ENGGEN 732 : Systems Thinking and Project Business Case
Engineering
2024 Semester One (1243) (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. The should also be able to clearly express themselves both orally and in report writing.
Capabilities Developed in this Course
| Capability 1: | People and Place |
| Capability 3: | Knowledge and Practice |
| Capability 4: | Critical Thinking |
| Capability 5: | Solution Seeking |
| Capability 7: | Collaboration |
Learning Outcomes
- Identify, apply and evaluate the principles and techniques of Systems Thinking to generate value-adding solutions for a Project Business Case aligned with business strategic objectives. (Capability 4.2)
- Identify and evaluate project costs and benefits; translate the benefits into measurable objectives; track their realisation; and conduct post-implementation reviews. (Capability 5.1)
- Produce analytical models for the development of a compelling business case; using sensitivity analysis, tests of significance, systems dynamics, and risk analysis. (Capability 3.2)
- Write and present an effective Project Business Case; prioritise and evaluate business cases; make effective decisions as an individual and as a group. (Capability 7.1)
- Incorporate Māori values and thinking into Project Business Case and identify opportunities to link business cases to the modern Māori economy, such as quadruple bottom line and projects for long term sustainability. (Capability 1.1)
Assessments
| Assessment Type | Percentage | Classification |
|---|---|---|
| Individual Assignment | 40% | Individual Coursework |
| Presentation | 10% | Individual Coursework |
| Group Project | 30% | Group Coursework |
| Tests and Quizzes | 20% | Individual Coursework |
| 4 types | 100% |
| Assessment Type | Learning Outcome Addressed | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | ||||||
| Individual Assignment | ||||||||||
| Presentation | ||||||||||
| Group Project | ||||||||||
| Tests and Quizzes | ||||||||||
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.
Delivery Mode
Online
Attendance is expected at scheduled online activities including tutorials to complete components of the course.
The course will include live online events including group discussions/tutorials and these will be recorded.
Attendance on campus is not required for the tests. There is no exam.
Where possible, study material will be available at course commencement.
This course runs to the University semester timetable and all the associated completion dates and deadlines will apply.
Learning 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.
Rubrics used for assessments will be provided when Assignments are handed out.
Health & Safety
Students must ensure they are familiar with their Health and Safety responsibilities, as described in the university's Health and Safety policy. All students have the right not to proceed with any activity if they feel it poses a danger to their health, safety and wellbeing or that of others.
It is a condition of enrolment for students that they cooperate with the University with respect to health, safety and wellbeing. All students have the right not to proceed with any activity if they feel, on reasonable and objective grounds, it poses a danger to their health, safety and wellbeing or that of others and raise their concerns immediately with their academic leader or health, safety and wellbeing staff.
Students will:
Take reasonable care of themselves and others, cooperate with the University on health, safety and wellbeing matters, and ensure that their acts or omissions do not adversely affect others.
• Not interfere with or misuse anything provided for health, safety and wellbeing.
• Report any accidents (including ill-health), incidents (including near misses), nonconformities and damage to buildings or equipment as soon as possible to their academic leader, administration staff or health, safety and wellbeing staff. Incidents and concerns can also be
reported via the Student Contact Centre.
• Notify their academic leader (lecturer/tutor/supervisor) and/or contact appropriate support services to ensure suitable controls to protect them are put in place (e.g. Personal Emergency Evacuation Plan) if they have a condition affecting health which may be caused
by or made worse by study activities.
This information will be treated with appropriate confidentiality. If unsure who to notify, visit AskAuckland on www.askauckland.ac.nz.
• Undertake any health, safety and wellbeing training and induction required by University.
• Follow the requirements of risk assessments and any arrangements set out locally.
• Not disturb an accident scene until clearance is authorised except in certain situations, including when persons or property are at risk.
• Ensure that all appropriate personal protective equipment is worn/used, as required.
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.
Other Information
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 for potential plagiarism or other forms of academic misconduct, using computerised detection mechanisms.
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 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.
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 course assessment continues to meet the principles of the University’s assessment policy. Some adjustments may need to be made in emergencies. You will be kept fully informed by your course co-ordinator/director, and if disruption occurs you should refer to the university website for information about how to proceed.
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 students may be asked to submit 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. In exceptional circumstances changes to elements of this course may be necessary at short notice. Students enrolled in this course will be informed of any such changes and the reasons for them, as soon as possible, through Canvas.