• BSBPMG603A - Direct time management of a project program

Assessor Resource

BSBPMG603A
Direct time management of a project program

Assessment tool

Version 1.0
Issue Date: March 2024


A program is defined as a set of interrelated projects, each of which has a project manager. Multiple projects (sometimes called a portfolio of projects) refers to a number of projects related in some way and managed by the same person as a program to achieve a common organisational objective/s.

For the purposes of this unit someone who manages a suite of projects (a program) will be referred to as a program manager.

The functions performed by a project manager to manage time and scheduling within individual projects are addressed in BSBPMG503A Manage project time.

This unit describes the performance outcomes, skills and knowledge required to direct time management across projects so that key deliverables meet project and program schedules.

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

You may want to include more information here about the target group and the purpose of the assessments (eg formative, summative, recognition)

Employability Skills

This unit contains employability skills.




Evidence Required

List the assessment methods to be used and the context and resources required for assessment. Copy and paste the relevant sections from the evidence guide below and then re-write these in plain English.

The Evidence Guide provides advice on assessment and must be read in conjunction with the performance criteria, required skills and knowledge, range statement and the Assessment Guidelines for the Training Package.

Overview of assessment

Critical aspects for assessment and evidence required to demonstrate competency in this unit

Evidence of the following is essential:

demonstrated experience in directing project work so that timelines are met across a range of concurrent projects

knowledge of the relationship between time, cost and resources to the project management framework.

Context of and specific resources for assessment

Assessment must ensure:

access to workplace documentation

consideration of feedback from project team and stakeholders as to how time was managed.

Method of assessment

A range of assessment methods should be used to assess practical skill and knowledge. The following examples are appropriate for this unit:

direct questioning combined with review of portfolios of evidence and third party workplace reports of on-the-job performance of program time management by the candidate

analysis of responses addressing different project time management case studies and scenarios

oral or written questioning to assess knowledge of strategies for managing project time and their application to different situations

review of how project schedules were formalised and communicated

evaluation of ongoing analysis to identify and forecast variances and trends

review of progress and refinement of the schedule throughout the program life cycle.

Guidance information for assessment

Holistic assessment with other units relevant to the industry sector, workplace and job role is recommended, for example:

other units from the Advanced Diploma of Project Management.


Submission Requirements

List each assessment task's title, type (eg project, observation/demonstration, essay, assingnment, checklist) and due date here

Assessment task 1: [title]      Due date:

(add new lines for each of the assessment tasks)


Assessment Tasks

Copy and paste from the following data to produce each assessment task. Write these in plain English and spell out how, when and where the task is to be carried out, under what conditions, and what resources are needed. Include guidelines about how well the candidate has to perform a task for it to be judged satisfactory.

Required skills

high level leadership skills to inspire trust and confidence in all stakeholder groups

literacy skills to communicate decisions and to write quality reports

communication and interpersonal skills to convey expectations, negotiate, resolve conflict and motivate performance

planning and organising skills to ensure that time lines are met across projects

time management skills (of self and others)

problem-solving skills to address time management issues.

Required knowledge

relationship between time, cost and resources to the project management framework

time management and estimating

methodologies, techniques and tools, their capabilities, limitations, applicability and outcomes.

The range statement relates to the unit of competency as a whole. It allows for different work environments and situations that may affect performance. Bold italicised wording, if used in the performance criteria, is detailed below. Essential operating conditions that may be present with training and assessment (depending on the work situation, needs of the candidate, accessibility of the item, and local industry and regional contexts) may also be included.

Time management may:

be conducted non-routinely to meet complex, changing circumstances

be done by taking the lead in a team environment

involve consultation with project managers and selective involvement of stakeholders

involve the direction of the use of appropriate time management methods, processes, procedures, tools and techniques

take into account the impact of organisational and environmental change on the program's projects and vice versa

Techniques and tools may include:

assessing and reporting the potential impact of multiple project timings and their potential for change on the program, and therefore the organisation

collating and using the products of specialist time analysis to make program-wide time management decisions

directing qualitative and/or quantitative time analysis, such as schedule simulation, decision analysis, contingency planning and alternative strategy development

using personal experience and/or subject matter experts

Time management plans may include:

alternative schedule management strategies and actions

assigned schedule management responsibilities

contingency plans

formal arrangements

important milestones and critical interdependencies between projects

program consolidated schedule

responsibility assignment

sub-schedules

Records may take the form of:

diaries, incident logs, occurrence reports and other such documentation

gantt, PERT and other scheduling charts

lists of variances, trends and forecasts of potential schedule events

program and/or organisation files and records

records of analysis, evaluation of options and selection processes

records of responses, results and lessons learned

Copy and paste from the following performance criteria to create an observation checklist for each task. When you have finished writing your assessment tool every one of these must have been addressed, preferably several times in a variety of contexts. To ensure this occurs download the assessment matrix for the unit; enter each assessment task as a column header and place check marks against each performance criteria that task addresses.

Observation Checklist

Tasks to be observed according to workplace/college/TAFE policy and procedures, relevant legislation and Codes of Practice Yes No Comments/feedback
Determine from individual project plans the duration, effort, sequence and interdependencies of major activities and milestones to form the basis of the program schedule 
Direct project managers by the use of time management methods, techniques and tools, preferred schedules, time management plans, resource allocation and financial requirements to enable continuous updating and refining of the program schedule 
Formalise and communicate project schedules, with agreement, to stakeholders as the basis for planning, implementation and review of progress 
Develop, implement and modify mechanisms to monitor, control, record and report actual progress in relation to the agreed schedule and plans 
Conduct ongoing analysis to identify and forecast variances and trends, and to develop responses so that projects meet their schedules 
Manage durations of key activities and interdependencies between projects to enable financial and resource rationalisation across the program, to meet strategic expectations within the management/reporting period of the program 
Review progress and refine the schedule throughout the program life cycle to ensure consistency with changing scope, objectives and constraints related to time and resource availability 
Ensure responses to perceived, potential or actual project schedule changes are authorised to achieve program objectives 
Review and analyse multiple project and program outcomes from available records and information to determine the effectiveness of the schedule and time management processes 
Pass on lessons learned to higher project authority and provide feedback for application, planning and implementation of later projects within the program 

Forms

Assessment Cover Sheet

BSBPMG603A - Direct time management of a project program
Assessment task 1: [title]

Student name:

Student ID:

I declare that the assessment tasks submitted for this unit are my own work.

Student signature:

Result: Competent Not yet competent

Feedback to student

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Assessor name:

Signature:

Date:


Assessment Record Sheet

BSBPMG603A - Direct time management of a project program

Student name:

Student ID:

Assessment task 1: [title] Result: Competent Not yet competent

(add lines for each task)

Feedback to student:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Overall assessment result: Competent Not yet competent

Assessor name:

Signature:

Date:

Student signature:

Date: