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BMGT43680

Academic Year 2024/2025

Project Management (MC) (BMGT43680)

Subject:
Business Management
College:
Business
School:
Business
Level:
4 (Masters)
Credits:
10
Module Coordinator:
Mr Joe Houghton
Trimester:
Spring
Mode of Delivery:
Online
Internship Module:
No
How will I be graded?
Letter grades

Curricular information is subject to change.

This module provides students with a holistic overview of the project management lifecycle, with particular focus on the role of the consultant in project team membership & leadership.

The role of projects in organisations is receiving increasing attention and projects are the major tool for implementing and achieving strategic goals. The module includes concepts and skills that are required by managers to propose, plan, secure resources, budget and lead project teams to successful completion of projects.

About this Module

Learning Outcomes:

By the end of the module, students will be able to:
· Deliver lasting organisational benefits using best practice project management processes
. Communicate effectively in both written and oral modes
· Establish an effective project plan including elements such as a charter, stakeholder analysis, risk analysis, work breakdown structure & project timeline
· Develop and maintain appropriate project culture and build project teams
· Critically analyse the nature of project leadership and the importance of managing change

Indicative Module Content:

The general structure of sessions planned for this module includes the following, but these may be subject to change:

Introduction & the Project Framework
Teams & Leadership
Project Ethics
Project Planning
Project Feasibility & Stakeholders
Testing
Risk Management
Virtual Teams
Portfolio Management
Closing a Project
Why Projects Fail

Student Effort Hours:
Student Effort Type Hours
Autonomous Student Learning

180

Lectures

36

Total

216


Approaches to Teaching and Learning:
This module is intended to set students up with a good general understanding of the discipline of project management. Classes introduce each topic using project examples, presented via slides, video and through in-class discussions about student highlighted cases.

For the summer 2020 delivery we are moving to a fully online mode of delivery for the first time, so this will be something of a learning experience for all concerned.

Where possible, tools introduced will typically be used in practical workshops to enable some practice and feedback in the classroom environment, but students are expected to take all materials and build on the online classroom time in their autonomous learning time.

Depending on availability, external speakers may be brought in to share their experiences with the class.

My classroom is a learning environment, and as such is a safe space for discussion, questions and comment. There are no silly questions - everyone is expected to be present to learn and build on their existing skillsets, and contribute to the knowledge within the room by sharing their own perspectives and points of view.

My teaching philosophy is one of supportive challenge - students will be pushed to excel, and sometimes this will present challenges outside comfort zones, but asking for help is always OK, and never penalized. Constructive critique will be given in the spirit of helping everyone to recognise opportunities for growth and upskilling. I look forward to seeing you in class!

Here are a few comments on the class from past students:

Shubham – 2019

One of the things I enjoyed the most about this module was the tangibility of theory.
Joe’s years of experience as a project manager allowed him to connect each section of the class with a real-life example. This helped me understand the concepts better and showcased how useful theory can be while solving real problems.

John – 2019

The website assignment is really beneficial to you as a person. What other assignment do you do in college which helps you understand yourself better as a human being? Sometimes in life we read or watch something which makes us think differently about life and I would say this project does just that.

Claire – 2019

Compared with every other module, I have undertaken this year, it is evident that continuous learning and improvement is implemented into this module. It is more balanced, comprehensive and runs smoother than anything else I have experienced during my time in Smurfit.

Joe created an atmosphere where students felt valued and their contribution noted. A professor who is engaged and who still cares about their class, and their content is rarer than it should be in third level institutions. This module has raised the standard of my experience in Smurfit.

Nicole - 2019

This is a challenging course in which you will be asked to push yourself, but I can assure you that every aspect of this project will serve to enhance your approach to your future education and career. Admittedly I was unsure as to how this project was relevant to our class, but the knowledge I have gained has beyond surpassed my expectations.

Laetitia – 2019

Doing the assignments made me realize how that module is really well built. I have the feeling that nothing is left out or a mere coincidence. It is a good module to learn about project management by experiencing it. It is not just another class with work to hand in, with adaptable deadlines. It is a course where you learn a lot without even noticing it sometimes, as the process is mainly about a reflexive approach on how things were done, and why they were done this way.

Requirements, Exclusions and Recommendations
Learning Requirements:

None


Module Requisites and Incompatibles
Not applicable to this module.
 

Assessment Strategy  
Description Timing Component Scale Must Pass Component % of Final Grade In Module Component Repeat Offered
Group Work Assignment: Create an online learning course - more details in the course briefing Week 12 Graded Yes

50

Yes
Individual Project: Create a personal brand website Week 12 Graded Yes

40

Yes
Assignment(Including Essay): Reflection paper Week 12, Week 14 Graded No

10

Yes

Carry forward of passed components
Yes
 

Remediation Type Remediation Timing
In-Module Resit Prior to relevant Programme Exam Board
Please see Student Jargon Buster for more information about remediation types and timing. 

Feedback Strategy/Strategies

• Feedback individually to students, post-assessment
• Group/class feedback, post-assessment
• Online automated feedback
• Peer review activities

How will my Feedback be Delivered?

Feedback on the group & individual assignment is via grade and if requested, individual/group written feedback post-results.

Core recommended text: Project Management made easy...: the ECCSR approach
Joe Houghton, 1st edition, 2023. ISBN 978-1916238091
Amazon.co.uk link - https://amzn.to/3UxqxWU

Other useful texts:
Project Management The Managerial Process –
Gray & Larson, 7th Ed (International). McGraw-Hill Irwin 16th Feb 2017. ISBN 1259253872
Amazon.co.uk link - https://amzn.to/2FRwVTg

The Project Workout: The Ultimate Guide to Directing and Managing Business-Led Projects
by Robert Buttrick | 6 Aug 2018. FT Prentice Hall ISBN 978-1138721449 Amazon.co.uk link - https://amzn.to/2JbsKUk
An excellent, really practical book on PM, filled with processes and checklists of real use on day-to-day PM operations.

Project Management, Second Edition (Briefcase Books Series) (Briefcase Books (Paperback)) Paperback – 10 Dec 2013
by Gary R. Heerkens ISBN 978-0071818483 Amazon.co.uk link - https://amzn.to/2XqDDFv
A light, easily readable and accessible text.

The PMI Project Management Book of Knowledge – 6th ed – Sept 2017 ISBN 978-1-119-17967-2
The global standard for project management, this newly updated version introduced AGILE as a central aspect of PM.

PMP: Project Management Professional Exam Study Guide (Sybex) by Kim Heldman ISBN 978-1119420903 Amazon.co.uk link - https://amzn.to/2xtfofx
This text is one of the best study guides for PMP certification, regularly updated, and includes an excellent CD with sample examinations, flashcards etc, or can be bought as an ebook.

Name Role
Ms Annmarie Connolly Lecturer / Co-Lecturer
Mr Robert Manning Lecturer / Co-Lecturer