Monday 13 January to Sunday 23 March 2014

The key learning objectives of this course are:

1. Knowledge and understanding of the latest research and development of the principles for portfolio and programs management;
2. Application of research and professional practice tools to a range of contemporary issue such as climate change, terrorism, the global financial crises and disputes between waring communities;
3. The application of the principles for portfolio and programs management research in the development of potential solutions to contemporary issue;
4. Use of state-of-the-art processes and techniques developed for portfolio and programs management;
5. Understanding of the need to maintain ethical, social and cultural standards on projects
6. Understand the role of portfolios and programs in determining a balanced set of investment initiatives, programs and projects (components of a portfolio) that should be undertaken to meet the organisation’s strategic and business objectives;
7. Understand principles of systematic problem solving techniques and the use of issues trees to identify possible project ideas and initiatives
8. Understand how to balance a portfolio needs with organisational constraints in order to select the right projects
9. Understand the governance and risk parameters and processes needed for the success of a portfolio
10. Understand how to monitor, control and report on the execution and benefit realisation

Text book:
Project Management Institute, (2008) The Standard for Portfolio Management, 2nd Edition, ISBN13: 9781933890531

Project Management Institute, (2008) The Standard for Program Management, 2nd Edition, ISBN13: 9781933890524

Project Portfolio Management - Selecting and Prioritizing Projects for Competitive Advantage by Lowell D. Dye.

Project Portfolio Management: A Practical Guide to Selecting Projects, Managing Portfolios, and Maximizing Benefits (Jossey-Bass Business & Management) by Harvey A Levine.

Strategic Project Portfolio Management: Enabling a Productive Organization (Microsoft Executive Leadership Series) by Simon Moore.

Optimizing Corporate Portfolio Management: Aligning Investment Proposals with Organizational Strategy, by Anand Sanwal.

Project Portfolio Management, Leading the Corporate Vision (2007) by Shan Rajegopal, Phili McGuin and James Waller.

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/ 

LEARN is the University of Adelaide’s platform for dedicated online delivery. LEARN is a customised version of Moodle, and houses all course requirements including the course profile, announcements, additional course materials (beyond the prescribed text), assessment items, discussion forums, grading, feedback, links to various university and course resources, an internal website email system, a technical assistance facility, etc. LEARN is only accessible once the URL and a password have been provided to the student on enrolment. Students are given access to the course prior to the start date to familiarise themselves with the operational aspects and functionality of the website. 

This course is offered in online mode.

As a guide, a 3 unit course comprises a total of 156 hours.

An overview of the course assessment appears in the following Table. Details appear in the following section:

Students must complete all course assessment requirements.

Course results are subject to moderation by the ECIC Board of Examiners

Assessment 1: Mini Assignments (3)
Weighting: 30%
Due Dates: Day 3-7, weeks 2,4,6,8
Submission Details: Via Drop Box in LEARN

Task:
Your first task at the beginning of the term was to identify a reporter for each mini-assignment. You should rotate the reporter role for each assignment so that each group member experiences this role.

As the reporter, you should summarise what was discussed and incorporate what has been learned so far from the weekly readings and lesson material. Your goal is to apply these theory-based conversations to the individual final projects.

Length and Presentation:
3 assignments of 1000 words MAX

Criteria by which your assignment will be marked:

• Demonstrated ability to transfer or apply concepts covered in the course to this topic.
• Demonstrated awareness of and insight with regard to this topic.
• Application of theory and principles into practice;
• Demonstrated quality and depth of analysis.
• Demonstrated quality of writing.

Assessment 2:            Forum participation
Weighting:       20%
Due Dates:      Day 3-7, weeks 2,4,6,8
Submission Details:   Via discussion prompts on the forum in LEARN

Task:
Discussion topics are taken from your assigned readings and the online lecture notes. You may also need to do some additional outside research to support your responses. An excellent source of research is the resource list on the Course Home page.

Substantive participation include responses to discussion questions as well as discourse related to the subject matter between students. Substantive responses must be based upon the course content, theory or personal experiences . . . not mere opinion. A simple ’I agree’ will not count. Substantive responses and inputs should also include appropriate documentation, or citation.

You will participate in online discussions with your workshop group. However, you are expected to post an individual half-page response to the assigned discussion prompts by Day 3. Discuss these questions with your group by posting subsequent responses between Day 4 and Day 7 of this week. The reporter should facilitate the discussion.

Length and Presentation:
100+ words, 3-4 responses

Criteria by which your assignment will be marked:
You will be graded on the quality of your posts, not necessarily on the quantity—what is expected is substantive participation in all assigned discussions.



Assessment 3: Major Project Part 1
Weighting: 30%
Due Dates: Progress report: Day 7 of week 2     Final report: Day 7 of week 7
Submission Details:   Via Drop Box in LEARN

Task:
You will select an organisation, to use as a case study throughout the course. Name the organisation, its background, current situation and the challenges facing it.

