Course Title: Undertake project work

Part B: Course Detail

Teaching Period: Term1 2021

Course Code: BUSM7931C

Course Title: Undertake project work

School: 650T Vocational Business Education

Campus: City Campus

Program: C5400 - Diploma of Business (Public Relations)

Course Contact: Nick Reynolds

Course Contact Phone: +61 3 9925 0791

Course Contact Email: nick.reynolds@rmit.edu.au

Name and Contact Details of All Other Relevant Staff

Federico Viola

federico.viola@rmit.edu.au 

Nominal Hours: 60

Regardless of the mode of delivery, represent a guide to the relative teaching time and student effort required to successfully achieve a particular competency/module. This may include not only scheduled classes or workplace visits but also the amount of effort required to undertake, evaluate and complete all assessment requirements, including any non-classroom activities.

Pre-requisites and Co-requisites

None

Course Description

This unit describes the performance outcomes, skills and knowledge required to undertake a straightforward project or a section of a larger project.

It covers developing a project plan, administering and monitoring the project, finalising the project and reviewing the project to identify lessons learned for application to future projects.

 This unit applies to individuals who play a significant role in ensuring a project meets timelines, quality standards, budgetary limits and other requirements set for the project.

National Codes, Titles, Elements and Performance Criteria

National Element Code & Title:	BSBPMG522 Undertake project work
Element:	1. Define project
Performance Criteria:	1.1 Access project scope and other relevant documentation 1.2 Define project stakeholders 1.3 Seek clarification from delegating authority of issues related to project and project parameters 1.4 Identify limits of own responsibility and reporting requirements 1.5 Clarify relationship of project to other projects and to the organisation's objectives 1.6 Determine and access available resources to undertake project
Element:	2. Develop project plan
Performance Criteria:	2.1 Develop project plan in line with the project parameters 2.2 Identify and access appropriate project management tools 2.3 Formulate risk management plan for project, including Work Health and Safety (WHS) 2.4 Develop and approve project budget 2.5 Consult team members and take their views into account in planning the project 2.6 Finalise project plan and gain necessary approvals to commence project according to documented plan
Element:	3. Administer and monitor project
Performance Criteria:	3.1 Take action to ensure project team members are clear about their responsibilities and the project requirements 3.2 Provide support for project team members, especially with regard to specific needs, to ensure that the quality of the expected outcomes of the project and documented time lines are met 3.3 Establish and maintain required recordkeeping systems throughout the project 3.4 Implement and monitor plans for managing project finances, resources and quality 3.5 Complete and forward project reports as required to stakeholders 3.6 Undertake risk management as required to ensure project outcomes are met 3.7 Achieve project deliverables
Element:	4. Finalise project
Performance Criteria:	4.1 Complete financial recordkeeping associated with project and check for accuracy 4.2 Ensure transition of staff involved in project to new roles or reassignment to previous roles 4.3 Complete project documentation and obtain necessary sign-offs for concluding project
Element:	5. Review project
Performance Criteria:	5.1 Review project outcomes and processes against the project scope and plan 5.2 Involve team members in the project review 5.3 Document lessons learned from the project and report within the organisation

Learning Outcomes

You will learn how to apply project-management skills and how to meet the requirement of timelines, quality standards, budgetary limits, risks and other requirements set for a project.

On successful completion of this course you will have developed and applied the skills and knowledge required to demonstrate competency in undertaking a project, including:

• defining a project
• developing a project plan
• administering and monitoring a project
• finalising a project
• reviewing a project.

Details of Learning Activities

Classes will be delivered face to face (online via CANVAS / Collaborate Ultra).

The teaching tools for this course include student study notes supplemented with relevant short video clips. Students will also be given the opportunity to interact with the teacher during class time and discussion activity sessions.

It is in your best interest to regularly check Canvas for any updates or important messages. 

Throughout your course, you will see learning materials and activities that are listed as 'required' and some are listed as 'recommended'. 'Required' means that it is compulsory  while 'recommended' means that it is optional, although useful to gain a deeper understanding of this course

Please note that ALL ASSESSMENT TASKS need to be completed satisfactorily to be deemed competent in this course/cluster.

 

Teaching Schedule

Weekly Schedule  BSBPMG522 Undertake Project Work  Semester 1 2021
Week number	Week beginning	Topic	Assessments
1	8th Feb	Introduction to Undertake Project Work
2	15th Feb	How to define a project	Quiz/Activity
3	22nd Feb	How to develop a project plan	Quiz/Activity
4	1st Mar	How to administer and monitor projects
5	8th Mar	How to finalise a project How to review a project
6	15th Mar	Assessment 1 workshop
7	22nd Mar	Budgeting
8	29th Mar	Adjusting a budget	Assessment 1 due April 11 23:59
Mid Semester Break 1st April – 7th April
9	12th  April	Project Plan Presentations Project Plan Workshop	Assessment 1 Presentations  to Teacher
10	19th April	Assessment 2 workshop
11	26th April	Creating a status report Assessment 2 workshop
12	3rd May	Reporting
13	10th May	Using Excel Assessment 2 workshop
14	17th May	Project Plan Workshop	Assessment 2 due
15	24th May	Resubmissions
16	31st May	Resubmissions
17	7th  June	Grade Entry

Learning Resources

Prescribed Texts

References

Other Resources

All resources will be available in Canvas.

