MEEN40310 Project Management

Academic Year 2021/2022

This is a core module on the Master of Engineering Management (MEM) programme. It is designed for postgraduate students based in industry who have at least five years professional engineering work experience.

Strategy implementation is the main goal of project management. Senior management must ensure that projects align with strategy through the design of integrated business processes for project selection, portfolio optimisation and to address the “implementation gap”. This MEM module presents the latest theories on the strategic context of project, programme and portfolio management. It is important for project managers to understand this context to effectively deliver the full benefits of a project within budget and on time.

An effective set of project management processes is the primary mechanism used to meet the needs of customers and stakeholders. This module introduces students to the project management lifecycle, its phases, processes and tools for well-defined projects with reference to the 10 knowledge areas in the “Project Management Body of Knowledge (PMBoK)” of the Project Management Institute. Specifically, the module will cover the main tools and techniques used in modern project management processes including; multi-criteria decision analysis (MCDA), knapsack tools, work breakdown structures, activity-on-node networks, Gantt charts, PERT, resource levelling techniques, earned value approach to project monitoring and control etc. Thus, by the end of this module you will understand and be able to execute the key steps to ensure that a project is initiated, planned, managed, monitored and controlled successfully.

At the heart of value generation is the issue of who participates in the project. This brings to the fore the primary decisions that determine which parties are best prepared, suited and equipped to undertake specific parts of the project. This leads to determining how to best procure the required resources. While some part of every project is undertaken in-house, often much of the project work is outsourced. Decisions about how to outsource will be based on the type of project and its needs, the various procurement options and their suitability for the project, and the appropriate contract models accordingly.

Project management also involves “the much messier, often contradictory and paradoxical world of project implementation”. The module will describe the socio-technical nature of projects and the importance of effective leadership, team building and good stakeholder relations. Core concepts will be applied through the use of case studies and computer simulations to show how they are used in business settings.

A broader conceptual framework for project management approaches will be also described as related to project complexity and uncertainty. The appropriate application of conventional or disciplined project management, agile or learning approaches, or some hybrid, can thus be critically assessed.

This module examines leading Project Management theories and current best practice and applies it to a variety of sectors and industries. Classroom workshops and discussions will reinforce the learning. The module will give you the knowledge and skills to manage projects in business today.

Students should note that a linear scale may apply for A grades when calculating the final module grade, i.e. A- (70%-79%), A (80-89%) and A+ (90-100%)

Show/hide contentOpenClose All

Curricular information is subject to change

Learning Outcomes:

1. Describe the strategic importance of project, programme and portfolio management
2. Design an integrated business process for open and transparent selection of a balanced portfolio of projects to meet strategic and operational needs.
3. Apply the decision criteria, theoretical frameworks and analysis tools used for design of effective project governance structures for ongoing administration and control of projects
4. Assess the importance of project complexity and uncertainty in the determination of the project management approach with specific reference to the general principles of agile project management for projects with ill-defined or changing scope / technical requirements
5. Design project management processes for well-defined projects based on the project life cycle phases and knowledge areas in the PMBOK standards (project management book of knowledge)
6. Apply a range of useful tools for analysis and planning of well-defined projects including; multi-criteria decision analysis, knapsack problem tool, work breakdown structures, activity-on-node networks, Gantt charts, PERT, resource levelling techniques, earned value approach to project monitoring and control etc.
7. Analyse and manage risks in projects
8. Assess the value of project services and plan negotiation approaches in order to effectively manage a project
10. Design effective project communication plans, performance measurement and monitoring
11. Understand the socio-technical nature of projects and the importance of effective leadership, team building and good stakeholder relations in project management.


Student Effort Hours: 
Student Effort Type Hours
Lectures

24

Autonomous Student Learning

80

Total

104

Approaches to Teaching and Learning:
Not yet recorded 
Requirements, Exclusions and Recommendations
Learning Requirements:

This is a core module on the Master of Engineering Management programme. It is designed for postgraduate students based in industry who have at least five years professional engineering work experience.


Module Requisites and Incompatibles
Incompatibles:
COMP20140 - Intro to Project Management, SCI20020 - Intro to PM and Leadership

Equivalents:
Project Management (EEME40080)


 
Assessment Strategy  
Description Timing Open Book Exam Component Scale Must Pass Component % of Final Grade
Continuous Assessment: Continuous assessment Throughout the Trimester n/a Graded No

100


Carry forward of passed components
Not yet recorded
 

Not yet recorded

Please see Student Jargon Buster for more information about remediation types and timing. 
Not yet recorded
Name Role
Dr Eamonn Ahearne Lecturer / Co-Lecturer
Dr Vincent Hargaden Lecturer / Co-Lecturer
Mr David Staunton Lecturer / Co-Lecturer