This module will examine the issues involved in IT project and change management. It will consider a number of approaches, techniques, tools and standards to identify and inform good practice in the context of complex projects.
Topics covered will include:

Project management as a driver of change

Links to business strategy and business benefits

Development methodologies and project teams

Estimation, costing and resourcing

Governance, standards and legislation

Planning and monitoring activities

Risk and quality management

Documentation, communication, and reporting

Stakeholder analysis

The change management road map.

This module will support the development and assessment of the following Knowledge, Skills and Behaviours from the DTSS Apprenticeship Standard:

IT Project Management Specialist

Knowledge

PMK1 The characteristics of IT project management and how it drives change within organisations, through the organisational IT and systems strategy and its links to the business strategy. The importance of delivering business value via IT projects and how this is achieved.

PMK2 How to select appropriate modern software development methods for a variety of software projects including the processes, methodologies, tools, and standards to improve the cost, speed, and quality of solution development.

PMK3 How to analyse and manage the development processes/stages, quality control, delivery, and documentation/communication of large-scale software systems.

PMK4 How to apply estimation techniques for software solution development activities, and planning/tracking techniques to monitor progress of those activities in software development.

PMK5 How to communicate software solution milestones and progress updates with client stakeholders

PMK6 How to deliver the roadmap, governance and supporting processes for software solutions.

Skills

PMS1 Take responsibility for the evolution and development id software solutions for web, mobile and fixed platform solutions leading the scoping, sizing, and estimating efforts for assigned engagements

PMS2 Manage the demand planning, forecasting, budgeting, and supply planning for software solutions development delivery. Identify resources, assign responsibilities, and formulate work packages in accordance with organisational standards.

PMS3 Manage the work of the software development teams to ensure optimal resource utilisation and engagement ensuring that the evolution and development of the software solutions meets the software specification and client’s expectations.

PMS4 Ensure all delivery aspects adhere to an appropriate software development methodology (including Agile and Waterfall).

PMS5 Manage the solution roadmap communicating milestones providing status reports and progress updates to client stakeholders and managing documentation in accordance with the organisation’s standards

PMS6 Establish close and trusted relationships with clients, business stakeholders and software solutions teams to develop the roadmap, governance and supporting processes and successfully negotiate with clients on technical matters and manage client expectations.

Written Report – A written report in the format of a white paper evaluating approaches, tools and techniques involved in IT Project Management generally and in the context of a specific organisation reflecting on the use of these in the context of an ongoing project or making recommendations for an upcoming project

Learning Outcomes 1, 2, 3

Practical Assessment – A stakeholder analysis, communication plan and change management road map for an ongoing or upcoming project

Learning Outcomes 1, 4

Knowledge

PMK2 How to select appropriate modern software development methods for a variety of software projects including the processes, methodologies, tools, and standards to improve the cost, speed, and quality of solution development.

PMK3 How to analyse and manage the development processes/stages, quality control, delivery, and documentation/communication of large-scale software systems.

PMK4 How to apply estimation techniques for software solution development activities, and planning/tracking techniques to monitor progress of those activities in software development.

PMK5 How to communicate software solution milestones and progress updates with client stakeholders

PMK6 How to deliver the roadmap, governance and supporting processes for software solutions.

All teaching sessions will blend theory and practical learning. You will be introduced to curriculum concepts and ideas and will then be able to apply theory to practical examples.

You will be provided with a range of resources for independent study such as case studies, academic papers and industry stories. There will be a mixture of practical and theoretical formative (mock or practice) exercises which will help build your knowledge and confidence in preparation for summative (formal) assessment.

The module will be delivered through a Blended learning Approach, with a Module Launch, Guided Learning, Independent Learning and Individual Reviews:

Module Launch – 9 hours

There will be a module launch with 9 hours face to face contact which will provide details of the modules purpose, content and approach.

Guided Learning – 16 hours

There are a number of approached that may be used:

Weekly delivery - whilst there will be materials online there will be a series of webinars which will be content driven, these will either be 1 hour weekly or 2 hours on alternate weeks

Block delivery – a series of extended face to face sessions eg 4 x 4 hours

Individual Reviews – 2 hours

You will have 2 hours of tutorials sessions with your module tutor during the course of the module. In the main these will be individual but may be small group sessions during which your module tutor will be able to answer any queries that you have regarding module work.

Independent Learning – 173 hours

You will be required to complete activities in support of developing your learning and your assessment solutions, as an apprentice some of these hours are drawn from the experience and the development of knowledge and skills in the workplace.

As an apprentice you are constantly developing your Digital Skills as part of your substantial role, and this applies to the development of the knowledge for your modules too. In some cases, there will be a significant cross over between the module content and in others less so depending on the nature of your workplace duties, this will have a direct impact on to the number of Independent Learning required.

Understand the characteristics of, and be able to critically evaluate IT Project and change management practices in terms of delivering business value

Knowledge and Understanding

Systematically understand the concepts that underpin IT Project Management and be able to select and apply relevant tools and techniques in the analysis and management of development processes/stages, quality, and risk.

Knowledge and Understanding

Application

Critically evaluate approaches to governance, estimation, resourcing, and documentation in the context of software development and be able to select the most appropriate processes, methodologies, tools, and standards to improve the cost, speed, and quality of software solutions

Analysis,
Reflection

Identify and critically analyse stakeholders in order to develop appropriate processes for communication and change management

Knowledge and Understanding

Problem Solving Communication

Open source data analytics tools

All texts and electronic resources will be updated and refreshed on an annual basis and available for students via the online Study Links resource platform. All reference materials will be collated and curated and aligned to Equality, Diversity & Inclusion indicators.


AXELOS, A. (2020), Effective Project Management: The PRINCE2 method. TSO.

Brewer, J.L. & Dittman, K.C. (2013), Methods of IT project Management, 2nd edition, Purdue University Press, West Lafayette, Indiana.

Dennis, A., (2015) System Analysis and Design, 6th Edition, Wiley

Guide to the project management body of knowledge (PMBOK guide) and the standard for project management. Seventh Edition. (2021). Newtown Square, Pennsylvania: Project Management Institute.

Hughes, B., Hughes, B. and Ireland, R. (2019), Project management for IT-related projects. Third edition. Edited by B. Hughes. Swindon, UK: BCS Learning and Development.

Ready Set Agile, (2020), Become an Agile Project Manager: Beginner’s Guide to Mastering Agile Project Management with

Scrum, Kanban, Scrumban, Lean, Six Sigma, and Extreme Programming, Independently published

Siau, K. (2010), Systems analysis and design: people, processes, and projects, Armonk, NY : M.E. Sharpe, Inc.,

Tavani, H.T. (2013), Ethics and technology: controversies, questions, and strategies for ethical computing, 4th edition, Wiley, Hoboken, NJ.

Umer, W. (2020), Agile Scrum Crash Course: A Guide To Agile Project Management and Scrum Master Certification PSM 1, Independently published

You will develop an understanding of IT project and change management processes. You will critically evaluate different approaches to governance, estimation, resourcing, and documentation and methodologies, tools, and standards in the context of IT projects in order to improve the cost, speed, and quality of solution development.