BSMAN 3190 - Bachelor of Applied Management Course

BSMAN 3190 is the capstone course in the Bachelor of Applied Management. It is a project course with the sole focus of identifying, planning, implementing, managing & developing and reporting on a project in your workplace.

Your project should address an issue or opportunity that you, or your manager recognize as being important to your organization, and for which your manager is willing to give you the responsibility of taking on the role of project manager.  Where it is not possible for you to engage in a workplace project within your own organization, you should seek to identify an alternative. It may be possible for you to offer your services to a community organization.

The project you choose should afford you the opportunity of drawing on and demonstrating the knowledge that you have gained over the previous six courses.

Your project needs to be approved by your lecturer to ensure its suitability for this course. It is your responsibility to contact your lecturer to discuss your ideas for your project and to submit a brief outline of the project via the Moodle drop-box by the commencement of week three to seek formal approval.

You are also encouraged to contact your lecturer for assistance throughout the duration of the project. Face to face meetings maybe arranged by appointment, as can online meetings. Communication with your lecturer via email is encouraged.

There are no formal learning sections, course materials or learning activities to complete in this course on Moodle. However, you will be required to access Moodle to check for important updates from your lecturer and also to submit your assessments.

An introductory workshop will be offered early in the semester.  During this workshop we will conduct a brainstorming session to assist you with ideas for potential projects and also discuss the assessment requirements, with particular emphasis on formal report writing skills, presentation skills and critical reflection.

 LEARNING TASKS AND ASSESSMENT:

Summary

Learning Task	Assessment	Weighting	Week Due
The reflective journal will document the critical reflection of the project manager on the project progress, including issues, breakthroughs, and frustrations. Progressive reflections are required.	Assessment 1: Reflective Journal	30%	An initial submission is required in week 3 for lecturer feedback only, it not assess able at this stage.  The progressive reflective journal is due in Week 12 for assessment.
The preliminary report Opportunity to provide feedback on the progress of the project, raise issues for clarification and to “realign” the direction of the project based on experience so far.	Assessment2: Preliminary Project Report	20%	Week4
The final project report will be in the formula written report and verbal presentation which outlines all findings, outcomes and recommendations of the workplace project.	Assessment3: •          Presentation •          Final Project Report	10% 40%	Week11 or 12 Week12

Note on Assessment

At the University a PASS is usually achieved at 50

Students are strongly advised to attempt ALL assessment tasks. Students who do not submit a task(s) or fail a task(s) in the semester will be identified as a ‘student at risk’ of unsatisfactory academic progress (outlined in the Faculty Handbooks) and will be directed to the Faculty’s Intervention Program. Students who encounter difficulties or who are otherwise concerned regarding their progress should consult their lecturer.

Assessment criteria set out the details by which performance in each task will be judged. This information will give a clear and explicit understanding of the expected standards to be achieved relative to the marks awarded.

Assessment details and criteria

Value: 30%

Word Limit: Completed submission - 2,500 words

Purpose:

This assessment task assists students to develop skills in:

• Reflection on project progress and identification of contingency strategies if required;

• Communicating project findings within the workplace;

• Self-management of time lines; and

• Review and reflection on the learning experience with particular reference to project management, organizational change, and management skills.

 Task Overview:

This assessment task requires students to produce an ongoing critical reflection of the progress of their project. This task does not need to be completed in formal report format. However, where as part of your reflection you refer to management theory or other sources of information, that information should be referenced in APA style.

It is important to note that a reflective journal is not just about describing project events. While some description will be necessary, the purpose of this journal is to demonstrate your ability to learn from your experiences, draw connections between your experiences and theory, to examine reasons for your successes and failures, and to consider how your approach might differ in the future.

Further information and resources to assist you in reflective writing will be presented in the workshop arranged for week two.

Journal entries should be made at frequent intervals throughout the semester in order to capture important reflections in a timely manner. The absolute minimum for your final submission should comprise of at least six entries (one every two weeks).

