Levels 10 & 11

233 Castlereagh Street

Sydney NSW Australia

SUBJECT OUTLINE
1. General Subject Information

Subject Code: MCR007 B

Subject Title: Project Management

Teaching period: Semester 1

Year 2016

Teaching Weeks 12 (7 March 10 June, with

Break 18-29 April)

Core/Elective Status: Core Subject

Pre-requisites: None

Class Times: Thursday 5:00pm to 8:00pm

Class Room: 1109

Class Contact Hours: 3 hours per week

Delivery Mode and Lectures and Tutorials; On Campus

Format:

Lecturer: Assistant Professor Frank Alafaci PhD

Contact Details: Email: frank.alafaci@gca.edu.au

Location: Teachers Lounge, Level 11, UBSS Campus

Consultation Times: Thursday 4:00pm to 5:00pm

2. Subject Overview
2.1 Subject Summary

This subject introduces students to the concept of project management, the principles
underlying effective project management and the tools and techniques that project teams use to
plan and implement successful projects. Students also learn how projects relate to
organisational strategy, how to select projects and how to manage projects so as to optimise
their contribution to overall organisational performance.

2.2 Learning Outcomes

On completion of this subject, students will be able to:

1. Describe the nature of projects and project management.

2. Examine the relevancy of project management in a business environment.

3. Examine the feasibility of a project in terms of resource constraints.

4. Create a work breakdown structure, a project network and a schedule.

5. Summarise and assess the performance of a project.

6. Identify best practices in project management.

2.3 UBSS Attributes assessed in subject

1. Communication
2. Teamwork
3. Problem Solving
4. Continuous Learning
5. Social Responsibility
6. Professional Knowledge & Skills

2.4 Teaching Strategies

Teaching strategies will include:

- Class-based lectures to address concepts, principles, methodologies and issues of project

management.

- Student-led interactive class discussions and case studies to develop theoretical and practical
skills in project management.

- Student-led presentations, in small work groups, of a project plan relevant to industries, such
as event management, where good project management is an essential requirement for success.

Semester 1, 2016 Page 2 of 9

2.5 Reading Materials

Prescribed Text

Larson, E. & Gray, C. (2010). Project Management: The Managerial Process. McGraw-Hill:
Irwin.

Additional Readings:

Allen, J., OToole,. W., McDonnell, I. and Harris, R. (2007). Festival and Special Event
Management (4th ed.) John Wiley & Sons, Ltd, Australia.

Clements, J. P. and Gido, J. (2006). Effective Project Management. Thomson South-Western,

USA. Microsoft Project CD trial included.

Willson-Murray, R. (1997). Managing Projects: A New Approach. John Wiley & Sons, New
York.

Journals:

- International Journal of Project Management

- Leadership in Project Management

- Project Management World

- Successful Project Management

- Harvard Business Review

- Project Management Journal Other resources

- The Project Management Institute in Australia

http://www.melbourne.pmi.org.au/default.aspx

- Australian Institute of Project Management http://www.aipm.com.au

E-Resources: Teaching and assessment materials can be found on our online learning system,
Moodle. E-resources. These include, but are not limited to: lecture notes, PowerPoint
presentations, reading materials and subject-related information. Access to Moodle is granted
to all enrolled students of this subject. See also Section 4.8, E-Library Materials.

Semester 1, 2016 Page 3 of 9

2.6 Subject Contents and Schedule

Teaching Topic Required Required

Week / reading Activity,
Date Tutorial &
Assessment
Questions
Week 1 Introduction to projects Larson & Gray - Chapters 1 In-class discussion and
7-11 Mar and project management &2 exercises from textbook
Chapters 1 & 2 Case study:
- Definition of project and A Day in the Life, p19
project management

- Integration of projects
with organisation

Week 2 Defining a project Larson & Gray - Chapter 4 In-class discussion on

14-18 Mar creation of a Work
- Project scope, how to Breakdown Structure
create, integrate and code
the work breakdown Case study: Manchester
structure United Soccer Club, p124

Week 3 Estimating resources of a Larson & Gray - Chapter 5 Estimating project duration
21-25 Mar project and costs through in-class
collaboration in small
- Duration groups

- Costs

Week 4 Developing a project plan Larson & Gray - Chapter 6 Case study: Greendale
28 Mar- Stadium, p198
1 Apr - Different types of
planning tools

- How to use these tools

Week 5 Risk management Larson & Gray - Chapter 7 Discussion of Group

4-8 Apr Assignment requirements
- Risk management process

- Contingency planning

Semester 1, 2016 Page 4 of 9

Week 6 Scheduling resources and costs Larson & Gray - Case study: The
11-15 Apr Chapter 8 CCPM Dilemma,
- Types of resource constraint p302

- How, why and benefits of resource

scheduling

Week 7 Reducing project duration Larson & Gray - In-class discussion

2-6 May Chapter 9 of project duration
- Rationale and class exercises
- Options

Week 8 Leadership and effective management of Larson & Gray - In-class discussion
9-13 May project teams Chapters 10 & 11 and role-play on
project team
- Attributes of a good project manager management.
Exercises taken
- Ethics and project management from the end of
chapter exercises
- Different types of project teams and how in Larson & Gray
to effectively manage them

Week 9 Outsourcing and project performance Larson & Gray - In-class discussion
16-20 May monitoring Chapters 12 & 13 on end-of-chapter
exercises
- Reasons for outsourcing

- Best practices in outsourcing

- Project control process

Week 10 Project closure Larson & Gray - Assignment -

23-27 May Chapter 14 Group
- Types of project closure presentations

- Post-implementation evaluation

Week 11 International projects Larson & Gray Case Study:

30 May- Chapter 15 AMEX, Hungary
3 June - Overview of international projects p560, text book

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Week 12 Exam revision Class notes Sample questions
6-10 June & answers

Exam Period

Examination Period

Semester 1, 2016 Page 6 of 9

3. Subject Assessment

Assessment Types & Description Weight Due Date / Link to Learning Outcome
Requirements

Assessment 1: Classroom Participation 10% Weekly Attributes 1, 2 and 5 as

listed in the Learning
Students will be assessed, partly during Outcomes
lectures but mainly during tutorials, on
their willingness and ability to discuss
project management issues. A mark out of
a maximum of two marks will be awarded
each week. The students best five marks
will be summed to provide their overall
classroom participation score.

