On successful completion of the module, students will be able to:
Evaluate a range of project management models and tools, their advantages / disadvantages and relevance to particular projects and internal/external contexts (including international context).
Appraise the risks and uncertainties inherent in project management and how these may be managed or mitigated.
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.
Produce a coherent and data-based presentation of a professional standard project plan, and reflect on advantages/disadvantages of the plan, as well as project team performance.
This module explores the key aspects of project management, including selection and justification of a range of tools/techniques/methodologies required for professional planning and implementing projects, evaluating associated benefits/costs and managing risk and uncertainty. The challenges of project organisation structures and resource scheduling will be addressed. The actual development of a project plan encourages students to discover the principles of stakeholders/client management, as well as to learn how to build effective project teams and leadership capability.
The sessions will be organised in 3 8-hour teaching blocks. Lectures will deliver core theoretical frameworks, followed by workshops and personal exercises for reflection and development.
The module will make use of current newsworthy case studies and developing business trends and 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.
Lectures/Seminars
Hours: 24
Intended group size: Cohort
Workshops/tutorials
Hours: 6
Intended group size: Cohort or variable size groups
Guided Independent Studies
Hours: 170
Further details relating to assessment
Project plan (group presentation): Students will be expected to work in groups to develop a project plan for a project scope title that may be negotiated with the module tutor. This presentation will include various elements taught throughout the module and allow for students to demonstrate a capacity to present at a professional level.
Project plan (individual evaluation): Students will be expected to prepare a full project plan for the project brief developed in groups. This will be an individual piece of work and allow for the students to engage fully with the academic content of the module, and an element of critical self-analysis. The resulting piece of work is intended to be similar to the sort of project planning documentation that is used in the work place. Examples are presented throughout the module to assist students in pitching their output at the correct level.
Alternative assessment: any students who defer or re-sit any components of the assessment will be assessed by a written report with equivalent pro-rata loading.
001 Project plan (group presentation); 20 mins (including Q&A); mid-term 3 40%
002 Project plan (individual evaluation); 2,400 words; end of term 3 60%
Module Coordinator - Greg Barnes
Level - 7
Credit Value - 20
Pre-Requisites - NONE
Semester(s) Offered - 7T3