MODULE DESCRIPTOR
MSING001 – Project Management
Code:
Alt. Codes(s)
Title:
Level:
UCL credits/ECTS.
Start:
End:
Taught by:
MSING001
None
Project Management
M
15/6
September or January
June
Jane Britton
(Module Coordinator)
Matthew Whyndham
Kevin Kiernan
Prerequisites
None
Course Aims and Objectives
Aims
•
To define the concept of the project in relation to industrial and commercial organisations.
•
To introduce the needs, tools and the success/failure indicators for managing projects.
•
To exemplify project management by illustrative case studies and practical exercises.
•
To assist students in developing the skills, knowledge, attributes and behaviours of a project
manager.
Objectives
At the end of this course, students will be able to:
•
Define a project, its characteristics and the role of the project manager.
•
Identify the causes of project failure and suggest ways in which these can be overcome.
•
Demonstrate a divergent approach to problem-solving, through the analysis and presentation of
views on project problems / situations.
•
Explain the application of the theoretical frameworks within a project environment.
•
Produce a project plan.
•
Identify their own motivations, strengths and weaknesses as members of a project team.
Accreditation
The Association for Project Management (APM) has accredited the UCL Department of Management
Science and Innovation as a provider of courses in Project Management, and this course is aligned to the
APM’s Body of Knowledge (5th edition).
Method of Instruction
Lecture presentations.
Assessment
The course has the following assessment components:
•
One report: case study analysis (individual) 10%
•
One project planning assignment (team and individual) 40%
•
Written two hour examination (unseen) 50%
To pass this course, students must:
• submit work for ALL components and obtain an overall pass mark of 50% for all sections
combined
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Resources
Essential
• MSIN3001/M001/G001 Project Management Session Notes - set of notes relating to the issues
covered in each lecture, available on the course Moodle site.
• Project Management: Planning & Control (5th edition), Lester, Butterworth-Heinemann 2007,
ISBN 0-7506-6956-X
Additional Reading
•
BS6079-1: 2010. Project Management – Part 1: principles and guidelines for the management
of projects, BSI 2010
•
BS6079-2: Part 2: Vocabulary, BSI 2000
•
APM Body Of Knowledge (5th Edition), APM 2006, ISBN 1-903494-13-3
•
The Noah Project, Ralph A Kliem & Irwin S Ludin, 1993, ISBN 0-566-07469-9
•
Project Management (7th ed.), J. R. Meredith, S. J. Mantel, 2010, ISBN 978-0-470-40026-5
•
Project Management Leadership, R Burke and S Barron, 2007, ISBN 0-9582-833-5-9
•
The Project Workout (3rd ed.), R. Buttrick, 2005, ISBN0-273-68181-8
•
BS6079-3: Part 3: Guide to the Management of Business Related Project Risk, BSI 2000
•
BS ISO10006: 2003. Quality Management Systems - Guidelines for Quality in Project
Management, BSI 2003
Content
1 INTRODUCTION
2 THE PROJECT MANAGER AS PROJECT INITIATOR
2.1.Basing The Project On A Clear Need
2.2. Putting The Case
3 - THE SKILLS OF A PROJECT MANAGER
3.1. Managing People And Leadership Styles
3.2. Commercial Negotiation
3.3. Commercial Contracts
4 - PROJECT PLANNING, MONITORING AND EVALUATION
4.1. Planning
4.2. The Project In Context
4.3. Work Definition
4.4. Resources
4.5. Scheduling
4.6. Dealing with Risk
4.7. Project Monitoring And Control
4.8. Project Performance Measurement
4.9. Managing Complexity
Revision
More than one revision session are held, details on MOODLE.
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1
Learning Outcomes for MSING001 Project Management
General Learning Outcomes
Ability to develop, monitor & update a plan, to reflect a changing operating environment
The students are formally taught techniques for planning, scheduling, monitoring and control of
projects and are expected to be able to apply these techniques within a project environment including
that of their own projects.
Ability to monitor and adjust a personal program of work on an on-going basis, and to learn
independently
Students are expected to manage their program of study, learn independently or as a member of a
team in order to produce written coursework assignments to given deadlines
The ability to exercise initiative and personal responsibility, which may be as a team member or
leader
Students are expected to work as a member of a team in one of the assessed components of the
course
The ability to learn new theories, concepts and methods etc and apply these in unfamiliar
situations
Normal learning situation common to all degree programs
Specific Learning Outcomes
Underpinning science & Mathematics
A comprehensive understanding of the relevant scientific principles of the specialisation
The module provides an opportunity to students to develop an understanding of the theoretical
framework of project management.
A critical awareness of current problems and/or new insights much of which is at, or informed by,
the forefront of the specialisation.
N/A
An understanding of concepts relevant to the discipline, some from outside engineering, and the
ability to critically evaluate and apply them effectively.
Students are expected to develop an understanding of various project management concepts and
learn how to apply them effectively through illustrative case studies and assignments.
Engineering Analysis
Ability to use fundamental knowledge to investigate new and emerging technologies
N/A
Ability to apply appropriate models for solving problems in engineering and the ability to assess
the limitations of particular cases;
Some of the techniques learned in the course can be applied in engineering problems, e.g. to
economically evaluate engineering solutions or a certain type of technology.
The ability to collect and analyse research data and use appropriate engineering tools to tackle
unfamiliar problems, such as those with uncertain or incomplete data or specifications, by the
appropriate innovation, use or adaptation of engineering analytical methods.
N/A
1
EAB website http://www.engab.org.uk/documentation document Accreditation Of Masters Degrees Other Than MEng last
accessed 10 Aril 2012
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Design
The ability to apply original thought to the development of practical solutions for products,
systems, components or processes
N/A
Economic, Social and Environmental Context
Knowledge and understanding of management and business practices, and their limitations, and
how these may be applied appropriately, in the context of the particular specialisation
The course provides the students with an opportunity to develop knowledge and understanding of the
techniques, tools and skills required to effectively manage projects and their application in practical
situations through illustrative cases studies. applied in an engineering context. The module has been
accredited by the Association for Project Management (APM).
The ability to make general evaluations of risks through some understanding of the basis of such
risks
The students are expected to develop an understanding of the nature of risk and of the methods for
evaluating and dealing with risk in projects as part of the course.
Engineering Practice
A thorough understanding of current practice and its limitations, and some appreciation of likely
new developments
N/A
Advanced level knowledge and understanding of a wide range of engineering materials and
components
N/A
The ability to apply engineering techniques taking account of a range of commercial and industrial
constraints
N/A
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