PPMP20007 - Project Management Concepts

General Information

Unit Synopsis

This unit is aimed at providing you with a general introduction to the key features of modern project management practices within organisations. In undertaking this unit you will gain an understanding of the factors required to successfully manage projects by investigating how project success is related to the concept of value held by key stakeholders, alignment with organizational strategy, and benefit realization through the application of project management specific knowledge, skills, tools and techniques.

Details

Level Postgraduate
Unit Level 8
Credit Points 6
Student Contribution Band SCA Band 4
Fraction of Full-Time Student Load 0.125
Pre-requisites or Co-requisites

Anti-requisites: COIS20008, MGMT22166, or PPMP20002 then they cannot take this unit.

Important note: Students enrolled in a subsequent unit who failed their pre-requisite unit, should drop the subsequent unit before the census date or within 10 working days of Fail grade notification. Students who do not drop the unit in this timeframe cannot later drop the unit without academic and financial liability. See details in the Assessment Policy and Procedure (Higher Education Coursework).

Class Timetable View Unit Timetable
Residential School No Residential School

Unit Availabilities from Term 2 - 2025

Term 2 - 2025 Profile
Brisbane
Melbourne
Online
Rockhampton
Sydney
Term 3 - 2025 Profile
Melbourne
Online
Sydney
Term 1 - 2026 Profile
Brisbane
Melbourne
Online
Rockhampton
Sydney
Term 2 - 2026 Profile
Brisbane
Melbourne
Online
Rockhampton
Sydney
Term 3 - 2026 Profile
Brisbane
Melbourne
Online
Sydney

Attendance Requirements

All on-campus students are expected to attend scheduled classes - in some units, these classes are identified as a mandatory (pass/fail) component and attendance is compulsory. International students, on a student visa, must maintain a full time study load and meet both attendance and academic progress requirements in each study period (satisfactory attendance for International students is defined as maintaining at least an 80% attendance record).

Assessment Overview

Recommended Student Time Commitment

Each 6-credit Postgraduate unit at CQUniversity requires an overall time commitment of an average of 12.5 hours of study per week, making a total of 150 hours for the unit.

Assessment Tasks

Assessment Task Weighting
1. Group Discussion 10%
2. Practical Assessment 20%
3. Online Quiz(zes) 20%
4. Written Assessment 50%

This is a graded unit: your overall grade will be calculated from the marks or grades for each assessment task, based on the relative weightings shown in the table above. You must obtain an overall mark for the unit of at least 50%, or an overall grade of ‘pass’ in order to pass the unit. If any ‘pass/fail’ tasks are shown in the table above they must also be completed successfully (‘pass’ grade). You must also meet any minimum mark requirements specified for a particular assessment task, as detailed in the ‘assessment task’ section (note that in some instances, the minimum mark for a task may be greater than 50%).

Consult the University's Grades and Results Policy for more details of interim results and final grades

Past Exams

To view Past Exams,
please login
Previous Feedback

Term 1 - 2025 : The overall satisfaction for students in the last offering of this course was 78.65% (`Agree` and `Strongly Agree` responses), based on a 35.32% response rate.

Feedback, Recommendations and Responses

Every unit is reviewed for enhancement each year. At the most recent review, the following staff and student feedback items were identified and recommendations were made.

