WM9B3-15 Agile Project Management & Consultancy
Introductory description
This module explores modern agile project management methodologies and digital consultancy practices essential for contemporary business transformation. Students will gain hands-on experience with agile frameworks including Scrum, Kanban, and Lean Software Development while developing consultancy skills in requirements elicitation, stakeholder management, and solution design. The module combines theoretical understanding with practical application through a real-world consultancy project, preparing students for roles requiring both technical project management and client-facing capabilities.
The module is grounded in the Agile Manifesto's values and principles. Students will experience agile in practice by prioritising individuals and interactions through collaborative teamwork, delivering working solutions through real consultancy projects, engaging in customer collaboration with external stakeholders, and responding to change by adapting their approach throughout the project lifecycle. This hands-on, iterative approach prepares students for dynamic business environments where agility is essential.
Module aims
This module aims to explore the changes in modern software projects through a mixture of lectures, seminars, case studies, and hands-on sessions. The key themes will include:
- The Agile Methodology
- Agile approaches including Scrum, Extreme Programming, Kanban and Lean Software Development
- Agile Requirements and User Story Mapping
- Consultancy skills
The module will include a project completed in teams. The project brings together all of these technologies and techniques to develop and conduct an agile project.
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.
Agile fundamentals and the Agile Manifesto
Scrum framework and ceremonies
Kanban and Lean Software Development
Extreme Programming practices
Digital consultancy methodologies
Requirements elicitation and user story mapping
Definition of Done and Definition of Ready
Stakeholder analysis and management
Business case development and agile forecasting
Client communication and presentation skills
Retrospectives and continuous improvement
Learning outcomes
By the end of the module, students should be able to:
- Apply and evaluate agile methodologies to manage complex digital projects
- Critically evaluate the suitability and effectiveness of agile frameworks for specific project environments
- Integrate consultancy practices with agile principles to address complex business challenges
- Evaluate the integration of agile practices with stakeholder needs in collaborative projects
- Critically evaluate agile project experiences to identify and justify evidence-based process improvements
Indicative reading list
Reading lists can be found in Talis
Specific reading list for the module
Interdisciplinary
A mixture of technology/computing topics and business topics
International
Topics are of high international demand
Subject specific skills
agile, project management consultancy, soft systems, kanban, scrum, extreme programming
Transferable skills
Critical thinking, Problem solving, Self-awareness, Communication, Teamwork and working effectively with others, Information literacy (research skills), Digital literacy, Professionalism, Organisational awareness
Study time
| Type | Required |
|---|---|
| Lectures | 8 sessions of 1 hour (5%) |
| Seminars | 22 sessions of 1 hour (15%) |
| Online learning (independent) | 20 sessions of 1 hour (13%) |
| Private study | 40 hours (27%) |
| Assessment | 60 hours (40%) |
| Total | 150 hours |
Private study description
Private study will include preparing for lectures and seminars, reviewing lecture notes, and engaging with required readings and multimedia resources. Independent learning will be provided on Moodle, where students will find suggested readings, multimedia, and activities to enhance their understanding of the topic.
Costs
No further costs have been identified for this module.
You must pass all assessment components to pass the module.
Assessment group A5
| Weighting | Study time | Eligible for self-certification | |
|---|---|---|---|
Assessment component |
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| Individual Agile Portfolio | 60% | 36 hours | Yes (extension) |
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Students will compile a comprehensive portfolio that critically analyses and evaluates the implementation of agile methodologies throughout a consultancy project. Students must demonstrate their ability to apply analytical frameworks to real-world agile project experiences, critically evaluate methodologies in practice, and develop original, justified recommendations for improvement. |
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Reassessment component |
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| Individual Agile Case Study | No | ||
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A written analysis of a provided agile project case study, critically evaluating the suitability and effectiveness of methodologies employed and assessing how consultancy practices were integrated with agile principles to address business challenges. Students must identify and justify evidence-based process improvements with critical evaluation of project effectiveness. |
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Assessment component |
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| Group Agile Project Management | 40% | 24 hours | No |
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Teams will produce a professional report documenting their agile project management approach and deliverables. Peer Marking Process will be adopted in this assessment. |
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Reassessment component |
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| Individual Assessment | No | ||
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Students will develop an agile project plan for a provided team-based scenario, including key artifacts (user stories, sprint plan, team roles) and stakeholder engagement strategy. The submission must critically analyse how collaborative agile practices would be implemented and evaluate agile tools for effective team collaboration. |
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Feedback on assessment
Written feedback will be provided for assignments.
Courses
This module is Optional for:
- Year 1 of TWMS-H1S4 Postgraduate Taught e-Business Management (Full-time)