module specification

The concept behind this module is that it provides an understanding of project management tools, techniques and responsibilities in order to run a project from initiation through to successful completion.  The impact of risk, and strategies for managing risk, are also considered.  The module uses case study material in order to allow students to formulate plans for the introduction of a computer-based system in a business environment, and to organise the deployment of such a system, including data migration, end-user training and help-desk support.  The module also considers the benefits of post-implementation review. (Coursework).

The aim of this module is to:

Give students knowledge of and experience in using the tools and techniques in order to manage an information systems project successfully from the initial stages to completion and handover to the client.

The major topics of study of this module are:
Project life cycle, and its relationship with the systems development life cycle
Project planning tools, techniques and methods
Risk analysis and management
Work breakdown structure and work allocation principles
Principles of team dynamics and communication
Team and meeting management
Reporting and presenting results
Installation of business information systems (planning for software installation, - the different options for software systems installation, data migration issues, user training, business process change and other human factors, the importance of establishing a policy for software installation)
Review of systems development projects (the post-implementation review; measuring the success of IT systems development projects, how IT strategy and the selection of IT development projects are derived from business strategy; assessing the value contributed by information systems to a business organisation, consideration of the key issues associated with IT systems development project failure)
The support and maintenance of business information systems (the nature of software faults and their diagnosis, software quality and maintainability, contractual issues (e.g. service level agreements), the "help desk" function; different models for the provision of software support, software systems used in the support of business information systems (e.g. CBT, on-line/remote fault-logging and diagnosis, expert/decision-support systems), modification requests and the resulting initiation of new development projects)

Formal lectures (1 hour per week) will be delivered covering key aspects of project management. Students will gain knowledge of the tools and techniques available for planning, monitoring and controlling projects during these lectures.  In order to reinforce the lecture material and offer students the opportunity to apply these techniques, there will be weekly tutorial sessions (1 hour) which will encourage students to work through exercises focussing on the topics covered in lectures as well as gaining formative feedback on the development of their project plans as part of the coursework assessment. To complete the assignment, students will work in teams to plan and report on the project based on the case study.

This module develops practical knowledge of planning a project through weekly workshop sessions (1 hour per week) designed to ensure that all students receive adequate hands-on experience of appropriate software. In addition students will spend time on directed, unsupervised learning for which an indication of relevant material (book chapters, journals and other publications) will be given. Students should also experiment with the software package and gain proficiency at using it.

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

The assessment method consists of three components: coursework 1 assignment (Interim Report) and coursework 2 assignment (Final Report).

Students will work in small teams to complete both coursework assignments, students will produce their own reports based on their team work and marked individually.

Students need to be assessed on their ability to absorb and apply theoretical material such as network diagrams and critical path analysis.  Additionally, students need to be assessed on their ability to demonstrate practical proficiency of a software environment.  The learning outcomes encompass both theoretical and practical aspects and the assessment strategy reflects both these elements.

The assessment strategy ensures that students can demonstrate practical knowledge that they will have acquired during workshop sessions, with the use of a practical coursework element which will include the use of appropriate software (e.g. MS Project, OpenProj).  The assessment strategy also allows students to demonstrate their knowledge of the wider subject area, e.g. risk analysis, team management, cost-benefit analysis, resource allocation and scheduling, system installation etc by means of the in class test.

Learning Manager Meetings: in order to pass this module, students must attend at least two meetings with their Learning Manager (one in Autumn and one in Spring) in order to reflect upon, discuss and plan their approach to learning and organisation of their study.

Beynon-Davies, P., 2002, Information Systems, Palgrave, ISBN 0-333-96390-3 [Core]
Burke, R. (2003 or subsequent editions) Project Management: Planning and Control Techniques, 4th edition. Wiley, Chichester.
Cadle J & Yeates D (2001) Project Management for Information Systems, 3rd Edition, Prentice-Hall. [Core]
Czegel, B., 1998, Running an Effective Help Desk, Wiley, ISBN 0-471-24816-9 Gray CF & Larson EW (2000) Project Management: The Managerial Process, McGraw-Hill (includes CD-ROM).
Hughes, B. & Cotterell, M. (2002), Software Project Management, 3rd edition, McGraw-Hill, Maidenhead.
Lockyer K & Gordon J (1996) Project Management and Project Network Techniques, 6th edition, Prentice-Hall, Harlow.
Maylor H (2003) Project Management, 3rd edition, Pearson Education, Harlow.
Meredith, J. R, & Mantel Jr, S. J., (2003), Project Management: A Managerial Approach, 5th edition, John Wiley & Sons, New York.
O’Connell, F. (2001) How to Run Successful Projects III: The Silver Bullet, Addison-Wesley, Harlow.
Posner K & Applegarth M (1998) The Project Management Pocketbook, Management Pocketbooks, Alresford.
Tourniaire, F. & Farrell, R., 1997, The Art of Software Support, Prentice Hall, ISBN 0-13-569450-7