This module will focus on the role of projects in providing a solution to business challenges and sets the scene for the programme in laying the foundations for the project management process. In particular, the module will cover the business case, setting the scope, aims and objectives of a project, putting in place an appropriate project management structure, and project stakeholder communication and management. You'll look at what is a project and the different types of projects; what is project management; where do projects fit within organisations; and the difference between a project, a portfolio and a programme. You will understand the concept of the Iron Triangle (cost, quality, time) and you will learn about scope, aims and objective setting for projects and the different approaches to do this. You’ll plan projects and gain an overview and introduction to the project life cycle. You’ll understand the definition and scope phase of the project; creating a business case for a project; initiating projects; looking at project success factors and why projects might fail. The module will explore the various project management tools; project control approaches; and co-ordination in project management. You will understand project stakeholders, management and communication, as well as project structure options and the role of the Project Manager. By the end of the module, you'll understand how projects are structured, the situational contexts of projects, communications in projects, project planning, and understand project scope. Assessment is through written coursework in the form of a 3,000-word business report.
This module introduces the situational context within which projects are conceived, managed, and delivered. You’ll gain an understanding of how projects contribute to businesses operating in local, regional, national, and global economies – the main UK business sectors and the parameters within which they operate. You will also explore how organisations need to respond to changing environments and how projects can deliver that. The module will look at strategic intent, the role of project delivery, and the role of projects within the triangular strategic approach model. You’ll gain an understanding of the broad impacts that different environments can bring to bear on projects and project management – tools and techniques; implementation and internal tuning; stakeholder and stakeholder influence identification; change and resistance to change factors. You’ll learn to create project management environments and managing stakeholders’ experiences and use environmental analysis tools to identify different environments for different business areas - ESTEMPLE, pestle, and the macro environment. You will gain an understanding of micro environmental analysis influences and impacts – market and customer trends; competitor trends; supply chain trends; as well as the internal environment and project management and delivery (McKinsey 7S and the Porter Value Chain); and project management delivery taking account of particularly challenging environments (VUCA). By the end of this module, you will understand the Business Environment and Organisational Strategy. You will understand Project Life Cycles and Situational Context of Projects. This module is assessed through a 3,000-word business report.
This module will provide an understanding of the concept of the project life cycle, its various stages and the management of key components of each stage. You’ll explore the project life cycle through various concepts including an introduction to the concept of the project life cycle and alternative project life cycle profiles. You’ll be encouraged to evaluate the alternative life cycles and be introduced to the concept of gateway reviews as a project formally moves through the various stages of the life cycle. In this module, you’ll also look at the components of the project life cycle stages. You’ll explore planning a project and the Project Initiation Document; the business case; stakeholder engagement and involvement in setting up the project; the planning stage and mobilising resources which includes an introduction to project planning tools; and organising resources. You will also look at the gateway review process at the end of each stage (reporting, performance management, change controls, cost planning), as well as project delivery through work breakdown structures and work packages, and finally project close and evaluation. At the end of this module, you will understand project life cycles, know best practices for communication within project management, and know how to plan for success. You’ll be assessed through coursework which is a 3,000-word business report.
This module will introduce project governance and operational level project financial control and reporting. You'll be introduced to the purpose and principles of governance, firstly discussing this at an organisational level and then applying the core principles to project governance. Examples of current law and best practice will be explored within the UK context, briefly drawing comparisons with other jurisdictions. The module will also look at current developments to highlight the evolving nature of governance and you will learn about the principles of governance to understand the nature and purpose of the internal control environment, with a specific focus on financial control. Budgeting, reporting and performance evaluation will be an area of focus, and you will apply the knowledge and skills gained in the context of assessing and reporting project performance. You'll will be encouraged to build on your learning from the Project Organisation module to tailor the reporting of project performance to meet individual stakeholder needs. This module will be assessed by 3,000 word written coursework.
This module will focus on the range of commercial and legal issues that a Project Manager needs to have an understanding of as they relate to contracting with suppliers, and effectively managing and resolving performance challenges that may arise during the project’s life. It also links into the risk management module (and specifically contractual/legal risk), and procurement and contracting module. It is worth stating that the module addresses these issues from the perspective of the Project Manager and their commercial needs to be effective in the role when contracting with suppliers.
This module focusses on the skills and knowledge associated with delivering a successful business project. Projects often bring change, so the module also examines strategies and practical tools to manage change within organisations.
This module will focus on planning, resourcing and scheduling activities as the core elements of delivering a successful project. These activities require a project team to exhibit high standards of both co-ordination and communication skills and there is therefore a natural link to the professional and personal development modules included in the programme. Given the extensive reliance on data in managing a project, the role of technology will also be considered as an enabler for planning, controlling and evaluating a project through its life cycle.
