Grading Criteria
- Plagiarism
- Appeals
- Extensions
- Feedback
- Privacy
- Submission requirements
- Resubmission policy
- Where to get support
- Student responsibilities
The nominal hours associated with this are a guide only and represent the total teaching time and student effort required to successfully complete the course. This may include not only scheduled classes but also the amount of effort required to undertake, evaluate and complete all assessment requirements, including any non-classroom activities.
| Week | Week Commencing | Topics | Assessment |
| 1 | 6th Jul 2015 | Introduction to the course including: |
|
| 2 | 13th Jul 2015 | Initiating projects - project governance & project objectives |
ASSESSMENT 1 - Project specifications issued |
| 3 | 20th Jul 2015 | Initiating projects - project constraints, identifying tasks, work breakdown structures, project charters | |
| 4 | 27th Jul 2015 | Initiating projects - project feasibility using break-even & NPV calculations, business cases | |
| 5 | 3rd Aug 2015 | Initiating projects - completion of project charter & business case | ASSESSMENT 1 - Project Initiation Documentation due |
| 6 | 10th Aug 2015 | Planning projects - team members roles, training needs, team contracts, stakeholder management plans | |
| 7 | 17th Aug 2015 | Planning projects - planning project scope, time, cost, quality, resources, communications, risk & procurement | |
| 8 | 24th Aug 2015 | Planning projects - completion of project management plan | ASSESSMENT 1 - Project Planning Documentation due |
| MID-SEMESTER BREAK (Mon 31st Aug to Fri 4th Sep 2015 inclusive) | |||
| 9 | 7th Sep 2015 | Executing projects - monitoring & control: managing tasks, scope changes, quality, risks, team work & issues | ASSESSMENT 1 - Project Team Documentation due |
| 10 | 14th Sep 2015 | Executing projects - project status reports. Class work on project. Prototype demonstrations |
|
| 11 | 21st Sep 2015 | Closing projects - post-project reviews, signoff, maintenance & support, disaster recovery. Class work on project execution, testing & documentation |
ASSESSMENT 1 - Project Execution Documentation due |
| 12 | 28th Sep 2015 | Closing projects - finalisation reports. Class work on project. Revision for Concept Review |
|
| 13 | 5th Oct 2015 |
Concept Review conducted Class work on project execution, testing & documentation |
ASSESSMENT 2 - Concept Review |
| 14 | 12th Oct 2015 | Project presentation & product demonstration (in class) | ASSESSMENT 1 - Project Presentation & Product Demonstration |
| 15 | 19th Oct 2015 | Final work on project closure document. Interviews |
ASSESSMENT 1 - Project Closure Documentation due |
| 16 | 26th Oct 2015 | Course & assessment feedback. Re-submission of assessments if required |
You will receive feedback two weeks from the due date of each task. If required, resubmissions are due by the end of the following week.
Learning Resources
Prescribed Texts
There is no prescribed textbook for this course. |
References
Schwalbe, K. (4th edn, 2013), Revised An Introduction to Project Management, Thomson Course Technology, Kindle ISBN-13: 978-1448607532 |
|
Pearson, N. et al (2013), Project Management In Practice, McGraw Hill, ISBN: 9781743077238 |
Other Resources
Students may also refer to various Websites, textbooks and e-books as indicated their teacher.
Overview of Assessment
Students must demonstrate an understanding of all elements of competency to be deemed competent.
A range of assessment methods are used to assess practical skills and knowledge, for example:
- direct observation of the candidate carrying out project work
- verbal or written questioning to assess required knowledge and skills
- review of reports and implementation plans
- review of a portfolio of the project work undertaken.
Students are advised that they are likely to be asked to personally demonstrate their assessment work to their teacher to ensure that the relevant competency standards are being met.
Assessment Tasks
Critical aspects of assessment
Evidence of the ability to:
• define, plan, execute and close a reasonably complex project to meet project requirements.
You are required to complete 2 Assessments. You must successfully complete all sections of each task to be deemed competent in this unit.
NOTE: Details about specific tasks and assessment criteria will be included in the Cover Sheet(s) for each task.
ASSESSMENT 1 - Project Document Portfolio (for Business Mobile Application Project) (Refer to Teaching Schedule for due dates)
For this task you will work in project teams to manage the development and testing of a small business mobile application. You will need to pay to particular attention to the planning and testing of your app, with all stages delivered on time etc.
Each team will also need to manage any potential risks in the development of the app, such as loss of files and issues with team members etc.
To be deemed competent in this task each team must develop, review and submit documentation at each stage of the project (and for each element of competency) as requested:
-
Project Initiation Documentation(Due Week 5) ie. a project charter for the app project and a business case incorporating financial feasibility calculations
-
Project Planning Documentation (Due Week 8) ie. a comprehensive project management plan covering all the various required aspects, including a Work Breakdown Structure in Microsoft Project 2010 or 2013
-
Project Team Documentation(Due Week 9) ie. a stakeholder management plan and an optional team contract
-
Project Execution Documentation (Due Week 11) ie. a project status report covering quality control, scope changes, risks and issues etc. Students will also be expected to demonstrate stages in the development of their app
-
Project Presentation & Product Demonstration (Week 14) ie. a team presentation to the class (eg. using PowerPoint) covering all aspects of the project outlined above, with a demonstration of the final app
- Project Closure Documentation(Due Week 15) ie. a finalisation report covering IT support and maintenance, disaster recovery procedures, project sign-off and lessons learned etc.
