https://courseoutline.auckland.ac.nz/dco/course/ENGGEN/742/1245

ENGGEN 742 : Project Management

Engineering

2024 Semester Two (1245) (15 POINTS)

Course Prescription

Planning, organisation and control of projects in ordered environments. Application of project management principles, concepts, disciplines, tools, techniques and processes to the typical project lifecycle. Studies in the knowledge areas/domains defined by the Project Management Institute (PMI). Development of a range of skills, tools and techniques to become an effective project manager.

Course Overview

Project Management is a critical element of the delivery of the majority of engineering works. Organisations outside the engineering arena are increasingly adopting a “project” approach in many of their activities. This course is designed to provide an introduction to the management of projects in a variety of settings. It aims to give an understanding of all key components of the project life cycle and of the skills required to successfully deliver projects.

The philosophy adopted assumes that project outcomes can be achieved by active management and planning, and provides a framework for proactive management of projects in a variety of settings. The traditional philosophy of project management in an ordered environment is adopted, although other philosophies in project management literature such as Agile and Lean are also acknowledged.

Note that one of the major assignments is team-based and as such students are expected to make time to meet with their team members.

The course will have a total of 12 tutorials, delivered on a weekly basis. The weekly topics covered will be a review of the online modules (note that the order in which topics are delivered may change):

1.    Introduction to Project Management
2.    Leadership, Teams, and People
3.    Project Fundamentals and Stakeholders
4.    Proposing and Scoping the Project
5.    Estimating, Scheduling and Trade-offs
6.   Quality Management
7.    Risk Management and Finalising the Plan
8.    Starting Execution - Procurement, Tendering, and Contracts
9.    Communication and Collaboration
10.   Managing, Monitoring, and Execution
11.    Integration, Monitoring, and Reporting
12.    Close/Finishing the Project

In addition, there is a final presentation of the group project in the final week of the course which will typically be arranged to coincide with the last tutorial.  The length of the presentation depends on the number of course participants but is likely to be 1 - 3 hours in duration.
 
Students are expected to undertake considerable additional work per week reading, contributing to discussions, and completing assignments.

Course Requirements

Restriction: CIVIL 703, ENGGEN 740

Capabilities Developed in this Course

Capability 4: Critical Thinking
Capability 5: Solution Seeking
Capability 6: Communication
Capability 7: Collaboration
Capability 8: Ethics and Professionalism
Graduate Profile: Master of Civil Engineering

Learning Outcomes

By the end of this course, students will be able to:
  1. Demonstrate an understanding of of the fundamental principles, disciplines, concepts, tools, techniques, and approaches to classical project management. (Capability 4.1, 4.2, 5.1 and 6.1)
  2. Apply the fundamental principles, disciplines, concepts, tools, techniques, and approaches of project management to a collaborative project in an ordered environment. (Capability 4.1, 4.2, 5.1, 6.1, 7.1, 8.1 and 8.2)
  3. Critically evaluate the fundamental principles, disciplines, concepts, tools, techniques, and approaches of project management for defined scope projects and their relevance/application to a collaborative project. (Capability 4.1, 4.2, 5.1 and 6.1)
  4. Critically evaluate their own and others' ability to apply conventional project management principles, disciplines, concepts, tools, and techniques to a project in a team of diverse individuals, and develop improvement plans. (Capability 4.1, 4.2, 6.1, 7.1, 8.1 and 8.2)
  5. Apply tools and techniques to communicate and present project documentation, information, deliverables, and reports to stakeholders. (Capability 4.1, 4.2, 5.1, 6.1, 7.1, 8.1 and 8.2)

Assessments

Assessment Type Percentage Classification
Research Essay 15% Individual Coursework
Individual Assignments 40% Individual Coursework
Group Assignments 30% Group Coursework
Reflection 5% Individual Coursework
Discussions and contribution 10% Individual Coursework
5 types 100%
Assessment Type Learning Outcome Addressed
1 2 3 4 5
Research Essay
Individual Assignments
Group Assignments
Reflection
Discussions and contribution

Workload Expectations

This course is a standard 15 point course and students are expected to spend 150 hours in total over the semester. Note that there are no exams, so the workload will be spread over the 12 teaching weeks. Hence, the expectation is that students work 12.5 hrs per week over 12 weeks.

Delivery Mode

Online

Attendance is expected at scheduled online activities, including discussion forums, to receive credit for 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 throughout the course.
This course runs to the University semester/quarter 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.

Health & Safety

Students must ensure they are familiar with their Health and Safety responsibilities, as described in the university’s Health and Safety policy. Students are encouraged to discuss any work-related issues with the Course Co-ordinator at the earliest possible time and to prepare their assignments from the start of the course, rather than waiting until the deadlines.

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.

Online materials and assignments have been updated taking into account student feedback.

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.