Name: Dr Graciela Corral de Zubielqui

Short Bio:
Dr Graciela Corral de Zubielqui is PhD Director and a lecturer in the postgraduate project management area in the Entrepreneurship, Commercialisation and Innovation Centre, The University of Adelaide. She completed her PhD in the area of innovation and globalization. She also holds a PMP credential, a Bachelor of Economics (Honours) and a Master in Economics and Business Administration. She has held appointments as a Research Associate in the School of Management, University of South Australia, and the Entrepreneurship, Commercialisation and Innovation Centre and the Adelaide Business School, The University of Adelaide. From 2001 to mid-2004, she held positions at The National University of Rosario, Argentina and as a researcher at Economic Science Council and College of Graduates in Economic Science. Since 1992 to 2001, Graciela worked in diverse roles in private sector companies and as a consultant. Her research interests are innovation, globalisation, firms’ collaboration activities, economic regional development and firm performance.

Email: graciela.corraldezubielqui@adelaide.edu.au

Phone: +61 8 8313 7491

Briefing Workshop:
Thursday 6th March 2014
10am to 1pm
5.01 Level 5, Nexus10

1	Research a topic of interest in the project management,
2	Identify, select and critically analyse relevant information for your report,
3	Synthesise the key points/findings and communicate them in a clear, concise and professional report,
4	Appreciate the benefits of continuing personal and professional development in the rapidly developing and increasingly complex field of project management research,
5	Appreciate ethical, social and cultural issues and an understanding of the implication of these issues in the pursuit of project management research.

There is no required textbook for this course.

  A list containing supplementary readings will be provided before the course start date.

It is also recommended that you read relevant journal articles. In particular, you are encouraged to read the following journals:
· International Journal of Project Management
· Project Management Journal
· Journal of Project Management

Course Notes, Readings and Powerpoint Slides
These are all available electronically for enrolled students by download from MyUni.

Library Resources
The University of Adelaide’s Barr Smith Library provides a range of learning resources including texts, journals, periodicals, magazines, and access to online databases and information services. It also offers a virtual library which is accessible via the University’s website. The University Library web page is: http://www.adelaide.edu.au/library/
From this link, you are able to access the Library's electronic resources.

Other resources
If you are a member of the PMI (http://www.pmi.org/Membership.aspx) you will “gain exclusive access to PMI publications and our global standards*, networking options with our chapters and online communities of practice, and leadership and volunteer opportunities. You’ll also receive discounts on certification exams and renewals, as well as our professional development offerings.” Student membership is USD$40 to join and USD$30 to renew.

* Log in to access complimentary read-only PDFs of all of PMI's published standards or take advantage of discounts on paperback editions
http://www.pmi.org/PMBOK-Guide-and-Standards/Standards-Library-of-PMI-Global-Standards.aspx

MyUni is the University of Adelaide's online learning environment. It is used to support traditional face-to-face lectures, tutorials and workshops at the University. MyUni provides access to various features including announcements, course materials, discussion boards and assessments for each online course of study (see: https://myuni.adelaide.edu.au)

This course is offered in blended learning mode with the face-to-face component offered as a brief workshop, consultations with the lecturer and the participation in recommended workshops which can help students to improve their research activities.

Research workshops are available three times a year through the Researcher, Education and Development (examples: taking a critical approach, critical reading, reviewing literature, writing a proposal, and so on).

As a guide, a 3 unit course comprises a total of 156 hours work (this includes face-to-face contact, any online components, and self directed study).

Briefing Workshop: Thursday 6th March 2014 10am – 1pm
Please see list of research workshops available on
www.adelaide.edu.au/red/language_timetable.html

Content	Readings/Activities
Topic 1: An introduction to Project Planning: the Project Proposal	This topic will take you through a range of strategies relevant to the project planning process. We will introduce you to the key principles and skills needed to effectively commence a Project. We will take you through a model for enabling you to prepare your own series of statements outlining the nature of the work you intend to undertake to meet the requirements of the Project. We believe that good projects are characterised by clarity of purpose and time given at the commencement of the project, to clearly identifying and documenting the aims, objectives and methodology that will be employed to ensure a good outcome.
Topic 2: The Research Process and the Research Project	This topic will give you an overview of the research process and how to manage it. The topic will be relevant to students who are planning to produce a Research Report as well as providing a useful framework for students who want to produce a Business Plan. The research process can be adapted to most investigative work whether it be a Business Plan for a new or existing business, a Strategic Plan to facilitate growth and development of an organisation or to conduct research and present results to one’s organisation.
Topic 3: Written Communication for Project work: Planning and Structure	A well written and well presented piece of writing is one that achieves its objectives, and presents the information, ideas, arguments in a logical and coherent way. It is grammatically correct, visually appealing and directed towards its readers. This topic presents information that will assist you to write your project proposal, the short/progress report and Project. You need to refer back to the notes on the Assessment in the Course Information Guide.