This module focuses on some of the critical aspects of project planning, focusing on procurement of products and services for incorporation in a project, and the management of contracts used within projects. The module will also enable recognition and understanding of the need for quality management and assurance when both planning and delivering projects. The module allows the development of knowledge as well as skills when looking at the procurement, contract management, and quality aspects of a project. The diverse nature of projects suggests that aspects of project planning should take account of this diversity, and in this module, the emphasis is also placed on identifying a range of different approaches that can be adopted for procurement, contract management and quality assurance of a project.
This module provides you with a fundamental appreciation of how teamworking is essential to project management and how personal development contributes to high performing teams. The module will consider how a teams performance is affected by the manner in which they are established, the individual skills and personalities within the team, and the motivational needs of each individual. The notion of conflict will be examined to understand when it can lead to successful competition, enhancing further the outcome of a project and also considers communication as key when conflict needs to be resolved. The module will introduce you to the notion that to be an effective manager, you will need to vary your style according the circumstances of the situation. This module will provide a useful foundation on which the Professional and Personal Development module will build when the focus turns to the pure role of the leader within project management. To underpin your understanding and skills you will be introduced to, and encouraged to use, a range of tools and techniques to work collaboratively, improve your self-awareness and enhance your development within the organisation. Overall, the emphasis is, therefore, on the development of knowledge and understanding and with links to the development of intellectual, practical and effective and transferable skills, the use of appropriate theories, tool, techniques and experiences to identify the characteristics and benefits of effective teams and teamwork. One of the main focuses for the design of this module has been further personal development of relevant employability and professional skills.
This module will build on the knowledge and skills gained in Governance and Financial Control of Projects. You'll be introduced to the concept of risk and to the purpose and principles of risk management, first discussing this at an organisational level and then applying the core principles to project risk. Risk management will be explored via a range of risk management models, including methods of risk identification and assessment, risk responses and the importance of monitoring and review. You'll will be challenged to apply this knowledge to develop the skills required to deliver effective project risk management. Using the knowledge and skills gained from previous learning and incorporating the learning and skills gained exploring risk management, the module will consider the importance and use of the business case throughout the project lifecycle. You will be encouraged to assess project deliverables in light of organisational objectives and value for money considerations. You will gain a knowledge of forecasting, estimating, investment appraisal techniques, profitability and cash flow considerations and other techniques to understand and assess financial risk and its mitigations. You'll be challenged to apply the knowledge and skills gained in this module, combined with the knowledge and understanding acquired via completing the Project Organisation module in order to further understand and develop project business cases, appropriate from the approval stage through the various stages of a typical project lifecycle.
This module builds on the Project Management Professional and Personal Development 1 - Teamworking module by evaluating how leadership impacts team performance and motivation and by how providing direction, feedback and support this creates the environment for teams to perform. It may therefore, be necessary to change leadership style to support the successful outcome of a project. The module also supports the learning derived from the Strategy, Value and Change module, where the notion of creating a climate for change will have been examined and discussed. The module also takes into account the leadership of virtual teams working in different places and time zones. This understanding supports your progression beyond the course. The module will introduce how to manage the change process and determine the appropriate leadership approach to overcome resistance to change. This will include how to manage the relationships with the stakeholders of the project to secure and maintain their support. The module will consider the factors that can impact negatively on change management, and the approaches to managing these. To underpin your understanding and skills you will be introduced to, and encouraged to use, a range of tools and techniques to prepare organisations, teams and individuals for organisational change – including an analysis of the current and future states, to plan for progression from one to the other. Overall, the emphasis is, therefore, on the development of knowledge and understanding and with links to the development of intellectual, practical and effective and transferable skills, the use of appropriate theories, tool, techniques and experiences to implement change.
This module builds your knowledge gained to date and, as necessary, experiences and reflections in/of the work-based/related environment. It further develops your appreciation and critique of strategy and strategic leadership and engages you with both the management and leadership of change and associated links to management approaches to information, organisational learning and knowledge and associated systems. It will encourage you to further develop, engage, evaluate and critique their strategic understanding with a view to the realities of practice and organisations. You'll consider interactions, theories and frameworks that explain organisational behaviour, and that of individuals within, and the process(es), leadership and management of change at various stages and levels within organisations. Such issues are seen to be crucial to the ongoing viability of organisations in a variety of sectors and contexts and the creation of value (however defined) for customers, shareholders, employers and the wider range of stakeholders. To underpin and inform your developing understanding, and with a view to organisational (and where appropriate corporate) leadership (and individuals as leaders), you'll consider and investigate notions and concepts associated with organisation culture, learning and the creation, and management, of knowledge within organisations, to inform and lead behaviour and change.
Ruskin Modules are a great opportunity to explore challenges and ideas outside your area of study. Working with students from a range of courses, you'll be supported to create meaningful connections across disciplines, and apply new knowledge to tackle complex problems and key challenges. Ruskin Modules are designed to grow your confidence, realise your potential and help you prepare for the world of work.