成人大片

Project Management
Name: Associate Professor Indra Gunawan
Email: indra.gunawan@adelaide.edu.au


Teaching Staff:

Term 2 and Term 4 Online
Phone: +61 (8) 8313 3255

Monday 10th April to Sunday 18th June 2017

On successful completion of this course, students will be able to:

1	Identify what a complex system is and how they differ from simple and complicated systems;
2	Use key aspects of complex systems and the benefits of particular approaches in managing complexity;
3	Recognise whether a proposed system or project should be primarily in a controlled space or in the innovation space on the edge of chaos in order to gain the benefits;
4	Recognise the benefits of system dynamics and its use in identifying leverage points in systems;
5	Apply these advanced and uncommon skills to address societal problems;
6	Investigate international best practice.

No textbook required.

Additional Support References are:

Week 1	Kurtz, C. F., & Snowden, D. J. (2003). The new dynamics of strategy: Sense-making in a complex and complicated world. IBM Systems Journal, 42(3), 462-483.	Norman, D. & Kuras, M. (2006)  Engineering Complex Systems in Complex Systems (C10) (2006), in Complex Engineered Systems, edited by Dan Braha, Ali Minai and Yaneer Bar-Yam, Springer;
Week 2	Andriani, P. (2011), Complexity and Innovation, in Allen, P, Maguire, S. & McKelvey, B., [Eds], (2011), SAGE Handbook of Complexity and Management, Los Angeles, 454-470;	Andriani, P., & B. McKelvey. (2010). Using Scale-free Theory from Complexity Science to Better Management Risk. Risk Management, An International Journal, 12(1): 54-82.
Week 4	Andriani, P. & Mckelvey, B., (2011a),Using scale free processes to explain punctuated change in management-relevantphenomena, International Journal of Complexity in Leadership and Management,Vol 1, No 3, 211-249;	Andriani, P. & Mckelvey, B., (2011b),From Skew Distributions to Power Law Science, in Allen, P, Maguire, S. &McKelvey, B., [Eds], (2011), SAGE Handbook of Complexity and Management, LosAngeles, 254-273;
Week 5	van Eijnatten, F. M.(2004a). Chaordic SystemsThinking: SomeSuggestions fora Complexity Framework to Informa Learning Organization. The Learning Organization, 11(6), 430-449.	van Eijnatten, F. M. (2008). A Toolkit for Phase Transitions. Proceedings of EuropeanChaos and Complexity in Organisations Network (ECCON) Annual Meeting, 17-19 October. Bergen-Ann-Zee.	Zhu, Z.(2007). ComplexityScience, Systems Thinkingand Pragmatic Sensibility. SystemsResearch andBehavioural Science,24(4), 445-464.
Week 6	Bak, P. & Chen, K., (1991),Self-Organised Criticality, Scientific American. January;	Helbing, D. (2013),Globally networked risks and how to respond, Nature, vol. 497, no. 7447;
Week 8	Bosch, O., C.N. Nam, T. Maeno, & T.Yasui, Managing Complex Issues through Evolutionary Learning Laboratories,Systems Research and Behavioural Science, 2013.
Week 9	Meadows, D., (2008), Dancing with Systems,Donella Meadows Institute,http://www.donellameadows.org/archives/dancing-with-systems/

 

Course Notes, Readings and PowerPoint Slides
These are all available electronically for enrolled students by download from MyUni.

Library Resources
The 成人大片’s Barr Smith Library provides a range of learning resources including texts, journals, periodicals, magazines, and access to online databases and information services. It also offers a virtual library which is accessible via the University’s website.  The University Library web page is:
From this link, you are able to access the Library's electronic resources.  

LEARN is the 成人大片’s platform for dedicated online delivery. LEARN is a customised version of Moodle, and houses all course requirements including the course profile, announcements, additional course materials (beyond the prescribed text), assessment items, discussion forums, grading, feedback, links to various university and course resources, an internal website email system, a technical assistance facility, etc. LEARN is only accessible once the URL and a password have been provided to the student on enrolment. Students are given access to the course prior to the start date to familiarise themselves with the operational aspects and functionality of the website.

This course is offered in online mode.

As a guide, a 3 unit course comprises a total of 156 hours.

Week 1
What is a Complex System?
Reductionism
General Systems Theory

Week 2
How Complex Systems Operate
Examples of Complex Systems
Directed, Acknowledged, Collaborative, Virtual
Families
Federated Governments
United Nations
Supply chains
The Air Operations Centre

Week 3
Ashby’s Requisite Variety
Emergence
Complicated and Complex Systems
Self-organization
Edge of Chaos
Chaordic Systems

Week 4
Fractal and Power Laws
Scale Free Behaviour
Paretian Statistics

Week 5
Panarchy and Cycles of Change
Tiny Initiating Events
Importance of Context and the Environment Driving System Structure

Week 6
Self-organised Criticality
Systemic and Cascading Risks Behavior

Week 7
Phase Space
Path History
Attractor Cages
Fitness Landscape

Week 8
Systems Dynamics
Bosch Approach
Sense Making
Leverage Points

Week 9
Complexity Leadership
How Leaders of Complex Organisations Think
Dancing with Systems
Systems Intelligence

Week 10
Use of tools and techniques

An overview of the course assessment appears in the following Table. Details appear in the following section:

#	Assessment Task	Length	Weighting	Due Date/Week	Learning Outcomes
1	Individual short report	1,500 words max	15%	See MyUni	1-3
2	Individual short report	1,500 words max	15%	See MyUni	1-3
3	Group project plan	1 person 5,000 words min 2 people 7,000 words min 3 people 10,000 words min	30%	See MyUni	1-6
4	Individual report	2,000 words max	30%	See MyUni	5
5	Class presentation	5-10 Slides; 3 min presentation	10%	See MyUni	1-6
	Total		100%

Students must complete all course assessment requirements and must attend all lectures to be eligible to pass the course. 

Course results are subject to moderation by the ECIC Board of Examiners

Assessment 1: Individual Assignment 1
Weighting: 15%
Submission Details: Online through MyUni
An electronic copy of this report is required. Preferably any documents created under Excel or Microsoft Project should be included in the Word version of the electronic copy.

Task:
Analyse one of the following examples and report:

1. Why the problem situation complex? (Hint: use the profilers discussed in the course);
2. What are the major challenges that will need to be overcome to achieve a successful outcome?
3. What methodologies, tools and techniques might you use from the set provided in this course to assist in the management of this system? (Reading ahead and use of the literature is encouraged.)

Examples to choose from:

1. An example of a complex system of your own choosing (discuss with the lecturer).
2. Dealing with traffic congestion in a major city;
3. Introduction of the National Broadband Network
4. Addressing climate change across a group of countries;
5. Security at a G20 meeting;
6. The task of the European Central Bank;
7. Pre-disaster preparation by communities;
8. Addressing corruption in trade;

Length and Presentation:
1500 words max in report format.

Criteria by which your assignment will be marked:
Are given in Module 0.

The objective of these questions is for the participant to consider the material supplied and relate it to a real project example. Therefore, evidence of having read and understood the material is important. Marks will be given for the comprehensiveness of the content, evidence of additional reading, and referencing the course readings and other literature.

The word limit is set to ensure you learn how to express yourself concisely; this is an important skill. There will be penalties for exceeding the word limit. Quotations do not count in the words counted.


Assessment 2: Individual Assignment
Weighting: 15%
Submission Details: Online through MyUni
An electronic copy of this report is required. Preferably any documents created under Excel or Microsoft Project should be included in the Word version of the electronic copy.

Task:
1. Why do we study complexity when a reductionist approach offers a simpler alternative?
2. What are the consequences if we do not recognize complexity? Provide two examples to illustrate your points.
3. Comment on the use of systems techniques to address the following problems:
• Acquiring a large tract of land for a new facility.
• Dealing with student plagiarism

In addressing this question:
• Describe the problem context
• Analyse and comment on why the issues is complex
• Discuss your recommended choice of methods to understand the issue better
• Choose tools to manage the issue and describe how you would operate these
• Describe how the project manager exercises governance

Length and Presentation:
1500 words max in report format.

Criteria by which your assignment will be marked:
Are given in Module 0.

The objective of these questions is for the participant to consider the material supplied and relate it to the questions. Therefore, evidence of having read and understood the material is important. Marks will be given for the comprehensiveness of the content, evidence of additional reading, and referencing the course readings and other literature.

The word limit is set to ensure you learn how to express yourself concisely; this is an important skill. There will be penalties for exceeding the word limit. Quotations do not count in the words counted.

In answering these questions try and state principles as well as detail. Just transcribing material is not enough!


Assessment 3: Group project plan
Weighting: 30%
Submission Details: Online through MyUni
An electronic copy of this report is required. The report need only be submitted by one group member but ensure all names are clearly included. Preferably any documents created under Excel or Microsoft Project should be included in the Word version of the electronic copy.

Task:
Form groups and select a complex system problem. (Note: Make sure it conforms to the definition of ‘complex system’ given in this course.)

Describe the system or problem in detail covering political, economic, social, cultural, technological, legal and environmental aspects. Outline the context of the problem including its interactions with external systems and the major characteristics that will impact your choice of methodologies, methods, tools, techniques and processes.

Develop an approach to managing this system or problem using concepts and methodologies taught in this course and other relevant approaches. Prepare the outline of a project plan that describes how you propose to implement improvements to the system of interest in order to achieve your desired outcomes.

