PSPPM502B Manage complex projects

Revision Number: 3

PSPPM502B Manage complex projects

Modification History

Release	TP Version	Comments
3	PSP12V1	Unit descriptor edited.
2	PSP04V4.2.	Layout adjusted. No changes to content.
1	PSP04V4.1	Primary release.

Unit Descriptor

This unit covers management of projects that may be reasonably complex in terms of scope, degree of risk, political, cultural and social factors that apply, consequences of failure and degree of control of the projects. It includes managing start-up, project implementation, project integration and follow-up activities. Contract management requirements are not included as this aspect is addressed by units of competency within the Competency field of Procurement and Contract Management.

In practice, managing complex projects overlaps with other generalist and specialist work activities such as acting ethically, coordinating resource allocation and usage, developing client services, undertaking research and analysis.

No licensing, legislative, regulatory or certification requirements apply to this unit at the time of publication

Application of the Unit

Not applicable.

Licensing/Regulatory Information

Not applicable.

Pre-Requisites

Not applicable.

Employability Skills Information

This unit contains employability skills.

Elements and Performance Criteria Pre-Content

Elements are the essential outcomes of the unit of competency.	Together, performance criteria specify the requirements for competent performance. Text in bold italics is explained in the Range Statement following.

Elements and Performance Criteria

ELEMENT	PERFORMANCE CRITERIA
1. Manage start-up activities	1.1 Project plans are refined in consultation with steering committee and team members, and precise details are included for schedules of activities, milestones and resources. 1.2 Required systems are established and maintained throughout the project in accordance with the complexity of the project and in line with the project plan. 1.3 Project team members' understanding of and commitment to fulfilling the project requirements and their roles and responsibilities for the duration of the project are confirmed. 1.4 Project management tools are selected and applied effectively to achieve project outcomes.
2. Manage project implementation	2.1 Integration and management of complex project activities are handled in accordance with the project plan. 2.2 Leadership and required development are provided to the project team, and morale, stress levels and triggers are managed throughout the life of the project in accordance with organisational policy and procedures. 2.3 Stakeholder input and expectations are managed throughout the project in accordance with the communication plan. 2.4 Disagreements and disputes are resolved to the satisfaction of stakeholders or referred to a higher authority in accordance with organisational policy and procedures. 2.5 Project change proposals are negotiated, agreed and documented in accordance with policy and procedures.
3. Manage project integration	3.1 All aspects of the project and related projects are integrated and links are established to ensure objectives are met in accordance with the project plan. 3.2 Consultation and reporting mechanisms are applied in accordance with the communication plan and staff and contractors are regularly consulted to discuss progress and ensure effective results. 3.3 Project integration is monitored, and management plans and any related contracts are reviewed and amended as appropriate, with results reported in accordance with mechanisms identified in the communication plan. 3.4 Ongoing progress is monitored against agreed milestones in accordance with the project plan to provide a measure of performance throughout the life of the project. 3.5 Programmed review of objectives and achievement is planned and implemented in accordance with the project plan.
4. Coordinate project follow-up activities	4.1 Significant judgment is applied in the analysis of project deliverables against specifications, performance standards and project objectives, and the results are reported to stakeholders. 4.2 Support package arrangements are identified and offered to stakeholders who will be required to apply the project results. 4.3 Options for stakeholders to take account of environmental and cultural factors in applying the project results are included in the support package. 4.4 Operational and support authorities are consulted to investigate any testing/trialling/building and evaluation requirements resulting from the project, and funding implications estimated in project report.

Required Skills and Knowledge

This section describes the essential skills and knowledge and their level, required for this unit.
Skill requirements Look for evidence that confirms skills in: leading and mentoring people to achieve project outcomes maintaining agreement of stakeholders and team members to timelines, roles and responsibilities negotiating with stakeholders and team members using communication styles to suit different audiences and purposes responding to diversity, including gender and disability using project management tools applicable to reasonably complex projects applying ethical decision making and problem solving related to project management of reasonably complex projects writing recommendations and preparing project reports requiring precision of expression applying workplace safety procedures in line with project requirements accessing/preparing information electronically or in hard copy
Knowledge requirements Look for evidence that confirms knowledge and understanding of: legislation, organisational policies and procedures that may impact on project implementation, for example: public sector codes of ethics/conduct occupational health and safety and environmental and sustainability requirements project governance requirements quality standards risk management procurement guidelines financial management and budgetary framework human resources equal employment opportunity, equity and diversity principles project management tools to suit a range of reasonably complex projects in terms of scope, degree of risk, political, cultural and social factors that apply, consequences of failure and degree of control of the project project management systems organisational and political context critical analysis in a project management context business and commercial issues related to the projects managed

