MA5051 - Project Management (2023/24)
| Module specification | Module approved to run in 2023/24 | ||||||||||||||||
| Module title | Project Management | ||||||||||||||||
| Module level | Intermediate (05) | ||||||||||||||||
| Credit rating for module | 15 | ||||||||||||||||
| School | School of Computing and Digital Media | ||||||||||||||||
| Total study hours | 150 | ||||||||||||||||
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| Running in 2023/24(Please note that module timeslots are subject to change) |
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Module summary
This module introduces a selected range of Operational Research techniques that are commonly used for solving a variety of small to medium size problems, through the medium of spreadsheet and other suitable software. It also enables the student to investigate real-life problems of business and industrial problems of varied complexity.
Prior learning requirements
Successful completion of Level 4 or equivalent.
Syllabus
Preliminary Topics in Linear Programming and sensitivity analyses, Critical Path Analysis, Cost analysis, Resource allocation Project evaluation and review techniques. (LO1-2)
Features of selected spreadsheets and suitable software. (LO3)
Balance of independent study and scheduled teaching activity
Teaching methods will include a range of the following: tutor led seminar discussions, student led discussions, small group discussions and exercises, individual exercises, lectures given by tutor. The teaching methods will support the main aim of encouraging independent lifelong learning. Tutorials will be student centred using carefully graduated exercises to build up student's confidence and self-esteem and will also provide the opportunity for students to reinforce learning and demonstrate their skills and receive individual advice from their tutor.
Materials for learning are provided through an integrated learning environment (currently WebLearn).
Blended learning is incorporated by using online resources as a medium for communication (both peer and tutor-led) and will also provide additional materials to stimulate the student interest and broaden their horizons.
Students are expected to spend a substantial proportion of their study time on the group The tutorial sessions and workshops will provide an ideal setting for students to meet up with their group members on regular basis and carry out their discussions and investigations.
Learning outcomes
On successful completion of this module, students should be able to:
LO1 Understand the detailed technical nature of Critical Path Analysis.
LO2 Construct the constraints and the objective function for a linear programming, problem solve linear programming models using Excel’s Solver; understand the information provided in a sensitivity analysis.
LO3 Be able to prepare appropriate input data for software-based models, obtain numerical solutions, perform sensitivity analyses and interpret the outputs in the context of specific problems.
LO4 Be able to work effectively within a small group on a problem-solving activity and communicate the results in such a manner that a wider non-technical audience can understand.
Assessment strategy
The assessment consists of two elements interim reports (LO1,LO2) and a group coursework (LO1,LO4).
In the group coursework (LO1-LO4) students are expected to work in small group on a real-life-related problem taken from the literature.
Students will have an opportunity to demonstrate their skills in the following activities:
- Preliminary investigation concerning the problem in hand.
- Selecting a suitable method for solving the problem.
- Appreciating the limitation of the techniques and the impact of any simplifying assumptions on the validity of the solution.
- Gathering input data and using software for analyses.
- Contributing, as a team member, towards successful completion of the project and offering a critical evaluation of the work of the other team members.
- Interpreting the results and writing a comprehensive report.
Bibliography
Core Text:
Practical Management Science: (6th edition) By S. Albright (Author) Wayne Winston (Author), South-Western College Publishing,ISBN13:9781337406659, Release Date:2018-01-01
Recommended Reading:
Quantitative Techniques by Terry Lucey (Author) Publisher: Cengage Learning, 6 edition 2002
Search for books you can read online: