PROJMGNT 7040 - Portfolios and Programs Management

North Terrace Campus - Trimester 1 - 2019

This unit specifically addresses how organisations deliver strategic goals and objectives through the selection of a balanced Portfolio and Programs of multiple Projects. This selection balances the needs of `business as usual? with the need to be disruptive or face disruption in a rapidly changing market. This unit outlines how participants can gain competence in managing this balance of today's requirements with tomorrow's needs. Specifically, this unit will address how an organisation strategically applies management techniques to select, initiate, prioritise, executes and controls initiatives through Portfolio Alignment, Monitoring and Control. The course will also consider how an organisation can benefit from delivering multiple projects in a Program environment including governing, controlling and supporting the organisation's strategy through Program Management. The course objective is to build participants competence in managing portfolios and programs.

  • General Course Information
    Course Details
    Course Code PROJMGNT 7040
    Course Portfolios and Programs Management
    Coordinating Unit Entrepreneurship, Commercialisation & Innov Centre
    Term Trimester 1
    Level Postgraduate Coursework
    Location/s North Terrace Campus
    Units 3
    Contact Intensive: 36 to 40 hours
    Available for Study Abroad and Exchange Y
    Prerequisites PROJMGNT 5021
    Course Description This unit specifically addresses how organisations deliver strategic goals and objectives through the selection of a balanced Portfolio and Programs of multiple Projects. This selection balances the needs of `business as usual? with the need to be disruptive or face disruption in a rapidly changing market. This unit outlines how participants can gain competence in managing this balance of today's requirements with tomorrow's needs. Specifically, this unit will address how an organisation strategically applies management techniques to select, initiate, prioritise, executes and controls initiatives through Portfolio Alignment, Monitoring and Control. The course will also consider how an organisation can benefit from delivering multiple projects in a Program environment including governing, controlling and supporting the organisation's strategy through Program Management. The course objective is to build participants competence in managing portfolios and programs.
    Course Staff

    Course Coordinator: Associate Professor Indra Gunawan

    Program Director Contact Details: Project Management
    Name: Assoc Professor Indra Gunawan
    Email: indra.gunawan@adelaide.edu.au

    Teaching staff

    Trimester 1
    Name: John Woodward
    Email: john.woodward@adelaide.edu.au
    Trimester 3
    Name:
    Prof Frank Schultmann
    email:
    frank.schultmann@adelaide.edu.au
    Researcher Profile: https://researchers.adelaide.edu.au/profile/frank.schultmann
    Course Timetable

    The full timetable of all activities for this course can be accessed from Course Planner.

  • Learning Outcomes
    Course Learning Outcomes

    On successful completion of this course, students will be able to:

    1 Use best practice principles of portfolios management when balancing investment initiatives (portfolio components) required to align with an organisation’s strategic and business objectives and discuss the latest research and development of the principles for portfolio and programs management;
    2 Evaluate portfolio needs with organisational constraints to select the right projects by using critical analysis techniques, creating models to prioritise portfolio initiatives;
    3 Explain the nature of program management, its focus on benefits realisation, and the inter-relationship between program components;
    4 Establish the appropriate governance, including risk management, for successful achievement of portfolio and program outcomes through understanding of stakeholders needs and influence;
    5 Establish the portfolio and program performance reporting requirements for stakeholders and ensure strategic alignment of portfolios and their components;
    6 Work effectively in a team, to have a positive influence and focus on strategic outcomes.
    University Graduate Attributes

    This course will provide students with an opportunity to develop the Graduate Attribute(s) specified below:

    University Graduate Attribute Course Learning Outcome(s)
    Deep discipline knowledge
    • informed and infused by cutting edge research, scaffolded throughout their program of studies
    • acquired from personal interaction with research active educators, from year 1
    • accredited or validated against national or international standards (for relevant programs)
    1,2,3,5
    Critical thinking and problem solving
    • steeped in research methods and rigor
    • based on empirical evidence and the scientific approach to knowledge development
    • demonstrated through appropriate and relevant assessment
    1,2,3,5
    Teamwork and communication skills
    • developed from, with, and via the SGDE
    • honed through assessment and practice throughout the program of studies
    • encouraged and valued in all aspects of learning
    2,3,4,5,6
    Career and leadership readiness
    • technology savvy
    • professional and, where relevant, fully accredited
    • forward thinking and well informed
    • tested and validated by work based experiences
    1-6
    Intercultural and ethical competency
    • adept at operating in other cultures
    • comfortable with different nationalities and social contexts
    • able to determine and contribute to desirable social outcomes
    • demonstrated by study abroad or with an understanding of indigenous knowledges
    4,6
    Self-awareness and emotional intelligence
    • a capacity for self-reflection and a willingness to engage in self-appraisal
    • open to objective and constructive feedback from supervisors and peers
    • able to negotiate difficult social situations, defuse conflict and engage positively in purposeful debate
    4,6
  • Learning Resources
    Required Resources
    Project Management Institute, (2013) The Standard for Portfolio Management, 3nd Edition, ISBN13: 978-1935589693

    Project Management Institute, (2013) The Standard for Program Management, 3nd Edition, ISBN13: 978-1935589686

    *note: students can use either the 2013 or 2014 editions of the two textbooks listed above
    Recommended Resources
    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. Access to the Library's electronic resources.

    Other resources: Project Management Institute
    If you are a member of the PMI 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 details

    * Log in to access complimentary read-only PDFs of all of PMI's published standards or take advantage of discounts on paperback editions.

