Virtual Communications for IT Project Managers

Unit Code:HIT8436

Credit Points	Duration	Contact Hours	Campus	Prerequisite	Corequisite
12.5 Credit Points	1 Semester or equivalent	36 Hours	Hawthorn	HIT5401 Introduction to Business Information Systems or HIT8036 Business Information Systems for a Rapidly Changing World and HIT7407 Information Systems Project Management	Nil

Credit Points

Duration

Contact Hours

Campus

Prerequisite

Corequisite

12.5 Credit Points

1 Semester or equivalent

36 Hours

Hawthorn

HIT5401 Introduction to Business Information Systems or HIT8036 Business Information Systems for a Rapidly Changing World and HIT7407 Information Systems Project Management

Nil

Related Course/s:

Master of Information Technology Project Management

Aims & Objectives:

Most IT project managers are now confronted with having to manage projects that span boundaries: organisational, national, cultural, geographical and time boundaries. Communication in such contexts offers a range of additional challenges. Increasingly, virtual communication is becoming a norm in such situations, but effectively using technology to manage communication in such diverse environments is challenging, and is often not successful. This unit aims to build an appreciation of the need for and challenges posed by virtual communication, an understanding of the different channels, tools and techniques available to support virtual communication, how to develop and sustain virtual project teams, and the role of the IT project manager in virtual projects.

Learning Objectives

Upon completion of this subject, students should be able to:

Understand the global contexts and its implications for the management of IT projects
Appreciate the need for virtual communication in IT projects, the benefits and challenges
Identify the opportunities for project communications that are enabled by virtual communication
Demonstrate an understanding of how to select an appropriate virtual communication
Demonstrate a capability at setting up, using and managing virtual communications
Appreciate the requirements to manage and sustain the distributed IT project team

Teaching Methods:

Lectures (24 hrs) and Tutorials (12 hrs)

Assessment:

Individual Assessment, Group Assessment and Exam

Generic Skills Outcomes:

During this unit students will receive feedback on the following key generic skills:
- Teamwork
- Analysis
- Problem solving skills
- Communication skills
- Global Perspective

Content:

The nature and role of communications in IT Projects
The communication needs and complexities arising from the growth of IT projects spanning organizations, countries, regions and the world
The project communication and management opportunities virtual communication technology provides
Understanding and addressing difficulties that can arise using virtual communication tools in IT projects
Virtual communication tools and how to make the most of them in IT projects
Selecting the most appropriate virtual communication channels for IT projects
Leadership and the IT Project Manager's role in virtual environments
Developing and sustaining virtual teams in IT projects
Emerging virtual communication tools and practices in IT projects

Reading Materials:

Brown M., Huettner B, James-Tanny C (2007) Managing Virtual Teams Getting the Most from Wikis, Blogs, and Tools. Books24x7, Inc. Plano, Tex. : Wordware Pub

Harrin E, (2010) Social Media for Project Managers. Project Management Institute, Inc

Khazanchi D. &. Zigurs I; (2006) Patterns of effective management of virtual projects: An exploratory study. PMI

Mayer M. (2010) The Virtual Edge: Embracing Technology for Distributed Project Team Success. PMI, Inc