ENGGEN 741 Project, Programme and Portfolio Management - Course Outlines

Course Prescription

Critical elements of project delivery including leadership, organisation, owner profile and participation, project objectives, investment decisions and change management. Project, Programme and Portfolio Management frameworks and their practical application to organisations in managing strategy implementation. Examples from industry show how theoretical concepts relate to the success or failure of projects, programmes and portfolios under conditions of uncertainty and ambiguity.

Course Overview

This course is aimed at students from the national and international markets who are, or wish to be, involved in the delivery of substantial infrastructure programmes. Alternatively, it is appropriate for students who wish to use the same or similar tools and techniques for policy intervention, or for programs of work in other unrelated industries. It is applicable to the public and private sectors.

This Course Overview begins by considering the relevance of the course to the national and international market as described in the opening paragraph and its relevance to those operating in these fields or aiming to do so. This is followed by a consideration of the knowledge and experience required of those entering this field or who are already working in it.

The knowledge and experience required of those delivering this kind of fixed asset (but not necessarily confined to building or civil engineering), or policy intervention, is different from almost any other management endeavours although there are some similarities. The course, via its 6 foundation topics, begins to instil some of the knowledge required and continues with two assignments which are on subject areas probably unfamiliar to most of those taking the course. This is deliberate because those attending the course who aspire one day to do this kind of thing or who are heading in that direction will almost certainly find themselves working outside their original subject area.

The course, therefore, extends thinking beyond managing an individual project into managing multiple projects and programmes more generally. The purpose of these kinds of programs is usually to deliver strategic outcomes and optimise the use of resources at a macro level. The course provides a blend of theory, tools, and techniques. The use of case studies provides context to illustrate this series and allows students to build confidence in managing projects and programmes in a range of industry contexts. Case study examples are also used to analyse causes for success and failures, to identify lessons learned, and to formulate plans for improvements for better delivery of infrastructure programs. A variety of examples are used to extend studies beyond textbook management into the aspects of complexity and ambiguity where solutions are not obvious.

The learning outcomes are assessed via 3 assignments, including a significant team assignment. For the team assignment, students will be working in small teams to collaborate and develop recommendations at a comparatively high level for a programme of work that is likely to be outside the current skill set or experience of those participating. The learning is supported by weekly online tutorials facilitated by experienced academics and professionals who have and are delivering major infrastructure programmes.

Is this a challenging course? For many, it is. Over the last 4 years, the course has changed to accommodate the international demand for such people and benchmarks itself against what is being delivered at Oxford University and also, more recently, Cambridge. Is it at the standard required by the Oxford programme? No, it is not, although having written that, assignment 3 heads in that direction.

Course Requirements

Restriction: ENGGEN 733, 735

Learning Outcomes

By the end of this course, students will be able to:

Identify and critically analyse the theories and case studies and practical application of the strategic management of Programmes leading to infrastructure delivery. (Capability 3.1, 4.1, 4.2 and 6.1)
Apply the theories of project and programme management to contemporary problems so as to develop recommendations for the implementation of solutions. (Capability 3.1, 4.2, 5.1, 6.1 and 7.1)
Identify and recommend governance arrangements, including compliance and oversight, at a programme level to address risk appetite, uncertainty, and objectives. (Capability 3.1, 4.2, 5.1, 6.1 and 7.1)
Develop an understanding of uncertainty, procurement at scale, logistics, and leadership in silos, and related tools and techniques. (Capability 3.1, 4.2, 5.1 and 6.1)
Understand the principal components of critical success factors, their relationship to programme management design. (Capability 3.1, 3.2, 4.1 and 4.2)
Undertake a systematic analysis of a case study published and widely used in order to identify lessons learnt and the extent to which a fallacy may exist. (Capability 3.1, 3.2, 4.2, 5.1 and 7.1)
Work collectively and collaboratively as a team in an area and at a level unrelated to the student experience and to make convincing recommendations based on a sound argument and local assumptions. (Capability 6.1 and 7.1)

Assessments

Assessment Type	Percentage	Classification
Individual Assignments	70%	Individual Coursework
Group Assignment	30%	Group Coursework
2 types	100%

Assessment Type	Learning Outcome Addressed
	1	2	3	4	5	6	7
Individual Assignments
Group Assignment

A passing mark is 50% or higher, according to University policy

Late submissions will not be accepted/allowed for the exam, tests, and online quizzes. It is possible to submit late for the assignments and projects, and the late submission penalty schedule will be included on Canvas under Modules.

Teaching & Learning Methods

It is strongly recommended that use is made of the discussion section of canvas for tutorials 1, 2 and 3. These are foundation topics and always bring after discussion not only surprises but provides the tutors with an indication of the background, interests and work environment of the students. Students should also be aware that the one hour live online tutorial sometimes extends to 1 ¼ hours or longer depending on questions and interest.

Workload Expectations

This course is a standard 30 point course and students are expected to spend 300 hours in total over the semester. Note that there are no exams, so the workload will be spread over 12 teaching weeks.

For this course, you can expect to spend the following per week:

1 hour live online tutorial,
10 hours of watching, listening, reading, and thinking about the online content,
10 hours of work on assignments and/or test preparation, and
4 hours participating in online discussion forums

This equates to 25 hours per week over 12 weeks, or 300 hours in total.

Delivery Mode

Online

Attendance is required at scheduled online activities, including tutorials/lectures, to complete components of the course.

The course will include live online events, including group discussions/tutorials/lectures, and these will be recorded.

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.

There is no prescribed text for this course. All essential and/or additional readings will be provided in each relevant module.

Health & Safety

Students are expected to adhere to the guidelines outlined in the Health and Safety section of the Engineering Postgraduate policies and guidelines.

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 feedback has been considered and assignment briefs and grade division have been updated to improve experience on the team assignment. The content of the course was also revised to keep it updated with current trends.

Academic Integrity

The University of Auckland will not tolerate cheating, or assisting others to cheat, and views cheating in coursework, tests and examinations 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. A student's assessed work may be reviewed against electronic source material using computerised detection mechanisms. Upon reasonable request, students may be required to provide an electronic version of their work for computerised review.

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 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.

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.

Capability 3:	Knowledge and Practice
Capability 4:	Critical Thinking
Capability 5:	Solution Seeking
Capability 6:	Communication
Capability 7:	Collaboration

ENGGEN 741 : Project, Programme and Portfolio Management

Engineering

2025 Semester One (1253) (30 POINTS)