None

Assessment No.	Form of Assessment/ Collaborative Task	Length (in word count	Weighting	Due Date	Learning Outcome
1	Project Proposal	2000 words	15%	07/04/2014	1-5
2	Online Proposal: 1. Presentation (two components: presentation + participation)	10 - 15 minutes presentation	15%	From 15/04/2014 to 18/04/2014 (see details below)	1-5
3	Final Research Report	32000 + words	70%	Semester 2 - 2014	1-5
	TOTAL		100%

 

Students must complete all course assessment requirements to be eligible to pass the course. Course results are subject to moderation by the ECIC Board of Examiners.

Students will develop a research project. They can be guided in the selection of the research topic.

Supervision and progress: The lecturer in charge will supervise your progress on the project. The student will be required to meet with the lecturer in order to report and discuss progress. If the student encounters problems in the development of the project, he or she must discuss this situation immediately with the lecturer. It is student responsibility to organise the meetings with the supervisor.

It is highly recommended that students carry out a preliminary investigation about the research topic selected to be sure that there is sufficient content in the area. 

Assessment 1: Project Proposal
Weighting: 15%
Due Date: 07/04/2014
Submission Details: Online through MyUni

Task: “Project proposal”
The aim of the assignment is to assist you in developing your research report. It is required that students prepare a proposal for the lecturer’s consideration.
The proposal should include the following:
· Background, aims and significance. Background: the theoretical or practical basis or proposition for your research project. The background will lead to elaborate research questions. Students also should address why this research project is important.
· Aim: what is the purpose of your project? Objectives: this section includes research questions to be addressed.
· Design: to determine the activities to be undertaken throughout the course of your research project
· Methodology: what type of methodology the student will employ?
· Milestones and budget: When it will be done, and in what order, and how much it will cost to do it (only in case your research has funds).
· Possible outcomes (when is it applicable) / limitations
Scope:
This assignment will assess your understanding of the course topics, especially topic 3.

Length and Presentation:
Approximately 2,000 + words addressing the points explained in the task (above).

Criteria by which your assignment will be marked is connected with your ability to:
· identify and summarise the problem/question to be investigated,
· identify existing, relevant knowledge and views connected with your selected topic,
· propose appropriate methodology for your research report,
· present some references which shows some understanding on the topic.

Learning objectives from this assessment (refer section 2.1): 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5



Assessment 2: Online Proposal Presentation
Weighting: 15% (peer review assignment and participation component)
Due Date: 15/04/2014 online presentation submission
From 16/04/2014 to 17/04/2014 online questions
18/04/2014 final peer review report

Comments and answers: After the submission of the online presentation, students should participate in the forum between the dates indicated above (remember that the comments and questions are part of the assessment – at least two questions per student)

Submission Details: Online through MyUni

Task:
The Online Proposal Presentation will be completed by students individually. Each student should upload a PowerPoint slide with voice record or a video with the research project presentation. The presentation should be between 10 and 15 minutes. Other students should review each of the presentations and pose at least two questions at the website which should be answered by the presenter.

Online proposal presentation:
The student will present to the class online seeking feedback and approval to proceed with the final report.
The online proposal preparation should:
· be as professional as possible
· have the right content
· wrap up all the relevant information
· contain a clear action plan.

Length and Presentation:
10 - 15 minutes presentation

Criteria by which your assignment will be marked:
· identify critical issues,
· show reasoning behind statements or ideas,
· use general or technical language in an appropriate manner,
· stimulate interest for the audience,
· plan details of research activity,
· cope with questions and arguments,
· use of time-limit and visual aids.

Learning objectives from this assessment (refer section 2.1): 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5

Further information will be provided by myUni.