A written report (based either on their own organisational situation or on information provided in an issued case study/scenario) examining project management practices and leadership and management issues relating to a work based project (2000 words) (100 %) (Learning Outcomes 1 - 3 )

The necessity to effectively manage the development of new products and services is seen as an organisations life-blood. This module concentrates on the process, techniques and tools that are used by managers during this conceptual period to enable crisp and appropriate decision making.

The module firstly identifies typical models of projects, their organisational structure and the role of stakeholders. Progressing to a project brief, and how the project is defined in terms of key resources, and their subsequent control systems that will finally lead to the projects termination and successful handover. Wherever possible, computer based systems will form part of the toolkit used for the various stages of project analysis.

1. Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of project management principles including how to define the project
Knowledge & Understanding

2. Evaluate the strategies, and understand the constraints necessary when designing the project process.
Analysis

3. Apply basic problem solving techniques to deliver a project within the pre-defined resource base. Application
Problem Solving

This module uses the logical flow of the project lifecycle as a framework for exploring concepts and methods of planning, monitoring and implementing projects. Contact sessions will introduce core issues and techniques, and individual and collaborative tasks will explore their application.

The learning strategy for this module requires students to commit 150 learning hours (including assessment). This will include 24 hours of scheduled teaching and learning and 126 hours of independent and self-directed study.

Staffordshire University electronic resources and off-campus library facilities
Module website

MS Project or equivalent

FOR ARMED FORCES STUDENTS ONLY

Field, M., Keller, L., (2006) Project Management. The Open University, Thomson Learning

Mantel, S., Meredith, J.R., Shafer, S.M. and Sutton, M.M., (2011) Project Management in Practice (Fourth Edition), John Wiley and Sons

Maylor, H. (2011) Project Management (Fourth Edition), Pearson Education