DMMP003-Managing a Project

Module Provider: Henley Business School
Number of credits: 0 [0 ECTS credits]
Level:7
Terms in which taught: Autumn / Spring / Summer module
Pre-requisites:
Non-modular pre-requisites:
Co-requisites:
Modules excluded:
Current from: 2018/9

Email: a.bryan@henley.ac.uk

Type of module:

Summary module description:

This module requires students to prepare and/or undertake a project in the workplace that can make a difference to the organisation.  Through a work-based project, students will apply learning from the other modules of the DMP programme, to gain a better understanding of their organisation, its context and its ability to embrace project objectives effectively within its context; and in particular to focus on aspects of operational management, finance and decision making.   It can be considered therefore as a ‘negotiated learning module’.  The project will require the learner to assess an element of organisational effectiveness that requires change.  Learners will apply qualitative and/or quantitative research and approaches to project management and project evaluation.

This module is benchmarked against the following Higher Apprenticeship (HA) Knowledge and Skills criteria:

1. Operational Management (A1, A2, A3, A4, A6, A7, A8, A10, A11, A12).


2. Project Management (B1, B2, B3, B4, B5, B6, B7).


3. Finance (C1, C2, C3, C4, C5, C6).


4. Leading People (D5, D6, D8).


5. Managing People (E1, E5).


6. Building Relationships (F2, F3, F9).


7. Communication (G5, G6)


8. Decision Making (J1, J2, J3, J4).

These criteria are set out in the HA Assessment Plan – see https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/549192/Operations_Departmental_Manager.pdf  It is also benchmarked against the following four behaviour criteria: Takes responsibility, Inclusive, Agile, Professionalism.

Aims:

In this module a systematic knowledge of management will be deployed to allow students to consider their organisational context.  Throughout, they will be exposed to the complexity, ambiguity and uncertainty that underpin many project management situations.

The module aims to prepare learners to:

1. Analyse, Plan, Implement and Evaluate the Management of a Project 

2. Identify and apply knowledge of Operational Management into a project context

3. Demonstrate understanding of financial and budgetary considerations in project planning.

4. Undertake decision-making activities which engage all stakeholders in the delivery of project objectives

5. Evaluate the impact and effectiveness of the project against KPI’s and organisational strategic objectives, and provide project evaluation reports.

6. Apply knowledge and awareness of how a project moves through key stages of analysis, planning, design, development, deployment and evaluation; through the application of risk management models, reporting methodologies, risk benefit analysis and considering H&S implications.

7. Develop the skills that learners need to undertake and evaluate the processes of planning, organisation and management of resources in order to manage organisational change.

8. Utilise project management tools to initiate, lead and drive change within the organisation, identifying barriers/challenges and how to overcome them. 

Assessable learning outcomes:

The learner will develop the project through four distinct phases.  By the end of each phase of the module the student will be able to achieve the following:

1. Analysis

a) Demonstrate how the project plan will align to the organisation’s strategic planning and with organisational objectives.

b) Demonstrate commercial awareness and the ability of the project to shape new opportunities

c) Understand organisational cultures and diversity and their impact on leading and managing change throughout the project.

d) Deploy problem solving, critical analysis, evaluation and decision-making techniques, whilst demonstrating an understanding of organisational values and ethics and their impact on decision making within the project

2. Planning

a) Understand operational management approaches and models, including creating project plans to deliver objectives and set KPIs; using relevant project management tools and techniques.

b) Understand operational business project planning techniques, which may include how to manage resources, development of sales and marketing plans, setting project targets and monitoring performance against the project plan.

c) Demonstrate and deploy a knowledge of project management systems, processes and risk/contingency planning and management.

d) Manage multiple stakeholders in the project, and where appropriate to recruit and develop people into the project to meet stakeholder needs; deploying collaborative working techniques to enable project delivery through others.  Use specialist advice and support to deliver against project plans

e) Understand data security and its impact on project management, including the effective use of technology in an organisational project plan. 

f) Understand financial forecasting as a function of project planning 

3. Implementation

a) Communicate organisational vision and goals and how these apply to those involved in project planning and implementation; including where appropriate evidence of effective delegation.  

b) Deployment of business development and project management tools (e.g. SWOT), incorporating approaches to continuous improvement to be tracked throughout project implementation

c) Produce project reports providing management information based on the collation analysis and interpretation of data 

d) Organise and manage resources to deliver against required project outcomes; and monitor progress against project plan

e) Demonstrate an understanding of business finance by setting, managing and monitoring project budgets

f) Consider financial implications of project management decisions and adjust approach/recommendations accordingly

g) Chair meetings to provide project updates and to present updates using a range of media

4. Evaluation and Control.  

a) Provide financial, operational and management reports which provide a critical evaluation of project impact.

b) Share best practice through lesson learnt and project evaluation reports

Additional outcomes:

Outline content:

Students will be introduced to the process and ideas of online action based research. They will be required to identify an opportunity for a change intervention in the workplace, to propose the information they will need to gather, plan how this can be collected and implement the project.   This will be agreed with the organisation.  They will also identify theory and models that will inform their analysis.  They will implement and evaluate the change against agreed benchmarks, to appraise the impact and effectiveness of the intervention on the organisation.  They will be required to report their findings.  These will be shared with the apprenticeship provider.

Brief description of teaching and learning methods:

Learners will be guided but not directed in their investigations.  They will be allocated an academic supervisor.  There will be online workshops to help them prepare, and there will be formative assessment of their planned approach.  The learner will be required to prepare a reflective commentary on their personal learning and implications for future practice.  They will be required to demonstrate learning to peers and colleagues.

Summative assessment- Examinations:

Summative assessment- Coursework and in-class tests:

Student will work in groups.  They will collective prepare a project report (60% of total marks) and presentation (20% of presentation).  The presentation will be peer assessed to agreed criteria. Individually they will need to prepare a personal reflection on their learning (20% of total marks available) 

Formative assessment methods:

Will be embedded in the learning path and workshop activities, discussion and peer back within the workshop sessions will be encouraged and the apprenticeship tutor and programme faculty will also provide feedback on the report as it builds through monthly writing assignments that collate the learners reflections.  

Formal feedback will be provided on a project proposal.  

Penalties for late submission:

Standard penalties will apply see here https://www.reading.ac.uk/web/files/qualitysupport/penaltiesforlatesubmission.pdf

Assessment requirements for a pass:

40%

Reassessment arrangements:

By resubmission of coursework to the same brief

Additional Costs (specified where applicable):

Last updated: 5 November 2018