    Online Learning
    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.
  • Learning & Teaching Activities
    Learning & Teaching Modes
    This course is offered in blended learning mode with the face-to-face component offered as intensives.
    Workload

    The information below is provided as a guide to assist students in engaging appropriately with the course requirements.

    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).
    Learning Activities Summary
    Module Content Readings
    1
    • Organisational Context
    • Problem Definition
    Portfolio Management Standard (PMI)
    2
    • Problem Solving skills
    • The portfolio prioritisation process
    Portfolio Management Standard (PMI)
    3
    • Recap
    • Select an organisation and a challenge
    • Assignment 1
    Portfolio Management Standard (PMI)
    4
    • Program Context
    • Program management processes
    Program Management Standard (PMI)
    5
    • Explain the 11 program management processes
    Project / Program Management Standards (PMI)
    6
    • Select an organisation program
    • Start Assignment 2
    Project / Program Management Standards (PMI)
  • Assessment

    The University's policy on Assessment for Coursework Programs is based on the following four principles:

    1. Assessment must encourage and reinforce learning.
    2. Assessment must enable robust and fair judgements about student performance.
    3. Assessment practices must be fair and equitable to students and give them the opportunity to demonstrate what they have learned.
    4. Assessment must maintain academic standards.

    Assessment Summary
    # Assessment Task Task Type Length Weighting Learning Outcome
    1 Proposal for a Portfolio Management Framework Group 4000 word report
    15-20 slides
    30% 1,2,4,5,6
    2 Program Charter, Plan & Control Individual 5000 words Assignment 30%
    Presentation 10%
    3,4,5
    3 Research Paper Individual 3000 words 30% 1-5
    Total 100%
    Assessment Related Requirements
    Students should attend all classes in order to pass the course. There is considerable experiential learning in workshops during the intensive classes that build your knowledge and thus enable you to be successful in this course.  

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

    Appropriate use of the Internet in assignments
    Avoiding Plagiarism is not just referencing sources used within an assignment. It is taking the source information and critically evaluating it against other sources, your own views and original research on the matter, and how that fits the hypothesis of your assignment topic. It is Plagiarism when there is little or no original content in the assignment, regardless of citing sources. For more information, read the extensive resources on Avoiding Plagiarism at the University’s Writing Centre.

    The University’s Writing Centre provide excellent guides to assist in appropriate referencing and avoiding plagiarism

    Due to an increasing number of students infringing the University’s Academic Honesty Policy, Turnitin is used to check assignments.

    Turnitin Quick Start Guides

    Assessment Detail
    Assignment 1: Proposal for a Portfolio Management Framework Overview Group Assignment
    Weight:  30%
    Details: Prepare a proposal to an organisation of your choice for implementing a Portfolio Management Framework. You will also need to include how you would facilitate an Alignment Workshop with initial recommendations as to how the organisation can balance their Project Portfolio to achieve the strategic directions of the organisation.

    Note Groups should be no more than 4 people

    Content: 4000 words (max) to include any Appendices but not references
    Presentation: 15-20 slide presentation covering the prioritisation model selected

    Assignment 2: Program Charter, Plan and Control
    Weight: 30%
    Presentation Weight: 10%
    Details: Building from the Group Assignment.
    Develop a Program Charter, Management Plan and Control and Closure Plan for initiating and executing a series of projects towards one of the organisation's strategic objectives. In addition to these deliverables, you will also need to prepare a presentation to the Portfolio Management Board to gain their comfort in granting you approval to proceed with the executon
    Content: 5000 words (max) to include any Appendices but not references

    Assignment 3: Research Paper
    Weight: 30%
    Details: Research media and academic reports and present a research paper that describes how an organisation or group of organisations have identified the challenges that they are facing. Develop a transformation plan that will assist them in addressing these challenges.

    Content: 3000 words (max) to include any Appendices but not references
    Submission
    All text based assignments must be submitted via MyUni.
    Please refer to step by step instructions: MyUni Learning Centre

    There are a few points to note about the submission of assignments:
    • Assignment Submission:  Assignments should not be emailed to the instructor; they must be lodged via the MyUni Course site (unless specified to do both). Note that assignments may be processed via TURNITIN, which is an online plagiarism prevention tool.
    • Cover Sheet:  Please include in the assignment a completed University of Adelaide Assessment Cover Sheet 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.
    • 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:  An application for Assessment Extension 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 medical, compassionate or extenuating circumstances.
    • Failure to submit: 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 'Assessment Related Requirements' or 'Assessment Detail' above). Assignments handed in after 14 days from the due submission date will fail even if a 100% mark is granted for the work.

    Resubmission & Remarking

    Resubmission of an assignment for remarking after reworking it to obtain a better mark will not normally be accepted.  Approval for resubmission will only be granted on medical or compassionate grounds.
    Course Grading

    Grades for your performance in this course will be awarded in accordance with the following scheme:

    M10 (Coursework Mark Scheme)
    Grade Mark Description
    FNS   Fail No Submission
    F 1-49 Fail
    P 50-64 Pass
    C 65-74 Credit
    D 75-84 Distinction
    HD 85-100 High Distinction
    CN   Continuing
    NFE   No Formal Examination
    RP   Result Pending

    Further details of the grades/results can be obtained from Examinations.

    Grade Descriptors are available which provide a general guide to the standard of work that is expected at each grade level. More information at Assessment for Coursework Programs.

    Final results for this course will be made available through Access Adelaide.

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