Introductory description

This module will provide students with the foundational knowledge of project management , including the skills to identify stake holders and engage them in the decision-making process, define the aims and objectives for a project and also state measurable evaluation metrics for project success, identify and categorise project risks and take steps to mitigate them, allocate resources efficiently, and prepare a project budget. Ultimately, they will apply this knowledge to plan a project and analyse and critically appraise the success of projects, including their own, managed in the workplace

Module aims

Outline syllabus

This is an indicative module outline only to give an indication of the sort of topics that may be covered. Actual sessions held may differ.

This module will teach students robust project management techniques, including:

• Defining measurable project objectives
• Stakeholder identification and engagement
• Project planning and scheduling
• Budget management
• Efficient resource allocation
• Risk categorisation
• Project evaluation

Learning outcomes

By the end of the module, students should be able to:

• Identify stake holders and engage them in the decision-making process.
• Define the aims and objectives for a project and also state measurable evaluation metrics for project success.
• Identify and categorise project risks and take steps to mitigate against them.
• Understand resource allocation and the preparation of a project budget.
• Apply their knowledge to analyse and critically appraise the success of projects managed in the workplace.
• Apply sound project management techniques to planning a project in the workplace.

Indicative reading list

"A guide to the project management body of knowledge (PMBOK guide)", Project Management Institute (2013)
Kerzner, H., "Project management: a systems approach to planning, scheduling, and controlling (12/e)" (2017)
Brooks, FP, "The mythical man-month: essays on software engineering" (1995)

Subject specific skills

• Use a range of analytical techniques such as data mining, time series forecasting and modelling techniques to identify and predict trends and patterns in data
• Critically analyse a business domain in order to identify the role of information systems
• Manage the development and assurance of software artefacts applying secure development practises to ensure system resilience
• Can identify, analyse and evaluate security threats and hazards to planned and installed information systems or services (e.g. Cloud services)
• Follow a systematic methodology for initiating, planning, executing, controlling, and closing technology solutions projects
• Apply industry standard processes, methods, techniques and tools to execute projects
• Able to manage a project including identifying and resolving deviations and the management of problems and escalation processes
• The value of technology investments and how to formulate a business case for a new technology solution, including estimation of both costs and benefits
• How teams work effectively to produce technology solutions
• The role of data management systems in managing organisational data and information
• How to deliver a technology solutions project accurately consistent with business needs.
• The issues of quality, cost and time for projects, including contractual obligations and resource constraints
• Use a range of analytical techniques such as data mining, time series forecasting and modelling techniques to identify and predict trends and patterns in data
• The processes involved in carrying out data analysis projects
• The range of data protection and legal issues

Transferable skills

• Have demonstrated that they have mastered basic business disciplines, ethics and courtesies, demonstrating timeliness and focus when faced with distractions and the ability to complete tasks to a deadline with high quality.
• Flexible attitude
• Ability to perform under pressure
• A thorough approach to work
• Logical thinking and creative approach to problem solving
• Able to deal with different, competing interests within and outside the organisation with excellent negotiation skills.
• Is able to identify the preferences, motivations, strengths and limitations of other people and apply these insights to work more effectively with and to motivate others.
• Competent in active listening and in leading, influencing and persuading others.