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Module Descriptors

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Session: 2022/23

Last modified: 10/06/2022 16:27:30

Title of Module: Projects in Practice

Code: QUAL11021 SCQF Level: 11
(Scottish Credit and Qualifications Framework)		 Credit Points: 20 ECTS: 10
(European Credit Transfer Scheme)
School:School of Computing, Engineering and Physical Sciences
Module Co-ordinator:Hazhar  Faris

Summary of Module

 This module introduces the concepts and frameworks of project management lifecycles and methodologies, including PRINCE2 and Agile Project Management. It explores the significance of iterative, structured, logical and organised project management, and considers key players and their responsibilities.  It is a practice-based module that allows students to apply project management planing and management approaches.

The module considers and explains the importance of: lifecycles, business case, governance, project charter / terms of reference, estimation, feasibility, change control, process and stages, tolerance and deviation, managing product delivery, progress and change control, issues and risk, causes and avoidance of project failure, evaluating project success, specifications of requirements, benefits realisation, creative thinking and problem solving, lessons, acceptance and closedown, the comparative advantages and disadvantages of certain approaches.

It explores certain computer-based methods for project planning and control.  It considers how technology can be used at various stage of the project life cycle: creating schedules, defining and organizing tasks, dependencies, resources and costs, planning options; project outputs, status reports, stakeholder communication, monitoring, control, updating, progress. 

Throughout the module, students use a chosen case study to learn about project lifecycles and develop their practical project planning and management skills. The module provides students with transferable skills applicable to the management of their teaching and learning.

This module will work to develop a number of the key 'I am UWS' Graduate Attributes to make those who complete this module:

Universal

  • Critical Thinker
  • Ethically-minded
  • Research-minded

Work Ready

  • Problem-Solver
  • Effective Communicator
  • Ambitious

Successful

  • Autonomous
  • Resilient
  • Driven

Module Delivery Method
Face-To-FaceBlendedFully OnlineHybridCHybridOWork-based Learning
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Face-To-Face
Term used to describe the traditional classroom environment where the students and the lecturer meet synchronously in the same room for the whole provision.

Blended
A mode of delivery of a module or a programme that involves online and face-to-face delivery of learning, teaching and assessment activities, student support and feedback. A programme may be considered “blended” if it includes a combination of face-to-face, online and blended modules. If an online programme has any compulsory face-to-face and campus elements it must be described as blended with clearly articulated delivery information to manage student expectations

Fully Online
Instruction that is solely delivered by web-based or internet-based technologies. This term is used to describe the previously used terms distance learning and e learning.

HybridC
Online with mandatory face-to-face learning on Campus

HybridO
Online with optional face-to-face learning on Campus

Work-based Learning
Learning activities where the main location for the learning experience is in the workplace.


Campus(es) for Module Delivery
The module will normally be offered on the following campuses / or by Distance/Online Learning: (Provided viable student numbers permit)
Paisley:Ayr:Dumfries:Lanarkshire:London:Distance/Online Learning:Other:
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Term(s) for Module Delivery
(Provided viable student numbers permit).
Term 1check markTerm 2check markTerm 3check mark

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Learning Outcomes: (maximum of 5 statements)

On successful completion of this module the student will be able to:

L1. Apply and critically evaluate the impact of project management standards amd methodologies such as PRINCE2 or Agile Project Management.

L2. Apply and critically evaluate appropriate methodologies for planning and managing a project.

L3. Identify and critically evaluate the use of different software and technology for the successful delivery of a project.

L4. Demonstrate competence in using project planning software.

Employability Skills and Personal Development Planning (PDP) Skills
SCQF Headings During completion of this module, there will be an opportunity to achieve core skills in:
Knowledge and Understanding (K and U) SCQF Level 11.

K&U of international and industry project standards and methodologies; the main concepts of the PRINCE2 methodology

K&U of methods for planning and control, managing activities, resources and costs

K&U of MicroSoft Project for planning and control

Practice: Applied Knowledge and Understanding SCQF Level 11.

As 60% of the assessment is an individual coursework, students have an ideal platform to demonstrate the application of the K&U of the above.

Generic Cognitive skills SCQF Level 11.

Ability to examine dynamic problems in the abstract and thus analyze them and obtain a planned and controlled solution.

Communication, ICT and Numeracy Skills SCQF Level 11.

Communication skills honed via written reports and presentations.

Computer and numeracy skills developed by means of project planning and control techniques.

Autonomy, Accountability and Working with others SCQF Level 11.

Develop individual and group autonomy, time management, initiative and self learning.

Pre-requisites: Before undertaking this module the student should have undertaken the following:
Module Code:
Module Title:
Other:
Co-requisitesModule Code:
Module Title:

* Indicates that module descriptor is not published.

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Learning and Teaching
Lectures are interactive as are the tutorials, which involve various project scenarios. The computer labs provide practical instruction in using MS Project or other PM software and can be accesse remotely.
Preparation for coursework assignments include activities such as group meetings.
Research skills are encouraged through independent guided study.

