Project proposals needed for computer student teams

For several years I have been one of a large team teaching project management to computer students. The ANU Techlauncher Program continues to gain in popularity, and we are in need of more projects for more students due to start their studies in the next few weeks. The project can be something from a small business, startup, large corporation, government agency, or a not-for-profit. You might have a glimer of an idea, and want a prototype to see if it makes sense, or something well specified, and just needs doing. In the past I have tutored students building software to test hydroelectric generators which keep the lights on in much of Australia, while others helped develop an anti-ballistic missile radar which protects Australian warships. At the other end of the scale, a team produced an app for a health professional, to help their patients with a fear of flying.

Amateur managers of weapons system projects?

"The amateur managers" (Bennett, 1990) is a book I wish I had read when I worked for the Defence Department, reviewing IT projects. While most of these were not weapons, they had a level of complexity beyond the usual civilian administrative systems. As Bennett says, the office politics of civilians (such as myself) trying to advance projects in teams with military personnel from three services, with occasionally competing priorities were difficult*. His solution looks a good one: focus on good people, rather than processes: "Weapons systems project managers require experience, skill and especially good judgement to cope with complexity ..." (p. 59). While there were people with engineering and IT backgrounds with project management training in Defence, many were seconded from civilian administrative areas, or military jobs, with no training or experience. It is decades since I was in DoD, and I don't know if Bennett's suggestion has been adopted.

* I gave up and left Defecne when the committee I was chairing had almost agreed on draft 46 of a report. Then the military members were rotated out and people who have been driving tanks and aircraft were rotated in. I gave up and became a consultant/educator.

Reference

Bennett, F. N. (1990). The amateur managers: a study of the management of weapons system projects. Canberra: Strategic and Defence Studies Centre, Research School of Pacific Studies, Australian National University, 1990.