Text book:
 'The SAGE Handbook of Complexity and Management' (1st Edition, 2011).

This course is offered in online mode.

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

Please refer to the Modules 1-10 in the Course Navigation.

Nil

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

Students must complete all course assessment requirements.

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

Assessment 1-5: Essay/report
Weighting: 10%
Due Dates: At the end of weeks: 2, 4, 6, 8 & 10
Submission Details: Via Drop Box in LEARN

Task:
Complete a 1000-1200 word report, on the questions (1-5) set below:

1. What are some problems with reductionist thinking and how does this relate to traditional PMBOK type projects and complex projects? Can General Systems Theory be applied similarly to both traditional PMBOK type projects and complex projects?

2. What is the role of the business environment with regard to creating complexity in projects? Can use of Checkland’s Soft systems methodology (CATWOE) help? Discuss.

3. Discuss the relationship between project strategy, project architecture, requirements, project systems supporting architecture and concurrent design.

4. Discuss why incremental commitment is appropriate for large complex defence or other state of the art projects. How does project architecture fit into this? Discuss the strengths and weaknesses of use of Boardmam’s Systemigrams and Conceptagon for analysing and managing system of systems projects.

5. Compose a 1000-1200 word reflective summary of what you have learned during the course.

Scope:
The objective of these questions is for the participant to consider the theoretical material supplied and attempt to apply it to a real project example, if possible. Therefore evidence of having read and understood the material is important. Arguments and assertions should be based on the research articles listed, the important ones of which are encompassed in the notes.
Given the word limit on these questions, assessment will reward content included. There will be penalties for exceeding the word limit. Quotations do not count in the words counted.
This assignment will assess your understanding of the course topics.

Length and Presentation: 1000-1200 words report

Criteria by which your assignment will be marked: Each assignment is worth 10% of your final mark. Late work will receive a deduction of 2 marks out of 10 for time in the first week late – beyond this zero marks will be awarded. This is to allow responses reasonably promptly. In completing these assignments, higher marks will be awarded for evidence of reading notes, text and papers, and integration of this theory into your answers. Direct referencing of external material in your answers is preferred.
 
 
Assessment 6: Project plan - group
Weighting: 30%
Due Dates: As above
Submission Details: Via Drop Box in LEARN

Task:
Develop a group project plan for an approved complex project, implementing the theoretical material you have covered.. A project plan is produced to plan a new complex project. Groups should be of two people. If you want to vary the two, you need to seek special approval stating reasons. This assignment is intended to be the application of theory so theory should not be reproduced, but the application of theory to a project.

As you may be using material in this report which was developed by others, it Is important to note what was your contribution and what was the contribution of others.

An electronic copy of this report is required. Just send one copy for the group but ensure both or more names are clear. Preferably any documents created under Excel or Microsoft Project should be included in the Word version of the electronic copy. An introductory section should be included to outline your approach to the report, as well as to the project.

A work-based project may be used. Sections developed by others (eg estimate or schedule) may be included provided it is clearly stated who developed each section. It should be made clear what your contribution to this project plan is.

Assignment 6 alternatives

A. Introduction of electric vehicles

Working in groups, assume:
· Your consultancy has accepted a commission to develop a system of system to establish electric powered vehicles throughout the nation (the latest version can accelerate as fast as a Ferrari and travel 400 kms on a single battery).
· The goal is to have the whole project completed in 10 years (no petrol powered cars still in use)
· Develop a systemigram for the project
· Develop a set 20 requirements for the SoS.
· Develop a SoS architecture
· In order to achieve an incremental commitment to progress with the proposal, develop a set of phase gates hurdles to be satisfied for incremental commitment to progress, in accordance with Boehm and Lane
· How would you structure formalised dissent in your project team?
· Are there any other relevant issues?

B Introduction of significant changes to cater for climate change reform in the country;

C. How you would understand and counter a vague threat by a terrorist group that they have a range of possible threats including a nuclear bomb ready to be used, a suicide bomber who may come in by frogmen, possibly poisoning the drinking water, or other;

D. Disaster relief for another state, after a cyclone, which in undergoing a civil war and has many corrupt government officials.

E. Peace between two national groups which currently share the same land but which, through various incidents of history, have many citizens who hate the other group. Sporadic acts of violence occurs between the two groups and each has powerful neighbours who may or may not be helpful. Many leaders in both groups are corrupt.

Length and Presentation:
Minimum length:
1 person – 5,000 words
2 people – 8,000 words
3 people – 11,000 words.

Criteria by which your assignment will be marked:
Note: additional marks are awarded for more comprehensive plans.

Assessment 7: Discussion Forum: contribution and participation
Weighting: 20%
Due Dates: Day 3-7 of Weeks 1-10
Submission Details: Via weekly Forum in LEARN

Criteria by which your assignment will be marked:
Valued contribution, questions, participation in discussion, interaction with lecturer and fellow students

All text based assignments must be submitted via Drop Box in LEARN

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

• Assignment Submission: Assignments should be lodged via Drop Box in the LEARN system. Please refer to individual assignment tasks for specific submission details relevant to each task. 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 University of Adelaide 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. Assignments handed in after 14 days from the due submission date will fail even if a 100% mark is granted for the work