Introduction to Project Management
| Module title | Introduction to Project Management |
|---|---|
| Module code | BEM1035DA |
| Academic year | 2023/4 |
| Credits | 30 |
| Module staff |
| Duration: Term | 1 | 2 | 3 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Duration: Weeks | 10 |
| Number students taking module (anticipated) | 50 |
|---|
Module description
This module is designed to provide you with a broad understanding of the fundamental principles of project management and will enable you to undertake the key stages of a project life cycle and how the different elements interact with each other. You will be introduced to the knowledge and skills required to manage projects successfully, whilst learning how to overcome business problems and challenges. Specifically, you will gain an appreciation of the role that projects occupy within your organisation and how they develop, deliver and impact organisational strategy.
Module aims - intentions of the module
This module will provide you with an opportunity to explore the fundamentals of project management, allowing you to explore the principles and themes of building a successful project from planning to implementation. It will give an overview of the entire project lifecycle, including aims and objectives, budgeting and timescale, team development, resources, and scope. From this you will gain a clear insight into project management as well as the fundamental interpersonal skills and behaviours required to overcome barriers to change and achieve project success.
Intended Learning Outcomes (ILOs)
ILO: Module-specific skills
On successfully completing the module you will be able to...
- 1. Be able to explain the situational context of projects (K11)
- 2. Explain the role of projects in delivering organisational strategy (K11)
- 3. Describe basic project management terminology, methodologies, and the role of the project manager
- 4. Recognise the different roles and responsibilities of the project sponsor, project manager, team members, project steering group, and users.
- 5. Distinguish between the different project life cycle phases
- 6. Differentiate between the project life cycle and the extended life cycle
- 7. Explain why aspects of project governance are required
ILO: Discipline-specific skills
On successfully completing the module you will be able to...
- 8. Evaluate the different elements of planning required in a successful project
- 9. Describe how to develop and manage projects within different planning frameworks to balance the fundamental components of a project.(K5)
ILO: Personal and key skills
On successfully completing the module you will be able to...
- 10. Examine the importance of effective communication and barriers to communication (B2)
- 11. Analyse the importance of teamwork and leadership within a project (B1)
Syllabus plan
- Introduction to module including project management terminology; to include tools and techniques and data.
- Difference between projects and business as usual and the difference between project management, portfolio management and programme management.
- The role of projects in delivering organisational strategy, achieving competitive advantage, innovation, support decision making and enabling change.
- Responsibility assignment matrix
- Roles and responsibilities of the project team.
- The life cycle philosophy; Project life cycle and extended life cycle – including differentiation between linear, iterative and hybrid life cycles.
- Aspects of project management governance (such as the use of: policies, regulations, functions, processes, procedures and delegated responsibilities).
- Functions and benefits of different types of project office (including project/programme/portfolio management office (PMO), embedded PMO, central PMO and hub-and-spoke PMO)
- The importance of a business case through the project lifecycle
- The different elements of a project plan – understand planning for success.
- Project planning frameworks
Learning activities and teaching methods (given in hours of study time)
| Scheduled Learning and Teaching Activities | Guided independent study | Placement / study abroad |
|---|---|---|
| 34 | 60 | 206 |
Details of learning activities and teaching methods
| Category | Hours of study time | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Scheduled teaching and learning activity | 34 | 4 masterclass days and 4 webinars |
| Placement | 206 | Project management in the workplace - Work activities e.g. project team meetings, discussions, stakeholder engagement, project planning and implementation. |
| Guided independent study | 60 | Reading, research, web based activities on ELE |
Formative assessment
| Form of assessment | Size of the assessment (eg length / duration) | ILOs assessed | Feedback method |
|---|---|---|---|
| Report plan | 500 words | 1-8 | Written via ELE |
| Peer review of project pitch | 10 slides | 4-11 | Written via ELE peer review |
Summative assessment (% of credit)
| Coursework | Written exams | Practical exams |
|---|---|---|
| 100 | 0 | 0 |
Details of summative assessment
| Form of assessment | % of credit | Size of the assessment (eg length / duration) | ILOs assessed | Feedback method |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Report | 50 | 3000 words | 1-8 | Written |
| Group project pitch with slide deck and notes | 50 | No more than 10 slides plus accompanying notes. 20 mins in duration (+/- 10%) | 4-11 | Written |
Details of re-assessment (where required by referral or deferral)
| Original form of assessment | Form of re-assessment | ILOs re-assessed | Timescale for re-assessment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Report | 3000 words | 1-8 | 6 weeks |
| Group project pitch with slide deck and notes | No more than 10 slides plus accompanying notes. 20 mins in duration (+/- 10%) | 4-11 | 6 weeks |
Re-assessment notes
Deferral – if you miss an assessment for certificated reasons judged acceptable by the Mitigation Committee, you will normally be either deferred in the assessment or an extension may be granted. 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 (ie a final overall module mark of less than 40%) you will be required to sit a further examination. The mark given for a re-assessment taken as a result of referral will count for 100% of the final mark and will be capped at 40%.
Indicative learning resources - Basic reading
Basic reading:
- APM (2019): APM Body of Knowledge 7th edn A.P.M.
Burke, R. and Barron, S. (2014) Project Management Leadership: Building Creative Teams , J Wiley and Sons - Kertzner (2017): Project Management 12th edn. Wiley
- Lock (2013): Project Management 10th edn. Gower
- Maylor, H. (2010) Project Management Harlow, Essex, Pearson Educations Ltd
- Meredith & Mantel (2018): Project Management; a managerial approach 10th edn. Wiley
Newton, R. (2006) Project Management Step by Step, How to Plan and Manage a Highly Successful Project, Pearson Education Ltd - Reiss (2007): Project Management Demystified 3rd edn. Spon Press
Web-based and electronic resources:
- IPMA Level D Qualification | APM Exams
- Association of Project Management http://www.apm.org.uk/
- ISO 9000 http://www.iso.org/iso/iso_9000
- Prince 2 http://www.prince-officialsite.com/
- Scaled Agile Framework (SAFe) https://scaledagileframework.com/
Other resources:
- Bamber, M., Parry S (2018) Accounting and finance for managers: a decision-making approach 2nd edition, New York: Kogan Page (ISBN: 9780749481148)
- Callahan, K.R., Stetz, G.S., Brooks, L.M. (2011) Project Management Accounting: Budgeting, Tracking, and Reporting Costs and Profitability Hoboken, New Jersey: John Wiley and Sons Inc (ISBN: 9786613176158)
| Credit value | 30 |
|---|---|
| Module ECTS | 15 |
| Module pre-requisites | None |
| Module co-requisites | None |
| NQF level (module) | 4 |
| Available as distance learning? | Yes |
| Origin date | 17/04/2023 |
