Course Title: Manage ICT projects

Part B: Course Detail

Teaching Period: Term2 2019

Course Code: COSC7370C

Course Title: Manage ICT projects

School: 650T Vocational Business Education

Campus: City Campus

Program: C5341 - Diploma of Information Technology

Course Contact: Val Christou

Course Contact Phone: +61 3 9925 5076

Course Contact Email: val.christou@rmit.edu.au


Name and Contact Details of All Other Relevant Staff

Course Leader:  Nicky Sephton 

nicky.sephton@rmit.edu.au

+61399255423

 

 

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 skills and knowledge required to manage the initiation, implementation and completion of reasonably complex information and communications technology (ICT) projects incorporating scope, risk control and financial factors.

It applies to individuals who utilise a range of specialised technical and managerial techniques to plan, carry out and evaluate their own work and/or the work of a team.


National Codes, Titles, Elements and Performance Criteria

National Element Code & Title:

ICTPMG501 Manage ICT projects

Element:

1. Manage project definition activities

Performance Criteria:

1.1 Confirm organisational project governance policy and processes

1.2 Confirm business problem or opportunity and project objectives

1.3 Develop project charter, including preliminary statement of project scope and obtain sign-off

1.4 Conduct a feasibility study and prepare a business case as necessary

Element:

2. Undertake project planning

Performance Criteria:

2.1 Plan information gathering activities to determine project requirements, constraints and risks

2.2 Identify project partitioning on the basis of intended system development life cycle and risk

2.3 Prepare project work breakdown, schedule and budget

2.4 Compile project management plan documents as necessary to communicate the intended management strategy for the project and obtain sign-off

Element:

3. Establish the IT project team

Performance Criteria:

3.1 Identify and select team members, and allocate roles and responsibilities, based on project solution requirements

3.2 Determine training and support needs of team members

3.3 Establish project team values and agreed behavioural standards with team members

Element:

4. Manage project execution activities

Performance Criteria:

4.1 Monitor delivery and acceptance of assigned project team work activities and manage individuals

4.2 Monitor and control the quality of project deliverables

4.3 Monitor and control project scope changes, risks and issues

4.4 Manage system testing and hand over activities

Element:

5. Coordinate project closure

Performance Criteria:

5.1 Prepare IT support plans and maintenance or support documents

5.2 Obtain final project sign-off

5.3 Conduct post project review and document lessons learned

5.4 Review and update disaster recovery plan

5.5 Close project


Learning Outcomes



Details of Learning Activities

A range of learning activities are planned for this course on a variety of topics as shown in the teaching schedule.

 

This may include self-paced and collaborative classroom activities such as:

  • Class exercises
  • Challenges
  • Problem solving
  • Project work
  • Quizzes

We expect you to participate and contribute in all scheduled learning activities as each week builds on the next.


Teaching Schedule

Course Delivery:

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

Topic

Assessment

Week 1

8th Jul 2019

Course Introduction

Project management concepts: project governance, project methodology, project management objectives, key terms

 

Week 2

15th Jul 2019

Initiating projects - Project constraints, identifying objectives, scope definition, initiation documents, gathering requirements. 

 

Week 3

22nd Jul 2019

Initiating projects – financial feasibility

 

Week 4

29th Jul 2019

Initiating projects – financial feasibility

ASSESSMENT TASK 1.1 - Project Initiation Documents due

Week 5

5th Aug 2019

Project Planning: Scope Management

 

Week 6

12th Aug 2019

Project Planning: Schedule Management

 

Week 7

19th Aug 2019

Project Planning: Cost Management

 

Week 8

26th Aug 2019

Project Planning: Quality, resources, communications, risk & procurement  - completion of project management plan

ASSESSMENT TASK 1.2 - Project Planning Documents due

Break (Monday 2nd September - Friday 6th September)

Week 9

9th Sep 2019

Executing projects - team members roles, training needs, team contracts, staff management plans

 

Week 10

16th Sep 2019

Executing projects - monitoring & control: Tracking project progress. Managing tasks, scope changes, quality, risks, team work & team issues.

Project progress reports.

 

Week 11

23rd Sep 2019

(Public Holiday Friday 27th Sep)

 

Closing projects - Post-project reviews, signoff, maintenance & support, disaster recovery.
Class work on project execution, testing & documentation

ASSESSMENT TASK 1.3 - Project Execution Document due

Week 12

30th Sep 2019

Revision for Concept Review

 

Week 13

7th Oct 2019

Concept Review conducted.
Class work on project

ASSESSMENT 2 - Concept Review

Week 14

14th Oct 2019

Final work on project closure document.

