UNIVERSITY OF CAMBRIDGE INTERNATIONAL EXAMINATIONS
Cambridge International Diploma in Project Management
Professional Level
Scheme of Work
5211
Project Identification and Appraisal
Core Module
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Suggested Scheme of Work, for Classroom Sessions and Guidance
Sessions
Course Introduction
The course introduction must provide the course participants with an understanding of the
concept of a competency based certification.
The introduction should emphasise that the main activity throughout the programme will be
the participants’ own individual project work which will also form the basis for their
certification. Course activities such as lectures and group work have the main purpose of
enabling the participants to manage their projects competently.
The course introduction should also give an overview of the time plan for lectures, the amount
of expected home work and dates for expected submission of drafts and final assignments for
examination. Furthermore, the principles for individual trainer support and other service
facilities should be explained.
In general, participants should be made aware of the work load in relation to the programme
and the conditions they work under.
A course introduction may be carried out prior to candidates’ registration and/or may be part
of the first session.
Unit One
Introduction
Unit One will give an overall understanding of the concept of projects, the project life cycle
and description of project purposes and goals. Furthermore, it will pinpoint the role and
functions of a Project Manager in order that candidates will be able to see themselves as
acting managers of their own project.
General Principles and Procedures
The programme will be a combination of presentations of theory and candidates’ application
of theory and knowledge to their own projects. In order that candidates will be able to make
progress in their certification project in line with the training programme it is important that
they choose projects with the following characteristics:
·
·
·
·
·
·
the candidate will act as manager of the project or part of it
the project should ideally be initiated about the same time as the course programme
the duration of the project should not be substantially longer that the course programme
the project should not be too large or very complex
the candidate must be responsible for a Project Team even if they are managing only part
of a project
there should be some kind of previous approval of the project from the home organisation
in order to avoid the possibility that the project will not be supported at a later stage
In order that candidates will be able to submit their assignments in relation to the programme,
the tutor should define deadlines for drafts and final assignments throughout the programme.
As candidates are not managing ‘training projects’ but projects from their work life, it will not
always be possible for them to follow time schedules for submission of assignments. They
will, to some extent, have to follow the life cycle of their projects and the tutor will need to be
flexible in this respect.
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The tutor should establish a procedure for giving feedback on drafts submitted by candidates,
and whether this should be given in plenary sessions, in groups, individually or in writing and
at what intervals. The tutor should also decide whether he will accept submission of drafts at
certain dates only or on a continuous base.
What is Assessed
The Student Assessment Record for the unit will confirm that the candidate has achieved
understanding and skills in relation to
·
·
identifying projects and their goals
identifying the qualities of a Project Manager
Assignment One Part One relates to Unit One and must demonstrate the candidate’s ability to
identify the individual project and its purpose, objectives, and expected results. Furthermore,
it should show that the candidate understands and accepts his role as manager of the project
and takes on responsibility for surveying stakeholders and the project environment.
Tutor Preparation Required
For each session of three and a half hours, the tutor should be prepared to do a presentation
of issues relevant to the stage of the candidates’ project work. Suggested further reading
about the relevant issues should be identified in order to help candidates gain a greater
theoretical understanding.
The programme suggests that candidates do some project related home work for each
session and present it for discussion in class. The tutor should be prepared to guide and
summarise discussions and to produce theoretic input on issues discussed. Furthermore, he
should point out weak and strong points in the project work presented in order to give
guidelines to the group.
It is important for the certification procedure that appropriate individual projects are identified.
In their preparation for the programme, candidates should have identified their individual
certification project and during the first few sessions the tutor must critically assess whether
the suggested projects will be suitable for the entire certification process. It can be useful to
have an assisting tutor for this purpose, preferably one with practical experience as a Project
Manager, as discussions, negotiations and counselling with individual candidates about this
can be quite time consuming.
Typically, candidates will suggest projects which are large and complex and thus the tutor
must assist in delimiting the part of the project which should be carried out in relation to the
course programme and certification. An initial phase or a sub-project can often be identified
as a project covering the full project cycle, depending on the perspective in which it is seen.
Computers to be used for Unit One should have word-processing and spreadsheet software.
