Semester 2

Completion of the progress requirements of Level HE2

To provide students with:   ·         A broad view of communication theory and the value of communication   ·         An overview of the value of building the correct team for project delivery   ·         An understanding of the project life cycle   ·         An understanding of the methods used in project management e.g. Critical path analysis, Gantt chart   ·         Knowledge of the relevant standards for project management and how to used them to embed quality in a project

By the end of the module, students should be able to:   ·         Demonstrate an understanding of the key concepts of communication theory   ·         Understand group dynamics and able to interact and lead a group effectively   ·         Understand the nature and context of project management in various circumstances   ·         Apply and appraise appropriate project management and project planning techniques   ·         Understand technical content and apply project management quality standards

Module 1 – Leadership, Team Building and Communication

• Basic Communication theory
• Group Dynamics and Belbin Characteristics
• Types of Leadership
• The value of Communication in a Project

Module 2 – Project Definition and Project Stages

• What constituents a project
• The Project Lifecycle
• Work Breakdown Structure
• Cost and Time Control in a Budget
• Methods of Review in a Project

Module 3 – Project Planning

• Methods for project planning
• Risk Assessment and Risk Management in a Project
• Project Management Standard BS 6079

Module 4 – Planning and Managing Techniques

• Networking methods
• PERT analysis
• Calculations for Critical Path Analysis

Module 5 – Quality Assurance in Projects

• How to relate QA to the Project Management process

• BS 10006 standard

   

The module will be delivered by distance learning, with the use of a textbook and a workbook, and supported by email and ULearn feedback and discussions. Assessment will be by five fortnightly interim assignments (total 50%) and a final assignment (50%).

Essential Reading :   Communications and Project Management – Mary-Clare Bushell) provided in the Distance learning pack   Required Reading :   BS 6079-1         Project Management – Guide to Project Management, British Standards Institution publication   BS 6079-2         Project Management – Vocabulary, British Standards Institution publication.   BS 6079-3         Project Management – Guide to the management of business related project risk British Standards Institution publication   BS ISO 10006:2003    Quality Management Systems – Guidelines for Quality Management in Projects British Standards Institution publication   Recommended   Reading :   Juran (1980) Juran “Quality Planning and Analysis” 2nd Edn New York, McGraw-Hill Book Company 1980   “Mastering Communication” Nicky Stanton 3rd Edition, Macmillan1996   “Understanding Organisations” Charles Handy Penguin 1985   “The Essentials of Project Management”, Dennis Lock, Gower 1996   “Project Risk Management”, Chapman, Chris in Lock, Dennis (ed.), Gower   “Handbook of Project Management”, 2nd ed. Aldershot : Gower 1994   “Critical Path Analysis and other Project Network Techniques” Lockyer, Keith and Gordon Pitman 1995   “Risk Analysis in Project Management” J Raftery London SPON 1993   You may also find some web-sites helpful, for example   http://www.businessballs.com/project.htm   http://www.projectsmart.co.uk/methods-tools.html

30th September 2010