Study information

Project and Contract Management - 2025 entry

MODULE TITLEProject and Contract Management CREDIT VALUE15
MODULE CODECSMM450 MODULE CONVENER Neill Wood (Coordinator)
DURATION: TERM 1 2 3
DURATION: WEEKS 11
Number of Students Taking Module (anticipated) 15
DESCRIPTION - summary of the module content

This module assumes no prior knowledge. It is designed to give you a combination of theoretical project management and financial assessment tools based on an experience-based approach to practical project management.  Many real life examples are used to illustrate aspects of project failure. It is not intended or expected that you will be capable project managers after completing this module but you should have a grasp of project management techniques, the principle causes of project failure, and an understanding of the importance of relevant experience.  Financial management is explored, primarily in a project context.

Although it is assumed that you will primarily be interested in multi-disciplined construction-based projects, other project management environments are also discussed where appropriate.

AIMS - intentions of the module

An introduction to both quantitative and qualitative project management techniques and an overview of methodologies that minimize the risk of project failure.  You will also be given a basic understanding of financial project appraisal and an understanding of investor priorities

Team building and a collaborative working environment will be encouraged through a practical multidisciplinary project assessment.
 

INTENDED LEARNING OUTCOMES (ILOs) (see assessment section below for how ILOs will be assessed)

On successful completion of this module you should be able to:

Module Specific Skills and Knowledge

1. Understand the key objectives of project management and the conflicts that arise when attempting to achieve all objectives simultaneously;
2. Comprehend the sources of finance and the influence of capital structure on a project;
3. Independently evaluate the financial feasibility of a proposed project including project valuation and risk assessment;
4. Autonomously interpret a scope of work and produce a work breakdown structure, from which the student will have the ability to develop a project plan and project budget, and to use these documents as the basis of a reporting structure.

Discipline Specific Skills and Knowledge

5. Forecast completion dates and expenditure and to formulate appropriate plans for corrective action when required;
6. Recognise the sources of project risk (technical, contractual and commercial) and to devise ways in which these risks can be mitigated at project design stage to make the project plan more robust to unforeseen circumstances with confidence;
7. Grasp the most relevant aspects of contract law.

Personal and Key Transferable / Employment Skills and Knowledge

8. Create a project plant (GANTT Chart) a precedence network diagram, and a budget and to use these to monitor work and address variances.
SYLLABUS PLAN - summary of the structure and academic content of the module
  • introduction to basic concepts;
  • scope of work;
  • work breakdown structure;
  • critical paths;
  • project monitoring and review;
  • project estimating;
  • risk assessment and management;
  • earned value analysis;
  • project appraisal;
  • contract law;
  • basic interpretation of accounts;
  • the investor perspective;
  • cash flow and project appraisal;
  • contextual summary and revision.

Lectures - Teaching of subject knowledge will be through a combination of lectures and linked tutorials (ILOs 1-8)

LEARNING AND TEACHING
LEARNING ACTIVITIES AND TEACHING METHODS (given in hours of study time)
Scheduled Learning & Teaching Activities 40 Guided Independent Study 110 Placement / Study Abroad 0
DETAILS OF LEARNING ACTIVITIES AND TEACHING METHODS
Category Hours of study time Description
Scheduled Learning & Teaching  36 Lectures - Teaching of subject knowledge will be through a combination of lectures and linked tutorials (ILOs 1-8).
                                                        
Scheduled Learning & Teaching  4 Tutorials/workshops
Guided Independent Study 110 Private study

 

ASSESSMENT
FORMATIVE ASSESSMENT - for feedback and development purposes; does not count towards module grade
Form of Assessment Size of Assessment (e.g. duration/length) ILOs Assessed Feedback Method
The recommended textbooks on finance include self-study assessments. Self-study exercises are issued in respect of project management topics.      

 

SUMMATIVE ASSESSMENT (% of credit)
Coursework 40 Written Exams 60 Practical Exams 0
DETAILS OF SUMMATIVE ASSESSMENT
Form of Assessment % of Credit Size of Assessment (e.g. duration/length) ILOs Assessed Feedback Method
Examination 60 2 hours 1-8 Written feedback
A complex assignment requiring an integrated approach to dealing with a complex project management scenario. 40 Approx. 8 pages of A4, excluding any appendices, but including figures and illustrations, 11 point type 1-7 Written feedback on assignment submission sheet.

 

DETAILS OF RE-ASSESSMENT (where required by referral or deferral)
Original Form of Assessment Form of Re-assessment ILOs Re-assessed Time Scale for Re-assessment
Examination Examination 1-8 Referral/deferral period
Summative assessment Additional summative assignment 1-7 Referral/deferral period

 

RE-ASSESSMENT NOTES

Deferral – if you have been deferred for any assessment you will be expected to submit the relevant assessment. The mark given for a re-assessment taken as a result of deferral will not be capped and will be treated as it would be if it were your first attempt at the assessment.

Referral – if you have failed the module overall (i.e. a final overall module mark of less than 50%) you will be expected to submit the relevant assessment. The mark given for a re-assessment taken as a result of referral will be capped at 50%.

 

RESOURCES
INDICATIVE LEARNING RESOURCES - The following list is offered as an indication of the type & level of
information that you are expected to consult. Further guidance will be provided by the Module Convener

Basic reading:

Lock, Dennis

Project Management

9th

Gower Publishing Limited

 

Barker, R

Short Introduction to Accounting

(Euro Edition)

Cambridge University Press

2011

Furmston, M.P.

Law of Contract

 

Butterworths

2007

Downes, T.A.,

Textbook on Contract

12th Edition

Butterworths

1991

 

Reading list for this module:

There are currently no reading list entries found for this module.

CREDIT VALUE 15 ECTS VALUE 7.5
PRE-REQUISITE MODULES None
CO-REQUISITE MODULES None
NQF LEVEL (FHEQ) 7 AVAILABLE AS DISTANCE LEARNING No
ORIGIN DATE Thursday 12th December 2024 LAST REVISION DATE Thursday 12th December 2024
KEY WORDS SEARCH Project management; project finance.

Please note that all modules are subject to change, please get in touch if you have any questions about this module.