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Unit One Project Identification and Analysis
Session One – Project Characteristics
Area of
Competence
1.0
3.0
5.3
4.0
Learning
Objectives
Define
characteristics
of projects
Teaching Activities
Introduce the concept of projects
Distinguish between day-to-day work and
projects by discussing examples
The concept of
a Project
Explain project life cycle
Manager
Introduce the balance of time, cost, quality
Discuss projects in relation to
organisational mission and strategies
Notes, comments and Online
exercises
Resources
1A
10
13
20
23
29
60
1B
61
1C
Notes
Candidates must identify their own
certification project and their role as
Project Manager
Group work
Discussion of candidates’ individual
projects and the delimitation of them
Home work
Produce an outline project statement for
certification project filling in available
information. Identify sources for
information not yet available
1D
Introduce the concepts of stakeholders and 1 E
stakeholder interests
Introduce syllabus guidelines for writing a
project statement
Syllabus
Introduction of Project Manager roles and
responsibilities
1F
Suggested Reading
Basics about projects
Objectives and goals
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Introduction to Logical Framework
Analysis
3
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Unit One Project Identification and Analysis
Session Two – Project Goals and Purposes
Area of
Competence
1.0
Learning
Teaching Activities
Objectives
Characteristics Candidates present some outline project
statements for discussion
of projects
Notes, comments and Online
exercises
Resources
Different levels Discuss priority of time, cost and quality in
relation to selected candidates’ drafts
of purposes
and objectives
Outline the project cycle in relation to
selected students’ projects
Defining
overall
Introduction of the Logical Framework
objective,
Analysis method
operational
objectives and
expected
results in
relation to the
purpose of a
specific project
1C
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30
31
32
33
34
3.0
2.0
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1B
Notes
Group work
Candidates must prioritise time, cost and
quality in their own projects. They shall
probably need to consult their home
organisation/sponsor on this
Candidates must apply the project life
cycle phases to their own project
Home work
Identify expected achievements
(outcome statements) of each of the six
stages of the project life cycle in the
individual project
1G
Suggested reading
Scenarios
4
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Unit One Project Identification and Analysis
Session Three – Project Objectives and Results
Area of
Competence
2.0
3.0
Learning
Objectives
Definition and
phrasing of
operational
objectives/
outcome
statements
Definition of
project
deliverables/
results
Definition of
success
criteria for
project results
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Teaching Activities
Notes, comments and Online
exercises
Resources
Candidates present project life cycle and
outcome statements for their specific
projects
24
Specifications of a project statement are
repeated and sources for project
identification information are discussed
Tutor presentation of overall objectives,
purposes, outcome statements and
operational objectives for projects
1H
Presentation of deliverables with success
criteria in relation to objectives
1I
Link from project purposes to operational
objectives and deliverables is explained
1H
Guidelines for good layouts of written
presentation should be introduced
1J
Notes
Group work
Discuss the validity and possible
improvements of candidates’ project
statements, application of project life
cycle and definition of goals.
Group work/Home work
Identify at least ten operational objectives
in the individual project
Prepare draft project statement and
operational objectives for Assignment 1
5
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Unit One Project Identification and Analysis
Additional Session
The understanding of basic project issues and the identification of Operational Objectives play a pivotal role in the candidates’ work with their projects. Unless
this is taken care of thoroughly and carefully at an initial stage, the following work will be very difficult to handle.
An additional session at this stage of the programme could focus on individual guidance of candidates in relation to their Project Statement and definition of
Operational Objectives.
In order to conduct effective individual guidance the tutor should encourage candidates to consider where they have difficulties prior to the guidance session.
During the session the tutor should gain an impression of the candidate’s general level of understanding as well as of the substance of the work with the
individual project for certification.
If, at this stage in the programme, permanent study groups have not yet been formed, the candidates should be encouraged to form groups of three to five
members, for example, with the purpose of using each other for discussions and exchange of ideas, experience etc. Such groups can prove valuable throughout
a training programme.
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Unit One Project Identification and Analysis
Session Four – Projects in Relation to Organisations
Area of
Competence
2.0
4.0
Learning
Objectives
Organisational
placement of the
project in the
organisation
Teaching Activities
Notes, comments and Online
exercises
Resources
The Project
Manager - roles,
responsibilities,
personality,
skills
Placements of projects in or in relation to
an organisation is illustrated (internal,
external, departmental, cross-cutting
departments or hierarchic structure of
organisation)
Identify
resources and
suppliers
1F
Tutor presents and initiates discussion
about Project Manager qualities and
roles.
The issue was introduced in session one
and is now discussed further with the
purpose of candidates’ personified view
on the PM role
Candidates present home work on
operational objectives for discussion.
