Skip to Main Content

Content

Course Tabs

Overview

Course Prescription

Examination of examples from industry to show how theoretical concepts relate to the success or failure of projects. Students will study a range of projects from across the world that highlight critical success factors.

Course Overview

This course develops the student’s project management competencies by drawing on lessons learned from a range of case studies of real world projects and helps students learn from the failure of others. It will highlight particular project concepts / critical success factors and show how these impact upon outcomes in real world examples. On successful completion of the course, students will have developed competencies in the following:

  • The successful application of project management concepts, tools and techniques in practical situations; 
  • The common project management pitfalls to be avoided; 
  • How to incorporate Māori values and thinking into projects via case studies of projects in Aotearoa; 
  • The moral and ethical principles that govern professional behaviour with reference to the Treaty of Waitangi; 
  • The way project management concepts are applied around the world and how this impacts project success; 
  • Trends in the use of tools and techniques in various industries; 
  • Reporting and presentation skills. 
The philosophy adopted is one of critical examination of case studies and development of evidenced based approaches to manage projects drawing lessons learned from a range of projects. The course will be delivered via a series of inter-active workshops and weekly tutorial sessions.
Key components comprise of the following:1. Examination of critical success factors for a project to achieve its agreed objectives 2. Mini case studies (in this workshop module we will analyse a number of short case studies via weekly tutorials on critical issues and practice presentation of findings) 3. Issues of project success regarding moral and ethical considerations, Māori values and thinking, emerging trends (major workshop) 4. Extended case study (in this module we will explore an extended case study with multiple facets in a complex scenario, covered in weekly tutorials) 5. Development of critical analysis and thinking skills (in this module we will extend some of the critical thinking approaches to apply to a case study) 6. Development of organisation and leadership structures to achieve the agreed objectives 7. Project Review methods (in this module we will explore models of project reviews such as peer reviews, and project health checks) 8. An individual case study to further develop reporting and presentation capability 9. Group case study (in this module we will work in groups with extensive information sources, analyse performance and present findings and recommendations back to a panel of experts)
The course delivery adopts a Socratic approach to learning in which students are expects to engage in developing critiques, debate, challenge and defence of views and opinions. A pro-active learning approach in engagement in the workshops is therefore expected. Students are required to prepare for the workshops and failure to do so will diminish the value of the learning experience. Note that one of the major assignments is team-based and as such students are expected to make time to meet with their team members. 

Workload Expectations

This course is a standard 15 point course and students are expected to spend 10 hours per week involved in each 15 point course that they are enrolled in.

For this course, you can expect 2-3 hour workshop, 1 hours of reading and thinking about the content and 6-7 hours of work on assignments. For the team assignment you can expect to meet with your team members for 1 hour per week as part of your work commitment to the assignment. The team assessment will include a peer review worth 5 marks.

Locations and Semesters Offered

LocationSemester
City

Teaching and Learning

Campus Experience

Attendance is expected at scheduled activities, including tutorials/lectures, to complete components of the course.
Lectures will be available as recordings. Other learning activities, including tutorials, will not be available as recordings.
The course will not include live online events.
The activities for the course are scheduled as a standard weekly timetable.

Teaching and Learning Methods

This course will require active student participation/contributions during the contact hours as it covers case study discussions. We'll employ 'Teaching with cases' for reference as the teaching method.

Learning Resources

Taught courses use a learning and collaboration tool called Canvas to provide students with learning materials including reading lists and lecture recordings (where available). Please remember that the recording of any class on a personal device requires the permission of the instructor.

Additional Information on Learning Resources

There are no prescribed texts. Students may find a number of texts that cover the course material well, and should refer to several where possible. The following texts are suggested:

  • PMI, A guide to the Project Management Body of Knowledge (PMBoK Guide), 6th Edition (2017) (available as free electronic resource for student members of PMI) 
  • PMI, Guide to Project Management Body of Knowledge (PMBoK Guide), Seventh Edition (2021) (available as free electronic resource for student members of PMI) 
  • Kerzner, H. (2017) Project Management Case Studies, 5th Edition, John Wiley and Sons (available online) 

Copyright

The content and delivery of content in this course are protected by copyright. Material belonging to others may have been used in this course and copied by and solely for the educational purposes of the University under license.


You may copy the course content for the purposes of private study or research, but you may not upload onto any third-party site, make a further copy or sell, alter or further reproduce or distribute any part of the course content to another person.

Health and Safety

Students must ensure they are familiar with their Health and Safety responsibilities, as described in the university's Health and Safety policy. Health and Safety is an integral part of the analysis of the case histories addressing Safety in Design, Construction and Operations.Health and Safety while participating in the course is no different from the normal University practices.  

