Unit rationale, description and aim
Project management is an essential skill in today’s business environment, offering a framework for delivering products and services that meet customer needs while achieving organisational objectives. These skills are highly sought across industries, with employers valuing graduates who can initiate, execute, and evaluate projects that contribute to ethical and sustainable outcomes.
This is an introductory unit that lays the foundation for further project management study and supports progression into more advanced units in change management, project design, governance, and implementation. It integrates theory and practice to develop students’ capacity to manage projects in dynamic and complex contexts.
Students will explore key techniques across the project lifecycle, including project selection, planning, control, implementation, and evaluation, as well as stakeholder management strategies. The unit also emphasises accessible learning practices through the use of flexible online materials, inclusive case studies, and diverse real-world examples.
Assessment tasks are designed to be authentic and flexible, with opportunities for collaboration, self-reflection, and application to varied professional and cultural contexts. This approach supports student engagement, fosters equitable participation, and prepares students from diverse backgrounds for success in contemporary project environments.
The aim of this unit is to provide students with a sound understanding of project management fundamentals in medium and large-scale projects.
Campus offering
No unit offerings are currently available for this unit.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.
Apply project management principles to develop, ex...
Learning Outcome 01
Critically evaluate project quality and potential ...
Learning Outcome 02
Apply project management skills, methodologies, an...
Learning Outcome 03
Content
Topics will include:
- Introduction to Project Management
- Project Management Techniques Methodologies
- Project Communication: Managing Stakeholders
- Project Selection and Prioritisation
- Chartering Projects
- Planning Projects: Determining project goals and objectives
- Work Breakdown Structure
- Scheduling Projects
- Resourcing and Budgeting Projects
- Risk Evaluation: Uncertainty Planning
- Project Evaluation and Reporting
- Future Trends in Project Management
Assessment strategy and rationale
The assessment strategy for this unit is designed to authentically measure student achievement of the learning outcomes while progressively building core project management skills. Students must complete and submit three graded assessment tasks and achieve an aggregate mark of at least 50% to pass the unit. Marking is based on rubrics aligned with the learning outcomes, and a final grade reflects overall performance.
Assessment 1 requires students to analyse a completed real-world project to identify key project management methodologies, stakeholder roles, and communication strategies used to achieve success. In Assessment 2, students examine a current project, evaluating factors that may influence its success or failure, and propose strategies to mitigate risks. Assessment 3 is a group-based task where students apply their learning to develop a comprehensive project plan. Drawing on insights from earlier assessments, students will collaborate to demonstrate their understanding of project lifecycles, planning, and stakeholder engagement. Assessment tasks may adopt a Lane 2 approach, allowing limited, transparent use of generative AI to support idea generation. Students must acknowledge AI use and demonstrate independent critical thinking and academic integrity.
This staged approach supports the development of applied knowledge, analytical skills, and collaborative capabilities essential for project management practice.
Overview of assessments
Assessment Task 1: Project stakeholder analysis ...
Assessment Task 1: Project stakeholder analysis
This assessment task requires students to demonstrate their ability to study a real-life project and report on its fundamentals. Students will provide a brief description of the project, the techniques and methodologies adopted to execute the project, the major stakeholders of the project and communication techniques adopted to successfully deliver the project.
Submission Type: Individual
Artefact: Analytical Report
20%
Assessment Task 2: Project Analysis Report Due: ...
Assessment Task 2: Project Analysis Report
Due: Week 9
This assessment task requires students to demonstrate their ability to research and report on the factors that can lead to the success or failure of a project. In a 1200 words individual report, students will be analysing a real-life current project and reporting on the critical factors that can lead to its success or failure. Students will need to develop a comprehensive argument based on justifications to support their claim. Students also need to provide suggestions on how the potential pitfalls can be avoided in this project.
Submission Type: Individual
Artefact: Research Report
35%
Assessment Task 3: Project Plan Due: Week 13 Th...
Assessment Task 3: Project Plan
Due: Week 13
This assessment task requires students to demonstrate their ability to develop a comprehensive project plan. Students will work collaboratively in a team to develop a comprehensive project plan of 2200 words for a fictitious project. The project plan will be developed using appropriate project management tools and techniques including a scope statement, work breakdown structure, responsibility matrix, network diagram and critical path, and project schedule including resource allocations, and potential risk matrix.
Submission Type: Group
Artefact: Project Plan
45%
Learning and teaching strategy and rationale
This unit is underpinned by an inquiry-based learning design, encouraging students to actively investigate and apply core project management concepts. Through structured engagement and applied tasks, students develop the knowledge and skills required to manage real-world projects across their lifecycle.
Attendance Mode
This unit is offered in attendance mode to support students through structured, face-to-face learning experiences. Students are required to attend weekly workshops at a designated physical location, where they engage directly with academic staff and peers. The face-to-face format fosters collaborative learning through discussion, group activities, and immediate feedback.
Students are expected to complete preparatory tasks before each session and engage in follow-up activities to consolidate learning. Teaching materials, including guided readings and review exercises, are available on Canvas to support before- and after-class engagement. This mode is ideal for students who benefit from real-time interaction and a supportive, social learning environment.
Online Mode
The online mode offers a flexible, active learning experience through weekly e-modules, pre-recorded lectures, readings, and asynchronous discussions. Students apply their learning through practice tasks and peer collaboration, with regular feedback to support progress. All materials are available via Canvas, supporting self-paced and independent learning.