This module examines and covers the key methods and approaches of project management such as agile, scrum, waterfall, and critical path analysis. It will set out the stages of project management, how projects are established and governed and the fundamental principles of management and control such as exception based reporting, the staged organisation of progress and task completion and measurement processes. The different approaches to project management will be explored and the principle of tailoring project management to suit different contexts will be examined. This module will include AgilePM training delivered by a specialist trainer and the award of AgilePM Practitioner level certification on successful completion.
On successful completion of the module, students will be able to:
The teaching and learning strategy involves combining lectures to develop critical understanding of project methodology and principles with workshop and seminar activities to begin to develop judgement on how to apply the knowledge gained.
Examining implementation and context dependent nature of project management happens in two main ways. First the module content will be accompanied by case studies and situational problems designed to contextualise the students' learning experience. This is especially necessary as the course is aimed at equipping graduates with the understanding needed to be able to tailor the project management approach selected according to the type of project and the organisational context. Secondly the students will take and be examined in Agile project methodology delivered by a trainer accredited by the Agile Project Management Group International - the leading training provider for agile project methodology courses. This will provide students with a useful qualification but will also offer the opportunity to engage with the rigorous task based style of project management methodologies. The module will provide a valuable lesson in the rigours of project management and the requirement to be definitive in their judgements and decision-making.
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 workshop activities. Agile training sessions. | 44 24 |
Guided independent study | Reading, preparing for and producing work for assessment. | 232 |
Total (number of credits x 10) | 300 |
The assessment strategy focusses on the objective of developing informed decision makers.
Formative assessment enabling feed-forward to occur will be carried out mid-way through the module using a poster session and whole class feedback. This is an opportunity to reveal your thinking on the coursework task and receive feedback from tutors and your fellow course members that can help improve your submission.
There are two forms of summative assessment for this module.
Learning Outcome | Assessment Strategy |
---|---|
Demonstrate an understanding of the principles of project management. | 3,000-word essay |
Critically analyse the requirement to tailor a project management approach. | 3,000-word essay |
Identify common project management challenges. | 30-minute presentation (including 10 minutes Q&A) |
Define and apply the principles of Agile methodology to project situations | 30-minute presentation (including 10 minutes Q&A) |
Description of Assessment | Definitive UNISTATS Categories | Percentage |
---|---|---|
30-minute presentation (including 10 minutes Q&A) | Practical Exam | 50% |
3,000-word essay | 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.
http://agilemanifesto.org/
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
O'Connell, F. (2007). Fast Projects: Project Management When Time is Short. Harlow: Pearson
HBR (2016). Five critical roles in project management. Harvard Business Review, Nov.
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.
DeFillippi, R., and Arthur, M.B. (1998). Paradox in Project-Based Enterprise: The Case of Film Making. California Management Review, 40(2):125-139
Padalkar, M., and Gopinath, S. (2016). Six decades of project management research: Thematic trends and future opportunities. International Journal of Product Management, 34:1305-1321.
Simon, L. (2006) Managing creative projects: An empirical synthesis of activities. International Journal of Project Management, 24(2):116-126.
Sims, C., and Johnson, H.L. (2011). The Elements of Scrum. California: Dymaxicon
Sims, C., and Johnson, H.L. (2012). Scrum: A breathtakingly brief and agile introduction. California: Dymaxicon.
Sutherland, J. (2014). Scrum: The Art of Doing Twice the Work in Half the Time. New York: Random House Business.
Theobold, T. (2013). Develop Your Presentation Skills. London: Kogan Page
Townley, B., Beech, N., and McKinlay, A. (2009). Managing in the Creative Industries: Managing the motley crew. Human Relations, 62(7):939-962.