This can be in a plenary session or in
groups
Discuss the identification of skills and
resources needed in a project such as
key staff and main suppliers
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45
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Group work
Discuss and identify own role and range
of responsibility in the project
Home work
Prepare a draft version of the first part of
Assignment One, including project
statement, project life cycle and
outcomes, operational objectives,
deliverables and information about
stakeholders and suppliers.
Discuss with home organisation
1K
Suggested reading
Risk analysis
1L
Discuss the Student Assessment Record
for Unit One with each candidate
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Notes
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Unit One Project Identification and Analysis
Additional Session
An additional session or individual consultations in relation to preparing Assignment One, Part One, can be useful at this point in the programme. Usually there
will be a need to focus on the relations between Operational Objectives , Deliverables and Success Criteria.
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Unit Two
Introduction
Unit Two focuses on two important aspects in appraisal of an identified project idea:
a risk assessment in relation to achieving the project purpose and objectives and
development of an outline project budget including a contingency budget to cater for identified
risks.
General Principles and Procedures
Candidates working in established organisations with a tradition for running projects may
have organisational procedures to adhere to when assessing project related risks, general
viability of a project and when taking care of Health and Safety issues. They may also have
specific procedures and models for budget estimates. The tutor should introduce generally
useful methods and models but should also let candidates contribute with models and ideas
from their organisation.
In relation to writing the assignment sections on risks, budgets and Health and Safety
precautions candidates should use methods which they find relevant to their project or which
are required in their organisation.
What is Assessed
The Student Assessment Record for the unit will confirm that the candidate has achieved
understanding and skills in relation to
·
·
·
identifying and managing risk
assessing the viability of a project
handling Health and Safety precautions
Assignment One Part Two relates to Unit Two and must demonstrate the candidate’s ability to
identify risks in relation to achievement of project objectives and to assess these in terms of
probability of occurrence and impact if occurring. Furthermore, a fall-back plan/contingency
plan to countermeasure identified risks and a cost estimation for this should be developed. A
project budget outline must also be presented. It should explain the type of budget, internal
company budget, external budget for a client, expenditure budget or income/cost budget. Any
relevant comments on budget constraints or other matters of concern should be applied.
Tutor Preparation Required
As was the case for Unit One, the tutor should be prepared to do a presentation of an issue
relevant to the stage of the candidates’ project work for each session of three and a half
hours. Suggested further reading about the issue should be identified.
Individual counseling may be needed specifically in relation to the handling of risks and
budgets and how candidates can introduce potentially new angles to these in the
organisation.
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Unit Two Project Appraisal and Assessment
Session Five – Project Risk
Area of
Learning Objectives
Competence
5.1
5.2
Teaching Activities
Identifying risks and
Presentation of the concept of risk as
uncertainty at various opposed to conditions
levels in a project
Identify conditions and risks from simple
everyday activities to illustrate differences
and to reach definitions
Relate risk to overall project objective,
project purpose and operational objectives
Notes,
comments
and
exercises
2A
15
16
25
Group work
Candidates discuss/produce a risk list for their
own project with focus on risks against
achieving operational objectives.
General conditions are singled out to be
included in the project planning
2B
Each risk is analysed as to whether it is
relevant, internal/external what the probability
and impact of occurrence are
Distinguish between project internal and
project external risks
Explain the difference between probability
and impact of risk
Introduce simple risk identification models
and calculation methods
Online
Notes
Resources
2C
Home work
Produce an outline list of risks against
achieving project purpose and operational
objectives for own project choosing relevant
models
Suggested reading
Risk management
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Unit Two Project Appraisal and Assessment
Session Six – Risk Management
Area of
Learning Objectives
Competence
Teaching Activities
5.2
Introduce contingency/fall-back plan and
secondary risk assessment. Relate
contingency/fall-back plans to sponsor
priorities and preferences
Assessing project
viability in relation to
risk
Risk assessment and
management
techniques
Contingency budget
Notes,
comments
and
exercises
2C
44
Notes
Group work
Work on risk analysis and preventive actions
2D
Candidates’ presentation of outline risk
definition
Discuss preventive action as included in the
project plans or described separately under
risks
Introduce contingency costs in relation to
risk analysis and secondary risk
Introduce and discuss management aspects 2 D
related to risk analysis, risk monitoring and
contingency/fall-back plans. Discuss aspects
of risks in relation to team member
competencies and to delegation of risk
related activities
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Resources
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Home work
Produce a table illustrating relevant risks
against achieving operational objectives in the
individual project supplemented by
explanations or reflections on probability and
occurrence of identified risks, possible
preventive actions, fall-back plans and
contingencies.