The end two (2) major assignments, deliverables and mark will be closely linked to how well you apply what you have learnt to create a proposed organisation project portfolio that would help maximise the performance or competitive position of the organisation and secondly to create a program charter to plan the execution of the portfolio or one of the key programs within it.

Choose an organisation (minimum $500m revenue) who is facing major external and internal challenges as the subject for the two assignments to develop for the term.

Part one will be for the creation of an organisational portfolio proposition that responds to the organisational challenges and fits within its constraints.

You will progressively develop this portfolio proposition, due in its entirety on Day 7 of Week 7; however, you will submit a progress report for comment by academic staff on or before Day 7 of Week 2. The progress report should be based on the defined situation, challenges, and list of project ideas you have identified to transform your selected organisation. This is a crucial step as it drives everything from this point forward related to the major project. One progress submission is required, and a final report.

Create a proposal to an organisation of your choice for implementing a Portfolio Management Framework. Additionally, you will have to demonstrate how you would facilitate an Alignment Workshop with initial recommendations for balancing their Project Portfolio.

You will submit an Organisation Portfolio Selection Presentation in Powerpoint (10 – 20 slides) supported by a prioritisation model in MS Excel.

You will also prepare a full word report (MS Word) for senior management in at least 3500 words if by an individual or 5000 words by a group of 2. The purpose of the report is to explain the benefits and process of establishing a Project Portfolio Office for the organisation and using major project – part one as the case study within.

Length and Presentation:
3500 words if by an individual or 5000 words by a group of 2report; 10-15 slides Exec summary presentation; an Excel Prioritisation Model

Criteria by which your assignment will be marked:

• Demonstrated ability to transfer or apply concepts covered in the course to this topic.
• Demonstrated awareness of and insight with regard to this topic.
• Application of theory and principles into practice;
• Demonstrated quality and depth of analysis.
• Demonstrated quality of writing.

In completing these assignments, higher marks will be awarded for evidence of reading notes, text and papers, and integration of this theory into your answers. This means the application of theory into practical application. Direct referencing of external material in your answers is preferred.



Assessment 4: Major Project Part 2
Weighting: 20%
Due Dates: Day 7 of week 10
Submission Details: Via Drop Box in LEARN

Task:
Building from major project (part one), you are now asked to put together a Program Plan (MS Word) for initiating and executing a series of projects towards one of the organisation’s strategic objectives. Prepare a program charter and plan to deliver the portfolio proposed in part one by highlighting the objectives, context, the project components, scope, time, resources cost, dependencies, benefits, change management, quality assurance, procurement and proposed risk management approach.

In addition to a written report, you will also need to prepare a PowerPoint presentation to the Portfolio Management Board to gain their comfort in granting you approval to proceed with execution. The presentation should be (12 – 15 slides).

Length and Presentation:
3000 word Program Charter; plus 12-15 slide presentation to the Board

Criteria by which your assignment will be marked:

• Demonstrated ability to transfer or apply concepts covered in the course to this topic.
• Demonstrated awareness of and insight with regard to this topic.
• Application of theory and principles into practice;
• Demonstrated quality and depth of analysis.
• Demonstrated quality of writing.

All text based assignments must be submitted via Drop Box in LEARN

There are a few points to note about the submission of assignments:

• Assignment Submission: Assignments should be lodged via Drop Box in the LEARN system. Please refer to individual assignment tasks for specific submission details relevant to each task. Note that assignments may be processed via TURNITIN, which is an online plagiarism prevention tool.
• Cover Sheet: As part of your assignment, please add the completed University of Adelaide Assessment Cover Sheet to your assignment, providing details of yourself and your team members (if applicable), your assignment, the course, date submitted, etc. as well as the declaration signed by you that this is your (your team’s) work. Note that the declaration on any electronically submitted assignment will be deemed to have the same authority as a signed declaration. Where applicable, also include the word count excluding title pages and references.
• Backup Copy of Assignments: You are advised to keep a copy of your assignments in case the submitted copy goes missing. Please ensure that all assignment pages are numbered. If your assignment contains confidential information, you should discuss any concerns with the Course Lecturer prior to submission.
• Extensions of Time: Any request for an extension of time for the submission of an assignment should be made well before the due date of the assignment to the Course Lecturer. Normally, extensions will only be granted for a maximum of two weeks from the original assignment submission date. Extensions will only be granted in cases of genuine extenuating circumstances and proof, such as a doctor’s certificate, may be required.
• Failure to submit an assignment on time or by the agreed extension deadline may result in penalties and may incur a fail grade. Note that a late penalty of 5% of the total available marks for that assessment item will be incurred each day an assignment is handed in late (Unless otherwise stated in section 5.2 or 5.3). Assignments handed in after 14 days from the due submission date will fail even if a 100% mark is granted for the work.