2024/25 Taught Postgraduate Module Catalogue

LUBS5971M Managing Digital Information Projects

15 creditsClass Size: 75

Module manager: Shahla Ghobadi
Email: S.Ghobadi@leeds.ac.uk

Taught: Semester 2 (Jan to Jun) View Timetable

Year running 2024/25

This module is not approved as an Elective

Objectives

Digital projects encompass a broad spectrum of endeavors, such as the creation of mobile applications, software and website development, and digital marketing campaigns. For instance, platforms like Airbnb, Uber, and Slack have revolutionised the hospitality, transportation, and collaboration industries, while open-source software projects like Linux have transformed the landscape of platform innovation. Understanding the management strategies behind these projects is crucial for navigating the rapidly evolving digital landscape and leveraging their potential for positive change.

This module offers students an understanding of how they can participate in the management of digital projects, which are multifaceted. The module provides a holistic picture by providing an overview of the foundational enablers of digital projects and then introduces project management methods such as structured and agile project management (e.g., Scrum) and discusses communication and risk management issues within agile projects. It also provides insights into contemporary phenomenon such as strategies for managing crowdfunded and digital activism projects for social change. The module expands students’ understanding of the growing complexity of digital projects in order to develop their in-depth thinking and practical insights. The course leverages industry case studies in which students work within and cross teams throughout the semester to develop analytical skills. Assignments and interactive cases give hands-on experience in analysing business cases and in developing approaches to managing digital projects. The assessment will encourage students to reflect on the taught material from Week 1 to Week 10 in a practical case study.

Learning outcomes
On successful completion of this module students should be able to:
1. Outline, in the Organisational Context, the Key Stages of the End-To-End Project Management Process from project selection to benefit realisation.

2. Critically assess, the ability of structured project management methodologies to deliver benefit for the organisations employing them. Examples and emphasis will focus on the Information Systems and information management field.

3. Critically assess the contribution that agile methodologies have made to the delivery of projects in the Information Systems and information management field.

Skills outcomes
The module empowers students with many skills around identifying and leveraging digital workforce, creating inclusive and engaging environments innovative digital projects, agile project management skills, and project management skills for crowdfunded projects. These skills provide a foundation for those wishing to go forward to expand their understanding and skills in the industry or those interested in research careers on any facets of digital projects.

Syllabus

The module is structured around two key blocks of content:

Week 1-2: Introduction and characteristics of digital projects

This block aims to provide an understanding of the foundational enablers of digital projects' success with a focus on macro-level industry factors and digital workforce.

Week 3-10: Emerging trends for managing digital projects

These lectures focus on emerging trends in managing digital projects with a focus on agile project management and available tools. Students learn about communication and risk management in these projects and learn about ways to explore stakeholder perceptions. They learn about the entrepreneurial aspect of digital projects exemplified in crowdfunded environments. Finally, they learn about campaign strategies that project managers can use to successfully mobilise the crowd for promoting social good in the context of digital activism projects.

Teaching methods

Delivery type	Number	Length hours	Student hours
Workshop	4	2.00	8.00
Lecture	10	2.00	20.00
Independent online learning hours			15.00
Private study hours			107.00
Total Contact hours			28.00
Total hours (100hr per 10 credits)			150.00

Private study

This could include a variety of activities, such as reading, watching videos, question practice and exam preparation.

Opportunities for Formative Feedback

Students take part in quizzes to check their understanding of IT projects and see the results and discuss them in the class ; Students take part in seminar activities and get feedback on their performance; Students have the opportunity to submit summary reviews overview summary of the coursework and receive written feedback.

Methods of assessment

Coursework

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

Resit for the module will be 100% by 3,000 word assignment.

Reading list

The reading list is available from the Library website

Last updated: 03/10/2024

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