The module will also be delivered in DL mode. Lecture material on PowerPoints with audio will be available on the VLE, as will software handbooks and accompanying lab sheets. Extensive use will be made of the VLE to support students in teaching, learning and assessment. For the latter, group facilities, such as forums and wikis will be used to enable the students to work in groups.
Learning Activities
During completion of this module, the learning activities undertaken to achieve the module learning outcomes are stated below: 		Student Learning Hours
(Normally totalling 200 hours):
(Note: Learning hours include both contact hours and hours spent on other learning activities)
Lecture/Core Content Delivery24
Tutorial/Synchronous Support Activity12
Laboratory/Practical Demonstration/Workshop0
Asynchronous Class Activity0
Independent Study164
200 Hours Total

**Indicative Resources: (eg. Core text, journals, internet access)

The following materials form essential underpinning for the module content and ultimately for the learning outcomes:

Project management for engineering, business and technology, John Nichols and Herman Steyn, Routledge.

The Association of Project Management Body of Knowledge, APM.

Project Management: Processes, Methodologies, and Economics, A. Shtub, J. Bard and S. Globerson, Prentice-Hall International Series in Industrial & Systems Engineering

Project Management: A Systems Approach to Planning, Scheduling, and Controlling, 2013, H. Kerzner, John Wiley and Sons Inc.

Information Systems Development: Methodologies, Techniques and Tools, 2006, D. Avison and G. Fitzgerald, McGraw Hill.

Managing Successful Projects with PRINCE2: (Paperback), by AXELOS (Author), published by The Stationery Office, ISBN-10: 0113310595, ISBN-13: 978-0113310593


Agile Project Management Handbook, DSDM Consortium, 2010

Lock D, (2013), Project Management; Gower, 10th Edition.

A Guide to the Project Management Body of Knowledge (Pmbok Guide), Project Management Institute, PMI.

Agile Practice Guide (2017)by Project Management Institute

All material is contained in course notes and on Moodle.

SOFTWARE: MS Project, Excel, Project in a Box
(DL students may choose to use different but equivalent software packages.)

(**N.B. Although reading lists should include current publications, students are advised (particularly for material marked with an asterisk*) to wait until the start of session for confirmation of the most up-to-date material)

Engagement Requirements

In line with the Academic Engagement Procedure, Students are defined as academically engaged if they are regularly engaged with timetabled teaching sessions, course-related learning resources including those in the Library and on the relevant learning platform, and complete assessments and submit these on time. Please refer to the Academic Engagement Procedure at the following link: Academic engagement procedure

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Supplemental Information

Programme BoardEngineering
Assessment Results (Pass/Fail) No
Subject PanelCivil Engineering and Quality Management
ModeratorRalitsa Arnaudova
External ExaminerL Supramaniam
Accreditation Details
Version Number

2.15

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Assessment: (also refer to Assessment Outcomes Grids below)
Assessment Category 1: a) Group Coursework worth 40% of the total assessment mark for the module. The group use a chosen methodology to develop the Terms of Reference or Project Initiation Document and plan for a particular project they will carry out. A baseline plan is developed using software. The course-work project commences in week 2 and the complete plan must be submitted on or before week 7.
Assessment Category 2:
Individual Coursework worth 60%. At the end of the project each student writes a project closedown report and makes a presentation of their progress, results and conclusions to the project board. The students develop the use of the chosen software package (such as Microsoft Project) and continue to update their baseline plan for the project. They track, analyse and comment on important amendments and changes. They conduct scenario analysis on problems and corrections / changes the project encountered.
All coursework is on the simulation of business projects. This project is undertaken from week 2 onwards and the final report is submitted in 12.
(N.B. (i) Assessment Outcomes Grids for the module (one for each component) can be found below which clearly demonstrate how the learning outcomes of the module will be assessed.
(ii) An indicative schedule listing approximate times within the academic calendar when assessment is likely to feature will be provided within the Student Handbook.)

Assessment Outcome Grids (Footnote A.)

Component 1
Assessment Type (Footnote B.) Learning Outcome (1) Learning Outcome (2) Learning Outcome (3) Learning Outcome (4) Weighting (%) of Assessment ElementTimetabled Contact Hours
Dissertation/ Project report/ Thesischeck markcheck markcheck markcheck mark400

Component 2
Assessment Type (Footnote B.) Learning Outcome (1) Learning Outcome (2) Learning Outcome (3) Learning Outcome (4) Weighting (%) of Assessment ElementTimetabled Contact Hours
Portfolio of practical workcheck markcheck markcheck markcheck mark600
Combined Total For All Components100% 0 hours

Footnotes
A. Referred to within Assessment Section above
B. Identified in the Learning Outcome Section above

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Note(s):
  1. More than one assessment method can be used to assess individual learning outcomes.
  2. Schools are responsible for determining student contact hours. Please refer to University Policy on contact hours (extract contained within section 10 of the Module Descriptor guidance note).
    This will normally be variable across Schools, dependent on Programmes &/or Professional requirements.

Equality and Diversity
The programme leaders have considered how the programme meets the requirements of potential students from minority groups, including students from ethnic minorities, disabled students, students of different ages and students from under-represented groups. Students with special needs (including additional learning needs) would be assessed/accommodated and any identified barriers to particular groups of students discussed with the Enabling Support Unit and reasonable adjustments would be made for classes and site visits.
UWS Equality and Diversity Policy
(N.B. Every effort will be made by the University to accommodate any equality and diversity issues brought to the attention of the School)

2014 University of the West of Scotland

University of the West of Scotland is a Registered Scottish Charity.

Charity number SC002520.

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