Source: Student evaluation
Feedback
The Unit provided a positive learning experience.
Recommendation
To continue enhancing a positive learning environment, the teaching team will actively seek and use student feedback, incorporate interactive and student-focused activities, and create a supportive and inclusive atmosphere. The teaching team will invest in ongoing professional development, thoughtfully use technology, and real-world connections. By maintaining high academic standards and supporting students’ well-being, the teaching team aims to sustain and further improve the overall learning experience.
Action Taken
In addition to the commitment to fostering a positive learning environment, this unit participated in an initiative introduced by the Deputy Dean of Learning and Teaching, which implemented QR code feedback. Through this approach, students were able to provide feedback multiple times during the term, and the majority of their suggestions were taken into consideration in Term 1, 2025. The teaching team remains committed to continuous improvement and will continue to refine the unit based on ongoing student feedback.
Source: Student evaluation
Feedback
The guest lecture provided valuable insights from industry.
Recommendation
At least one guest lecture will be arranged per term, held online and recorded for the benefit of all students, irrespective of campus location. Feedback will be collected to improve future sessions. Additionally, the teaching team will promote the guest lecture in advance and provide students with relevant background information to help them get the most out of the experience.
Action Taken
Due to time constraints and the challenges associated with the use of Generative AI, the Unit Coordinator organised two face-to-face sessions in collaboration with the Academic Learning Centre (ALC) in Weeks 3 and 9. These sessions focused on sharing best practices for completing assessments in the age of Generative AI. If time permits, a guest lecture will also be invited in future terms to enrich the learning experience further.
Source: Student evaluation/UC observation
Feedback
The benefit of attending in-class tutorials is not fully understood by all students.
Recommendation
In week 1 students will be made aware that attending classes regularly provides direct access to instruction, interactive discussions, and real-time feedback. It also builds a sense of belonging through interaction with peers and teachers, all of which contribute to a richer learning experience and greater academic success. In-class assessments will be continued to encourage students to attend campus. The teaching team will actively support students who miss classes by reaching out and offering additional help to catch up on missed content.
Action Taken
The teaching team continues to support students through hands-on activities during tutorials, which actively engage learners and help prepare them for assessments.
Source: QR Code Student Feedback
Feedback
Students valued the interactive learning approach, noting that activities, practical tasks, worked examples, and using MS Project improved their engagement and understanding.
Recommendation
The teaching team appreciates the positive feedback on class activities, practical tasks, worked examples, and using MS Project. We will keep using these hands-on approaches in future courses to support student engagement and skill development
Action Taken
In Progress
Source: QR Code Student Feedback
Feedback
Students appreciated the group work, interactive teaching, and engaging lectures, noting these supported collaboration and deepened understanding of the material.
Recommendation
The teaching team values the feedback on group work, interactive teaching, and lectures, and will continue these to support engagement and learning.
Action Taken
In Progress
Source: QR Code Student Feedback
Feedback
Students suggested improving the unit by adding more exercises, giving extra time for quizzes, and better aligning the timetable with other units.
Recommendation
The teaching team acknowledges the feedback on exercises, quiz timing, and timetables. We will explore adding more practice, adjusting quiz schedules, and coordinating sessions with other units.
Action Taken
In Progress
Unit learning Outcomes

On successful completion of this unit, you will be able to:

  1. Discuss the importance of project management to create value in the context of various organisational cultures and strategies.
  2. Evaluate how internal and external project settings influence the selection of adaptive, predictive or hybrid project delivery methods.
  3. Apply and critique scheduling, budgeting, risk management, and other project management techniques for achieving project success.
  4. Critically analyse how project management principles and ethics guide people’s behaviour on the project.

This unit will satisfy one of the core requirements for the Australian Computer Society (ACS) accreditation in the postgraduate Information and Communication Technology (ICT) courses. This unit is also part of an accreditation package granted by the ACS. The unit contributes to the required number of academic study units for students wishing to undertake professional certification with the Project Management Institute's (PMI) professional qualifications, such as CAPM or PMP.

The Australian Computer Society (ACS) recognises the Skills Framework for the Information Age (SFIA). SFIA is adopted by organisations, governments and individuals in many countries and provides a widely used and consistent definition of ICT skills. SFIA is increasingly being used when developing job descriptions and role profiles. ACS members can use the tool MySFIA to build a skills profile.

This unit contributes to the following workplace skills as defined by SFIA 8 (the SFIA code is included)

  • Project Management (PRMG)
  • Change Control (CHMG)
  • Requirements definition and management (REQM)
  • Stakeholder relationship management (RLMT)
  • Risk management (BURM)
  • Systems development management (DLMG)

Alignment of Assessment Tasks to Learning Outcomes
Assessment Tasks Learning Outcomes
1 2 3 4
1 - Group Discussion • • •
2 - Practical Assessment •
3 - Online Quiz(zes) •
4 - Written Assessment • • •
Alignment of Graduate Attributes to Learning Outcomes
• Professional Level
• Advanced Level
Graduate Attributes Learning Outcomes
1 2 3 4
1 - Knowledge • • • •
2 - Communication • • • •
3 - Cognitive, technical and creative skills •
4 - Research •
5 - Self-management •
6 - Ethical and Professional Responsibility •
Alignment of Assessment Tasks to Graduate Attributes
• Professional Level
• Advanced Level
Assessment Tasks Graduate Attributes
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8