INMR65: IT Project Management

Module code: INMR65

Module provider: Business Informatics, Systems and Accounting; Henley Business School

Credits: 20

Level: Postgraduate Masters

When you'll be taught: Semester 2

Module convenor: Professor Yinshan Tang, email: y.tang@henley.ac.uk

Pre-requisite module(s):

Co-requisite module(s):

Pre-requisite or Co-requisite module(s):

Module(s) excluded:

Placement information: NA

Academic year: 2024/5

Available to visiting students: No

Talis reading list: No

Last updated: 28 May 2024

Overview

Module aims and purpose

The module consists of theoretical foundation for management with practical focus for the topic of IT projects. The module is designed to answer the question why different methodologies are used for different management purposes. It also answers the question how to utilize common project management tools for IT projects. The assessment uses a real-life case scenario asking the students to apply theories and techniques learned from this module. Management theories, principles and most up-to-date methodologies are naturally integrated including planning and delivery for different types of projects. After completing the module, students will be able to carry out project planning with different methods, exercise risk management and quality control techniques. Students will also be able to understand the characteristics of IT projects and measures on how to improve the project management success rate and understand how to use change control procedures to manage changes. 

Module learning outcomes

By the end of the module, it is expected that students will be able to: 

To be able to understand the relationship between management theories and practices for project management; 

1. Capable of analysing requirements, the challenges of IT projects in an organisational context, choosing suitable methodologies for IT projects; 

2. Select and use appropriate planning, risk management, and quality control techniques. 

3. Basic understanding of differences project management methodologies, such as: PMBoK, PRINCE2, Agile.

Module content

The module contents the following areas: 

1. Concepts and principles of project management; 

2. Project management in organisations; 

3. Software development life cycle and project management methods and tools; 

4. Methodologies (e.g., Agile and PRINCE2) for project management; 

5. Project planning (e.g., estimating, scheduling, resourcing, and monitoring); 

6. Risk management; 

7. Quality management and quality strategies.

Structure

Teaching and learning methods

A range of teaching and learning methods will be employed, but will focus largely on lectures, in-class practical, group work and independent supported learning. Special attention will be given to the use of project management applied to the course itself. Learning technology support via the Internet and learning management systems in the future. 

Study hours

At least 30 hours of scheduled teaching and learning activities will be delivered in person, with the remaining hours for scheduled and self-scheduled teaching and learning activities delivered either in person or online. You will receive further details about how these hours will be delivered before the start of the module.

Please note the independent study hours above are notional numbers of hours; each student will approach studying in different ways. We would advise you to reflect on your learning and the number of hours you are allocating to these tasks.

Semester 1 The hours in this column may include hours during the Christmas holiday period.

Semester 2 The hours in this column may include hours during the Easter holiday period.

Summer The hours in this column will take place during the summer holidays and may be at the start and/or end of the module.

Assessment

Requirements for a pass

Students will be required to obtain a mark of 50% overall based on the coursework. 

Pass criteria - To pass this module, the students must demonstrate their overall knowledge, understanding and perception of the concepts and principles of the methods. They must demonstrate their overall understanding of project management principles and the application of those principles in practice.

Summative assessment

Penalties for late submission of summative assessment

The Support Centres will apply the following penalties for work submitted late:

Assessments with numerical marks

• where the piece of work is submitted after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension to the deadline): 10% of the total marks available for that piece of work will be deducted from the mark for each working day (or part thereof) following the deadline up to a total of three working days;
• the mark awarded due to the imposition of the penalty shall not fall below the threshold pass mark, namely 40% in the case of modules at Levels 4-6 (i.e. undergraduate modules for Parts 1-3) and 50% in the case of Level 7 modules offered as part of an Integrated Masters or taught postgraduate degree programme;
• where the piece of work is awarded a mark below the threshold pass mark prior to any penalty being imposed, and is submitted up to three working days after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension to the deadline), no penalty shall be imposed;
• where the piece of work is submitted more than three working days after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension to the deadline): a mark of zero will be recorded.

Assessments marked Pass/Fail

• where the piece of work is submitted within three working days of the deadline (or any formally agreed extension of the deadline): no penalty will be applied;
• where the piece of work is submitted more than three working days after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension of the deadline): a grade of Fail will be awarded.

The University policy statement on penalties for late submission can be found at: https://www.reading.ac.uk/cqsd/-/media/project/functions/cqsd/documents/qap/penaltiesforlatesubmission.pdf

You are strongly advised to ensure that coursework is submitted by the relevant deadline. You should note that it is advisable to submit work in an unfinished state rather than to fail to submit any work.

Formative assessment

Formative assessment is any task or activity which creates feedback (or feedforward) for you about your learning, but which does not contribute towards your overall module mark.

Reassessment

Additional costs