Assessment 2: Group Assignment 30% Both a hard Attributes 2 to 6 as listed in

copy and a the Learning Outcomes
The assignment comprises a 2,000-word digital copy of
group report (carrying 20 marks) and a the report are
20-minute group presentation (carrying 10 to be
marks). Each group of 3 to 4 members is submitted by
required to identify and critically evaluate 5:00pm on
the project management issues that lead to Tuesday 24
the failure of a business project. The May 2016.
group is also required to choose a failed
project, provide a summary of it, identify The
the losses incurred by the project and presentations
analyse the reasons for its failure. will be made
Students are expected to illustrate project from 5:30pm
management theories throughout their on Thursday
report and to support their work with 26 May 2016.
material from at least five academic
journals/business reports. Group members
must contribute equally to the report and
the presentation.

Assessment 3: Final Examination 60% Specific date All Learning Outcomes as

to be advised. previously listed

Semester 1, 2016 Page 7 of 9

4. Academic Policies
The academic policies and procedures for UBSS apply to this subject. Important policies you
need to be aware of and abide by are listed below. These policies are located in your MyGCA
Account in the Policies & Procedures section in the document titled UBSS Academic Polices
& Procedures.

4.1 Assessment& Examinations:

The UBSS Assessment & Examinations: Principles and Guidelines Policy (Section 3)
specifies the requirements for assessments and exams at UBSS. The assessments for this
subject are set by the lecturer in accordance with this policy. In general, you are required to
achieve a mark of 50/100 to pass the subject overall. Some subjects may require you to pass
the final examination in order to pass the subject overall. This is advised in the assessment
section above.

4.2 Plagiarism

Plagiarism and penalties for plagiarism are outlined in the UBSS Polices & Procedures
document (Plagiarism Policy). Penalties vary depending on whether a student is a first, second
or third time offender. It is your responsibility to read this policy and ensure you understand
what plagiarism is and what penalties apply. If in doubt, speak to your lecturer.

4.3 Copyright Regulations

According to Australian Copyright Regulations 1969 the following rules applies in case of
copies:

(a) In the case of a published work in hardcopy form that is not less than 10 pages and
is not an artistic work, 10% of the number of pages, or one chapter, is a reasonable
portion;
(b) In the case of a published work in electronic form only, a reasonable portion is not
more than, in the aggregate, 10% of the number of words in the work.

You are strongly advised that copying more than 10% of any textbook is a breach of the
Copyright Act (Cth) and UBSS policy. Any copies of the text in breach of the Copyright Act
(Cth) may be confiscated and you may subject to disciplinary action for academic misconduct.

4.4 Submission of Assignments

Is covered in the UBSS Policies and Procedures document (Assessment & Examination).
Grounds for extensions of assignments or absences from examinations are also covered in this
policy.

All assignments must be submitted in soft copy on the Moodle learning system. You are
strongly advised to submit your assignment to the Turnitin software package before you
submit it to your lecturer to determine if any plagiarism is detected. If you need help to use this
software, seek help from IT support on level 5.

Semester 1, 2016 Page 8 of 9

Marked assignments should be returned to you within two weeks of submission. A separate
document discussing assignments will be given to you available on Moodle.

4.5 Attendance Requirements:

Attendance Requirements are outlined in the UBSS Academic Progression & Intervention
Policy contained in the UBSS Policies & Procedures Manual. A class attendance rate of 100%
or more is strongly recommended to ensure satisfactory academic progress.

4.6 Grades
Grades awarded are outlined in the UBSS Policies and Procedures Manual that includes the
marks to be attained for each grade.

4.7 Complaints & Appeals

Students wishing to make a complaint or lodge a formal appeal are to follow the procedures in
the UBSS Policies and Procedures document. The Course Coordinator can be contacted for
advice.

4.8 E-library Materials

UBSS subscribes to a selection of e-library resources to support you in undertaking research

required for your course. These e-resources are accessible from your MyGCA account (e-
resources tab). UBSS students also have access to the UBSS Resource Centre on Level 2 to
undertake private study.

4.9 Workplace Health & Safety (WHS)

Your safety at UBSS is our first priority. Basic WHS information was provided to you at
orientation and the orientation slides, updated each semester, are posted on MyGCA in the
Policies & Procedures section. Please make sure you know the basics such as reporting an
incident, what to do in an emergency, or fire, the location of First Aid Officers, etc. Ask
Student Services if you need any clarification.

4.10 Evaluations

You will be asked to complete an evaluation of this subject at the end of the semester to
provide feedback to the Lecturer and the Dean. Your responses are anonymous and are not
identifiable. This feedback is used by the Dean to determine if there is any need for
improvements to the subject or the courses offered at UBSS as part of the UBSS course review
and improvement cycle.

Date Completed: 16/02/2016 (Frank Alafaci)

Date Approved: 20/02/2016 (Angus Hooke)

Semester 1, 2016 Page 9 of 9