15362 Managing Project Contracts

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 2025 is available in the Archives.

UTS: Design, Architecture and Building: School of the Built Environment
Credit points: 6 cp
Result type: Grade and marks

Requisite(s): ((15319 Project Risk, Procurement and Quality Management OR 15315 Project Management Principles OR 12511 Construction Technology and Regulation OR 12537 Construction Management) AND 144 credit points of completed study in spk(s): C10413 Bachelor of Design Architecture Master of Architecture )
These requisites may not apply to students in certain courses.
There are course requisites for this subject. See access conditions.

Description

The aim of this subject is to develop students' understanding of the principles underlying the development and management of contracts in the project management context. Students develop skills in applying these principles through workshop exercises based on real-life case studies from multiple industries. The final assessment enables students to further develop their knowledge and experience in applying contract administration principles in the professional practice of project management.

Subject learning objectives (SLOs)

On successful completion of this subject, students should be able to:

1.	Understand of the role of contracts and related legal and administrative principles associated with the management of projects
2.	Evaluate project contexts and identify appropriate procurement methods, types of contracts and contract options
3.	Apply techniques for reducing risk and facilitating smooth project delivery when developing and administering contracts
4.	Extend knowledge on the management of project contracts through analysis of secondary data
5.	Communicate effectively as a project manager or contract administrator to inform, analyse and report

Course intended learning outcomes (CILOs)

This subject also contributes to the following Course Intended Learning Outcomes:

Communicate effectively through oral communication in projects at a professional level (Oral Communication) (C.1)
Communicate effectively through written communication in projects at a professional level (Written Communication) (C.2)
Source and apply tools and techniques to meet contextual demands (Technique Application) (I.1)
Apply and extend advanced project management knowledge (Advanced Knowledge) (P.2)
Think critically and synthesise complex data (Critical Engagement) (R.1)
Define, initiate, and conduct research projects (Research) (R.2)

Contribution to the development of graduate attributes

The term CAPRI is used for the five Design, Architecture and Building faculty graduate attribute categories where:

C = communication and groupwork

A = attitudes and values

P = practical and professional

R = research and critique

I = innovation and creativity.

Course intended learning outcomes (CILOs) are linked to these categories using codes (e.g. C-1, A-3, P-4, etc.).

Teaching and learning strategies

Strategy 1: Independent Learning

Student learning outside the scheduled workshop is a key learning strategy in this subject. Through a range of activities, students will be in control of their learning and need to ensure they manage their time for preparation. Students are expected to be prepared in advance of the block workshop through pre-workshop activities and assessment.

Strategy 2: Engaging in the workshop

The workshop sessions involve presentations by the lecturer, guest lecturers and student led collaborative presentations. The sessions assist students to consolidate and develop their own learning by testing out and receiving feedback on their understanding of subject material from the lectures, PowerPoint slides and prescribed readings.

Strategy 3: Case studies

Case studies will be presented to establish a framework for analysis during the workshop. Students will develop problem solving and analytical skills through applying subject concepts to develop solutions for a range of project contexts across the life cycle of a project.

Strategy 4: Feedback

The subject provides a range of formative and summative feedback strategies. Students receive formative feedback during workshop activities, discussions and presentations during the block workshop. Summative feedback is provided for assessments according to criteria outlined in the subject outline and the assessment brief posted on Canvas. Assessment criteria are linked to the relevant Subject Learning Objectives (SLOs) and Course Intended Learning Outcomes (CILOs).

Content (topics)

This subject aims to develop students’ understanding of the principles that apply to developing and managing contracts in a project management context. Topics covered in the course include:

The role of contracts in the management of projects
Contract types and structures
Contract options for managing risks in a range of industries
Introduction to statutory obligations and industry specific legislation
Project manager responsibilities and contract administration practices

Assessment

Assessment task 1: Assessment 1 - Pre-workshop assignment

Intent:

The pre-workshop assessment is designed to prepare students for the workshop. Students will review subject materials online and submit a response to the assignment questions.

Objective(s):

This task addresses the following subject learning objectives:

1 and 2

This task also addresses the following course intended learning outcomes that are linked with a code to indicate one of the five CAPRI graduate attribute categories (e.g. C.1, A.3, P.4, etc.):

I.1 and P.2

Type:

Quiz/test

Groupwork:

Individual

Weight:

20%

Criteria linkages:

Criteria	Weight (%)	SLOs	CILOs
Demonstrated understanding of principles related to managing project contracts	75	1	P.2
Evaluation of project contexts used to identify appropriate contract options	25	2	I.1

SLOs: subject learning objectives
CILOs: course intended learning outcomes

Assessment task 2: Assessment 2 - Workshop case analysis and presentation

Intent:

Student groups will apply principles and methods introduced during the subject to case scenarios during the workshop. The groups will summarise their work through oral presentations and written submissions.

Objective(s):

This task addresses the following subject learning objectives:

1, 2, 3 and 5

This task also addresses the following course intended learning outcomes that are linked with a code to indicate one of the five CAPRI graduate attribute categories (e.g. C.1, A.3, P.4, etc.):

C.1, C.2, I.1, P.2 and R.1

Type:

Exercises

Groupwork:

Group, group assessed

Weight:

30%

Criteria linkages:

Criteria	Weight (%)	SLOs	CILOs
Clear communication and professional presentation of the oral presentation	10	5	C.1
Clear written communication, professionally presented	10	5	C.2
Demonstrated understanding of principles and methods related to managing project contracts	20	1	P.2
Appropriate application of contextual considerations for determining procurement and contracting approaches	30	2	I.1
Case analysis and application of contract-related concepts for managing projects	30	3	R.1

SLOs: subject learning objectives
CILOs: course intended learning outcomes

Assessment task 3: Assessment 3 - Post-workshop assignment

Intent:

The final assessment enables students to further develop their knowledge and experience in applying contract administration principles in the professional practice of project management

Objective(s):

This task addresses the following subject learning objectives:

2, 3, 4 and 5

This task also addresses the following course intended learning outcomes that are linked with a code to indicate one of the five CAPRI graduate attribute categories (e.g. C.1, A.3, P.4, etc.):

C.2, I.1, R.1 and R.2

Type:

Essay

Groupwork:

Individual

Weight:

50%

Criteria linkages:

Criteria	Weight (%)	SLOs	CILOs
Clear communication and professional presentation of the written submission	10	5	C.2
Sources referenced appropriately using APA 7 format for in-text citations and the reference list	10	5	C.2
Knowledge is extended through analysis and synthesis of secondary data	20	4	R.2
Project context evaluated to inform contract-related analysis and recommendations	30	2	I.1
Techniques introduced during the subject are applied to enhance management of project contracts	30	3	R.1

SLOs: subject learning objectives
CILOs: course intended learning outcomes

Minimum requirements

Project Management students are required to attend 80% of all classes for all enrolled subjects. Achievement of the subject’s aims is difficult if classes are not attended. Where assessment tasks are to be presented personally in class, attendance is mandatory. Pursuant to UTS rule 3.8.2 students who do not satisfy attendance requirements may be refused permission by the Responsible Academic Officer to be considered for assessment for this subject.

Required texts

See the 15362 Canvas site for links to required and recommended readings and resources