BML203 Project Management Module Title: Project Management Module Code: BML203 Credits: 15 Level: 5 Academic Department: Business School Programme to which the module contributes: Business School BA (Hons) undergraduate degree routes Tutor Responsible: Paul Kooner-Evans Entry requirements: None
Aims: This module aims to equip students with the tools and skills necessary to manage projects effectively. Specific objectives are: § To demonstrate the importance of following a prescribed project management methodology § To introduce the concepts of project management in a practical way including; • effective scoping • planning • resource allocation • risk and issue management • project monitoring • reporting and review Provide the basis for business case development and subsequent budget management
Learning Outcomes: On successful completion of this module students will be able to:
§ Demonstrate the capability to be able to plan and manage small projects using the PRINCE2 methodology § Be able to undertake product and work based planning techniques § Effectively use a project management tool e.g. Microsoft Project in the development of a project plan. § Apply techniques for managing change; people, processes and technology § Demonstrate a critical understanding of project closure activities
Indicative Curriculum Content: Students will be introduced to the essential tools and methodologies for managing an effective project. The methodology used will be PRINCE2 and includes techniques for change management control and version control. Project planning will be undertaken using a project management software package. The content of the module will fall into three broad headings as follows:
Introduction to Project Management § § § § § § § §
Why do we need project management? Critical Success Factors Overview of the PRINCE 2 project management methodology Setting up a project Business Cases Project Governance Introduction to project planning, Gannt charts Introduction to Microsoft Project planning tool
Planning a Project § § § § § § § §
Product Based Planning Stakeholder Management The project team and other resources Requirements Capture Estimating Feasibility Studies Critical Paths Quality Management
Managing Successful Projects
§ § § § § § §
What makes a good project manager What leads to a successful project Leadership and the politics of change Managing risk Project Control and Communication Change control and management Problem resolution
The course will include discussion of a mixture of real-life and interactive case studies of projects.
Learning Strategy: Workshops will be delivered interactively. Techniques and tools will be introduced by the lecturer and supplemented by a range of activities and case studies designed to give students the opportunity to reinforce their learning. Extensive use of case studies will be made with students applying techniques and tools to create detailed project plans using the Microsoft Office project management tool.
The workshops will be supported using a range of materials including PowerPoint presentations available in hard copy and electronically from the University.s portal, Portia, which will also contain supplementary information.
Mode of assessment: Formative assessment All students will be required to contribute to the module through inter-session tasks. Each workshop will include sessions when students will work on focused tasks for that week which will necessitate co-operation and collaboration.
Summative assessment (3500 words equivalent) Students will be presented with a range of project cases appropriate to their discipline for example; planning a marketing campaign, organising an event, arranging a conference, planning a service improvement, developing a website. During the module, they will be expected to produce a detailed set of
plans for the proposed project, which will essentially comprise a project file to be submitted as a portfolio at the end of the module.
Assessment criteria: Students at this level will be expected to demonstrate: § A complete and comprehensive project file demonstrating in depth understanding of the planning process through the quality of the documentation maintained § Attention to detail in terms of the products described and plans produced § Critical reflection on the techniques used § Effective communication, structure and presentation quality
Indicative Reading: Bentley, C. (2002) Prince2 a practical handbook, 2nd Edition. Oxford: Butterworth Heineman Bentley, C. (2002) “Practical Prince”. UK: The Stationary Office. Burton, C & MICHAEL, N, (1995) Practical Guide to Project Planning. New Zealand: Reed. Burke, R. (2007) Introduction to Project Management. UK: Burke Publishing. Gray, C & Larson, E. (2006) Project Management; The Managerial Process. New York: McGraw Hill Haynes, M,G.(1994) Project Management; From Idea to Implementation, 2nd Edition. London: Kogan Page. Mantel, S. et al (2005) Project Management in Practice, 2nd Edition. Chichester: Wiley Obeng, E. (1994) All Change; The Project Leader’s Secret Handbook. London: FT Prentice Hall Obeng, E. (2003) Perfect Projects. London: Pentacle OGC (2002) Managing Successful Projects with Prince2, 3rd Edition. London: Stationary Office Project Management Institute. (2000) A Guide to the Project Management Body of Knowledge. Pennsylvania: PMI
Reiss, G. (1995) Project Management Demystified, Today’s Tools and Techniques, 2nd Edition. UK Spon Press