2024/25 Taught Postgraduate Module Catalogue

CIVE5172M Project Management Tools and Techniques

15 creditsClass Size: 140

Module manager: Dr William Collinge
Email: w.h.collinge@leeds.ac.uk

Taught: Semester 1 (Sep to Jan) View Timetable

Year running 2024/25

Pre-requisite qualifications

A bachelor degree with a 2:1 (hons) or equivalent in civil engineering or a related subject.

This module is not approved as an Elective

Module summary

Project management tools and techniques are critical to effective project delivery. This module provides reflective understanding of tools and techniques for both engineering project and construction project management contexts. The module examines tools and techniques which are intrinsically linked to delivery of economic, social and environmental outcomes on projects, being used for a variety of project work tasks, including Planning and Control, Quality Management, Budgeting and Cost Control, Risk Management, Planning and Stakeholder/Communication Management.

Objectives

The module aim is to provide a comprehensive review and understanding of project management tools and techniques used in engineering and construction project management work, including their use, operation and functionality. Module content and learning activities are aligned to this overall aim, with objectives addressing key issues of significance.

The module will explore how tools and techniques in project management are evolving and innovating in relation to digitalisation and industry drivers for change (e.g. sustainability, digitalisation, etc.).

Module content will relate tools and techniques to practitioner and project management professional boundaries and skill sets, recognising their role to both constrain and effect change. Students will relate tools and techniques to the complexities of work throughout the construction and engineering project lifecycle, including design, delivery and execution processes of organisations (i.e. communication; resource management; work scheduling of work; health and safety, etc.). Additionally, the module will provide students with practical and theoretical/conceptual understandings of project management tools and techniques.

Learning outcomes
On successful completion of the module students will have demonstrated the following learning outcomes:
1. Understanding of the critical role of project management tools and techniques for the effective delivery of work on construction and engineering projects and the rationale for their use. (CIOB Learning Outcome F)
2. Evaluating and differentiating a wide range of operations, models, practice methodologies (processes, heuristics, tools, techniques) and their application in construction/engineering project management today. (CIOB Learning Outcome F, J)
3. Evaluation and understanding of the digitalisation process in relation to project management tools and techniques and their connection to industry drivers for change. (CIOB Learning Outcome K)
4. Ability to evaluate and analyse the opportunities and challenges concerning the use of construction and engineering project management tools and techniques. (CIOB Learning Outcome J, K)
5. Understanding of project management tools from both practical and theoretical perspectives, including those used for budgeting and cost control, decision making and risk management, integrated planning, stakeholder engagement and communication tools. (CIOB Learning Outcome F, J) (APM Budgeting and cost control TK1.1, TK1.2; Integrated Planning: TK1.1, TK1.2; Stakeholder Engagement and Communication Management: TK1.2, TK1.3)
6. Analyse and evaluate how tools and techniques relate to practitioner work duties and project management professional boundaries, skill sets, and their role to both constrain and effect change. (CIOB Learning Outcome F)
7. Ability to critically evaluate the relationship between tools and techniques and decision making, project management, reporting and governance. (CIOB Learning Outcome F) (APM Budgeting and cost control TK1.3, TK1.5)
8. Appraise the appropriateness of digital tools in relation to project management processes and their limitations. (CIOB Learning Outcome F)

Skills learning outcomes
On successful completion of the module students will have demonstrated the following skills:

1. The ability to synthesize knowledge and express an understanding of project management tools and techniques in practical and theoretical terms.
2. The ability to critically reflect on the use and evolution of tools and techniques in project management work.
3. The ability to use digital technology and techniques to complete module learning tasks.
4. The ability to communicate and collaborate constructively and professionally with peers using digital tools and networks in order to share ideas, to produce research, materials and resources, and to engage in online dialogue and debate.
5. The ability to work and learn independently without close supervision.
6. The ability to use a range of skills to work effectively in a team.
7. The ability to review and manage project management work processes through use of various tools and techniques used in projects.
8. The ability to relate project management tools and techniques to industry drivers for change (e.g. sustainability, digitalisation).
9. The ability to understand tools and techniques from project management systems thinking perspectives
10. The ability to understand project management tools and techniques from human enterprise perspectives, including digitalisation and innovation creation perspectives.

Syllabus

Syllabus:
1. Operations, models and practice methodologies (processes, heuristics, tools, techniques).
* Role of tools and techniques in project planning, budgeting and cost control, stakeholder management and communication management.
* Models – review and critique of commonly used models in PM work (e.g. Situational leadership models; Communication models; Motivation models; Change models; Complexity models; Project Team development models; Conflict models – see PM Bok 2021).
* Tools and Techniques (e.g. Benchmarking, Risk registers, Meetings, Events, Modelling, etc.)
* Artifacts – Strategy artifacts (e.g. project brief, others); Logs and Registers; Plans; Hierarchy Charts; Baselines; Visual data and Information; Reports; Agreements and Contracts.

2. Practical and Theoretical understandings
* Practical understandings – tools/techniques for efficient and effective management of projects (e.g. Quality, Cost, Planning, Value and Stakeholder management tools/techniques); Management drivers on projects.
* Theoretical understandings – tool/technique analysis (e.g. stakeholder matrix; risk management techniques)
* Practitioner and organisation relationships with project tools/techniques – professional boundaries & skill sets; organisational value and change; how tools/techniques constrain and effect change.

3. Sustainability
* How tools and techniques are engaging with sustainability issues in project management
* Lean manufacturing tools and techniques

4. Digitalisation
* drivers for change (government; industry)
* digitalisation and project management tool/techniques (data, technologies)
* BIM (building information modelling)
* Case studies of PM tools and techniques in transition:
* Health and safety in construction (BIM risk library project)

Methods of Assessment

We are currently refreshing our modules to make sure students have the best possible experience. Full assessment details for this module are not available before the start of the academic year, at which time details of the assessment(s) will be provided.

Assessment for this module will consist of;

2 x Coursework

Teaching methods

Delivery type	Number	Length hours	Student hours
Lectures	1	1.00	1.00
Lectures	10	2.00	20.00
seminars	8	2.00	16.00
Independent online learning hours			53.00
Private study hours			60.00
Total Contact hours			37.00
Total hours (100hr per 10 credits)			150.00

Opportunities for Formative Feedback

Formative feedback will be provided on the module coursework assignments:

Formative feedback on the team report, during a dedicated seminar following submission of draft report: general comments on the ideas outlined in the draft.

Formative feedback on the individual assignment, through an individual meeting with teaching staff.

Reading list

The reading list is available from the Library website

Last updated: 20/11/2024 14:27:45

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