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Semester 1, 2011

Faculty: Science; Department: Computing

Contents

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• General Information
• Teaching and Learning
• Assessment
• Administration

General Information

Credit points: 4
Convenor: Ms. Cathy Campbell
 

Students should read this unit guide carefully at the start of semester. It contains important information about the unit. If anything in it is unclear, please consult one of the teaching staff in the unit.

About This Unit

Description

ITEC844 builds upon the foundations laid by the introductory unit ITEC841 Project and Risk Management to provide students with a more thorough understanding of the strategic, infrastructural and socio-technical aspects of project management. At one level, this unit is intended as a training ground for participants who wish to extend their existing ICT project planning and management skills in the more technical aspects of disciplines such as strategic planning, portfolio and program management. At another, we examine the political and organisational context into which this discipline fits, with a view to equipping candidates with the background required to make the transition into a project-sponsorship role.

Teaching Staff

Role	Name	Email	Room	Office hours
Convener, Lecturer	Ms. Cathy Campbell	catherineclairecampbell@gmail.com	TBA	By arrangement
Lecturer	Dr. Manning Li	manning.li@mq.edu.au	TBA	By arrangement

All emails related to this unit should contain ITEC844 in the subject and must include your full name and your student id number.

Teaching and Learning

Classes

Each week you should attend a three-hour seminar. For details of days, times and rooms consult the timetables webpage.

Resources to assist your learning

iLecture

Digital recordings of lectures are available. Read these instructions for details.

Textbook

The textbook for ITEC844 used this semester is:

• The main text book will be
  Peter W.G. Morris & Jeffrey K. Pinto, The Wiley guide to Project, program and portfolio management, John Wiley, 2007 (ISBN 9780470226858)
   
• Supplementary books (recommended but not compulsory for students)
   
• Brian Maizlish and Robert Handler, IT Portfolio management: step by step, unlocking the business value of technology, John Wiley, 2005 (ISBN 9780471649848)
• Kerzner, H.(2004)Advanced Project Management: Best Practices on Implementation, New Jersey: Wiley.
   

Unit material

Material for the unit can be found on this unit website and on blackboard.

Websites

The web page for this unit can be found on blackboard.

The unit makes use of discussion boards hosted within Blackboard. Please post questions there, they are monitored by the staff on the unit.

Staff-Student Liaison Committee

The Department has established a Staff-Student Liaison Committee at each level to provide all students studying a Computing unit the opportunity to discuss related issues or problems with both students and staff.

For each meeting, an agenda is issued and minutes are taken. These are posted on the web at:

• http://www.comp.mq.edu.au/units/800-liaison

Details of the regular meeting dates will be posted on the unit home page. Anyone with an interest in Computing units may attend. This includes staff involved in the teaching and administration of the units, and all students currently taking a Computing unit at that level. There are formal Liaison Committee representatives for each unit who attend to present the views of the student body; all students are welcome and are encouraged to attend.

If you have exhausted all other avenues, then you should consult the Director of Teaching (Dr Christopher Doche) or the Head of Department (Prof. Bernard Mans). You are entitled to have your concerns raised, discussed and resolved.

Student Support Services

Macquarie University provides a range of Academic Student Support Services. Details of these services can accessed at http://www.student.mq.edu.au.

Topic List

Week	Lecture Topic	Readings	Activites
1 22/02 (Cathy)	Course introduction, overview and assessment Strategic management & projects Strategic - Terms and Concepts - The strategic organization - Methods and models	Morris & Pinto Ch1 Kaplan Ch 7	In class exercises: 1. Balanced Score card 2. Table 1.2
2 01/03 (Cathy)	Project governance	Morris & Pinto Ch2 Weil & Ross Ch 6	In class exercises: 1.      SWOT Analysis 2.      Maturity Matrix
3 08/03 (Cathy)	Strategic management linkages ·         Case study	Morris & Pinto Ch3
4 15/03 (Cathy)	Project failure	Morris & Pinto Ch4	Assignment 1: (Strategic Mgt) due
5 22/03 (Cathy)	Portfolio  & program management	Morris & Pinto Ch5 & 6; Maizlish & Handler Ch 5
6 29/03 (Cathy)	Portfolio  & program management cont.	Morris & Pinto Ch5 & 6; Maizlish & Handler Ch 5
7 04/04 (Cathy)	Project management style	Morris & Pinto Ch8
Mid Semester Break
8 26/04	Value management No class this week	Morris & Pinto Ch9
9 03/05 (Manning)	Project success	Morris & Pinto Ch10	Assignment 2 (Program/ portfolio Mgt) due
10 10/05 (Manning)	Project oriented organizations	Morris & Pinto Ch 11
11 17/05 (Manning)	Managing Stakeholders	Morris & Pinto Ch12
12 24/05 (Manning)	Project finance	Morris & Pinto Ch13	Assignment 3 (Factors in project success / failure) due
13 31/05 (Manning/Cathy)	Exam/final assessment ·         Short short answer (10): Concepts and terms : Strategic mgt, program /portfolio mgt, project success / failure (weeks 1-6, 9) ·         Short answer (2 of 4): Project Management Styles, Project organizational structures (weeks 7 & 10) ·         Essay topics(2 of 3): Value Mgt, Stakeholder Mgt, Project Finance (weeks 8, 11&12)	In-class written exam	In class exam

Teaching and Learning Strategy

ITEC844 is taught via seminars. The feedback that you receive also plays a crucial role in your learning. 