Your first entry must be submitted to your lecturer for feedback by the end of Week 3. Your completed journal is required at the conclusion of Week 12 at which time you will then receive a grade for this task.

Assessment Criteria:

Please refer to marking guide.

Assessment 2: Preliminary Project Report

Value: 20%

Word Limit: 2000 words

Purpose:

This assessment task assists students to develop skills in:

·        applying management theories to an organisational setting;

·        applying project management skills within an organisational environment  to resolve a management issue or opportunity;

·        communicating project details within the workplace

Task Overview:

The preliminary project report is an opportunity to present the details of your project and to demonstrate the integration of project management theory in the planning stages. It should be presented in a business report format, as would be appropriate to submit to the management team of your organization.

Although the exact contents of your report may vary according to the nature of the project undertaken, at a minimum, your report should encompass the following:

·              executive summary

·              background

·              introduction

·              purpose

·              scope statement (including key deliverables)

·              work breakdown structure

·              project controls

·              risk management strategy

·              summary schedule (milestone report and Gantt chart)

·              summary budget

·              references

Assessment Criteria:

Please refer to the marking guide

Assessment 3: Final Project Report and Presentation

Part B: To be assigned – Week 11 or 12 on allocated presentation days

Value:            50%    (Part A: Final Project Report 40%Part B:  Presentation 10%)

Word Limit: 4000 words

Purpose:

This assessment task assists students to develop skills in:

·              communicating and negotiating with a range of stakeholders during the life of the

project;

·              critically reflecting on project progress and identifying contingency     strategies if required;

·              communicating project findings within the workplace

·              presenting project findings to an internal/external audience.

Task Overview:

This assessment will comprise two components:

Part A- Written Report

Your final submission should provide a comprehensive review of your project. It should take the form of a formal business report that can be presented to all members of your organization. It is appropriate to write this report in the third person.

Central to your report should be a comparison of the actual process and outcomes with the plans and goals outlined in your preliminary project report.

As with your preliminary project report, the exact contents of your final project report will vary according to the nature of the project undertaken. Your report should include all of the standard formal business report requirements such as executive summary etc., and a summary and critical discussion on all areas that are relevant to your particular project and its execution for example:

·              the issue the project investigated

·              the project plan

·              methodology used and the extent to which you applied it

·              project highlights, disappointments, set-backs, problems

·              project outcomes, recommendations and interventions required

·              lessons learnt, both professionally and personally

Part B - Presentation

For your presentation, please read carefully the following scenario under which you are to present.

Scenario:

After six months in your current position in your organization, the senior management team has asked you to provide a presentation outlining the latest project that you have project managed as part of your role in the organization. Of note, there will be members of your audience who are external consultants to the organisation and not necessarily familiar with the aspects that you will be reporting on.

Your presentation should provide a succinct overview of the planning, implementation and outcomes of your recently completed project. Your presentation must demonstrate your ability to manage the planning and implementation of a project. It should conclude with a reflection that will demonstrate to the management team of your ability to learn from your experience.

You have been directed that your presentation should last for approximately 20 minutes. A warning bell will sound at 18 minutes and you will be expected to conclude your presentation within the following two minutes. The management team may then have questions for you regarding your project.

Standard business technology (a computer, projector, screen and lectern) is available; however you are encouraged to consider other creative alternatives in order to engage your audience.

As a final requirement, a hand-out summary of your presentation should be provided to all members of the management team the day prior to your presentation. (This must be uploaded on Moodle for your lecturer to access the day prior to your presentation).

SEQUENCE:

As semesters and contact hours vary between teaching locations, please contact local lecturers for further information about the schedule.

BSMAN 3190 is a project course. The primary focus of learning will be on completing the workplace project. Students are encouraged to access the course lecturer as they move through the project. Individual meetings may be arranged by appointment.

There are no formal learning sections, course materials or learning activities to complete in this course.