MNM3MPR: Managing Projects

Module code: MNM3MPR

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

Credits: 10

Level: 7

When you'll be taught: Full year

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:

Talis reading list:

Last updated: 19 November 2024

Overview

Module aims and purpose

Projectification is the term used to describe the growing importance of projects and project-like work in the modern economy. At the same time, recent years have witnessed the rapid rise of agile approaches, challenging established forms of project work. The Managing Projects elective engages with the resulting complexities of the world of projects by examining different forms of project management along with the challenges of managing multiple projects. In doing so, it provides the theoretical and practical foundation for critical appreciation of project management today.   

The Managing Projects module is designed for practicing managers and early career high potential employees who are likely to fast track into senior leadership positions, to enable them to: 

• Identify the characteristics of projects and the implications for their management 
• Describe and evaluate different project methodologies 
• Analyse their organisation’s approach to project management, including managing multiple projects 

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 role of projects and project management in organisations 
2. Critically evaluate project management in specific contexts, using appropriate models and frameworks   
3. Critically analyse programme and portfolio management and corporate governance in specific contexts, using appropriate models and frameworks 

Module content

Topics to be covered include: 

The nature of projects and key dimensions of project management 

Predictive (‘waterfall’) project management 

Agile project management, including Scrum 

Managing multiple projects, including programme and portfolio management, and project governance 

Structure

Teaching and learning methods

This is a self-study module, comprising an online study guide with core and further readings, supported by practice application exercises, a discussion forum and multi-media learning objects, including video. 

Study hours

At least Please note that the hours listed below are indicative and for guidance purposes only. 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 50% to pass this module. 

Summative assessment

Penalties for late submission of summative assessment

This module is subject to the Penalties for late submission for Postgraduate Flexible programmes policy, which can be found at:

https://www.reading.ac.uk/cqsd/-/media/project/functions/cqsd/documents/qap/penaltiesforlatesubmissionpgflexible.pdf

The Module Convenor will apply the following penalties to work submitted late:

• where the piece of work is submitted up to one calendar month 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; 
• where the piece of work is submitted more than one calendar month after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension to the deadline): a mark of zero will be recorded.

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.

The module includes a series of practice applications designed to help develop deeper understanding of module concepts and frameworks by applying them to contexts/problems identified by the programme member. An online discussion forum monitored by a Henley-based tutor supports these activities.  

Reassessment

Additional costs