Project and Finance Management

Please note

This document only provides information for the academic year selected and does not form part of the student contract

School:

School of Computing and Engineering

Credit Rating:

Level (including FHEQ):

M (FHEQ Level 7)

Graded or Non Graded:

Graded

Version Valid From:

2022-09-01

Module Leader:

Hui Stefanie Cao

Version Number

2023.03

Learning Methods

Practical Classes and Demonstrations

Lecture

Tutorial and Project Supervision

Guided Independent Study

Professional Body Requirements

Institution of Engineering and Technology

Synopsis

This module aims to develop your understanding of the strategic aspects of programme and project management and its role in adding competitive advantage to an organisation. The module enables you to gain a firm grounding in the principles, processes, tools and techniques that underpin programme and project management. It also aids you to develop a systematic understanding of the purposes and uses of financial information, together with the ability to use quantitative skills to improve performance management and decision making within an organisation. Emphasis is placed upon the need for competence in project planning and control. Team-working, communication and risk management skills are developed by means of group activity. Extensive use is made of project management and simulation software.

Learning Strategy

In this module the learners will engage in a blend of delivery methods facilitating both individual and collaborative aspects of learning to achieve the specified learning outcomes. In particular, this will require the learner to engage with the VLE content, including extensive pre-recorded teaching and support materials, where the learning is facilitated by the tutor-led two-way asynchronous discussion board. To focus the guided learning process, the tutor will set weekly quizzes/assignments (SAIL). These two elements will culminate in face-to-face sessions which will reinforce the learning by clarifying the content through student-led questions/answers interaction. These sessions are followed up by tutorials to illustrate the module content and enable practice in more depth. There will be a focus on practical ability to use concepts, techniques and software developed through lab based sessions. The assessment specifications will be introduced early in the module and will provide focus/motivation for discussion and practical work. Practical computer labs will give experience of relevant software and allow the application and development of learning. Students with disability will be accommodated by close adherence to the University of Huddersfield guidelines which inter alia include: (i) pre-recorded materials with captions of suitable size, (ii) Power Point slides following the appropriate font size and colour contrast, (iii) early availability of all materials on VLE – typically at least two weeks in advance.

Outline Syllabus

Leadership, competence, motivation, team-working, and organisational structures.
Project definition and the formulation of project aims, objectives and deliverables.
Evaluation, selection and control of suppliers and subcontractors.
Project methodologies, inclusive of Prince2, PMBoK and Agile approaches.
Project management standards (BS ISO 6079, 21500).
Specification and scoping of the work to be carried out, identification of tasks, activities and associated resource requirements.
Project network theory and the use of software for (e.g., Microsoft Project) for the development of practical project schedules and budgets.
Financial estimation, appraisal and evaluation techniques.
Sources, language and uses of financial information.
Profit and loss; the balance sheet; cash flow; financial statements.
Analysing and interpreting financial ratios.
The nature of costs, pricing, short-term and long-term decision making.
Approaches to the management of multiple projects.
Performance measurement and the relationship between time, quality and cost.
Earned Value Management (EVM) practice.
Identification, evaluation and mitigation of risk in projects.

Formative Assessment

Assessment 1: Other

Assessment 2: Other

Assessment 3: Other

Summative Assessment

Assessment 1: Written Assignment

Description:Taught material will contribute an element every week to the SAIL programme (Score As I Learn) submitted via the VLE platform. 11 x 15 minutes weekly assignments (quizzes). Each assignment (quiz) will be worth 3%. Taking the best 8 out of 11 scores.

Assessment Weight:24

Assessment Length:10 Hours (Typical Effort)

Module Learning Outcomes:MLO1

Individual or Group:Individual

Final Assessment Component:No

Marked Anonymously:Yes

Eligible for Tutor Reassessment:No

Assessment 2: Project Work

Description:Case study assignment incorporating a group presentation (15%), group report (25%) and submission of a complete set of peer assessment forms by each candidate (10%).

Assessment Weight:50

Assessment Length:15 Hours (Typical Effort)

Module Learning Outcomes:MLO1, MLO2, MLO3, MLO4, MLO5

Individual or Group:Group

Final Assessment Component:No

Marked Anonymously:No

Eligible for Tutor Reassessment:No

Assessment 3: In-Class Test

Assessment Criteria

Task 1
The accuracy with which learning is demonstrated.
Task 2
A relevant and well-referenced piece of research and application into an appropriate area of project management, together with a clear and concise individual report from each student, evaluating the operation of the whole group and the contribution from individual members.
A concise and well-written formal descriptive report which addresses the case material provided and the problem posed, demonstrating effective use of software for project management and its effective inclusion in the report/appendices.
Task 3
Demonstrate adequate understanding of the concepts, strategies and methods used in project management, together with a clear ability to analyse different scenarios and employ appropriate methods to make decisions.
Descriptive answers which are clearly written, with an appropriate level of critical appraisal and discussion.

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