ENGGEN 732 : Systems Thinking and Project Business Case
Engineering
2020 Semester One (1203) (15 POINTS)
Course Prescription
Course Overview
This course provides the critical knowledge necessary for the understanding of systems thinking and the use of evaluation techniques for engineering projects. It is appropriate for all engineering professionals unless they have a detailed understanding of the accounting and economic evaluation methods and the use of the Business Case method used for engineering projects within NZ.
Participants should be numerate and have a good working knowledge of the functions available within spreadsheets. Be able to clearly express themselves both orally and in report writing.
Capabilities Developed in this Course
| Capability 1: | Disciplinary Knowledge and Practice |
| Capability 2: | Critical Thinking |
| Capability 3: | Solution Seeking |
| Capability 4: | Communication and Engagement |
| Capability 5: | Independence and Integrity |
| Capability 6: | Social and Environmental Responsibilities |
Learning Outcomes
- Analyse strategic objectives with a portfolio of projects; the importance of the Voice of Customer in determining business requirements and the project’s terms of reference; using Systems Thinking to understand the stakeholder’s requirements; the Theory of Constraints and how it applies to project selection. (Capability 1, 2 and 3)
- Identify benefits and translate them into measurable objectives; evaluate costs and benefits; financial treatments in use for evaluating projects. (Capability 1, 2, 4 and 6)
- Develop mathematical models to create compelling cases; use sensitivity analysis; apply tests of significance; analyse variation to identify cause and effect (Capability 1, 2 and 3)
- Apply risk analysis and the tools used for managing complexity and ambiguity in projects and identify and develop appropriate Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) (Capability 1, 2 and 3)
- Develop an effective business case successfully; Prioritise and evaluate business cases; make effective decisions both by themselves and as a group. Present findings within a group presentation. (Capability 1, 4 and 5)
- Demonstrate an understanding of Māori values and thinking into business cases and identify opportunities to link business cases to the modern Māori economy, such as quadruple bottom line investment decision-making and investment in projects for long term sustainability (Capability 1, 4 and 6)
- Analyse benefits and track their realisation and conduct post-implementation reviews and investment appraisals (Capability 4 and 5)
Assessments
| Assessment Type | Percentage | Classification |
|---|---|---|
| Individual Assignment | 40% | Individual Coursework |
| Small Scale Group Project (3 Members) | 20% | Group & Individual Coursework |
| Large Scale Group Project (5 Members) | 20% | Group & Individual Coursework |
| In-class Test | 20% | Individual Coursework |
| 4 types | 100% |
| Assessment Type | Learning Outcome Addressed | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | ||||
| Individual Assignment | ||||||||||
| Small Scale Group Project (3 Members) | ||||||||||
| Large Scale Group Project (5 Members) | ||||||||||
| In-class Test | ||||||||||
Workload Expectations
This course is a standard 15 point course and students are expected to spend 10 hours per week involved in each 15 point course that they are enrolled in.
For this course, you can expect 36 hours of lectures, 30 hours of reading and thinking about the content and 84 hours of work on assignments and/or test preparation.
Learning Resources
Rubrics used for assessments will be provided when Assignments are handed out
Other Information
Digital Resources
Course materials are made available in a learning and collaboration tool called Canvas which also includes reading lists and lecture recordings (where available).
Please remember that the recording of any class on a personal device requires the permission of the instructor.
Academic Integrity
The University of Auckland will not tolerate cheating, or assisting others to cheat, and views cheating in coursework as a serious academic offence. The work that a student submits for grading must be the student's own work, reflecting their learning. Where work from other sources is used, it must be properly acknowledged and referenced. This requirement also applies to sources on the internet. A student's assessed work may be reviewed against online source material using computerised detection mechanisms.
Learning Continuity
In the event of an unexpected disruption we undertake to maintain the continuity and standard of teaching and learning in all your courses throughout the year. If there are unexpected disruptions the University has contingency plans to ensure that access to your course continues and your assessment is fair, and not compromised. Some adjustments may need to be made in emergencies. You will be kept fully informed by your course co-ordinator, and if disruption occurs you should refer to the University Website for information about how to proceed.
Class Representatives
Class representatives are students tasked with representing student issues to departments, faculties, and the wider university. If you have a complaint about this course, please contact your class rep who will know how to raise it in the right channels. See your departmental noticeboard for contact details for your class reps.
Inclusive Learning
All students are asked to discuss any impairment related requirements privately, face to face and/or in written form with the course coordinator, lecturer or tutor.
Student Disability Services also provides support for students with a wide range of impairments, both visible and invisible, to succeed and excel at the University. For more information and contact details, please visit the Student Disability Services’ website at http://disability.auckland.ac.nz
Special Circumstances
If your ability to complete assessed coursework is affected by illness or other personal circumstances outside of your control, contact a member of teaching staff as soon as possible before the assessment is due.
If your personal circumstances significantly affect your performance, or preparation, for an exam or eligible written test, refer to the University’s aegrotat or compassionate consideration page: https://www.auckland.ac.nz/en/students/academic-information/exams-and-final-results/during-exams/aegrotat-and-compassionate-consideration.html.
This should be done as soon as possible and no later than seven days after the affected test or exam date.
Student Feedback
At the end of every semester students will be invited to give feedback on the course and teaching through a tool called SET or Qualtrics. The lecturers and course co-ordinators will consider all feedback and respond with summaries and actions.
Your feedback helps teachers to improve the course and its delivery for future students.
Class Representatives in each class can take feedback to the department and faculty staff-student consultative committees.
Student Charter and Responsibilities
The Student Charter assumes and acknowledges that students are active participants in the learning process and that they have responsibilities to the institution and the international community of scholars. The University expects that students will act at all times in a way that demonstrates respect for the rights of other students and staff so that the learning environment is both safe and productive. For further information visit Student Charter (https://www.auckland.ac.nz/en/students/forms-policies-and-guidelines/student-policies-and-guidelines/student-charter.html).
Disclaimer
Elements of this outline may be subject to change. The latest information about the course will be available for enrolled students in Canvas.
In this course you may be asked to submit your coursework assessments digitally. The University reserves the right to conduct scheduled tests and examinations for this course online or through the use of computers or other electronic devices. Where tests or examinations are conducted online remote invigilation arrangements may be used. The final decision on the completion mode for a test or examination, and remote invigilation arrangements where applicable, will be advised to students at least 10 days prior to the scheduled date of the assessment, or in the case of an examination when the examination timetable is published.