Victoria University

School of Engineering & Science

GRADUATE CERTIFICATE/DIPLOMA/
MASTERS IN PROJECT MANAGEMENT

VPP5640: Project Governance

Subject Co-ordinator: Vinayaga Sarma

(03) 9919 4714; (03) 9919 4139 (fax)
Room: D424
Vinayaga.Sarma@vu.edu.au

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 VPP5640: Project Governance

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Objectives and Syllabus

Subject Schedule
References
Subject Grading Structure
Submission of Assignments
Management of Communications/Contact Details
List of Visiting Lectures
Class Participants List (to be given later)

SUBJECT LECTURERS BRIEF

This brief has been prepared to act as a common reference document to be used
as a basis for preparation of:

"Project Governance"

The prime purpose of this brief is to describe the general objectives and
material content of this subject to the individual lecturers and participant
visiting lecturers.

This provides a detailed course outline for the Project Governance subject. It is
expected that individual lecturers/guest lecturers will structure the content of
their lectures to the subject objectives and content topics as described in this
brief. At the same time, it is desirable that the lecturers provide subject level of
detail with due consideration to those areas covered in other project

OBJECTIVES AND SYLLABUS

Objectives:-

Develop a knowledge of project governance and the roles, duties, responsibilities

and functions of project team members so as to understand their personal liabilities
and responsibilities as a project manager.

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Syllabus:

Effective project decision making is recognised as a key feature of successful

projects. Ineffective decision making leads to project delay and failure. Project
Governance takes participants through the logical steps required for the
establishment of a project governance framework for a project or organisation.
Starting with problems typical of ineffective project governance, it develops a set of
principles designed to overcome these problems and builds a framework based on
these principles. Understanding and developing a comprehensive guide
demonstrates how to populate the framework effectively, provides the
accountabilities and responsibilities of the main roles, and describes how to integrate
the project governance framework into the organisation, whether participants are a
project management practitioner or a student of project management.

LEARNING OUTCOMES :
On successful completion of this unit, students are expected to be able to:
1. Establish the importance of project governance;
2. Evaluate the causes and symptoms of ineffective project governance;
3. Apply the principles of effective project governance and developing the
project governance framework model;
4. Assess the issues in implementing the project governance framework;
5. Assess the governance relationship between programmes and projects;
6. Apply the process towards an integrated project delivery framework.

Lecture Notes and Handouts:

Formal class notes will be provided to students for each UoS. These notes are
reviewed and updated regularly.

Access to Lecture Notes and Handouts

All necessary materials and handouts for this unit are electronically available on
Victoria University WebCT.

REQUIRED READING - TEXTS :

Renz, P. S. (2007). Project governance. Springer E-books.
Rezaee, Z. (2009). Corporate governance and ethics (2nd ed.). John Wiley & Sons.

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Turner, J. R. (2009) The Handbook of Project-Based Management: Leading
Strategic Change in Organizations (3rd ed.) McGrawHill New York.

REQUIRED READING - JOURNALS :

ASX Corporate Governance Council (2007). Corporate Governance Principles and
Recommendations (2nd ed) viewed 1/02/2011 <
http://www.asx.com.au/about/corporate
_governance/revised_corporate_governance_principles_recommendations.htm>
Prentice Hall Law & Business - EBSCO Publishing The Corporate governance
advisor 1999 to present

RECOMMENDED READING - TEXTS :

Garland, R. (2009). A practical guide to effective project decision making. Kogan
Page.

ASSESSMENT :
Unit assessment is based on the final examination, assignments and class
participation. Students must attain a mark of 50% in each assessable component to
pass this UoS. Final Examination 50%, Two Assignment 50%

Assignment and Presentations

In this section, student or syndicate teams, which have been formed as part of the
course, will present a summary of the results of their course assignment. Each
student or Syndicate team will be expected, through the duration of the assignment,
to:

 Prepare a plan for the assignment.

 Conduct background reading and research.
 Carry out individual tasks within the objectives of the assignment.
 Prepare and present a report on the results and findings.
 List project team-members responsibilities.

