1. Project context and scope. The ICT project initiation phase and the project charter. Environmental analysis and stakeholder involvement. Agreeing goals and deliverables and establishing terms of reference. Identifying and analysing critical success factors. Negotiating for resources. Producing a project charter that is agreeable to all stakeholders.

2. Project management tools. Choosing and using a project management package (e.g. MS Project). Overcoming the problems of integrating a project management package into a typical organisation. Producing project reports and maintaining the project plan.

3. Project framework. Work breakdown structures and outlines. delegation, team building and human resource factors. Task contracts and resource allocation. Organising and motivating the project team. Setting up a project in a project management package.

4. Project estimating. Evaluation and choice of estimating method. Manipulating effort and duration. Ways of overcoming estimating problems and improving estimating accuracy. Interpreting resource data in a project management package.

5. Project scheduling. Producing and issuing a baseline plan. Entering schedule data into a project management package. Use of bar charts, resource histograms and precedence networks. Adjusting the plan and manipulating resource and tasks. Scheduling 'non linear' project models (e.g. RAD, web site and prototyping projects).

6. Project management processes. Risk, change and quality management policies. Project management methods (e.g. PRINCE2, PMBOK), documentation and reporting standards. Risk analysis and contingency planning. Monitoring risk and change in the project plan.

None

Essential text:

Managing Information technology Projects, Graham McLeod and Derek Smith, 1996 Thompson International , ISBN 0-7600-4944-0 (Available as a Staffordshire University E-book)

The following are not essential texts but will provide useful background reading:
- How to Run Successful Projects III: The Silver Bullet. O'Connell, F., 2002, Addison Wesley, ISBN-10: 0201748061, ISBN-13: 978-0201748062

- (This text provides the basis for the study and application of ITPM techniques).

Managing Successful Projects with PRINCE2. CCTA (2002) The Stationary Office Books
- A Guide to the Project Management Body of Knowledge Cleland D. (2001) PMI. ISBN 0113308914

- (These texts include two PM methods that are found in industry, making an knowledgeable evaluation and comparison possible in an ICT environment).

It sounded Good When we Started: a Project Manager's Guide to Working with People on Projects., Phillips, D. and O'Bryan, R., 2003, John Wiley and Sons Inc, ISBN 0471485861

(This text examines the human factors of PM and the role of people in projects).

Microsoft Press International, Chatfield, C., 2003, ISBN 0735619557

(This text provides a systematic basic introductory tutorial to a common PM package).

An on-line Module Work Book will be provided which will guide students through a series of tasks which will give structure to independent academic research, work based investigation and practical work based learning.

Independent Academic Research
Students will be expected to undertake around 50 hours of independent academic study during the course of the module. This will be guided by a series of academic tasks such as producing research reports, working through case studies etc and will require access to academic resources.

Work-based Component
Students will need to spend circa 50 hours over the course of the module undertaking their work-based tasks. This will include investigation of how aspects of the academic learning apply to the workplace and development of new skills. Students will have access to a workplace based mentor while it is prescriptive, Mentors will usually devote around 5 hours in total to their mentees on a one to one basis or in groups if possible. The time will be used to support the mentees in their completion of set tasks.

Academic contact time will be used to provide academic support for student learning on an ad-hoc basis via the VLE. Students will be put into study groups (4 students) where possible and there will typically be 8 scheduled 15 minute sessions for each group of up to 4 students.

1 hour of Academic Contact time will be used for two individual 30 minute formative reviews. Where necessary, reviews will be conducted virtually using appropriate tools. Employer Feedback Forms will be completed by the work-based mentor and Self assessment forms will be completed by the student. These will inform the reviews.

A report weighted at 100%. Addressing all learning outcomes

A Coursework Assignment 100% approximately 3,000 words.
A technical business report based on a case study taking about 50 hours to produce.

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