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Overview

Course Prescription

Critical elements of project delivery including leadership, organisation, owner profile and participation, project objectives, investment decisions and change management. Project, Programme and Portfolio Management frameworks and their practical application to organisations in managing strategy implementation. Examples from industry show how theoretical concepts relate to the success or failure of projects, programmes and portfolios under conditions of uncertainty and ambiguity.

Course Overview

This course is aimed at students from the national and international markets who are, or wish to be, involved in the delivery of substantial infrastructure programmes. Alternatively, it is appropriate for students who wish to use the same or similar tools and techniques for policy intervention, or for programs of work in other unrelated industries. It is applicable to the public and private sectors.


This Course Overview begins by considering the relevance of the course to the national and international market as described in the opening paragraph and its relevance to those operating in these fields or aiming to do so. This is followed by a consideration of the knowledge and experience required of those entering this field or who are already working in it.


The knowledge and experience required of those delivering this kind of fixed asset (but not necessarily confined to building or civil engineering), or policy intervention, is different from almost any other management endeavours although there are some similarities. The course, via its 6 foundation topics, begins to instil some of the knowledge required and continues with two assignments which are on subject areas probably unfamiliar to most of those taking the course. This is deliberate because those attending the course who aspire one day to do this kind of thing or who are heading in that direction will almost certainly find themselves working outside their original subject area.


The course, therefore, extends thinking beyond managing an individual project into managing multiple projects and programmes more generally. The purpose of these kinds of programs is usually to deliver strategic outcomes and optimise the use of resources at a macro level. The course provides a blend of theory, tools, and techniques. The use of case studies provides context to illustrate this series and allows students to build confidence in managing projects and programmes in a range of industry contexts. Case study examples are also used to analyse causes for success and failures, to identify lessons learned, and to formulate plans for improvements for better delivery of infrastructure programs. A variety of examples are used to extend studies beyond textbook management into the aspects of complexity and ambiguity where solutions are not obvious.


The learning outcomes are assessed via 3 assignments, including a significant team assignment. For the team assignment, students will be working in small teams to collaborate and develop recommendations at a comparatively high level for a programme of work that is likely to be outside the current skill set or experience of those participating. The learning is supported by weekly online tutorials facilitated by experienced academics and professionals who have and are delivering major infrastructure programmes.


Is this a challenging course? For many, it is. Over the last 4 years, the course has changed to accommodate the international demand for such people and benchmarks itself against what is being delivered at Oxford University and also, more recently, Cambridge. Is it at the standard required by the Oxford programme? No, it is not, although having written that, assignment 3 heads in that direction.

Workload Expectations

This course is a standard 30 point course and students are expected to spend 300 hours in total over the semester. Note that there are no exams, so the workload will be spread over 12 teaching weeks. 

For this course, you can expect to spend the following per week:

  •  1 hour live online tutorial,
  • 10 hours of watching, listening, reading, and thinking about the online content,
  •  10 hours of work on assignments and/or test preparation, and
  • 4 hours participating in online discussion forums
This equates to 25 hours per week over 12 weeks, or 300 hours in total.

Course Prerequisites, Corequisites and Restrictions

Restriction

Locations and Semesters Offered

LocationSemester
UoA Online
UoA Online

Teaching and Learning

Online

Attendance is required at scheduled online activities, including tutorials/lectures, to complete components of the course.

The course will include live online events, including group discussions/tutorials/lectures, and these will be recorded.

Where possible, study material will be available at course commencement.

This course runs to the University semester timetable, and all the associated completion dates and deadlines will apply.

Teaching and Learning Methods

It is strongly recommended that use is made of the discussion section of canvas for tutorials 1, 2 and 3. These are foundation topics and always bring after discussion not only surprises but provides the tutors with an indication of the background, interests and work environment of the students. Students should also be aware that the one hour live online tutorial sometimes extends to 1 ¼ hours or longer depending on questions and interest.

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 is no prescribed text for this course. All essential and/or additional readings will be provided in each relevant module.

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 are expected to adhere to the guidelines outlined in the Health and Safety section of the Engineering Postgraduate policies and guidelines.

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.

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 the assignments and projects, and the late submission penalty schedule will be included on Canvas under Modules.

Course Learning Outcomes

CLO #OutcomeProgramme Capability Link
1
2
3
4
5
6
7

Assessments

Assessment TypeAssessment PercentageAssessment Classification

Assessment to CLO Mapping

Assessment Type1234567

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

Student feedback has been considered and assignment briefs and grade division have been updated to improve experience on the team assignment. The content of the course was also revised to keep it updated with current trends.

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.