University of Technology Sydney

49002 Managing Projects

Warning: The information on this page is indicative. The subject outline for a particular session, location and mode of offering is the authoritative source of all information about the subject for that offering. Required texts, recommended texts and references in particular are likely to change. Students will be provided with a subject outline once they enrol in the subject.

Subject handbook information prior to 2024 is available in the Archives.

UTS: Engineering: Professional Practice and Leadership
Credit points: 6 cp

Subject level:

Postgraduate

Result type: Grade and marks

There are course requisites for this subject. See access conditions.
Anti-requisite(s): 31272 Project Management and the Professional AND 32541 Project Management AND 48260 Ver 4 Engineering Project Management

Description

The subject introduces project management principles and tools. Students develop an understanding of management practices and their application to the successful performance of engineering projects and engineering works. What students learn in this subject enhances their ability to make and implement decisions for strategic and operational management within an engineering setting.

Subject learning objectives (SLOs)

Upon successful completion of this subject students should be able to:

1. Apply areas of knowledge and techniques appropriate for successful project management. (D.1)
2. Construct project related documentation while working in a team environment. (E.1)
3. Reflect on the impact of personal and professional decisions on prepared plans. (F.1)

Course intended learning outcomes (CILOs)

This subject also contributes specifically to the development of the following Course Intended Learning Outcomes (CILOs):

  • Technically Proficient: FEIT graduates apply theoretical, conceptual, software and physical tools and advanced discipline knowledge to research, evaluate and predict future performance of systems characterised by complexity. (D.1)
  • Collaborative and Communicative: FEIT graduates work as an effective member or leader of diverse teams, communicating effectively and operating autonomously within cross-disciplinary and cross-cultural contexts in the workplace. (E.1)
  • Reflective: FEIT graduates critically self-review their own and others' performance with a high level of responsibility to improve and practice competently for the benefit of professional practice and society. (F.1)

Contribution to the development of graduate attributes

Engineers Australia Stage 1 Competencies

Students enrolled in the Master of Professional Engineering should note that this subject contributes to the development of the following Engineers Australia Stage 1 competencies:

  • 2.4. Application of systematic approaches to the conduct and management of engineering projects.
  • 3.2. Effective oral and written communication in professional and lay domains.
  • 3.5. Orderly management of self, and professional conduct.
  • 3.6. Effective team membership and team leadership.

Teaching and learning strategies

The subject outline must be read in conjunction with any subject instructions posted on CANVAS in any specific session. The instructions provide additional information and advice on any facet of the subject content, its administration and students' obligations. Students are expected to regularly check the CANVAS subject site.

By their nature, most management practices are not rigid and managerial problems are not always solved by mathematical equations. The teaching and learning methods, together with the assessment items, are designed to allow students to reflect on the management topics covered in this subject, and encourage brainstorming and investigation.

The fundamental approach to learning in this course can be summarised as follows:

  • Understand rather than memorise
  • Take responsibility for your own learning
  • Explore and test ideas, without limiting yourself to textbook situations
  • Work collaboratively with others
  • Above all, enjoy the experience

To achieve the objectives of this course, students are expected to prepare for the lecture through private study and participate in class discussions. A combination of weekly lecture presentations, discussions and assessment exercises are used to assist students in this endeavour. These methods introduce general management principles to students to enable them to critically reflect on how these principles are applied in real world examples. Students’ experiences and readings should be reflected through active contributions to class and/or online discussions to facilitate self and peer learning.

Private Study

For each hour of contact it is expected that you will dedicate at least 1.5 hours to private study.

  • Review lecture material
  • Do any set exercises and assignments
  • Join in discussions
  • Reflect on class material
  • Keep up with notices and find out marks

Content (topics)

This subject includes the following topics in the context of project management:

  • Stakeholder Management
  • Communication Management
  • Project Scope Management
  • Estimation
  • Time Management
  • Developing a Project Plan
  • Resource Management
  • Risk Management
  • Cost Management
  • Reducing Project Duration

Assessment

Assessment task 1: Research

Objective(s):

This assessment task addresses the following subject learning objectives (SLOs):

1

This assessment task contributes to the development of the following Course Intended Learning Outcomes (CILOs):

D.1

Type: Report
Groupwork: Individual
Weight: 30%
Length:

4000 words

Assessment task 2: Group Project Report

Objective(s):

This assessment task addresses the following subject learning objectives (SLOs):

1 and 2

This assessment task contributes to the development of the following Course Intended Learning Outcomes (CILOs):

D.1 and E.1

Type: Project
Groupwork: Group, group and individually assessed
Weight: 55%
Length:

Team charter: 600 words
Interim reports: 600 words each
Individual project Health check: 600 words
Length of final report approximately 4000 words per student, excluding appendices
Interim deliverables in weeks 3-11
Final report is due in the Final Assessment Period (Noon 27th May 2024)

Assessment task 3: Reflections

Objective(s):

This assessment task addresses the following subject learning objectives (SLOs):

3

This assessment task contributes to the development of the following Course Intended Learning Outcomes (CILOs):

F.1

Type: Report
Groupwork: Individual
Weight: 15%
Length:

2000 words

Minimum requirements

In order to pass the subject, a student must achieve an overall mark of 50% or more.

Recommended texts

Pearson, N., Larson E. W., & Gray C. F. 2022, Project Management in practice- 3rd ed., McGraw - Hill Education, Australia ISBN 9781760427085