Course Title: Strategic Project Delivery

Part A: Course Overview

Course Title: Strategic Project Delivery

Credit Points: 12.00

Terms

Course Code

Campus

Career

School

Learning Mode

Teaching Period(s)

BUSM4413

City Campus

Postgraduate

325H Property, Construction & Project Management

Face-to-Face

 Sem 2 2015,
Sem 2 2016,
Sem 2 2017,
Sem 2 2018,
Sem 2 2019,
Sem 2 2021

Course Coordinator: Derek Walker

Course Coordinator Phone: +61 3 9925 3908

Course Coordinator Email: derek.walker@rmit.edu.au

Course Coordinator Location: 8.7.64


Pre-requisite Courses and Assumed Knowledge and Capabilities

None.
 




 


Course Description

The aim of this course comprising the following three key topics, is to introduce you to important issues associated with organisational project, program and portfolio management

  • Topic 1 - Strategic Thinking, Strategic Action – the relationship between strategic planning and strategy execution;
  • Topic 2 - Governance of Projects and Project Governance – the governance of multiple projects, programs and project portfolios and individual projects within the context of corporate governance; and
  • Topic 3 - Program and Project Portfolio Management – the positioning of projects within the broader contexts of programs and project portfolios.

You will develop your understanding of projects within the broader and more complex organisational context of programs and project portfolios by critically examining leading edge theory, case studies and students’ own professional PM practice.

As a result, you will deepen your understanding of effective project, program and project portfolio management and governance by developing the advanced skills and knowledge required to conceptualise and validate the complexities of:

  • Project front-end objectives and rationale
  • The development of projects, programs and project portfolios, and 
  • Appropriate governance structures and processes.

 

 


Objectives/Learning Outcomes/Capability Development

Program Learning Outcomes (PLOs)

In this course you will develop the following program learning outcomes:

  • Determine and apply knowledge of complex project management theory, principles and best practice to applied projects to contribute to the profession and discipline of project management
  • Critically analyse, synthesise and reflect on project management theory and recent developments, both local and international, to extend and challenge knowledge and practice
  • Professionally communicate and justify project scope, design, implementation, strategy and/or outcomes, engaging effectively with diverse stakeholders across a range of industry sectors
  • Apply the specialist knowledge and technical skills required to creatively address the diverse needs of project stakeholders, formulating innovative solutions and demonstrating independent and sound decision making related to your professional practice and the discipline
  • Utilise specific research and technical skills to strategically develop and implement project management strategies and solutions that are responsive to complex sustainable and economic theories and enhance project value, delivery and governance


Course Learning Outcomes (CLOs)

Upon successful completion of this course, you will be able to:

  1. Analyse the role and efficacy of business strategy and strategic approaches to programs of projects and portfolios
  2. Independently and creatively conceptualise the needs and strategic benefits that drive a program and portfolio of projects.
  3. Critique and manage a project front-end process, adapting and adopting governance frameworks for projects, programs and portfolios
  4. Critically reflect on Project Management practice and the development of your professional capabilities, and discipline knowledge, integrating and building on your project experience
  5. Creatively integrate new learning, drawing on scholarly research literature, to independently propose and communicate leading edge solutions to the strategic delivery of projects within a program and portfolio context


 


Overview of Learning Activities

The course is presented as a series of four, one-day workshops, supplemented by a combination of individual and group work completed outside of the workshops. 

You are expected to participate in each of the workshops in an active and constructive manner – sharing your questions, observations, reflections and relevant experiences with fellow students and the course leaders.

The individual and group work will require you to source, read, critically analyse, synthesise and document the application of the Recommended Readings to your existing experience and/or case studies -  ideally in preparation for each of the workshops and definitely for the assessment tasks. 

Each of the three (3) assessment tasks (individual report, group poster and individual review and reflection) has been designed to inform and extend your practice through the critical application of credible contemporary project management theory, principles, developments and practices.


Overview of Learning Resources

RMIT will provide you with resources and tools for learning in this course through our online systems.

All Recommended Readings are available electronically via the RMIT University Library and/or public internet.

The Recommended Readings which comprise book chapters are also available in the hard copy texts.


Overview of Assessment

You will be assessed on how well you meet the course’s learning outcomes and on your development against the program learning outcomes.  Assessment consists of:

Task 1: Assignment, 25%, Individual, CLOs 1, 2, 3, 4, 5.

Task 2: Poster, 45%, Group, CLOs 2, 4, 5.

Task 3: Report, 30%, Individual, CLOs 1, 2, 4.

Feedback will be given on all assessment tasks.

Equitable Learning Services

Equitable Learning Services (ELS) provide support and equal opportunities for students with a disability, long-term illness and/or mental health condition and primary carers of individuals with a disability. You can contact the ELS if you would like to find out more: https://www.rmit.edu.au/students/support-and-facilities/student-support/equitable-learning-services. You can also contact the course coordinator or the program coordinator if you would like to find out more.

An assessment charter (http://mams.rmit.edu.au/kh6a3ly2wi2h1.pdf) summarises your responsibilities as an RMIT student as well as those of your teaching staff.

Your course assessment conforms to RMIT assessment principles, regulations, policies and procedures which are described and referenced in a single document: http://www.rmit.edu.au/browse;ID=ln1kd66y87rc.