ASSESSMENT TASK 1.4 - Project Closure Document due

Week 15

21st Oct 2019

Project presentation & product demonstration (in class)

ASSESSMENT TASK 1.5 - Project Presentation & Product Demonstrations

Week 16

28th Oct 2019

Assessment feedback.

Resubmission of assessment work if required

Resubmissions as required

 

 


Learning Resources

Prescribed Texts

There is no prescribed textbook for this course


References

Software Extension to the PMBOK Guide, 5th Edition, by the Project Management Institute (PMI)

ISBN: 1-62825-041-0

A guide to the project management body of knowledge (PMBOK guide), 6th Edition

ISBN: 9781628253900

Schwalbe, K (6th end, 2017) An Introduction to Project Management, Sixth Edition

ISBN-13:978-1544701899


Other Resources

You will need laptop with charger for each class 

You may also refer to various media, websites, textbooks and e-books as indicated in Canvas


Overview of Assessment

In order to achieve competency in this unit, you must provide:

Performance Evidence

 Evidence of the ability to:

  • scope the activities of a complex information and communications technology (ICT) project
  • prepare a project plan
  • determine the project team and duties
  • execute a project
  • close the project, ensuring it has met requirements. 

Knowledge Evidence

To complete the unit requirements safely and effectively, you must:

  • describe the characteristics of leaders and technical teams
  • outline the consultation and communication techniques and strategies
  • describe the process of establishing technical teams and determine stages of team development
  • explain estimation and cost-analysis techniques
  • describe the methods of communication and communication styles, including interviewing techniques
  • identify the objectives and perform benefits analysis
  • outline the organisational values, policies and processes that apply to the project
  • conduct performance management and project team appraisal methods
  • explain the processes for monitoring team and own performance
  • outline the project cash flow and budgeting processes
  • identify the range of project-management methods and tools
  • conduct systems analysis and modelling techniques
  • explain team roles and delegation within a multi-project methodology context
  • identify and analyse technology solution models and frameworks.

 Assessment Conditions

Assessment must be conducted in a safe environment where evidence gathered demonstrates consistent performance in conditions that are safe and replicate the workplace. Noise levels, production flow, interruptions and time variances must be typical of those experienced in the ICT project management field of work, and include access to office equipment, materials and industry software packages.

You are advised that you are likely to be asked to personally demonstrate your assessment work to your teacher to ensure that the relevant competency standards are being met.

Feedback

Feedback will be provided throughout the semester in class and/or online discussions.  You are encouraged to ask and answer questions during class time and online sessions so that you can obtain feedback on your understanding of the concepts and issues being discussed. Finally, you can email or arrange an appointment with your teacher to gain more feedback on your progress.

You should take note of all feedback received and use this information to improve your learning outcomes and final performance in the course.       


Assessment Tasks

You are required to complete 2 assessments.  You must successfully complete all sections of each task to be deemed competent in this course.

 

NOTE:  Details about specific tasks and assessment criteria will be included in the STUDENT ASSESSMENT TASK document for each task.

 

ASSESSMENT TASK 1 - Project Document Portfolio

In a group of three, you are undertaking a project for a client.  You and your group will manage the initiation, planning, and development of a small application.  All stages are to be delivered on time.

Each group will also need to manage any potential risks in the development of the application, for example loss of files and issues with group members.

Completing this assessment allows you to demonstrate that you can:

  • scope the activities of a complex information and communications technology (ICT) project
  • prepare a project plan
  • determine the project team and duties
  • execute a project
  • close the project, ensuring it has met requirements.

To be deemed competent in this task each group must develop, review and submit documentation at each stage of the project.

You will submit five parts to complete the Portfolio of Project Documentation assessment task. You will need to complete all five parts satisfactorily to be deemed satisfactory for this assessment.

The five parts of Assessment 1 are:

  1. Project Initiation Documentation that includes:
    1. a project charter and
    2. a business case incorporating financial feasibility calculations
  2. Project Planning Documentation that is, a comprehensive project management plan covering all the various required aspects, including a Work Breakdown Structure, Cost Baseline and Gantt Chart
  3. Project Execution Documentation that includes:
    1. a staff management plan
    2. a team contract, and
    3. a project progress report covering quality control, scope changes, risks and issues etc. Students will also be expected to demonstrate stages in the development of their Mobile Application.
  4. Project Closure Documentation that is, a finalisation report covering IT support and maintenance, disaster recovery procedures, project sign-off and lessons learned.
  5. Project Presentation & Product Demonstration that is a group presentation to the class (eg. using PowerPoint or Slides) covering all aspects of the project outlined above, with a demonstration of the final product (application).

