This module aims to equip students with the theoretical knowledge and practical skills of project management approaches and their principles in a contemporary project environment. It aims to expose students to the terminology used by practitioners in conjunction with the terminology recognised by the Project Management Institute (PMI) and the Association for Project Management (APM). The module will help students develop the necessary skills required for a successful start of a project manager’s career.

(LO1) Students will be able to critically appraise the importance of project management and its relationship to other management disciplines.

(LO2) Students will be able to determine theoretical and practical perspectives to project management.

(LO3) Students will be able to examine the components and processes in the project management discipline as well as the interactions between these elements.

(LO4) Students will be able to apply current techniques for managing projects, programmes and portfolios.

(LO5) Students will be able to criticise the concepts behind quality assurance.

(LO6) Students will be able to critically appraise the role and responsibilities of the project participants with a focus on the role of the project manager in the life of a project and continue to advance their knowledge and understanding, and to develop new skills to a high level.

(LO7) Students will be able to value the significance of project risk management.

(LO8) Students will be able to adapt sustainability principles within project management projects.

(LO9) Students will be able to build on the ability to identify and engage with debates and controversies in the academic literature relating to project management.

(S1) Communication skills
Students will develop written and oral communication skills through group discussions, presentations, and coursework.

(S2) Problem solving skills
Students will be challenged to think critically about project management decisions. They will do this by gathering and synthesising information, analysing alternative perspectives and options and presenting a considered opinion or course of action.

(S3) IT skills
Students will have opportunities to improve their IT skills. Students will demonstrate skills in the use of software applications including a simulation game, word processing, visual presentations, databases, spreadsheets and using the internet for information searches in the course of researching and presenting coursework.

(S4) Time management
Students will be required to plan scheduled work and meet assessment deadlines.

(S5) Numeracy
Students will have the opportunity to work with quantitative data related to various project parameters in making informed decisions through their engagement with their coursework and in-class exercises.

(S6) Ethical awareness
Our teaching, learning and assessment strategy ensures that all students are exposed to ideas of sustainable business practice and ethical awareness within a project management environment.

(S7) Teamwork
Some assessed work will require students to work in groups and manage the interaction and relationships with other group members. In doing so, they will gain experience in negotiation, persuasion, influencing and managing conflict.

(S8) Leadership
We instil students with the understanding and confidence to explore and develop their own leadership approach and development needs. This opportunity is also provided by collaborating during a simulation game.

2 hour lecture x 5 weeks
2 hour seminar x 5 weeks
1 hour asynchronous learning x 5 weeks
125 hours self-directed learning

Introduction and principles of project management;

The Project Manager;

The structure of project management and project teams;

Project selection and initiation;

Project planning;

Budgeting and scheduling;

Monitoring, controlling, and executing projects;

Closing and lessons learnt;

Risk management;

Quality management and sustainability;

Programmes and portfolios.