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

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

Class Room:

1109

Class Contact Hours:

3 hours per week

Delivery Mode and

Format:

Lectures and Tutorials; On Campus

Lecturer:

Assistant Professor Frank Alafaci PhD

Contact Details:

Email: frank.alafaci@gca.edu.au

5:00pm to 8:00pm

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

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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

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2.6

Subject Contents and Schedule

Topic

Teaching

Week /
Date

Week 1
7-11 Mar

Introduction to projects
and project management

Required
reading

Required
Activity,
Tutorial &
Assessment
Questions

Larson & Gray - Chapters 1

&2

In-class discussion and

exercises from textbook
Chapters 1 & 2 Case study:
A Day in the Life, p19

Larson & Gray - Chapter 4

In-class discussion on
creation of a Work
Breakdown Structure

- Definition of project and

project management
- Integration of projects
with organisation

Week 2
14-18 Mar

Week 3
21-25 Mar

Defining a project
- Project scope, how to
create, integrate and code
the work breakdown
structure

Estimating resources of a
project

Case study: Manchester

United Soccer Club, p124

Larson & Gray - Chapter 5

Estimating project duration

and costs through in-class
collaboration in small
groups

Larson & Gray - Chapter 6

Case study: Greendale

Stadium, p198

Larson & Gray - Chapter 7

Discussion of Group
Assignment requirements

- Duration
- Costs

Week 4
28 Mar1 Apr

Developing a project plan

- Different types of
planning tools
- How to use these tools

Week 5
4-8 Apr

Risk management
- Risk management process
- Contingency planning

Semester 1, 2016

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Week 6
11-15 Apr

Scheduling resources and costs

Larson & Gray Chapter 8

Case study: The

CCPM Dilemma,
p302

Larson & Gray Chapter 9

In-class discussion
of project duration
and class exercises

Larson & Gray Chapters 10 & 11

In-class discussion
and role-play on
project team
management.
Exercises taken
from the end of
chapter exercises
in Larson & Gray

Larson & Gray Chapters 12 & 13

In-class discussion
on end-of-chapter
exercises

Larson & Gray Chapter 14

Assignment Group
presentations

Larson & Gray

Chapter 15

Case Study:
AMEX, Hungary
p560, text book

- Types of resource constraint

- How, why and benefits of resource
scheduling

Week 7
2-6 May

Reducing project duration

- Rationale
- Options

Week 8
9-13 May

Leadership and effective management of

project teams
- Attributes of a good project manager
- Ethics and project management
- Different types of project teams and how
to effectively manage them

Week 9
16-20 May

Outsourcing and project performance

monitoring
- Reasons for outsourcing
- Best practices in outsourcing
- Project control process

Week 10
23-27 May

Project closure
- Types of project closure
- Post-implementation evaluation

Week 11

International projects

30 May3 June

- Overview of international projects

Semester 1, 2016

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Week 12

Exam revision

Class notes

6-10 June

Sample questions
& answers

Exam Period
Examination Period

Semester 1, 2016

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3.

Subject Assessment

Assessment Types & Description

Weight

Due Date /
Requirements

Link to Learning Outcome

Assessment 1: Classroom Participation

10%

Weekly

Attributes 1, 2 and 5 as
listed in the Learning
Outcomes

30%

Both a hard
copy and a
digital copy of
the report are
to be
submitted by
5:00pm on
Tuesday 24
May 2016.

Attributes 2 to 6 as listed in
the Learning Outcomes

Students will be assessed, partly during

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
The assignment comprises a 2,000-word
group report (carrying 20 marks) and a
20-minute group presentation (carrying 10
marks). Each group of 3 to 4 members is
required to identify and critically evaluate
the project management issues that lead to
the failure of a business project. The
group is also required to choose a failed
project, provide a summary of it, identify
the losses incurred by the project and
analyse the reasons for its failure.
Students are expected to illustrate project
management theories throughout their
report and to support their work with
material from at least five academic
journals/business reports. Group members
must contribute equally to the report and
the presentation.

Assessment 3: Final Examination

The
presentations
will be made
from 5:30pm
on Thursday
26 May 2016.

60%

Semester 1, 2016

Specific date
to be advised.

All Learning Outcomes as

previously listed

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)
(b)

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;
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

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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 (eresources 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

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