Unit information: Project Management in 2015/16

Unit name	Project Management
Unit code	EFIM20015
Credit points	20
Level of study	I/5
Teaching block(s)	Teaching Block 1 (weeks 1 - 12)
Unit director	Dr. McCormack
Open unit status	Not open
Pre-requisites	none
Co-requisites	none
School/department	School of Management - Business School
Faculty	Faculty of Social Sciences and Law

Description including Unit Aims

Project management had been adopted by a wide range of organisations in industry, commerce and management to help handle many, varied one-off activities, also known as projects. The problems involved in managing such activities have led to the development of project management as a specialised branch of management. As the use of projects has become more commonplace, this established discipline requires an introduction that allows students to critically examine concepts, theories and techniques to which they will be exposed in a managerial environment.

The main aims of the unit are to introduce the topic and help students to develop an understanding of the way projects arise, and are managed in organisations. Further aims are to show how effective project management contributes to organisational success and to encourage students to think critically about project management techniques. Rather than teach students basic techniques, the emphasis will be on critical reflection upon assumptions, techniques and procedures and a development of managerial thinking within a project environment.

Intended Learning Outcomes

On successful completion of this unit, students will be able to:

• Demonstrate understanding of the basic project management concepts and theories.
• Show how project management techniques are used in order to manage project outcomes.
• Critically examine common approaches to project management.
• Demonstrate how projects interact with the wider managerial environment.

Teaching Information

This unit will be presented with weekly lectures supported by small group seminars and directed learning through project work.

Assessment Information

80% Examination. 2 Hour exam. This will allow students to demonstrate the breadth of their understanding of the core concepts and topics of the subject, as well as their grasp of this material at the application layer of knowledge.

20% Group Assignment (approx 3000 words). The focus of the assignment will be on encouraging the students to apply theoretical project management concepts to a selected case. This will allow the students to demonstrate understanding of project management concepts through application to a case as well as allowing them to question, critically, the manner in which projects are managed to deliver outcomes and examine the role of projects within a wider managerial frame. It will also encourage them to engage in shared learning, team working, and application of core Project Management skills.

Reading and References

• Maylor, H. (2010) Project Management. 4th Edition. London: FT Prentice Hall.

• Nicholas, J. and Steyn, H. (2008) Project Management for Business, Engineering and Technology. 3rd Edition. Oxford: Elsevier.

• Boddy, D. (2002) Managing Projects: Building and Leading the Team. Harlow: Pearson.

• Andersen, E. (2008) Rethinking Project Management. Harlow: Pearson.

• Lock, D. (2007) Project Management. 9th Edition. Aldershot: Gower.

• Chapman, C. B. and Ward, S. (2002) Managing project risk and uncertainty: a constructively simple approach to decision making. Chichester: Wiley.