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 TEACHING PLAN
VPP5640: PROJECT Governance
SEMESTER 1, 2011

Day: Tuesday Room: D230 Time:6.00 - 9.00 pm

WEEK DATE LECTURER TOPIC

1 01/03 Vinayaga Sarma Introduction to Project Governance; PM in the various

Dr Alex Manzoni industries: Definition- Management, Project Manager
Project Team Management, Course Conduct. Subject
Assessment
Introduction to Individual Research Project

2 08/03 Dr Alex Manzoni Corporate Governance: The Sarbanes-Oxley and CLERP 9

legislation and impact on organisations
Introduction to Group Project

3 15/03 Dr Alex Manzoni The relationship of Corporate Governance to Project

Governance. Accountability, ownership and decision-making
in Project Management

4 22/03 Dr Alex Manzoni The Project Governance model and framework for integrating
stakeholder concerns.

5 29/03 Dr Alex Manzoni Causes and symptoms of ineffective governance.

Project Governance Policy and principles
Individual Research Project Due

6 5/04 Dr Alex Manzoni & Individual Research Project Presentation

Vin Sarma
7 12/04 Dr Alex Manzoni Roles and responsibilities for governance tasks. Gaps and
overlaps in governance.

8 19/04 Dr Alex Manzoni The governance relationship between programs and projects.

Mid Semester Break 22/04/2011 to 28/04/2011

9 03/05 Dr Alex Manzoni Governance of programs and portfolios.

10 10/05 Dr Alex Manzoni Design the model to populate the governance framework.

11 17/05 Dr Alex Manzoni Terms of reference and modus operandi for governance
bodies
Group Research Project Due

12 24/05 Dr Alex Manzoni & Assignment 2 Presentation & Subject Revision

Vin Sarma Group Research Project Presentation

TBA Final Examination

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 VPP5640: Project Governance

VPP5640: Subject Grading Structure

Important Notes:

Attendance required: 85% (minimum)

Both major assignments will be retained by Victoria University

% of Final
Grade

1. Individual Research Project: 20%

2. Group Research Project: 30%

3. Final Examination (3 hours): 50%

A case study with an interpretive
review of the case and several short
answer questions..

Total: 100%

Students must attain a mark of 50% in each assessable component to pass

this UoS.

Submission of Assignments

All assignments shall be submitted during class time or dropped in Vinayaga

Sarma’s pigeonhole located opposite room D418 on or before the notified
deadlines. These shall be professionally presented and preferably bound.

Students need to submit the assignments electronically as a WORD

Format as well as a hard copy for panel assessment. Also Powerpont
slides saved in a CD for review.

All assignments should have a cover sheet as prescribed below:

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 VPP5640: Project Governance

(Assignment Name)

Name(s) with ID numbers:

Date of submission:

I/We declare that this is my/our work, that all data and ideas from
other sources are properly referenced, and that any words from
others have been enclosed in quote marks and appropriately
attributed to source. Furthermore, if I/We have been found to
incorrectly reference any ideas, data or words, I/We understand no
marks will be given to my assignment.

Signed ………………………………………………………….

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 VPP5640: Project Governance

SUBJECT CO-ORDINATOR: Vinayaga Sarma

Telephone: (03) 9919 4714
Fax: (03) 9919 4139
Room No: D424
Email: Vinayaga.Sarma@vu.edu.au

Visiting Sessional Lecturer:

Dr Alex Manzoni
Management Consultant
Mantechno Pty Ltd
Mob 0412 351 998
Alex.Manzoni@vu.edu.au
Alex.Manzoni528@gmail.com

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 VPP5640: Project Governance

Management of Communications and

CONTACT DETAILS

Please provide all the information for our data bank.

1. SURNAME:________________________________________________

OTHER NAMES:____________________________________________

2. EMPLOYER:_______________________________________________

3. QUALIFICATIONS:_________________________________________

4. OCCUPATION:______________________________________________

5. EMPLOYER'S ADDRESS:____________________________________

____________________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________

6. CONTACT TELEPHONE NOS:

Day time: __________________ After hours: __________

Mobile: ___________________________________________

Email: _______________________@____________________