Learning Continuity

In the event of an unexpected disruption, we undertake to maintain the continuity and standard of teaching and learning in all your courses throughout the year. If there are unexpected disruptions the University has contingency plans to ensure that access to your course continues and course assessment continues to meet the principles of the University’s assessment policy. Some adjustments may need to be made in emergencies. You will be kept fully informed by your course co-ordinator/director, and if disruption occurs you should refer to the university website for information about how to proceed.

Other Information

Restricted to postgraduate students only

Academic Integrity

The University of Auckland will not tolerate cheating, or assisting others to cheat, and views cheating in coursework as a serious academic offence. The work that a student submits for grading must be the student's own work, reflecting their learning. Where work from other sources is used, it must be properly acknowledged and referenced. This requirement also applies to sources on the internet. A student's assessed work may be reviewed for potential plagiarism or other forms of academic misconduct, using computerised detection mechanisms.

Similarly, research students must meet the University’s expectations of good research practice. This requires:

  • Honesty - in all aspects of research work
  • Accountability - in the conduct of research
  • Professional courtesy and fairness – in working with others
  • Good stewardship – on behalf of others
  • Transparency – of research process and presentation of results
  • Clarity - communication to be understandable, explainable and accessible

For more information on the University’s expectations of academic integrity, please see the Academic Conduct section of the University policy hub.

Disclaimer

Elements of this outline may be subject to change. The latest information about taught courses is made available to enrolled students in Canvas.

Students may be asked to submit assessments digitally. The University reserves the right to conduct scheduled tests and examinations online or through the use of computers or other electronic devices. Where tests or examinations are conducted online remote invigilation arrangements may be used. In exceptional circumstances changes to elements of this course may be necessary at short notice. Students enrolled in this course will be informed of any such changes and the reasons for them, as soon as possible, through Canvas.


Assessment and Learning Outcomes

Additional Information on Assessment

A passing mark is 50% or higher, according to University policy

Late submissions will not be accepted/allowed for the exam, tests, and online quizzes. It is possible to submit late for assignments and projects, and the late submission penalty schedule will be included on Canvas under Modules.

The individual assignments are spread progressively throughout the course duration.

Course Learning Outcomes

CLO #OutcomeProgramme Capability Link
1
2
3
4
5
6

Assessments

Assessment TypeAssessment PercentageAssessment Classification

Assessment to CLO Mapping

Assessment Type123456

Student Feedback, Support and Charter

Student Feedback

Feedback on taught courses is gathered from students at the end of each semester through a tool called SET or Qualtrics. The lecturers and course co-ordinators will consider all feedback and respond with summaries and actions. Your feedback helps teachers to improve the course and its delivery for future students. In addition, class Representatives in each class can take feedback to the department and faculty staff-student consultative committees.

Additional Information on Student Feedback

Based on feedback from last year, class discussions will include working in pairs/groups to facilitate two levels of communication: between members of the group and between the group and the class/lecturer.

Class representatives

Class representatives are students tasked with representing student issues to departments, faculties, and the wider university. If you have a complaint about this course, please contact your class rep who will know how to raise it in the right channels. See your departmental noticeboard for contact details for your class reps.

Tuākana

Tuākana is a multi-faceted programme for Māori and Pacific students providing topic specific tutorials, one-on-one sessions, test and exam preparation and more. Explore your options at Tuakana Learning Communities.

Inclusive Learning

All students are asked to discuss any impairment related requirements privately, face to face and/or in written form with the course coordinator, lecturer or tutor.

Student Disability Services also provides support for students with a wide range of impairments, both visible and invisible, to succeed and excel at the University. For more information and contact details, please visit the Student Disability Services’ website.

Wellbeing

We all go through tough times during the semester, or see our friends struggling. There is lots of help out there - please see the Support Services page for information on support services in the University and the wider community.

Special Circumstances

If your ability to complete assessed work is affected by illness or other personal circumstances outside of your control, contact a member of teaching staff as soon as possible before the assessment is due. If your personal circumstances significantly affect your performance, or preparation, for an exam or eligible written test, refer to the University’s aegrotat or compassionate consideration page. This should be done as soon as possible and no later than seven days after the affected test or exam date.

Student Charter and Responsibilities

The Student Charter assumes and acknowledges that students are active participants in the learning process and that they have responsibilities to the institution and the international community of scholars. The University expects that students will act at all times in a way that demonstrates respect for the rights of other students and staff so that the learning environment is both safe and productive. For further information visit Student Charter.

Student Academic Complaints and Disputes

Students with concerns about teaching including how a course is delivered, the resources provided, or supervision arrangements, have the right to express their concerns and seek resolution. The university encourages informal resolution where possible, as this is quicker and less stressful. For information on the informal and formal complaints processes, please refer to the Student Academic Complaints Statute in the Student Policies and Guidelines section of the Policy Hub.