Unit rationale, description and aim
Effective IT project management is essential to delivering technology solutions on time, within budget, and aligned with strategic goals, while managing risk and creating value for stakeholders. The Masters project (Parts A and B) extends across two semesters and is designed to promote the development of research including project management, communication. The objective of these two units is for students to show initiative, acquire new knowledge, develop basic skills in research, evaluating solutions, and disseminating results.
The focus of Part A is to provide students with fundamental project management, communication and technical skills in the context of a particular information technology project, with an emphasis on investigation phases. It specifically covers the ACS (Australian Computer Society) code of ethics for the information technology profession as well as catholic social thought, for example, students may work on developing successful community and environmental stewardship projects such as digital identity for homeless people, marine pollution, carbon foot-print tracking. The aim of this project is to prepare students for professional or academic futures by building their capacity to lead and manage IT research projects that address real-world needs.
Learning outcomes
To successfully complete this unit you will be able to demonstrate you have achieved the learning outcomes (LO) detailed in the below table.
Each outcome is informed by a number of graduate capabilities (GC) to ensure your work in this, and every unit, is part of a larger goal of graduating from ACU with the attributes of insight, empathy, imagination and impact.
Explore the graduate capabilities.
Articulate research fundamentals, project manageme...
Learning Outcome 01
Critically evaluate different problem-solving appr...
Learning Outcome 02
Collaborate effectively to produce a coherent and ...
Learning Outcome 03
Design and deliver an IT project plan using relev...
Learning Outcome 04
Content
Topics covered:
- Project planning
- Literature review including relevance of the topic under investigation to the common good
- Project scope management
- Project schedule management
- Project quality management
- Project communications management
- Project people management
- Project stakeholder management
- Professional code of ethics
Assessment strategy and rationale
A range of assessment procedures will be used to meet the unit learning outcomes and develop graduate attributes consistent with University assessment requirements. Students must achieve a minimum aggregate mark of 50% to pass the unit. The first assessment is a project management plan. The aim of this assessment item is to test students’ critical ability to apply and synthesise their project management knowledge and skills in deeper levels. The second assessment is a literature review report, which details literature search process and techniques used, existing work and gaps, justification for new ideas, and ethical considerations. The aim of this assessment item is to test students’ literature review and critical thinking skills. The last assessment is a project proposal presentation where students will present their project design and demonstrate what has been achieved in Part A of the project. All the assessment items require group work as collaborative work is common in the information technology industry and the capstone project aims to provide authentic learning experience so that students are prepared to transit into professional workplace. Peer assessment of group work will be adopted so that students will be marked based on the contributions to the group project.
Overview of assessments
Assessment Task 1: Project management plan This...
Assessment Task 1: Project management plan
This assessment task consists of a project management plan. This task requires students to demonstrate their critical ability to apply and synthesise their project management knowledge and skills in deeper levels.
Submission Type: Group
Assessment Method: Project Management Plan + Live / Recorded with face-overlay Presentation (10 minutes) + Online Viva
Artefact: Written project management plan (1000 words) + Presentation +
30%
Assessment Task 2: Literature review report This...
Assessment Task 2: Literature review report
This assessment task consists of a literature review report, which details literature search process and techniques used, existing work and gaps, justification for new ideas, and how. The aim of this assessment task is to test students’ research and critical thinking skills.
Submission Type: Individual
Assessment Method: Literature Review
Artefact: Written literature review (1500 words)
25%
Assessment Task 3: Project Proposal Presentation ...
Assessment Task 3: Project Proposal Presentation
This assessment task consists of a project proposal presentation. Students will work in groups to design and present a project proposal and demonstrate what has been achieved in Part A of the project.
Students also explore using AI tools in IT project management.
The presentation should clearly communicate the project purpose, proposed solution/design, methodology, progress to date, and next steps. A short Q&A will follow.
50% Group (collective) mark – awarded for the overall quality of the group proposal presentation (e.g., coherence of design, justification, feasibility, communication quality, and professional standard of the presentation).
50% Individual mark – awarded based on each student’s demonstrated contribution and collaborative performance.
Submission Type: Group with individual assessment component
Assessment Method: Presentation
Artefact: Live / Recorded with face-overlay Presentation (15-20 minutes) + Online or in-person Viva
45%
Learning and teaching strategy and rationale
This unit is delivered through Attendance and Online modes using a single, integrated learning and teaching strategy designed to ensure equivalent learning outcomes and a comparable learning experience for all students, while supporting diverse learning needs and maximising access.
Across both modes, learning activities are intentionally aligned to the unit learning outcomes and assessment tasks, and are underpinned by active learning, guided engagement with disciplinary knowledge, opportunities for peer interaction, and regular, timely feedback. While the mode of delivery shapes how students participate, the pedagogical intent, expectations and standards remain consistent.
In Attendance mode, students engage in weekly face-to-face classes at designated locations, supported by preparatory activities prior to workshops and opportunities for consolidation following classes. Online learning platforms are used to complement face-to-face teaching through additional resources and learning activities.
In Online mode, students engage with the same core content and learning outcomes through a combination of synchronous and asynchronous activities, including structured discussions and applied learning tasks that support learning in professional contexts.