MM396: Project Management

Module code: MM396

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

Credits: 20

Level: 6

When you'll be taught: Semester 2

Module convenor: Mr Nigel Spinks, email: nigel.spinks@henley.ac.uk

Pre-requisite module(s):

Co-requisite module(s):

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

Module(s) excluded:

Placement information: No placement specified

Academic year: 2024/5

Available to visiting students: Yes

Talis reading list: Yes

Last updated: 19 November 2024

Overview

Module aims and purpose

Projects have become an important mode of organising work in many organisations and industries in response to the need to develop and deliver complex one-off goods and services and to manage change initiatives. This module is designed to provide the theoretical and practical grounding for those working in and leading projects. The assignment includes project-based group activities to develop critical understanding of tools and techniques in practice.

The module aims are to:

• Introduce core theories of project management
• Explore and critique project management methodologies and techniques
• Develop insights into the management of projects in different organisational contexts

Module learning outcomes

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

1. Describe and explain the characteristics and the role of projects in organisations
2. Critically select and apply key theories and techniques of project management across the project lifecycle, including project definition, planning, execution, and close-out
3. Critically select and apply key theories and techniques of benefits management, risk management, and stakeholder management in a project environment
4. Describe and evaluate different project methodologies such as Agile approaches
5. Assess current debates over approaches to project management

In addition, the module aims to encourage development of oral and written communication skills and team working in a project context through group-based assessment. Activities are designed to encourage both independent and collaborative learning skills, including reflection. Students are encouraged to develop investigative skills through the use of Web-based and other resources.

Module content

Topics to be covered include:

• What is a project?
• Projects and organisations today
• Defining a project
• Planning a project, including activity networks, cost estimation and resource scheduling
• Project risk management
• Project execution, including scope management, change control, project and performance measurement
• Project closure, including benefits management and post-project review
• Leading the project and the project team
• Managing and engaging internal and external stakeholders
• Agile project management

Structure

Teaching and learning methods

A blended teaching approach will be used with core material being covered in lectures in which class interaction will be encouraged. These will be supported by seminars which will include group-based activities on relevant topics linked to development of the assessed  group work, as well as encouraging application of module theories and concepts to case scenarios.

Study hours

At least 28 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 need to achieve an overall module mark of 40% to pass this module.

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.

Seminars will be organised to allow students to apply and test their understanding of core module concepts in a practical environment. Online self-assessment quizzes are included with answers for each lecture session.

Reassessment

Additional costs