This module develops knowledge and understanding of the resourcing of projects. It will consider aspects of project budgeting, the management of a risk register, types and requirements for governance, the stage-gate process, different options for project management software, business case analysis and formation, strategy, quality and legal assurance management. The module includes use of project management simulation software that gives students experience of the resourcing of projects and provides performance data to use when evaluating a project's completion.
On successful completion of the module, students will be able to:
The teaching and learning strategy for this module is based around the challenge of executing project plans through the appropriate scheduling of tasks, people and budgets. Lectures that examine a range of control and evaluation approaches and techniques will be given and then followed by student focused group work that will provide students with the opportunity to practise completing the control and execution tasks and to create a platform to discuss the challenges of implementation. These will take place in seminars using case studies, project assessment evaluations, business case projects and a simulation.
The simulation is experienced through software that enables students to make decisions about the organisation of a project, react to emerging events and optimise the allocation of resources. Students manage virtual teams to deliver a project making weekly decisions and interpreting the results. This provides important feedback on decisions made enabling reflection and analysis to take place in a virtual project experience.
Students will respond to a project brief to create a business case for a project that analyses the risks and benefits of a project idea. Students will collaborate to create a robust case that sets out stakeholder benefits and risks, target audience and probably market reaction.
The module will make use of a Virtual Learning Environment (VLE) Canvas for communication and dissemination of information between students and staff as well as making online learning materials available to all.
All courses based in the Kingston School of Art offer students free access to the online video tutorial platform Lynda.com. This provides a wide range of subjects to choose from, many with downloadable exercise files, including software tutorials covering photography, graphics, web design, audio and music, CAD and Microsoft Office software, as well as courses on Business and Management skills. Some of these are embedded in the curriculum and offer additional self-paced learning, others may be taken at will by students wishing to broaden their employability skills in other areas.
| Definitive UNISTATS Category | Indicative Description | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Scheduled learning and teaching | Lectures, seminars, and case study workshops. | 44 |
| Guided independent study | Simulation software game, reading and coursework preparation. | 256 |
| Total (number of credits x 10) | 300 | |
Assessment follows the principle of theory in practice/application.
Feedforward will take place weekly during tutorial sessions on the simulation results following the passing of each decision deadline. These will give you direction on what aspects of your performance you need to work on to achieve a higher level of competence.
Two items of summatively assessed coursework offer the students the opportunity to demonstrate their achievements of the learning outcomes.
| Learning Outcome | Assessment Strategy |
|---|---|
| Examine and construct a business case for a project | Business case report (3,000 words) |
| Identify and determine appropriate risk management processes | Business case report (3,000 words) |
| Demonstrate an understanding of scheduling, budgeting and user acceptance criteria | 30-minute presentation following completion of the simulation |
| Apply knowledge of project review and evaluation approaches | 30-minute presentation following completion of the simulation |
| Description of Assessment | Definitive UNISTATS Categories | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
| 30-minute presentation following completion of the simulation (including 10 minutes Q&A) | Practical exam | 50% |
| Business case report (3,000 words) | Coursework | 50% |
| Total (to equal 100%) | 100% | |
It is NOT a requirement that any element of assessment is passed separately in order to achieve an overall pass for the module.
Works cited are for initial reference only. Module leaders will further enhance and focus it depending on project and assessment tasks.
Nokes, S., and Kelly, S. (2007). The Definitive Guide to Project Management: the fast track to getting the job done on time and on budget. FT. Prentice-Hall. London: FT series
HBR Guide to Project Management (2012): Motivate your team, avoid scope creep, deliver results. Boston, MA: Harvard Business Review Press.
Barrows, E., and Neely, A. (2012). Managing projects in turbulent times. Harvard Business review, Feb
Day, G.S. (2007) Is it real? Can we win? Is it worth doing? Managing risk and reward in an innovation portfolio. Harvard Business Review, Dec.
Gander, J. (2017). Strategic Analysis: A creative and cultural industries perspective. London: Routledge.
Laufer, A., Hoffman, E.J., Russell, J.S. and Cameron, W.S. (2015). What successful project managers do. MIT Sloan Management Review. Vol 43.
Pinto, J. (2016). Project Management: Achieving competitive advantage. Pearson.
Wheelwright, S.C. and Clark, K.B. (2003). Project Management: The view from 30,000 feet. Harvard Business Review: On Point. Sept.