Effective planning is fundamental to project success. This module targets learners that do not have significant project management experience. It was created to provide learners with the essential concepts, knowledge and skills required to effectively plan projects in a modern context. This module initially provides an executive overview of the modern project management environment including the project lifecycle, organisational strategy, structure and culture. The core of this module focuses on key project planning topics such as project definition, estimating time, cost and schedules and managing risk.

1. Demonstrate a wide and systematic knowledge of project management principles and their practical application in the planning of projects
2. Appraise established project management planning knowledge areas, tools and techniques and explain how they can be used to achieve project goals and organisational strategic objectives.
3. Demonstrate and critically evaluate the main tools available for sucessful project planning including development of Work Breakdown Structures, time, cost and resource estimation techniques, network diagrams, PERT, Critical Chain analysis and supply chain management.

4. Have a critical awareness of the changing project environment in order to forecast and manage risks and challenges so that project deliverables and stakeholders expectations are achieved.
5. Analyse various methods of dealing with project contraints in order to reduce project duration, resource requirements or project costs.

Project management concepts become real as participants are asked to synthesize their individual skills and practices into the big picture of a simulated project. This module uses case study and team-based simulation techniques to emphasise the real-world application of project management techniques. Additionally, participants will use tools and project management software outputs as they develop and manage a project from inception through closeout. Brief reviews of project management concepts and techniques are provided with the large majority of the time spent on the case studies and the simulation of projection execution.

Students will be expected to critically evaluate project settings, make decisions and develop their knowledge through simulation. Scenarios will be presented that reflect real settings, and students will be expected to organise and manage resources within constraints. Students will draw on their knowledge and understanding from a range of disciplines to work towards a set of project goals and objectives.

1. Demonstrate a wide and systematic knowledge of both project management principles and methods and their practical application in the management of live projects including the critical awareness of the key parameters and the business, technical, economic, environmental and social issues relating to Project Management.
2. Interpret project information and proactively troubleshoot to solve project challenges and constraints
3. Demonstrate both an ability to implement communication structures within a project organisation and an ability to manage multiple project stakeholders to achieve project success
4. Assume responsibility in the delivery of a project by analysing various project scenarios and develop action plans to overcome project challenges and prescribe project tools and techniques to help manage project resources. Lead, create, initiate and stimulate thoughtful responses to project requirements and problems.
5. Identify and articulate the key considerations when encountering project problems including the ability to both critically comment on and appraise one’s own work and the work of others.
6. Demonstrate an ability to manage multiple project stakeholders to achieve project success

This module targets learners that do not have significant project management experience. It focuses on project implementation and the sociocultural side of project management. The following are some of the key topics: role of project manager as a leader, stakeholder management and the creation of high performance teams, outsourcing and negotiation. The core of this module focuses on the kinds of information managers use to monitor project progress including earned value. Other topics include project closure, the emergence of agile project management and continuous professional development.

1. Posess a high level of understanding and insight into the key sociocultural areas such as being and effective project manager, managing stakeholder expectations, influencing, networking, ethics and the creation and management of high performance project teams.
2. Critically evaluate the main tools and techniques for progress and performance measurement and evaluation including earned value analysis.
3. Analyse the importance of the project closure phase and associated activities.
4. Critique the emergence of agile project management and its application, when compared to more traditional methodologies.
5. Develop a critical awareness of the importance of career development and continuous professional development in the field of project management.