Project Management

This module introduces the students to contemporary developments in the field of technological advancements and societal development driven by the Fourth Industrial Revolution, or Industry 4.0. It reviews the disruptive and transformative technologies, which are underpinning Industry 4.0 and are currently changing and developing new socio-economic, political and societal models

Project Management has emerged as a contemporary, key management discipline supporting organisations to achieve their strategic goals in a constantly evolving business ecosystem complicated by risks, uncertainties, and competitor pressures. Globalisation of businesses and economies has introduced additional complexity levels intrinsic to the management of large-scale geographically distributed project teams.

This module explicates the latest principles and cutting-edge thinking relating to the management of projects and portfolios within and across organisations by specifically addressing how projects and programmes can be adopted as strategic tools to provide value-added outcomes for stakeholders. In this module, students develop the skills and knowledge necessary to manage the key processes of planning projects and portfolios and the management of risks by thoroughly analysing project and portfolio environments. Thus, the module also provides exposure to detailed risk management strategies that should be addressed in any formal risk management procedure and other key project and portfolio planning considerations such as: implementing effective time, cost, and quality management processes and establishing effective communication systems.

Uncertainty is an inevitable aspect of most projects and the management of uncertainty in any organisational context rests upon a broad-ranging skillset comprising an understanding of relevant concepts and an ability to think critically about management procedures. This module equips students with this versatile skillset and helps orient them to execute project plans created during the planning phase, under uncertainty and with inherent complexities that are inevitable from a variety of sources and stakeholders. This module introduces students to the planning processes, tools and techniques as identified by the professional bodies (PMI and APM) knowledge areas. While project plans are being executed, monitoring and controlling structures are established to handle issues that could influence successful deliverables being output by the project. 

The specific nature of projects as temporary and unique activities have implications on managing project teams and the behavioural aspects of project-based organisations. This module explores different aspects and approaches to managing and leading projects and project-based organisations and resolving the potential conflicts within the team and among other stakeholders. Delivering complex projects is predominantly a team effort. Leading and managing project teams can pose a formidable challenge – with a high level of personal responsibility for outcomes. As such, this module covers the linkages between effective and appropriate leadership and project delivery.

Systems thinking is a way of looking at the forest rather than the trees, a helicopter view of how parts of organisations relate and work together to form the “whole”. Systems analysis, hard and soft, social and technical, complex and linear, is influencing how organisational analysis is done in consultancy, medicine, engineering, science and the creative industries. This module introduces holistic systems concepts, techniques, tools and ideas, and then applies systems-based approaches to facilitate sustainability in project delivery.

The module provides students with the opportunity to read extensively and apply research and analytical skills to a chosen area of study. As part of this module, students produce a 15,000-word document that identifies and investigates a specific question(s) or a defined project in an area appropriate to their degree discipline over a sustained period.

The aim of this module is to demonstrate how operations and supply chain managers can influence and shape competitive strategy, through effective leadership, innovative business transformation initiatives and astute financial management. These themes are primarily considered within the context of intra and inter firm relationships, as well as the policies and practices of strategic procurement. Specific topics include business management practices, leadership, relationship management, teamwork, financial analysis, procurement strategies, category management, supply market analysis and supplier management.

The aim of this module is to develop the strategic thinking and leadership skills required of students for managing the strategic contribution of digital technologies to organisational success and transformation. The module focuses on business transformation and addresses several key areas, including: Strategic Planning, Business Leadership, Change Management, Organisational Learning and Knowledge Management, Entrepreneurship and Innovation. Digital business transformation is a highly contemporary subject in the business world, and the subject of many high profile consultancy projects in digital transformation. Developing effective leaders in this area who understand the complex interplay between technological, operational and business drivers in supporting digital transformation projects is crucial.