module specification

This module is offered as a 20-credit option module on the Postgraduate Scheme.
Increasingly managers at all levels of an organisation are required to manage projects, temporary endeavours undertaken to create a unique product or service. The module introduces the use of the Association of Project Management Body of Knowledge (APMBOK), https://www.apm.org.uk/body-of-knowledge/  - and therefore prepares students in the capabilities required for effective project management: managing resources, time, people, and the project as a whole. The module includes both the use of computer programmes for project management and approaches to managing people and teams.

Project management is a well-established practice that sits across many industries and disciplines. Much internal business development is project based and so having these skills is certainly advantageous for students.

Aims of the module:

The module will equip the student with an understanding of the complexities of managing projects in an uncertain world. The student will become familiar with the project business case, the detailed planning and the use of ‘WBS’ and the ’OBS’, resources issues and their management, the timeline, budgeting and cash flow, risk and uncertainty, issues concerning multiple projects as well as the eventual monitoring and control of the project through methods of tracking and monitoring. The student will study methods of managing people in the project with appropriate models of leadership, team behaviours and motivation and methods of conflict management and/or resolution.

Introduction to Project Management - purpose, concepts and conventions. LO1

Start your plan, recurring tasks, outline, indent, milestones, types of links, lags and leads, splitting tasks and adding constraints. Adding resources: the resource list, types of fixed cost, resource usage view, understanding and using effort driven scheduling. LO1,LO2

Resource Management and crashing; resolving clashes, using the Gantt chart, crashing with cost benefit. LO1,LO2

More control over resources: changes in pay or costs through the life of the project, different rates of pay, overtime and types and uses of calendars. Multinational and MultiEthnic projects. LO1,LO2

Tracking/Monitoring, Baseline, Variances, Different views, reports and filters. LO1,LO2

Control of multiple projects and the common resource pool. Links to other packages. Handling uncertainty in activity durations. Theoretical basis for project management and its limitations. Quality Issues in PM. LO1,LO2

Project Management and its organisational context. The dynamics of project management. Teams and team building. Leadership, motivation and control. LO2

The learning and teaching strategy for this module enables students to gain a
critical understanding of the nature and purpose project management
and gain practical experience. This will enable them to make informed,
context-driven decisions when faced with complex management problems
in their workplaces

Collaborative, active learning will be encouraged, with high levels of student involvement aiming to depth and breadth of learning and reflective skills.
Critical evaluation of a range project management issues is given in the lectures, seminar discussion, and suggested readings. In addition, students participate in group work activity both prior to and in seminars and, specialist workshops
introduce them to study resources and information technology that may support
their studies. Students will also be encouraged to actively participate in
opportunities to attend lectures, events and visits both within the university
and in the wider business.

These elements combine to underpin reading and discussion so
encouraging students to develop their knowledge and conduct their own
analysis and synthesis of research material, and to write a research proposal
in their specialist field.

Active student involvement in the learning process is an integral part of the
delivery of this module.  Attendance at all sessions is required as the module is cumulative and progressive.  Outside of class contact, students learn through assignment work, reading and private study.

Digital literacy development

The learning,  teaching and assessment strategy for this module will enable
students to develop their capabilities in digital literacy and information handling appropriate to professional/master’s level study as outlined in the Open
University Digital and Information Literacy Framework (DILF: available to view at http://www.open.ac.uk/libraryservices/pages/dilframework  )

On successful completion of this module students will be able to:

1. To manage the life cycle of project planning, control and monitoring processes using Microsoft Project or similar software on a live case study. 

2. Evaluate and apply models of control, motivation and leadership to project management and evaluate and assess the theory behind project management.  Set goals, scope, priorities and procedures for the management of projects including consideration of the limitations of the business case.

The module will be assessed via two coursework assignments, weighted at 50% each and pass on aggregate. The first concentrating on the use of software tools in project management (which principally assesses learning outcome 1). The second on team management issues relating to project management (which principally assesses learning outcome 2).

Both assignments will be constructed so that students will be able to use either examples from their workplace, if suitable, or case studies provided.

Textbooks:
Core Text:
Maylor, H, 2010 Project Management, Financial Times/ Prentice Hall, 4th Revised Media edition (includes MS Project CD, 60 days personal use); ISBN-10: 027370432X  ISBN-13: 978-0273704324  (Note: The new 5th Edition from Pearson is due out on Jan 2018 - ISBN-10: 1292088435, ISBN-13: 978-1292088433)
Other Texts:
Kerzner, H, 2017: Project Management: A Systems Approach to Planning, Scheduling, and Controlling, John Wiley & Sons; ISBN-10: 1119165350, ISBN-13: 978-1119165354, 12th Edition
D Lock and R Wagner, 2016: Gower Handbook of Programme Management, Routledge; ISBN-10: 1472445775, ISBN-13: 978-1472445773
Marchewka, J, 2015: Information Technology Project Management: Providing Measurable Organizational Value, John Wiley & Sons; 5th Revised edition; ISBN-10: 1118911016, ISBN-13: 978-1118911013
Meredith, Jack R., 2015: Project Management - A Managerial Approach, John Wiley and Sons Ltd, 9th Ed (older editions included MS Project CD for personal use, 60 days); ISBN-10: 1118945832, ISBN-13: 978-1118945834
Snyder, C, C, 2016: Project 2016 for Dummies, John Wiley and Sons Ltd; ISBN-10: 1119224519, ISBN-13: 978-1119224518

Journals:
Through your library username/password required
Harvard business manager from 01/10/2001 to present in Nexis UK
Harvard business review from 01/10/1922 to present in Business Source Premier

Websites:
Project Management Today http://www.pmtoday.co.uk
Project Management Institute http://www.pmi.org   for APMBOK
Association for PM  http://www.apm.org.uk
International PM Journal http://www.journals.elsevier.com/international-journal-of-project-management/ 
Prince2, government source https://gds.blog.gov.uk/tag/prince2/

Other:
For information on and trail copy of MS Project Pro for Office 365:
https://products.office.com/en-us/Project/project-pro-for-office-365

Lecture notes, module booklet, etc are pdf Word or Powerpoint files on WebLearn and/or on the student K: shared drive under the module code BA6052

This module is supported by WebLearn – students are advised to access the site on a regular basis, at least once a week.