2017/18 Taught Postgraduate Module Catalogue

LUBS5885M Management of Projects

15 creditsClass Size: 60

Module manager: Dr Alistair Norman
Email: an@lubs.leeds.ac.uk

Taught: 1 May to 31 July View Timetable

Year running 2017/18

Pre-requisite qualifications

Non-EMBA students taking the module must meet the entry requirements for the EMBA.

Module replaces

LUBS 5712M

This module is not approved as an Elective

Objectives

The module aims to highlight the contribution which structured methodologies can make to the project management process (PMM) in organizations as well as highlighting the complex and social nature of the environment within which such PMM are used.

The module covers the selection of projects aligned with strategy, the management of programmes and the management of projects for both project and project management success.

The assessment is by means of an essay which requires students to research issues with regard to the management of projects in an organisational setting and address these via the use of academic literature and industry sources and literature. The essay also requires a reflective piece of writing covering the process of research and the personal / organizational gains.

Learning outcomes
Knowledge outcomes:

Upon completion of this module students should be able to critically assess and discuss:

1). The contribution that structured project management methodologies (PMM) can make to businesses / organisations:
- at the strategic level (portfolio management),
- at the tactical level (programme management)
- at the individual project level (project management)

2).The key factors which impact on the ability of a given organisation to drive value out of PPM by the use of structured methodologies in line with industry best practice and academic research

3). Effective approaches to the management of the project process in a specific organisational context.

Skills outcomes:
Subject specific:
- critically analyse project management tools, methodologies and approaches in the context of a given organisational setting and apply to real life projects

Syllabus

The module is delivered over three days:

Day One – choosing projects which align with organisational strategy and managing for project success. Portfolio and Programme Management.

Day Two / Three delivering projects which have been agreed effectively – approaches, tools and methodologies. Project Management and Risk management

Day Three - ensuring projects deliver benefit. Project success as against project management success.
The module aims to address 3 key issues:
- The manner in which organisations select projects and align these choices with overall strategy
- The delivery of projects and groups of project to enhance project and project management success
- The delivery of benefit to organisations from using structured approaches to project management, also known as ‘managing by projects’

Broadly this covers the areas of Portfolio Management, Programme Management and Project Management.

Teaching methods

Delivery type	Number	Length hours	Student hours
Lectures	3	4.00	12.00
Seminar	3	4.00	12.00
Tutorial	1	1.00	1.00
Independent online learning hours			45.00
Private study hours			80.00
Total Contact hours			25.00
Total hours (100hr per 10 credits)			150.00

Private study

As this module is aimed at students on the Executive MBA program it is likely that there will be a significant range of experience and skill with regard to project management and project management methodologies. It is not, therefore, possible to be prescriptive about the exact nature of private study and independent learning but a set of resources will be made available (primarily via the module reading list) together with an indication of preparatory work prior to starting the module. As the module is delivered intensively there is little space for independent study during programme delivery but it is expected that students will undertake appropriate online learning (including researching academic and industry sources as well as industry specific practice) as well as private study in absorbing this material in order to apply this within the work context as required by the assessment for the module.

Opportunities for Formative Feedback

As the module is delivered over an intensive three days discussion will form a significant part of the delivery model and student progress will be monitored throughout this delivery stage. The assessment the module requires that the student chooses an industrial context and issue in order to research it and suggest appropriate change. Tutorial time has been allocated against this and it is intended that discussion would take place with the tutor both in order to agree context and to guide progress of coursework.
Summative assessment will be based on the coursework essay.

Methods of assessment

Coursework

Assessment type	Notes	% of formal assessment
Essay	3,000 word	100.00
Total percentage (Assessment Coursework)		100.00

Coursework will be based on the selection of a commercial context by students (typically their work context) and investigation of potential gains from the application of structured PMM in this context. This will require students to undertake some primary research in the context as well as secondary research of literature. This process of researching both context and potential solutions will be supported by individual tutorials during the coursework process – it is estimated that these will be on the order of 1 hour per student and take place either face to face or remotely (Skype for example). The resit for this module will be 100% by coursework

Reading list

The reading list is available from the Library website

Last updated: 19/12/2017

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