Management Framework for Business Projects (MFBP) seeks to establish rigorous theoretical foundations for the initiation and management of projects (and programs) in business.  MFBP explores concepts that are intended to enhance the success of projects by guiding the way they are scoped, planned, governed and closed.

The Course introduces a set of frameworks and examines a number of contemporary issues in business project management within the public and private sectors.  While we refer to accepted project management practice, (as reflected, for example, in the Project Management Body of Knowledge), this Course is based on an exploration of rigorous management principles - it is not a training program in any particular methodology.  Indeed, armed with the theoretical principles that we will explore, it is possible to make considered judgements about the worth, strengths and weaknesses of the proprietary methodologies in common use throughout industry today.

The focus of the Course is on the project as a domain of management decision-making.  A number of important tools and techniques in project management that are covered comprehensively in other Courses are discussed only superficially in MFBP.  This is particularly the case with such areas as: work planning, task scheduling, diagramming and project resourcing.  Conventional wisdom in project management is based on a rich and fascinating collage of: analytical techniques, accepted practice, proprietary products, agreed standards, regularised procedures, anecdotal evidence, folklore, urban myths, professional ritual, assertions, strongly-held beliefs and methodological zealotry.  For some years the lecturer has been engaged in a research program (with Ofer Zwikael—also from MMIB) that seeks to make project management a more rigorous discipline by underpinning all this with reliable theoretical foundations.  A Management Framework for Business Projects is work-in-progress from this endeavour. 

MFBP seeks to equip students with a foundation set of skills, tools and techniques for the effective and efficient management of business projects.

• Tutorial/Seminar Presentation - 15%
• Minor term paper - 35%
• Major term paper - 50%

All three components of the above assessment schedule are compulsory and students must comply with each.  To achieve an automatic pass grade in this course you must obtain 50% or more as a scaled aggregate mark.

Classes require five hours per week over a seven week term. Students are also expected to devote appropriate amounts of time between classes to private study: reading texts and references, completing tutorial assignments and preparing items for discussion in class.

At least an average of 65% (or equivalent) in the final two years of an Australian undergraduate degree.

There are no pre-requisites for MFBP, however some direct exposure to engineering/business projects is assumed.