Project Management Essentials
Overview
This unit equips students with the skills and knowledge to meet the challenges of managing projects in a variety of contexts. This unit introduces the specific techniques inherent to project management such as selecting the projects that bring the maximum value, and planning and implementing projects to meet the organisational objectives. The unit builds on the process framework for project management from initiating to planning, implementing, control and closing, across content areas. Additionally, this unit critically analyses the relevance and suitability of project management approaches to a variety of organisational contexts.
Requisites
100 credit points
01-June-2025
08-June-2025
02-November-2025
08-February-2026
Learning outcomes
Students who successfully complete this unit will be able to:
- Describe project management core theories and apply strategic approaches to project selection
- Apply project management frameworks to meet the complex needs in a variety of project contexts
- Demonstrate the technical and teamwork skills required to develop a formal project plan and explain its purpose and content to a target audience
- Effectively evaluate project progress and analyse project closure
- Analyse the role of socio-technical aspects such as leadership and stakeholder management on project success
Teaching methods
Hawthorn
| Type | Hours per week | Number of weeks | Total (number of hours) |
|---|---|---|---|
| On-campus Class | 2.00 | 12 weeks | 24 |
| Online Lecture | 1.00 | 12 weeks | 12 |
| Unspecified Activities Independent Learning | 9.50 | 12 weeks | 114 |
| TOTAL | 150 |
Swinburne Online
| Type | Hours per week | Number of weeks | Total (number of hours) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Online Directed Online Learning and Independent Learning | 12.50 | 12 weeks | 150 |
| TOTAL | 150 |
Assessment
| Type | Task | Weighting | ULO's |
|---|---|---|---|
| Progress Evaluation | Individual | 40 - 60% | 1,2,4,5 |
| Project | Group | 40 - 60% | 1,2,3 |
Content
- The process of project managementÂ
- Project initiation and selection
- Project leadership, teamwork and stakeholder management
- Planning the project
- Implementing a project schedule and resource scheduling
- Estimating project elements
- Project control, including managing risks
- Progress monitoring and evaluation
- Project closure and audit
Study resources
Reading materials
A list of reading materials and/or required textbooks will be available in the Unit Outline on Canvas.