Course Title: Undertake project work

Part B: Course Detail

Teaching Period: Term1 2022

Course Code: BUSM7931C

Course Title: Undertake project work

School: 525T Business & Enterprise

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

Joe Matthews

joseph.matthews@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

In this course you will develop the skills and knowledge required to define a project, develop a project plan, administer and monitor the project, finalise the project and review project outcomes.

See the Syllabus tab for weekly class schedules and Week buttons below for weekly topics and further information on material covered. There are 2 assessments for this course and you will find the details under the Assignments tab.


Teaching Schedule

Weekly Schedule 

BSBPMG522 Undertake Project Work 

Semester 1 2022

Week number 

Week beginning 

Topic 

Assessments 

1 

7 Feb 

 Introduction to Undertake Project Work

  

2 

14 Feb 

 How to define a project

Quiz/Activity

3 

21 Feb 

How to develop a project plan

Quiz/Activity

4 

28 Feb 

 How to administer and monitor projects

  

5 

7 Mar 

How to finalise a project

How to review a project

  

6 

14 Mar 

 Assessment 1 workshop


7 

21 Mar  

 Budgeting

  

8 

28 Mar 

Adjusting a budget

Assessment 1 due


9 

4 April 

Project Plan Presentations

Project Plan Workshop

 Assessment 1 Presentations  to Teacher 

10 

Mid Semester Break:

11 

25 April 

Creating a status report

Assessment 2 workshop

12 

2 May 

 Reporting

13 

9 May 

Using Excel

Assessment 2 workshop

14 

16 May 

Project Plan Workshop

Assessment 2 due

15 

23 May 

 Resubmissions

16  

30 May 

 Resubmissions

17 

6 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 assessment evaluates your ability to:

  • Clarify 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.

In this task, you will need to develop a project plan. You will work together with two (2) other students on the same umbrella PR event of their choice.

A PR Event to raise awareness of Global Warming. Each student could develop an event for this campaign as follows:

  • 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 (e.g.: catering, etc)

Completing this assessment allows you to demonstrate skills and knowledge in planning a project while applying project management tools and showing regard for the legal and regulatory environment, the impacts of key stakeholders as well as cultural nuances that need to be taken into consideration.

Assessment Instructions

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 their PR project
  • Define the project (Part A) and establish what PR event will be covered (by each student)
  • Plan the individual tasks of their project and allocate times
  • Develop a project plan (Part B)

You will be required to:

Part A – Define the Project


  1. Summarise the assessment brief: what needs to get done by when?
  2. A project brief based on the project scope above. (50-100 words) This brief must include:
    • Details of the PR event, e.g. type of music, catering etc., location, and the cause/motto the event is supporting.
    • The proposed budget for the event.
    • The duration of the project.
  3. You need to team up in groups of three (3) students and select a cause/focus for their PR projects (each student will be assessed as an individual)
  4. Define the events and tasks to be performed by each student in the team (as outlined above).

Once the brief has been completed, each student group is to meet with their Assessor to confirm:

  • Project parameters as outlined at point A.
  • The relationship between this project and the organisation’s objectives.
  1. Defining the scope: You need to:
  2. State the goals and objectives of the organisation. (100 words approximately)
  3. Define the goals and SMART objectives of the project. (100 words approximately)
  4. Describe how your chosen project aligns with other organisational projects as well as organisational values and objectives (100-150 words)
  5. Document at least three (3) project stakeholders, e.g. project manager, sponsor, team members etc. This needs to be done in a project pit stop and the parameters need to be agreed upon with the teacher.
  6. Create a list of the key issues related to the different areas of the project, e.g. overspend, alignment with organisational values, risks (WHS) etc. and identify the stakeholder(s) against each issue, the student would need to seek assistance/clarification on.
  7. Create a flowchart outlining the role/title, lines of authority and key responsibilities and limits of all project members (including self) as well as reporting requirements.
  8. Describe all the key resources needed to undertake the project, including all physical, human, technological and financial resources.


  1. You need to research and summarise the relevant legislation, regulations, protocols/codes of conduct that may apply for each of the following areas:
    • anti-discrimination legislation
    • codes of practice
    • environmental issues
    • ethical principles
    • WHS
    • privacy laws.

(150 words approximately)

  1. A list of communication suggestions for people with diverse backgrounds needs to be included, in context of anti-discrimination legislation. Bullet points should address ideas for staff with diverse accessibility, cultural and language needs.


Part B – Project Plan

In this part of the task you need to develop a project plan in line with project parameters.

  1. All parts of the attached project plan template (refer to Appendix 1) need to be completed.
  2. Additional documentation to be identified as appropriate by the student, accessed and completed by the student must include:
    1. Gantt chart of the complete project
    2. Draft budget
    3. Risk management plan (incl. WHS) for 3 major risks
    4. Quality standard
  1. A minimum of one (1) team meeting with an agenda and minutes, and a list of attendees needs to be held and recorded. These points need to be brainstormed, discussed and documented:
  1. Potential ethical or legal issues to consider
  2. Team member responsibilities, any specific needs to ensure quality outcomes and on time delivery against project requirements (teacher can act as project sponsor and give feedback)
  3. Approve documentation including budget (must be signed off to finalise project plan)
  4. Describe all the key resources needed to undertake the project, including all physical, human, technological and financial resources.

Assessment 2

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 upload the assessment 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

Completing this assessment allows you to demonstrate skills and knowledge in finalising and reviewing a project while completing, updating and acquiring necessary sign-offs of project documentation for financial and record-keeping purpose. You will demonstrate how to assist staff in transitioning into new projects.

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


Part A – Finalising Project

You will be required to:

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 tick sheet (refer appendix 2)
  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
    3. Organise for a team member to review the budget and confirm figures are accurate
  1. You will document recommendations for staff transitions within the organisation, including a recommendation for the project manager and team with suggested roles. (100 - 150 words)


Part B – Reviewing Project

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

  • Analysis of project outcomes against scope and plan.
  • 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.

  • You will review the outcomes of the project against the scope and plan (as per Assessment Task one) as a team. Each student must include the following in their review: (250 - 300 words):
  • Reflection on what aspects were achieved, what worked and what did not work.
  • Scope, goals, objectives, outcomes, ethics and legislation considered
  • Team performance and team communication
  • Describe two lessons learned from this project.
  • Describe the team’s consultation process and how the views of all team members were considered


Part C – Monitor Project

  1. You need to email all team members the list of responsibilities and project requirements and make supportive suggestions and ask for confirmation of the statements. A meeting agenda needs to be included. You nees to supply a copy of the email (screenshot).

7. You need to develop project report and update the following documentation:

  • A written overview of the project showing project deliverables achieved with sign-offs
  • Gantt chart of the complete project (showing completed, commenced and incomplete tasks)
  • Budget reflecting changes of financial resources (forecast vs actuals).
  • Risk management plan indicating a risk that occurred and has been dealt with.
  • Completed WHS checklist (refer to Appendix 2)


  • You need to organise and run a pitstop meeting with the team, using Office Calendar to organise the meeting and including an agenda for the meeting. Project aspects need to be discussed and suggestions on how to provide support for team members need to be included. Documentation as PowerPoint is adequate and the below points should be attached to calendar with invites or email:
  • Meeting agenda
  • Scenario of support for a project member and demonstration of negotiation skills to maintain project schedules (roleplay: what was the issue and how did the student provide support?)
  • Project report with achieved project deliverables to be finalised and forwarded to relevant stakeholders.

The teacher will observe and record part of the meeting in an observation checklist.


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.  
  • 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.



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): 

Feedback on your assignment and your results will be released via the rubric on Canvas. Assessment tasks will receive the following outcomes:

Satisfactory

Not Satisfactory

DNS (Did not Submit)

There are 3 assessments for this course, students must be deemed satisfactory i n all 3 assessments to be competent in this course.

Course grades will be given as:

CA (Competency Achieved)

NYC (Not Yet Competent)

DNS (Did not submit)


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.  

Further information regarding the application of the grading criteria will be provided by your teacher.

Course Overview: Access Course Overview