https://courseoutline.auckland.ac.nz/dco/course/ENGGEN/742/1253

ENGGEN 742 : Project Management

Engineering

2025 Semester One (1253) (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 2 - 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 20% Individual Coursework
Individual Assignments 35% Individual Coursework
Group Assignments 30% Group Coursework
Contribution to Discussions and Reflection 15% Individual Coursework
4 types 100%
Assessment Type Learning Outcome Addressed
1 2 3 4 5
Research Essay
Individual Assignments
Group Assignments
Contribution to Discussions and Reflection
A passing mark is 50% or higher, according to University policy.

Late submissions are highly discouraged and extensions of time are not allowed for reasons of students being busy in the workplace or employment. It is possible to submit late for the assignments, but a late submission penalty will be applied. The schedule of penalties is stated in the course site (Canvas).

Teaching & Learning Methods

The Semester 1 course will use a flipped classroom approach and weekly lectorial (a blended lecture and tutorial) teaching sessions. 
Very early in the course, we'll allocate each of you to a study group that you'll work with during the semester.   The first lectorial we'll cover in depth the assignments for the course. Please review all Assignments in the first session. 

All of the learning content can be found on the EngGen742 Canvas Page and is arranged by week - one Module for each week. Each of the 12 Modules addresses a topic within Project Management. Our expectation is that when you attend the weekly lectorial, you will have completed the previous learning Module and come with any questions. The lectorial we will review the previous week's Module and we'll cover the key points of the upcoming Module.  At the conclusion of the review of a Module there will be some group-based problem/activity which will reinforce the learnings or a speaker from industry. 

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. 

It is highly recommended you draft out a due-date schedule for all of your Assignments for all courses.

Delivery Mode

Campus Experience

This course uses a Blended Learning or Flipped Based Classroom teaching delivery mode. Attendance is expected at scheduled weekly Lectorials to engage and make a contribution to Group or Team based components of the course.
While Lectorial based learning will be available as recordings, Group or Team based components of the course will not be available as recordings. The course will include any live online events as special industry guests.
The learning-based material is available for the course Canvas page as weekly Modules.  All students are expected to have reviewed the Canvas Modules prior to attending the weekly Lectorial.  

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. There are several changes to the course run in 2024 as a result of student feedback.  These are: 

a. Assignment Scheduling and Workload Management: Many students found the assignment due dates challenging, especially when they coincided with other courses. Suggestions included spreading out the assignments more evenly throughout the semester to help with time management and reduce stress.

b. Depth and Coverage of Course Content: Some students felt that the tutorials and lectures did not cover enough content, leaving gaps in understanding key concepts. They suggested incorporating more comprehensive tutorials, practical exercises, and step-by-step walkthroughs of complex calculations to reinforce learning.


Other Information

We encourage students to use AI as a tool that increases your learning. For example, you might ask, what are the research gaps in (topic)? Please do not be tempted and use AI to construct and then submit an Assignment - this practice is covered in the next section, 'Academic Integrity'.  

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.

Students are invited to put their names forward as a class representative. Past experience shows that two class representatives have worked well for this course.

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.