MPM7003 - Principles of Project Management

Objectives:

On successful completion of the module, students will be able to:

1 Understand the principles of project management and their importance in successful project delivery.
2 Recognise the project lifecycle, project objectives, project success criteria and success factors.
3 Critically analyse the range of established and innovative processes and methodologies for project planning, execution and control.
4 Develop a project plan that covers a broad range of issues and stakeholder/client relationship management, and analyse, select and utilise appropriate project management techniques.
5 Employ a range of project management software applications to plan a project, manage a project, generate reports and make appropriate managerial decisions.

Content:

This module will introduce the principles of project management required for successful project delivery. It will introduce students to the core aspects of Project Management by exploring the processes involved in planning, managing, controlling, coordinating and closing a project, as well as the creation of a project plan based on a given brief. The topics will include the selection and justification of various tools/techniques and methodologies essential for professional project planning, implementation and evaluation of associated benefits and costs. Furthermore, students will understand the significance of the project lifecycle and its role in aiding project management through gateways. The module will also delve into the application of established and innovative processes and methodologies employed for project planning, execution and control, including the utilisation of project management software such as MS Project and/or Project Libre. This will encompass the applicability and effectiveness of business cases, stakeholder management tools, time and cost control tools (EVM, CPM, Gantt Charts), change control, project closure, reflective practice and lessons learned.

Content will also address how project objectives are determined and how to establish and differentiate between project success factors and success criteria.

Learning and Teaching Information:

The sessions will be organised in 3-hour teaching blocks for 10 weeks. Lectures will deliver core theoretical frameworks with practical content, context and processes to achieve the themes outlined in the learning outcomes, followed by workshops and personal exercises for reflection and development.

The module will make use of current newsworthy case studies and developing business trends, so the nature of the topics and exercises will vary. Students will be provided with, and/or directed to, relevant reading and additional questions/exercises to support their progress through the module material. Students will also be directed to broad electronic sources including e-books, journals and other web-based sources, to support their learning. Teamwork will be used to enhance project-leading and working-together skills. The group will work on analysing case studies, problem-solving and group discussions. Time will be allocated for independent learning.

Students will be expected to prepare for the sessions by reading set texts and completing tasks set in class or via the VLE and will be expected to take part in a wide range of learning activities.

Lectures and workshops
Hours: 30
Intended Group Size: Cohort

Tutorials
Hours: 10
Intended Group Size: Individuals or small groups

Guided independent study
Hours: 260

Further Information Relating to Assessment

Formative Assessment/Feedback:
Project report structure: Students will be expected to prepare a bullet-point outline of their project report halfway through the module. This outline should directly relate to their chosen project for the summative assessment (see below). Submissions will be assessed just for feedback purposes.

Summative Assessment:
PM Analysis Report: Conforming to the business report format and utilising real-world examples, students will undertake a project of their choice. This assessment component aims to evaluate students’ ability to:
a. Prepare a project plan to include project brief, project scope, project schedule, project budget, stakeholder management, and personal reflection on the project and team’s performance.
b. Analyse and synthesise various project management tools and processes from the perspective of their application to successful project delivery.
c. Recognise various project lifecycle methodologies and staged project management.
d. Differentiate between and define project objectives, success factors and success criteria.

Full details, structures and requirements associated with the assessment are described in the Module Handbook.

Assessment:

001 PM analysis report; 6,000 words or equivalent; end term 1 100%

Fact File

Module Coordinator - PRS_CODE=
Level - 7
Credit Value - 30
Pre-Requisites - NONE
Semester(s) Offered - 7T1

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