Length and Presentation:
Minimum length:
1 person – 5,000 words
2 people – 7,000 words
3 or 4 people – 10,000 words.

Criteria by which your assignment will be marked:
This assignment will be assessed upon how well you are able to present a project plan that meets the requirement defined in the Task (above).


Assessment 4: Individual Assignment
Weighting: 30%
Submission Details: Online through MyUni
An electronic copy of this report is required. Preferably any documents created under Excel or Microsoft Project should be included in the Word version of the electronic copy.

Task:
Reflect on what you have learned from this course by identifying four topic areas and discussing how your newly-acquired knowledge of these areas will help you in dealing with complex system problems.

The idea with this assessment is to choose four concepts (or more if you really want to) from the course such as “how does knowing a system is complex help me”, “systems engineering”, “systemic risk” or “tiny initiating events” and discuss how learning about them has increased you capability to deal with complex problems; particularly the ones you are likely to find in project management. It is useful to illustrate your learning with examples. You can use one example problem context for all four (or more) or a different one for each concept.

So for “how does knowing a system is complex help me” you could use the example of reducing corruption in trade. You could analyse the example problem space with Kurtz and Snowden’s Cynefin framework and show that this is a complex system and from there discuss how knowing this helps you choose an appropriate approach to tackle the problem.

For “systemic risk” you could use the example of global stock markets. You could discuss how a system that comprises national stock markets, all of which are independently regulated, can bring about systemic risk that can lead to a significant reduction in stock prices because of a “tiny initiating event” (such as the possibility of the US raising interest rates by a tiny amount because the economy is improving).

Length and Presentation:
3,000 Words Maximum

Criteria by which your assignment will be marked:
How well you understand each topic and your knowledge of the applicability of each topic to classes to real-world problems situations.


Assessment 5: PowerPoint Presentation
Weighting: 10%
Due Date: Presentation in class
Submission Details: Online through MyUni. The submission of the PowerPoint presentation is all that is required. This is to be submitted after the presentation has been aired to the class and may include corrections as indicated by the lecturer and other class members.

Task:
You are to select any topic from Systems Fundamentals and present a PowerPoint session.

Length and Presentation:
5-10 PowerPoint slides, presentation 3 minutes

Criteria by which your assignment will be marked:
In preparing these presentation slides please consider the following:

• The material must be suitable for presentation to a workplace team meeting in the early stages of initiating and planning a project.
• Focus on what is important, not on basic definitions or background information.
• Do not attempt to provide too much detail – the role of these slides is to support a hypothetical, short presentation.
• It is recommended that the presentation should only make two (2) or three (3) major points.
• You must only use your own words in this presentation. Direct quotes from other sources are not acceptable in this case.
• Any diagrams, graphics or figures must be your own work. You are not to “cut and paste” any material from any other sources.

All text based assignments must be submitted via MyUni.
Please refer to step by step instructions:

There are a few points to note about the submission of assignments:

• Assignment Submission:  Assignments should not be emailed to the instructor; they must be lodged via the MyUni Course site (unless specified to do both). Note that assignments may be processed via TURNITIN, which is an online plagiarism prevention tool.
• Cover Sheet:  Please submit, separate to your assignment, the completed 成人大片 Assessment Cover Sheet providing details of yourself and your team members (if applicable), your assignment, the course, date submitted, etc. as well as the declaration signed by you that this is your (your team’s) work.  Note that the declaration on any electronically submitted assignment will be deemed to have the same authority as a signed declaration.
• Backup Copy of Assignments:  You are advised to keep a copy of your assignments in case the submitted copy goes missing.  Please ensure that all assignment pages are numbered. If your assignment contains confidential information, you should discuss any concerns with the Course Lecturer prior to submission.
• Extensions of Time:  Any request for an extension of time for the submission of an assignment should be made well before the due date of the assignment to the Course Lecturer.  Normally, extensions will only be granted for a maximum of two weeks from the original assignment submission date.  Extensions will only be granted in cases of genuine extenuating circumstances and proof, such as a doctor’s certificate, may be required.
• Failure to submit: Failure to submit an assignment on time or by the agreed extension deadline may result in penalties and may incur a fail grade.  Note that a late penalty of 5% of the total available marks for that assessment item will be incurred each day an assignment is handed in late (Unless otherwise stated in 'Assessment Related Requirements' or 'Assessment Detail' above).  Assignments handed in after 14 days from the due submission date will fail even if a 100% mark is granted for the work.

Resubmission & Remarking
Resubmission of an assignment for remarking after reworking it to obtain a better mark will not normally be accepted.  Approval for resubmission will only be granted on medical or compassionate grounds.