Suggested reading
Budgeting
Unit Two Project Appraisal and Assessment
Session Seven – Budget Estimates
Area of
Learning Objectives
Competence
Teaching Activities
5.4
Introduce the principle of budgets as
opposed to accounts
Establish budget
estimates
Notes,
comments
and
exercises
2E
Online
Notes
Resources
42
5.5
Explain characteristics of different kinds of
budgets, contract/clients’ budgets vs.
internal company budgets
Group work
Outline budget categories in individual projects
and estimate figures
Home work
Produce budget estimate including
contingency costs
Explain characteristics of project budgets
Introduce simple budget models
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Suggested reading
Health and Safety issues
Unit Two Project Appraisal and Assessment
Session Eight – Health and Safety Issues
Area of
Learning Objectives
Competence
Teaching Activities
5.6
Health and Safety related consequences of
the project
Risks in relation to
Health and Safety
issues
Health and Safety
precautions
Notes,
comments
and
exercises
2G
Health and Safety precautions in the project
Group work
Exchange knowledge about organisational
procedures for Health and Safety management
in home organisations
Introduce and discuss Health and Safety
aspects related to responsibilities, i.e.
management responsibilities of the Project
Team and responsibilities of the client
Home work
Produce a draft Assignment One Part Two
including Risk definition, Contingency plan,
Budget and Health and Safety issues
Discuss preventive actions
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Notes
Resources
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Units One and Two
Session Nine – Project Coherence
Area of
Learning Objectives
Competence
Teaching Activities
1.0 – 5.0
Ensure coherence and consistence in
identification of a project
Issues related to
project identification
and appraisal
Project
documentation as a
management tool
Introducing models for organising project
documentation in a project file. Discuss
accessibility issues and Project Team
contribution to the file
Notes,
comments
and
exercises
2H
Syllabus
Using an example project, illustrate the
relations between the organisation’s mission
statement and the project purpose, outcome
statements, operational objectives, results
and deliverables with success criteria.
1D
Then work backwards to show that
1H
achieved deliverables and results will fulfil
organisational objectives which again will
fulfil the project purpose and support the
organisation’s mission statement
Give guidelines for comprehensive and
coherent presentation of the individual
project in Assignment One
Discuss the Student Assessment Record for Syllabus
Unit Two with each candidate
Notes below
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Online
Notes
Resources
10
39
56
57
59
Group work
Candidates do the same exercise with their
own projects to ensure project coherence.
(1 H)
Home work
Produce final Assignment One for submission.
Suggested reading
Organisation theory
Unit Two Project Appraisal and Assessment
Additional Session
An additional session or individual consultations in relation to preparing the full Assignment One for submission can be useful at this point in the programme.
Focus should be on coherence in the contents of the assignment and the presentation of information. Candidates should pay attention to the fact that the
assessor of the assignment does not have any previous knowledge of the project or the candidate and the presentation should allow the reader to envisage the
specific project and the conditions for it.
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Guidelines for Writing Assignment One
Guidelines for writing Assignment One are given in the syllabus following Units One and Two.
These guidelines can be followed directly but candidates can choose to use their own format
as long as they cover the same issues.
The guidelines should be seen as minimum requirements and candidates should not limit
themselves to these. Additional information in relation to the life cycle of their project and a
possible Logical Framework Analysis can be included if it enhances the candidate’s work
method and competence in relation to the project.
In their assignments for examination, candidates should make sure that their presentation is
well arranged, sufficient and easily accessible in order that an external reader can easily
grasp the project idea and the position of the candidate in relation to the project.
Reading of an assignment is much easier if the candidate introduces himself by briefly stating
his relationship with the organisation in terms of title, experience, usual work functions and
point of entry in relation to the project in question. If, for example, identification and appraisal
of the project have already been done when the candidate enters the project as the Project
Manager, this should be stated. The candidate will still have to analyse and explain these
phases but should not pretend to have managed them as this will often create confusion. In
general, assignments which clearly explain the situation in which the candidate finds himself
in relation to the project and the management of it is more impressive, in terms of
demonstrating competence, than assignments which tend to be impersonal and dissociated
from the candidate.
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