Evidence Guide

The Evidence Guide specifies the evidence required to demonstrate achievement in the unit of competency as a whole. It must be read in conjunction with the Unit descriptor, Performance Criteria, the Range Statement and the Assessment Guidelines for the Public Sector Training Package.
Units to be assessed together	Pre-requisite units that must be achieved prior to this unit:Nil Co-requisite units that must be assessed with this unit:Nil Co-assessed units that may be assessed with this unit to increase the efficiency and realism of the assessment process include, but are not limited to: PSPETHC501B Promote the values and ethos of public service PSPGOV502B Develop client services PSPGOV503B Coordinate resource allocation and usage PSPGOV504B Undertake research and analysis PSPGOV505A Promote diversity PSPPM501B Design complex projects PSPPM503B Close complex projects PSPPROC501A Manage contract risk PSPPROC503A Manage contract performance
Overview of evidence requirements	In addition to integrated demonstration of the elements and their related performance criteria, look for evidence that confirms: the knowledge requirements of this unit the skill requirements of this unit application of the Employability Skills as they relate to this unit (see Employability Summaries in Qualifications Framework) management of complex projects in a range of (3 or more) contexts (or occasions, over time)
Resources required to carry out assessment	These resources include: legislation, guidelines, procedures and protocols relating to project management in the organisation and the public sector workplace project documentation scenarios and case studies examples of project management tools
Where and how to assess evidence	Valid assessment of this unit requires: a workplace environment or one that closely resembles normal work practice and replicates the range of conditions likely to be encountered when managing complete projects, including coping with difficulties, irregularities and breakdowns in routine management of complex projects in a range of (3 or more) contexts (or occasions, over time) Assessment methods should reflect workplace demands, such as literacy, and the needs of particular groups, such as: people with disabilities people from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people women young people older people people in rural and remote locations Assessment methods suitable for valid and reliable assessment of this competency may include, but are not limited to, a combination of 2 or more of: case studies demonstration portfolios questioning scenarios authenticated evidence from the workplace and/or training courses
For consistency of assessment	Evidence must be gathered over time in a range of contexts to ensure the person can achieve the unit outcome and apply the competency in different situations or environments

Range Statement

The Range Statement provides information about the context in which the unit of competency is carried out. The variables cater for differences between States and Territories and the Commonwealth, and between organisations and workplaces. They allow for different work requirements, work practices and knowledge. The Range Statement also provides a focus for assessment. It relates to the unit as a whole. Text in bold italics in the Performance Criteria is explained here.
Project plans will include some or all of:	acquisition strategies budget and financial management strategy contract management cost estimates evaluation criteria expected outcomes/measurable benefits of the project facilities inclusions and exclusions from project information/communication strategy intellectual property strategies milestones objectives outputs/project deliverables and their acceptance criteria people plan including human resource management and human resource development performance criteria/indicators project control mechanisms project implementation strategy project governance strategy purpose quality assurance quality control quality standards for project rationale required project resources resource management risk management roles and responsibilities schedule/timeline task/work breakdown structure (WBS)
Required systems for project management may include:	planning and monitoring system financial management including: budget allocation/funding income generated expenditure recordkeeping for documented information such as: correspondence quality data including survey, needs, test results contracts time allocated and spent on each aspect of the project progress reports performance reports against milestones project outcomes samples, prototypes, models
Project management tools may include:	risk analysis organisational project governance framework communications plan reporting framework project management software and other tools: Gantt and bar charts Program Evaluation and Review Technique (PERT) charts Critical Path Method cost schedule control system logistics support analysis life cycle cost analysis spreadsheets recording systems - electronic and manual
Integration of project activities may include:	scope time cost quality human resources communications risk procurement
Management may include:	scope management communication and reporting schedule management financial management fraud control quality management resources management people management logistics management risk management contract management project implementation transition change management
Development may include:	regular meetings feedback encouragement mentoring and coaching additional physical and human resources (within allocated budget) if and as required
Policy and procedures may include:	government legislation (Federal, State and Local) affecting organisation's administration such as: public sector management acts financial management and accounting legislation and regulations privacy legislation government and organisational guidelines and procedures relating to: project governance resourcing security strategic plans recruitment risk management procurement guidelines designation approvals industrial agreements environment and sustainability
Stakeholders may include:	project sponsor/funding bodies clients or customers (internal and external) industry other agencies general public relevant interest groups unions functional areas the organisation's senior management Ministers project team steering committee end user supplier/service provider
Contract change proposals may include:	administration cost engineering, technical, technology changes resources scope specifications time
Specifications may include:	functional technical performance material

Unit Sector(s)

Not applicable.

Competency field

Project Management.