Seminars are used to introduce new material, give examples of real life case studies and put them in a wider context. The seminars are designed to be highly interactive and you are encouraged to ask questions of the lecturer to clarify anything you might not be sure of. The discussion and presentation sessions give you an opportunity to practice your analytical, critical thinking and presentation skills (your lecturer will be your discussion facilitator). Each week you will be given a number of problems to work on; it is important that you keep up with these problems as doing so will help you understand the material in the unit and prepare you for the work in assignments.

Each week you should:

• Attend seminars, take notes, ask questions and participate in discussions.
• Actively participate in discussions, solve as many of the practical problems as you can and actively seek feedback on your solution or work.
• Read appropriate sections of the text, add to your notes and prepare questions for your lecturer. In this way, you will be able to contribute to the discussions during the seminars.
• Work on any assignments that have been released.

Lecture notes will be made available each week but these notes are intended as an outline of the lecture only and are not a substitute for your own notes or assigned reading material. The examination will test student comprehension of key concepts taught in the course. Students are encouraged to ask questions and lead discussions in class drawing on personal experience to explore the practical application of theoretical models.

Learning outcomes

It is expected that on completion of this unit/topic, students will have:

 

1) knowledge and understanding of

• Define what is meant by strategic project management
• Define the terms portfolio and project management and their application within an organization
• Understand the linkages between strategic planning and project management
• Understand the process of implementing portfolio and or program management within an organization
• Understand the symptoms and causes of project failure particularly as they relate to project orientation within an organisation and the role of the project sponsor
• Understand critical success factors and the conditions for achieving project success
• Understand the concept of value management and how to apply it to projects
• Understand the role of stakeholders and their impact on project success and failure

2) Task Focussed (or technical) Skills

• Acquire knowledge of a set of tools and methodologies for implementing a strategic approach to the management of projects within an organization
• Perform analytical tasks to deepen understanding of the practical application of theoretical models in real world situations.
• Read, analyse, synthesise and articulate, both orally and in written form, theoretical and practical concepts useful to the application of strategic management of projects within an organization

3) After finishing the unit, the student should also have developed the following skills, including

• Leadership skills;
• Communication skills;
• Critical analysis skills;
• Creative thinking skills.

See the different standards corresponding to these learning outcomes.

Graduate Capabilities

All academic programs at Macquarie University seek to develop a range of graduate capabilities. One of the aims of this unit is that students develop their skills in the following:

• Discipline Specific Knowledge and Skills
• Effective Communication
• Creativity and Innovativity
• Commitment to Continuous Learning

Assessment

The new assessment policy and the associated code of practice imply the use of standards based assessment. In this context, the learning outcomes are aligned with the assessment tasks and the performance of each student is evaluated according to different standards.

Assessment tasks

The following tables summarizes the different aspects of the assessment in this unit. In particular, it links each task to the learning outcomes of the unit.

Task	Due Date	Workload	Feedback	LO assessed	Weight
In-class participation, group work and attendance	N/A	N/A	N/A	All	25%
Assignment 1: Strategic management	During week 4 lecture	5 hrs	Within 1 week	LO1 and LO2	10%
Assignment 2: Program and Portfolio management	During week 9 lecture	20 hrs	within 1 week	LO1 and LO2	20%
Assignment 3: project success and failure	During week 12  lecture	10 hrs	Within 1 week	All	15%
In-class examination	Week 13	N/A	Exam result	All	30%

Note that a certain number of requirements must be fulfilled in order to pass this unit.
If you cannot complete a piece of work please see the convenor before the due date. Check also the special consideration policy.
A more detailed description of each task is given below.

Assessment tasks explained

As the table above indicates, there will be 5 main assessment components.

• In-class participation, group work and attendance marks.
• Three assignments.
• One final examination.

Your final grade will depend on your performance in each part separately. In particular:

• You must perform satisfactorily in the examination in order to pass this unit.
• You must submit a reasonable attempt to all assignments to pass this unit.

All assignments should be handed in via the blackboard assignment submission system https://learn.mq.edu.au/ by the time specified in the assignment description.

All work submitted should be readable and well presented.

Late work will be accepted with a penalty of 10% of the marks for the assignment per day submitted late. Hence, an assignment submitted five days late will get at most half the marks. If you cannot submit on time because of illness or other circumstances, please contact the lecturer before the due date.

