POST GRADUATE MODULAR SCHEME

FUNDAMENTALS OF PROJECT
MANAGEMENT

BSOM071

MODULE GUIDE
February 2023
DESCRIPTION

Fast moving and dynamic developments within organizations means that

having a basic ‘toolkit’ of modern and de facto project management
techniques, with an emphasis on applying these, is a vital requirement for
project management students. This module develops students’
understanding of theoretical practices, practical tools and techniques, and
equips them to face the challenges facing project managers today.

LEARNING OUTCOMES

Module Learning Outcomes

In relation to the specialised area of study, students will, with
minimal / no guidance be able to:
Subject-Specific Knowledge, Understanding & Application
a) Compare, contrast and critically evaluate different theoretical
approaches to project and team management.
b) Assess and critically evaluate the key factors pertaining to best
practice in project management and evaluate their appropriateness in
the design and development of the project life cycle.
c) Interpret, analyse and apply appropriate methods and techniques
to develop and present a detailed plan for a given project.
d)  Diagnostically select and utilize a range of strategies and
technologies to cultivate and deploy best practice initiatives in the
handling of risk, quality, resources and time issues within the project
management processes.
Employability & Changemaker Skills
e) Communicate effectively and empathetically with specialist and non-
specialist audiences, demonstrating sensitivity to responsibilities within
a project team.
f) Critically reflect and analyse on own and group contributions to the
team and identify appropriate strategies for self and team
improvements.

INDICATIVE CONTENT:
Project management frameworks especially relating to industry standards
such as Prince2®; Prince2®Agile; PMBOK and APM BOK
Build a project plan with given cost and resource constraints
Assess the project management process including stakeholder analysis
and evaluation, constraints, inputs, investment appraisal, etc.
Essential background including: overview of the project management
lifecycle, an evaluation of the constraints, planning tools, project
requirements, and the work/product breakdown structure.
Estimating, network scheduling
Monitoring the project: time, cost and resource analysis.
ASSESSMENT STRUCTURE

Assessment Activity Learning Weighting

Outcomes (%)
Assessment
Code Assessment Deliverables
Type
AS1 Report Individual Reflection, a, e, f 40
including report of PM
methodologies, theories
and practices in team
work & group dynamics
(1600 words)
PJ1 Project A group project planning b, c, d, e 60
portfolio (individual
contributions dependent
on peer tasks 2400 words)
– The team will present
the final portfolio.

The assessment items listed above are graded and contribute to the
overall module grade (assessment of learning). In addition, there are
opportunities for formative assessment (assessment for learning), which
are ungraded, to support students in achieving the module learning
outcomes. These are NOT listed.

ASSESSMENT CRITERIA
Presentation of text and data that reflects taught postgraduate (level 7)
scholarship and rigour.

The coursework will be based on a case study whereby the students will
apply the principles of project planning/scheduling and control to a
realistic project scenario or work based project. The implementation of the
techniques learned via the project management software packages and
the critical assessment of the tools and techniques used are an essential
part of the assessment.

In addition, the student will be expected to:

 Research and structure debates based around relevant topics;

 Participate in activities designed to assist concept formulation and
critical skills;
 Identify and select literature to support argument and evaluation of
alternative approaches and claims within the selected topic area;
 Demonstrate awareness of the depth and breadth of argument
within selected topic areas;
 Apply and evaluate relevant models and techniques.

Staffing
This module will be delivered by an experienced team, including Tony
Bellott (Module Leader) Debbie Alexander- (Programme Leader) Sam
Alexander, Og Njoku, Saeed Nayeri and Chichi Ezenwa. The easiest way to
contact the tutors, outside of ‘classes’, is by email. Details are available in
the ‘Contacts’ environment of Nile.

Scheme of work
 Week
Week # Topics Student Activities
Commencing
Introduction to the
module. Why Project
Management.
1 (20) 06/02/2023 Assessment briefs. Learning Unit 1 Activities
Project Management Students completing Learning Unit 1
Fundamentals and Activity 1
2 (21) 13/02/2023 Frameworks Learning Unit 2 Activities
Students presenting Learning Unit 2
Agile Project Activity 1
3 (22) 20/02/2023 Management Learning Unit 3
Students presenting Learning Unit 3
Requirements - Activity 2
4 (23) 27/02/2023 Elicitation Techniques Learning Unit 4 activities
Project Planning -
WBS/PBS Gantt chart
and Network diagrams Students presenting Learning Unit 4
AS1 Assignment activity 1
5 (24) 06/03/2023 Support Learning Unit 5 Activities
Project costs and
Investment Appraisal
AS1 Assignment
6 (25) 13/03/2023 Support Learning Unit 6 Activities
Business Case and
Lessons Learned
AS1 Assignment AS1 submission, no later than Sunday
7 (26) 20/03/2023 Support 26 March 2023
PJ1 Assignment Students to show progress of
8 (27) 27/03/2023 Support assessments and feedback provided
9 (30) 17/04/2023 Risks

Communication and
10 (31) 24/04/2023 Quality
What to present for PJ1
and working in project Students working in project groups with
11 (32) 01/05/2023 groups tutor support
Students working in project groups with
12 (33) 08/05/2023 Working in groups tutor support
Students only need to attend their
presentation slot in these weeks.
PJ1 submission: presentations by
Sunday 14 May 2023. PID no later than
13 (34) 15/05/2023 Presentations for PJ1 Tuesday 30 May 2023.

14 (35) 22/05/2023