Overview of Assessment

Assessment Methods

A range of assessment methods will be used to assess practical skills and knowledge. The following assessment methods will be used specifically to assess competency in undertaking project work:

• direct questioning combined with review of portfolios of evidence and third-party workplace reports of on-the-job performance by the candidate
• observation of presentations
• oral or written questioning to assess knowledge of the organisation's mission, goals, objectives and operations and how the project relates to them
• review of project risk-management plan and project plan
• evaluation of project reports forwarded to stakeholders
• analysis of documentation reviewing project outcomes and processes against the project scope and plan
• evaluation of documentation outlining lessons learned from the project.

In order to achieve competency in this unit, you must provide:

Performance evidence

Evidence of the skills to:

• define the parameters of the project including:
• project scope
• project stakeholders, including own responsibilities
• relationship of project to organisational objectives and other projects
• reporting requirements
• resource requirements
• use project management tools to develop and implement a project plan including:
• deliverables
• work breakdown
• budget and allocation of resources
• timelines
• risk management
• recordkeeping and reporting
• consult and communicate with relevant stakeholders to generate input and engagement in planning, implementing and reviewing the project
• provide support to team members to enable them to achieve deliverables and to transition them as appropriate at completion of the project
• finalise the project including documentation, sign-offs and reporting
• review and document the project outcomes.

Knowledge evidence:

To complete this unit requirements you must provide the following knowledge evidence:

• give examples of project management tools and how they contribute to a project
• outline types of documents and other sources of information commonly used in defining the parameters of a project
• explain processes for identifying and managing risk in a project
• outline the organisation's mission, goals, objectives and operations and how the project relates to them
• explain the organisation's procedures and processes that are relevant to managing a project including:
• lines of authority and approvals
• quality assurance
• human resources
• budgets and finance
• recordkeeping
• reporting
• outline the legislative and regulatory context of the organisation in relation to project work, including work health and safety (WHS) requirements.

Assessment Conditions

Assessment must ensure:

• access to workplace project documentation
• demonstration of all required skills, knowledge and performance in a workplace-based project.

You are advised that you are likely to be asked to personally demonstrate your assessment work to your teacher to ensure that the relevant competency standards are being met.

Feedback

Feedback will be provided throughout the semester in class and/or online discussions.

You are encouraged to ask and answer questions during class time and online sessions so that you can obtain feedback on your understanding of the concepts and issues being discussed.

Finally, you can email or arrange an appointment with your teacher to gain more feedback on your progress.

You should take note of all feedback received and use this information to improve your learning outcomes and final performance in the course.

Assessment Tasks

This Unit has two assessment tasks:

Assessment Task 1: Project Plan

This assessment evaluates your ability to:

• Define the parameters of a project
• Use project management tools to develop and implement a project plan
• Consult and communicate with relevant stakeholders to generate input and engagement in planning, implementing and reviewing a project
• Provide support to team members to enable them to achieve project deliverables and to transition them as appropriate at completion of the project

 

You will be required to finalise and review the project in assessment 2.

 

This is an individual assessment task. You will align your PR project with a larger cause and your project will be in collaboration with two (2) other students and their projects.

 Example: 

PR Event to raise awareness of Global Warming. 

• Event 1: Organise entertainment (e.g.: music, live performance and sponsorship)
• Event 2: Organise three key speakers and organise the presentation
• Event 3: Organise the logistics (i.e.: catering, etc)

Assessment Instructions

What:

 This assessment will be produced in report format with a heading/title page, table of contents and references at the end of the document.

To complete this assessment task, you will need to

• Team up with two students and select a cause/focus for your PR project
• Define the project (Part A) and establish what PR event will be covered by you
• Plan the individual tasks of your project and allocate times
• Develop a project plan (Part B)
• Monitor the project (Part C)

Due Week 8

 

Assessment Task 2: Project Completion and reflection

This assessment evaluates your ability to: 

• Finalise a project
• Complete, update and acquire necessary sign-offs of project documentation for financial and record-keeping  purpose
• Consult and communicate with relevant stakeholders to review project outcomes against the scope and plan, assist staff in transitioning to new roles and document lessons learned from the project

 You will be required to finalise and review the project you have planned for assessment 1 and present it in week 15.

This is an individual assessment task. You will be in collaboration with two (2) other students and their projects in a role-play scenario. Each of you will provide necessary feedback for the other ones’ project as if you were team members in the project. You only have to document the collaboration of your project of which you have the role as a project manager. Your teacher will act as the project sponsor.

