LD7160 - Managing Programmes and Projects

The module will be delivered using a mix of taught workshops, tutorial, experiential activities, directed and independent learning. An initial workshop will introduce you to the module, assessment and core topics. Subsequent to this you will be guided through a range of subject specific topics delivered over the period of the module. Key messages from these sessions will be available by video/podcast to support your learning outside of the classroom.

Subsequent tutor-guided activities reflected in a learning plan, including prompted reading, activities to undertake and questions to address will form the next stage of your learning. Topics will normally be introduced in lectures and further explored through practical exercises. Therefore, you will be able to develop a range of relevant practical skills. To further aid your experiential skills development this module also includes a project management simulation designed to give you the opportunity to strengthen your understanding of project management skills.

Independent study requirements also entail reading beyond the learning materials/reading list provided, reflecting on its potential relevance for your own development will also be essential.

Throughout the module you will asked to engage in a range of formative assessment tasks. These may be in the classroom or to be completed in between taught sessions. These formative assessment activities are designed to build your knowledge, understanding and ability to apply concepts learned in class. Feedback will typically be provided by your tutor or peers which in turn should aid your overall understanding of the subject and final assessment submission.

The virtual learning environment will be used to encourage individual and group contributions to critical debate on key topics and issues. Materials and discussion group work will be available on the e-learning portal to support and engage you. To support and embed the learning, provide the opportunity for reflection and encourage effective communication, you will engage in discussion forums via the University’s e-Learning platform.

This will include posing and answering topic specific questions posed by the tutor and peer group and providing peer group formative feedback. You will also be encouraged to use email and discussion board tool to clarify issues.

For those of you studying on the part time, your work experience may form a significant element of your learning. An interactive approach to taught sessions will draw upon your own experiences. You can therefore expect the reflective-practitioner approach to learning to be embedded in all workshop/seminar sessions through undertaking activities which facilitate application of theory to ‘real-life’ situations, critically analysing and making recommendations for appropriate ways forward for the organization/individual. Significant emphasis will also be made on making your cohort network a key element of knowledge/experience exchange a subsequent learning.

For those of you studying in full time mode it is recognised you are likely not to have relevant work experience to draw upon. As such opportunities to apply learning to practice will be achieved through use of case study, simulation, visiting speakers from practitioners and additional lab and workshop experiences.

A range of approaches are adopted to accelerate your learning in this module.

During the first week of this module, you will receive information about the module and Teaching & Learning Plan. The teaching and learning plan (TLP) sets out
• Learning outcomes and overall module and programme aims
• Teaching, learning and assessment strategy
• Teaching schedule
• Directed reading references (text and journals) and core texts for the module

During this module your module tutor will provide academic support including:
• Delivering workshops and facilitating a project management simulation
• Providing guidance in relation to assignments
• Development of key resources, made available through the VLE
• Assessing assignments and assess or review any other agreed summative or formative outputs as appropriate

E-Reading Lists
The module will also have an e-reading list which directs learners to specific reading for each session. This includes direct access to repositories, journal articles and other academic sources. You will also be provided with access to a significant set academic research sources via the Northumbria University library portal.

You will also have opportunities to receive formative feedback from your tutor in response to opinions you express and issues you raise during workshop sessions and face-to-face or online tutorials. These formative feedback sessions are formally scheduled at key points throughout the module.

All modules at Northumbria include a range of reading materials that students are expected to engage with. Online reading lists (provided after enrolment) give you access to your reading material for your modules. The Library works in partnership with your module tutors to ensure you have access to the material that you need.

Knowledge & Understanding:
1. Establish conceptual understanding of the complex scenarios that multiple and major projects environments and settings have, including the relationships between projects, programmes or portfolios within host organizations.
Intellectual / Professional skills & abilities:
2. Critically appraise existing project management knowledge and identify areas that can improve aspects of project delivery for stakeholders through the application of project management theory or practice.
3. Critically reflect upon approaches to problem-solving on real life projects, in order to evaluate, learn from, and adopt similar, appropriate, solutions in future professional practice
Personal Values Attributes (Global / Cultural awareness, Ethics, Curiosity) (PVA):
4. Embrace critical thinking, to systematically identify, analyse, plan, produce, and then present, original work for academic review.
5. Embrace academic, ethical, and professional standards, through practice and conduct, whilst developing understanding of competence in project management.

Throughout the module you will be asked to engage in a range of formative assessment tasks. These may be in the classroom or to be completed in between taught sessions. Whilst these formative assessment activities do not contribute to your final module grade, they are designed to build your knowledge, understanding and ability to apply concepts learned in class. Feedback will typically be provided by your tutor or peers which in turn should aid your overall understanding of the subject and final assessment submission.

Summative assessment is by means of a single 4000 word individual report which focuses on the critical evaluation of programme and project management and is broken down into two parts:

Part 1 (3000 words) is a detailed analysis and critical evaluation of the management of a major project, selected from the approved list given to students, which will focus on the programme and project management involved.

This part is worth 75% of the module.

Part 2 (1000 words) is a self-analysis report which draws on your learning during the project management simulation exercise.

This part is worth 25% of the module.

Not applicable

Not applicable

Increasingly organisations are seeking to use Programme, Project and Portfolio Management approaches to deliver strategic success. This module will develop your critical and conceptual understanding of the strategic aspects of programme and project management and its role in adding competitive advantage to your organisation. Specifically you will gain a firm grounding in the principles, processes, tools and techniques that underpin programme and project management, but also be encouraged to challenge traditional thinking in the field.

This will include develop knowledge and understanding of project, programme and portfolio management concepts, Bodies of knowledge and methodologies, life cycle, principles and processes, business case and investment appraisal, scheduling, budgeting and cash flow, earned value management, project and programme organisation structures and roles, risk management, cultural management and role of the project / programme support office.

Taught content is constructed around a research-led curriculum (i.e. current knowledge in the field), and through its study you will gain knowledge and develop a conceptual understanding around P3 Management, including the relevant approaches available to a project manager and the project team as a whole. You will also critically evaluate project management knowledge and competencies, reflect on lessons from project case studies, and embrace the relevant ethical and professional standards associated with competent P3 management. To further aid your experiential skills development this module also includes a project management simulation designed to give you the opportunity to strengthen your understanding of project management skills.