Authorised by Academic Registrar, April 1996
Objectives At the completion of this subject students should know a range of modern theories of team management and leadership that have relevance to information systems (IS) project teams; understand how such theories can be used in practice within IS teams; be able to analyse example situations and recognise how theories of project leadership could be applied; recognise the limitations of such theories in day-to-day practice.
Synopsis The subject aims to provide students with a practical understanding of the application of organisational and management theory to the role of an information systems project leader. Contents will include review of project management - the activities of planning, controlling, organising and leading; differences between project management and functional management; the role leadership plays in successful project management; issues specific to information systems projects; why IS projects can fail and how project leadership can help avoid failure; the role of the IS project leader; the need for negotiation skills; alternative leadership structures (such as the self-managed team); the need to consider the `people' aspects among other factors to be managed in an IS project; theories and practical implications of research on employee motivation, group behaviour, role theory and organisational communication.
Assessment Examination (2 hours): 50% + Practical work and tutorial participation: 50%