Monash University Handbook 2010 Undergraduate - Unit

Synopsis

The unit provides both a theoretical and practical overview of processes involved in managing large projects, with particular emphasis on projects common to the information technology industry. Topics include the project life cycle, problem definition, project evaluation, high and low level planning, team building and people management, monitoring and control, reporting and communication, termination and assessment.

Objectives

At the completion of this unit students will be able to:

• describe the characteristics and phases of a project and its life cycle and explain the role played by the project manager;
• explain the need for and develop specific goals, detailed plans and control strategies in large scale projects and relate this to the major reasons for the failure of IT projects;
• explain and use standard project management techniques including Project Networks, Critical Path Analysis and Management, Gantt Charts and Time-Phased Budgets for high and low level project planning;
• discuss the communication, people handling and team management skills required of a project manager and explain some of the techniques that may be employed;
• explain the processes involved in selecting and initiating a project and prepare various critical documents required for these processes, including financial justification;
• explain the importance of resource availability on project plans and develop and manage resource constrained project plans;
• describe the need for Quality Management in projects and explain, compare and use various techniques currently employed by professional project managers;
• describe the impact of risk on a project managers decision process, explain how that risk may be managed and/or mitigated and develop an appropriate risk management plan;
• develop relevant, achievable and measurable project goals;
• identify and critically discuss the impact on a project of external influences, including organisational structure, and stakeholders;
• monitor the progress of a project, determine performance against the plan, develop strategies to manage any variation and discuss formal change control processes;
• produce useful, informative progress reports for various project stakeholders and conduct stage and post project reviews.

Assessment

Examination (3 hours): 60%; In-semester assessment: 40%

Chief examiner(s)

Dr Mahbubur Rahim

Contact hours

2 hrs lectures/wk, 2 hrs laboratories/wk

Prerequisites

Completion of at least 24 points of IT study.

Prohibitions

FIT2002, BUS2176,CSE2203, GCO3807, MMS2203, CPE2006

Additional information on this unit is available from the faculty at:

http://www.infotech.monash.edu.au/units/fit3086