Document templates and guidelines will be available after each of the relevant topics are covered. It is strongly recommended that each team uses Google Docs. This should ensure a fair distribution of the workload, and allow all team members to learn all the important PM concepts.
Teams are likely to be requested to submit interim versions of documents in printout form, and submit their final project document portfolio on Blackboard.
Late submissions of work required for any stage of the project will be eligible for grading at CAG (Competency Achieved) level only.
General Points
- Each team must maintain a Website, such as a Google Sites Website, with all the relevant material available for the team for the duration of the project.
- All documents are to be presented in portfolio form ie. a folder of documents submitted on Blackboard.
- Each document should include a header (eg with the name of the document and team members’ names) and a footer (eg with the date and page number).
- All team members must sign the assessment cover sheet(s).
- Soft copies are to be retained by all team members as backups. Google Docs is preferred.
- RMIT academic discipline procedures will apply in cases of plagiarism. Students should use Turnitin to avoid plagiarism.
Assessment 2 - PM Concept Review(Conducted in Week 13)
In the first part of the course each team of students will be expected to complete worksheets on various aspects of project management as per the Teaching Schedule. Some of the questions may require research and peer review by team members will be essential.
In week 13 there will be a concept review task, which will cover the material studied in class each week. You will need to answer number of questions covering both project management concepts and application of those concepts to projects, such as your team Website or app project. Resources such as Websites and texts may be used.
To be deemed competent in this task you will be expected to demonstrate your understanding of the concepts covered in all sections of the course.
Assessment Matrix
The Assessment Matrix that maps all assessments to the critical aspects of evidence, skills, knowledge and elements is available from the teacher.
Other Information
Submission Requirements
Assessment tasks need to be submitted via the Learning Hub (Blackboard).
You should:
- Ensure that you submit assessments on or before the due date.
- Always retain a copy of your assessment tasks (hard copy and soft copy).
- When you submit work for assessment at RMIT University you need to use a cover sheet that includes a declaration and statement of authorship. You must complete, sign and submit a cover sheet with all work you submit for assessment, whether individual or group work. On the cover sheet you declare that the work you are presenting for assessment is your own work. An assignment cover sheet for submission of work for assessment is available on blackboard.
- Each page of your assessment should include footer with your name, student number, the title of the assessment, unit code and title and page numbers. For example, Julie Macpherson, 324567, Task 2, OHS2345C Ensure safe workplace, Page 1 of 10.
Late Submission Procedures
You are required to submit assessment items and/or ensure performance based assessment is completed by the due dates.
If you are prevented from submitting an assessment item on time, by circumstances outside your control, you may apply in advance to your teacher for an extension to the due date of up to seven calendar days.
More Information:http://www.rmit.edu.au/students/assessment/extension
Form to use:http://mams.rmit.edu.au/seca86tti4g4z.pdf
Where an extension of greater than seven days is needed, you must apply for special consideration. Applications for special consideration must be submitted no later than two working days after the assessment task deadline or scheduled examination. More Information: http://www.rmit.edu.au/browse;ID=g43abm17hc9w
Form to use:http://mams.rmit.edu.au/8a5dgcaqvaes1.pdf
Resubmissions (VET Programs):
If you are found to be unsuccessful in a Course Assessment Task you will be allowed one resubmission only. Your teacher will provide feedback regarding what you need to do to improve and will set a new deadline for the resubmission. The highest grade you will receive if your resubmission is successful is "CAG".
If you are still not meeting the assessment requirements you must apply to your Program Manager in writing outlining the steps you will take to demonstrate competence in your course. Your submission will be considered by the Program Team and you will be advised of the outcome as soon as possible.
Adjustments to Assessment
In certain circumstances students may be eligible for an assessment adjustment. For more information about the circumstances under which the assessment arrangements might be granted please access the following Website:
More Information: http://rmit.edu.au/browse;ID=7usdbki1fjf31
Marking Guide (Competency):
You must demonstrate that you have all the required skills/knowledge/elements in the unit of competency you are studying.
You will receive feedback on each assessment task that will inform you about your progress and how well you are performing.
Marking Guide (Grading)
After achieving competency we then grade your performance in the unit and you will achieve one of the following grades:
Final Grades Table:
CHD Competent with High Distinction
CDI Competent with Distinction
CC Competent with Credit
CAG Competency Achieved – Graded
NYC Yet Competent
DNS Did Not Submit for assessment
Further information regarding the application of the grading criteria will be provided by your teacher.
Course Overview: Access Course Overview