Final Examination

For this unit, a final examination is fully appropriate to test learning and knowledge of all learning outcomes. In particular, It allows for accurate reflection of the degree of understanding of all the learning outcomes.

The final examination accounts for 35% of the final mark.

Regarding the examination process, note that

• you must attend all required classes and submit all required assessment, otherwise the Executive Dean of the Faculty or delegated authority has the power to refuse permission to attend the final examination
• the University Examination period in for End-Year 2011 is from 6th June to 24th June 2011.
• you are expected to present yourself for examination at the time and place designated in the University Examination Timetable
• the timetable will be available in Draft form approximately eight weeks before the commencement of the examinations and in Final form approximately four weeks before the commencement of examinations
• no early examinations for individuals or groups of students will be set. All students are expected to ensure that they are available until the end of the teaching semester, that is the final day of the official examination period
• the only exception to not sitting an examination at the designated time is because of documented illness or unavoidable disruption. In these circumstances you may wish to consider applying for Special Consideration.

Holistic Standards

At the end of the semester, you will receive a grade that reflects your achievement in the unit

High Distinction (HD)

Shows consistent evidence of critical analysis and thinking skills in relation to the learning outcomes. There is substantial originality and insight in identifying, generating and communicating competing arguments, perspectives or problem solving approaches; critical evaluation of problems, their solutions and their implications; creativity in application in new contexts. Demonstrate leadership  skills. Conduct team work effectively and play a key role in moving the whole team forward.

Distinction (D)

Shows evidence of integration and evaluation of critical ideas, principles and theories, distinctive insight and ability in applying relevant skills and concepts in relation to learning outcomes. There is demonstration of frequent originality in defining and analysing issues or problems and providing solutions; and the use of means of communication appropriate to the discipline and the audience. Demonstrate some leadership occasionally. Collaborate with team members well and finish assigned tasks on time and with good quality.

Credit (Cr)

Shows evidence of learning that goes beyond replication of content knowledge or skills relevant to the learning outcomes. There is demonstration of substantial understanding of fundamental concepts in the field of study and the ability to apply these concepts in a variety of contexts; plus communication of ideas fluently and clearly in terms of the conventions of the discipline. In team works, is able to finish assigned tasks on time and with good quality most of the time.

Pass (P)

Shows sufficient evidence of the achievement of learning outcomes. There is demonstration of understanding and application of fundamental concepts of the field of study; and communication of information and ideas adequately in terms of the conventions of the discipline. The learning attainment is considered satisfactory or adequate or competent or capable in relation to the specified outcomes. In team works, is able to finish all assigned tasks on time and with acceptable quality.

Fail (F)

Does not provide evidence of attainment of all learning outcomes. There is missing or partial or superficial or faulty understanding and application of the fundamental concepts in the field of study; and incomplete, confusing or lacking communication of ideas in ways that give little attention to the conventions of the discipline. Does not contribute properly as a team member.

 

In this unit, your final grade depends on your performance in each part of the assessment. For each task, you receive a mark that combines your standard of performance regarding each learning outcome assessed by this task. Then the different component marks are added up to determine your total mark out of 100. Your grade then depends on this total mark and your overall standards of performance.

In particular, in order to pass the unit, you must

• Perform satisfactorily for assignment 1, assignment 2, assignment 3 and in-class participation, group work and attendance.
• Perform satisfactorily in the final examination.

This means that you will fail the unit if you do not submit satisfactory submissions for the assignments and/or do not perform satisfactorily in the exam.

Obtaining a grade higher than a Pass (P) in this unit will require a student to obtain (in addition to the above):

• the required total number of marks (Credit - 65, Distinction - 75, High Distinction - 85).

Administration

Macquarie is developing a number of policies in the area of learning and teaching. Approved policies and associated guidelines can be found at Policy Central. Refer to the Science Centre regarding the implementation of these policies (e.g. precise procedures, forms, deadlines, etc).

Special Consideration

Special Consideration is intended for a student who is prevented by serious and unavoidable disruption from completing any unit requirements in accordance with their ability. This application form needs to be filled and submitted to the Science centre along with some evidence to support your case. Depending on the circumstances presented, the convenor may choose to give you an alternate assessment, additional time for an assessment, make-up exam, etc.
If a Supplementary Examination is granted as a result of the Special Consideration process the examination will be scheduled after the conclusion of the official examination period. For details of the Special Consideration policy specific to the Department of Computing, see the Department's policy page.

Grade Appeal

In case of problems arising with your final grade, the first step is to organise a review. The Department recommends that you request an appointment with the convenor of the unit in order to review your grade. If the review does not solve the problem, a formal Grade Appeal can be lodged. See the grade appeal policy.

Academic Honesty and Plagiarism

Plagiarism involves using the work of another person and presenting it as one's own. The Department, in line with University policy, treats all cases seriously. In particular, the Department, keeps a record of all plagiarism cases. This record is referred to so that an appropriate penalty can be applied to each case.
For concrete examples, see this page.