You will be given an opportunity in class to discuss the progress of your assessment with your teacher.

 

Late submissions of work required for any stage of this project, if assessed as competent, will at best, be eligible for grading at CAG (Competency Achieved) level only.

 

General Points

  • Each group must maintain a Google drive folder, with all the relevant material available for the group for the duration of the project.
  • All documents are to be submitted on Canvas
  • Each group submission requires a statement that outlines each group member’s percentage of contribution to the submitted work. If little or no contribution has been made by a group member that group member may be asked to submit the assessment again as an individual.
  • Soft copies are to be retained by all group members as backups.
  • Students will use Turnitin in conjunction with Canvas to submit written assessments.
  • RMIT academic discipline procedures will apply in cases of plagiarism. 

 

 ASSESSMENT TASK 2 - PMConcept Review

 

In the first part of the course you will be expected to complete quizzes and learning activities on various aspects of project management.  Some of the questions may require research and peer review.

In week 13 there will be a concept review assessment 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 then apply those concepts.

This assessment task is conducted on Canvas and is one of two assessment tasks you need to complete satisfactorily, to be deemed competent for this unit.

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

Elements/Performance Criteria 

Assessment Details 

1. Manage project definition activities 

1.1 Confirm organisational project governance policy and processes 

1.2 Confirm business problem or opportunity and project objectives 

1.3 Develop project charter, including preliminary statement of project scope and obtain sign-off 

1.4 Conduct a feasibility study and prepare a business case as necessary 

 

Assessment 1 - Portfolio of Project Documentation 

 

2. Undertake project planning 

2.1 Plan information gathering activities to determine project requirements, constraints and risks 

2.2 Identify project partitioning on the basis of intended system development life cycle and risk 

2.3 Prepare project work breakdown, schedule and budget 

2.4 Compile project management plan documents as necessary to communicate the intended management strategy for the project and obtain sign-off 

Assessment 1 - Portfolio of Project Documentation 

  

3. Establish the IT project team 

3.1 Identify and select team members, and allocate roles and responsibilities, based on project solution requirements 

3.2 Determine training and support needs of team members 

3.3 Establish project team values and agreed behavioural standards with team members 

Assessment 1 - Portfolio of Project Documentation 

 

4. Manage project execution activities 

4.1 Monitor delivery and acceptance of assigned project team work activities and manage individuals 

4.2 Monitor and control the quality of project deliverables 

4.3 Monitor and control project scope changes, risks and issues 

4.4 Manage system testing and hand over activities 

Assessment 1 - Portfolio of Project Documentation 

5. Coordinate project closure 

5.1 Prepare IT support plans and maintenance or support documents 

5.2 Obtain final project sign-off 

5.3 Conduct post project review and document lessons learned 

5.4 Review and update disaster recovery plan 

5.5 Close project 

Assessment 1 - Portfolio of Project Documentation 

Performance Evidence 

  

Evidence of the ability to: 

  • scope the activities of a complex information and communications technology (ICT) project 

  • prepare a project plan 

  • determine the project team and duties 

  • execute a project 

  • close the project, ensuring it has met requirements. 

 

Assessment 1 - Portfolio of Project Documentation 

Knowledge Evidence 

  

To complete the unit requirements safely and effectively, the individual must: 

  • describe the characteristics of leaders and technical teams 

  • outline the consultation and communication techniques and strategies 

  • describe the process of establishing technical teams and determine stages of team development 

  • explain estimation and cost-analysis techniques 

  • describe the methods of communication and communication styles, including interviewing techniques 

  • identify the objectives and perform benefits analysis 

  • outline the organisational values, policies and processes that apply to the project 

  • conduct performance management and project team appraisal methods 

  • explain the processes for monitoring team and own performance 

  • outline the project cash flow and budgeting processes 

  • identify the range of project-management methods and tools 

  • conduct systems analysis and modelling techniques 

  • explain team roles and delegation within a multi-project methodology context 

  • identify and analyse technology solution models and frameworks. 

 

Assessment 1 - Portfolio of Project Documentation 

Assessment 2 – Concept Review 

 

Other Information

Submission Requirements

Assessment tasks need to be submitted via Canvas.

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 Canvas. 
  • 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 (unresolved)

Form to use:  http://mams.rmit.edu.au/8a5dgcaqvaes1.pdf
 

Re-submissions (VET Programs)

If you are found to be unsuccessful in a Course Assessment Task you will be allowed one re-submission only.  Your teacher will provide feedback regarding what you need to do to improve and will set a new deadline for the re-submission.  The highest grade you will receive if your re-submission 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      Not 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