Example of events for collaboration:

PR Event to raise awareness of Global Warming.

• Event 1: Organise entertainment (e.g.: music, live performance and sponsorship)
• Event 2: Organise three key speakers and organise the presentation
• Event 3: Organise the logistics (i.e.: catering, etc)

Assessment Instructions

What:

 This assessment will be produced in report format with a heading/title page, table of contents and references at the end of the document.

To complete this assessment task, you will need to:

• Team up with two students and continue the PR project from assessment task 1
• Update and finalise all project documentation, including updated financial records reflective of actual figures against estimated
• Hold and document a minimum of one (1) team “pitstop” meeting
• Acquire all necessary sign-offs of project documentation (roleplay, teacher acting as project sponsor, other students acting as project team)
• Review the outcomes of the project against the scope and plan
• Discuss and document lessons learned for project team and organisation
• Roleplay and document recommendations for staff transitions to new projects and roles within organisation 

You will be required to:

 Part A – Finalising Project

1. Update and finalise all project documentation:

1. Final Gantt chart of the complete project
2. Final budget, displaying actuals and estimates, showing budget adjustments (e.g.: changes in the contingency fund)
3. Final risk management plan with adjusted risk information sheet (refer to Appendix 1) and information log (refer to Excel Spreadsheet) for an occurred risk.
4. Completed WHS ticksheet
5. Completed Quality standards checklist

1. Acquire sign-offs of project documentation:

1. Prepare sign-off sections for project documentation (1A-1E)
2. Acquire the signatures of the project sponsor and project manager

1. Document recommendations for staff transitions within the organisation. Include a recommendation for the project manager and team members and state what roles you would suggest. (100 - 150 words)

Part B – Reviewing Project 

1. Student will hold and document a project pitstop meeting in class to review the project. Discussion at this meeting must include:

1. Analysis of project outcomes against scope and plan.
2. Analysis of costs against budget.

A screenshot of the meeting request with meeting agenda or the meeting minutes would be adequate. Attendance needs to be documented. The teacher will observe and record part of the meeting in an observation checklist.

1. Review the outcomes of the project against the scope and plan as a team. Document your review:

in written format (150 - 250 words):

1. • Reflect and document what aspects were achieved, what worked and what did not work.
   • Consider scope, goals, objectives, outcomes, ethics and legislation
   • Consider team performance and team communication
   • Make suggestions for improvements

Due Week Week 14

 

Assessment Matrix

The assessment matrix that maps all the assessment is available on CANVAS.   Submission Requirements  

You should:

• Ensure that you submit assessments on or before the due date.  Non submission without supporting evidence such as an ELP or special consideration will mean a result of Did Not Submit (DNS) 
• Always retain a copy of your assessment tasks. (hard copy and soft copy)
• When you submit work for assessment at RMIT University you need to use the Assessment task document that includes a declaration and statement of authorship.
• Each page of your assessment should include footer with your name, student number, the title of the assessment, unit code and title and page numbers. 

Other Information

Late Submission Procedures    You are required to submit assessment items and/or ensure performance based assessment is completed by the due dates.  If you are prevented from submitting an assessment item on time, by circumstances outside your control, you may apply in advance to your teacher for an extension to the due date of up to seven calendar days.   More Information:  https://www.rmit.edu.au/students/student-essentials/assessment-and-exams/assessment/extensions-of-time-for-submission-of-assessable-work   Where an extension of greater than seven days is needed, you must apply for Special Consideration.  Applications for special consideration must be submitted no later than two working days after the assessment task deadline or scheduled examination.   More Information: https://www.rmit.edu.au/students/student-essentials/assessment-and-exams/assessment/special-consideration   Resubmissions:   If you are found to be unsuccessful in a particular Course Assessment Task (or you do not submit/attend) you will be allowed one resubmission.  Your teacher will provide feedback regarding what you need to do to improve and will set a new deadline for the resubmission.     If you are still not meeting the assessment requirements you must apply to your Program Manager in writing outlining the steps you will take to demonstrate competence in your course. Your submission will be considered by the Program Team and you will be advised of the outcome as soon as possible.   Re-submissions   Successful re-submissions will contribute a CA only (Competency Achieved) result to your overall grade for the course.   Adjustments to Assessment    In certain circumstances students may be eligible for an assessment adjustment. For more information about the circumstances under which the assessment arrangements might be granted please access the following website:  https://www.rmit.edu.au/students/student-essentials/assessment-and-exams/assessment/adjustments-to-assessment   Marking Guide (Competency):    You must demonstrate that you have all the required skills/knowledge/elements in the unit of competency you are studying.   You will receive feedback on each assessment task that will inform you about your progress and how well you are performing.      Final Grades table:       CA Competency Achieved  NYC Not Yet Competent DNS Did Not Submit for assessment   Further information regarding the application of the grading criteria will be provided by your teacher

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