Project Management

Applications for June 2022 entry are now closed. 

Develop practical, in-demand project management skills to work and thrive in any industry.

Key facts

  • Module codeBUSP012
  • Start date 13 Jun 2022
  • Duration12 weeks
  • Days on campusOnline Only
  • Credit value SCQF 10
  • SCQF level Level 11
  • Fees £543
  • Mode of study part time
  • Delivery online

Applications for June 2022 entry are now closed

Overview

Project Management is vital to all organisations. Launching a new product, constructing a new aircraft or building, developing an information system or implementing a new training programme - all are examples of projects.

This short course examines a variety of case studies from commercial and public sector organisations to illustrate the wide range of challenges facing project managers and why project management failure happens. You will develop the key skills needed to deliver projects successfully and gain knowledge of the basic concepts, techniques and their applications, using a series of exercises to develop the key skills of project management.

You will learn the importance of planning in advance while being prepared for the unexpected.

This short course covers the following main strands:

Project lifecycle: the characteristics and key challenges of project management are discussed; brief case studies are used to illustrate the range of project management application; the lifecycle from concept to implementation and operation is described.

Project scheduling: the concept of the project network; exercises are deployed to develop skills in translating text description into network models; activity-duration estimating techniques are reviewed; the role of the network, e.g., in estimating the overall project duration, milestone dates and identifying the critical path.

Financial appraisal and modelling: the principles of financial modelling and its role; financial measures (e.g. ROI, NPV, IRR)

  • Managing multiple objectives and trade-offs
  • Project resourcing – management of teams and relations with contractors
  • Change management in projects
  • Evaluating project success and failure
  • Deploying MS Project as a project scheduling tool

Entrance requirements

A minimum of a second class Honours degree or equivalent. Applicants without these formal qualifications but with appropriate / relevant work / life experience are encouraged to apply. Project management is applicable in all walks of life and work therefore we judge every application on its merits.     

Funding

SFC fully-funded places are available for this course. These will be awarded on a first-come, first-served basis to eligible applicants. Please submit your application as soon as possible to secure your funding.

Objectives

Managing just one part of the project is not enough: project management requires a systemic view, balancing multiple objectives and the needs of different stakeholders.  The module develops various individual skills, but it emphasises the need for a systemic approach and as such will develop the following:

  • an understanding of the major issues in project management from planning to implementation
  • an appreciation of complex multiple objectives found in many projects
  • the variety of activity that can benefit from project management
  • the specialised skills required by project managers

The individual skills which will be developed throughout this short course include:

  • project scheduling with MS Project
  • financial modelling with Excel
  • introductory principles of project risk analysis
  • coping with multiple objectives
  • project success/ failure analysis
  • report writing

Structure and content

The module is delivered entirely online through our intuitive learning platform iStirling which is accessed through the University Portal. You’ll have access to a wide range of resources, including: 

  • video lectures
  • day-to-day support from online tutors
  • core module materials, documentation and reading lists
  • journals, ebooks and software

Delivery and assessment

The module will be assessed by means of a 100% individual assignment:

You will be asked to assess a proposed large-scale project to produce a report using the tools and techniques from the course to determine the viability (or otherwise) of the project.

Module coordinator

Please direct enquiries to Dr Peter Flett.

Employability

The module is specifically designed to simulate real life experience by undertaking a major project and analysis exercise which will enhance employability and career management skills.

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