UNIVERSITY OF SUNDERLAND

SCHOOL OF BUSINESS & LAW

MANAGING PROJECTS

SIM335

MODULE GUIDE

MODULE LEADER:

Peter Coleman
Room 303E Reg Vardy Building

Email: [email protected]

Module Tutors:
Linda Anne Barkas
Brian Morrison
Ian Evans
John O Donnell
Peter Coleman
Yannis Smirnis
Fiona Thompson
Andy Clark

MANAGING PROJECTS SIM335 SCHOOL OF BUSINESS AND LAW

1. MODULE DETAILS

TITLE: MANAGING PROJECTS

CODE: SIM335
LEVELS: 3
CREDITS: 20
SCHOOL: BUSINESS and LAW
PREREQUISITES: NONE CO-
REQUISITES: NONE
MODULE BOARD: UNDERGRADUATE
LEARNING HOURS: 200

2. CONTENT SYNOPSIS:

This module will define the nature of projects and their management.
Various aspects will be considered including financial control and
management of risk, human resource elements (building and leading a
multidisciplinary team) and control of time. The module will examine the
integration of time, cost, and quality aspects of projects through the
application of relevant tools and techniques.

3. LEARNING OUTCOMES:
Upon successful completion of the module, students will be able to:

Knowledge

1. Critically evaluate and apply a range of skills and

techniques associated with the management of projects

2. Demonstrate capability to evaluate projects from a financial, human

resource and time related perspective

3. Appreciate the requirements for control and the application of

control mechanisms

4. Evaluate the relationship between time, cost and quality, and

understand the alternative approaches available for managing them

MANAGING PROJECTS SIM335 SCHOOL OF BUSINESS AND LAW

Skills

1. Demonstrate critical thinking and analysis skills

2. Demonstrate the ability to apply and evaluate tools and techniques

associated with the management of projects

3. Demonstrate diagnostic skills

4. TEACHING & LEARNING:

Lectures, workshops, and directed and undirected reading.

Lectures

The purpose of the lecture - in any given week - is to introduce the

managing projects theory.

Workshop Activities

The purpose of the workshop is to allow students to work through actual

application of theory to practice. In the workshops students will be
required to work both individually and within teams. Various activities
will be allocated during these workshops. Within each workshop
students will be given time to reflect upon their answers and compare
and contrast their findings with other students. Time will also be given to
consider the conclusions drawn by other students.

Attendance

It is expected that students attend all the lectures and workshops. If you
are unable to attend, it would be courteous to inform the module
leader/tutor. Please Note:

Due to the demanding schedule students are required:

To be seated in class prior to the start of lectures and

workshops

Failure to attend class must be supported with relevant

documentation

Failure to adhere to the above points may result in student

withdrawal and module failure

MANAGING PROJECTS SIM335 SCHOOL OF BUSINESS AND LAW

 If classes are officially suspended, then students are
required to continue with their directed reading

Self - Directed Study

All students are expected to prepare thoroughly for each session, and to
conduct self directed / Independent study for each theme covered in this
module. This is intended to encourage the widest engagement with the
theoretical aspects of project management. In addition, it is hoped, that it
will also stimulate vigorous participation in the practical and critical
aspects of project management.

5. ASSESSMENT:

NUMBER OF ASSIGNMENTS: One

ASSIGNMENT ONE
TOPIC: Project Management
ISSUE DATE: TBC
SUBMISSION DATE: TBC
ASSIGNMENT WEIGHTING: 100%

Summative Assessment

The module will be assessed by a single integrative individual

assignment. This assignment will test all the learning outcomes from the
module. Students will produce a report concerning how to manage
specific project to achieve the goals set out in the assessment. This
allows students to demonstrate their learning in respect of the
management of resources generally, and also in particular, elements of
time, finance, quality, and human resources.

Formative Assessment

Students will be required to complete and submit a selection of activities

from the course materials and receive feedback progress from an
allocated tutor.

MANAGING PROJECTS SIM335 SCHOOL OF BUSINESS AND LAW

6. RECOMMENDED READING:
Note: Given the progressive nature of this module it is essential that
whilst students refer to the texts below, students must keep pace with
current project management issues. Thus, the delivery team will
encourage students to refer to the various business journals, articles and
electronic resource facilities located in our library.

Key Text

Pinto, J. K. (2013) Project Management Achieving Competitive

Advantage. Harlow: Pearson Education.

Also available as an e-book.

Supporting Texts

Burke, R. (2013) Project Management: Planning and Control Techniques

(5th Ed), Chichester: John Wiley & Sons.

PMI (2013) A Guide to Project Management Body of Knowledge (PMBOK

Guide) 5th Edition, Newton Square, PA: Project Management Institute.

http://www.pmi.org/PMBOK-Guide-and-Standards.aspx

7. Sunspace and Notice Boards

The module has its own section on New Sunspace (via my Sunderland). It
is critical that you refer to it regularly. This will be used to provide key
information. It will also be used to make announcements.

You programme notice board may also be used to communicate module

information – so you should refer to it regularly. Details for this board
can be found in your programme handbook.

8. The work compiled by you, the student, must satisfy the university
rules and regulations with respect to plagiarism and collusion. A link is
provided in appendices 1.

MANAGING PROJECTS SIM335 SCHOOL OF BUSINESS AND LAW

If you require any additional guidance relating to this issue please contact
the module leader.

9. Feedback will be gathered at the conclusion of the module via the

University Module Feedback Questionnaire

8. SCHEME OF WORK (See appendix 1 for additional

details):

WEEK 9 - Project Concepts: A

OBJECTIVES:
* Understand the factors that make up a project in today’s
business environment
* Be able to analyse and understand the different types of project
* Explain: What is a project ?

READING: Pinto (2013) Chapter One

Study Guide (p. 1-13)

WEEK 10 - Project Concepts: B

OBJECTIVES:
* Examine and understand some of the general concepts involved
in a project
* Explain the role of the project manager
* Identify the skills required to practice project management

READING: Pinto (2013) Chapter One

Study guide Unit 1

WEEK 11 Planning and Monitoring Tools and

Techniques: A

OBJECTIVES:

MANAGING PROJECTS SIM335 SCHOOL OF BUSINESS AND LAW

* Appreciate the requirements for controlling projects
* Explain the application of control mechanisms

READING: - Pinto (2013) Chapter One

Study Guide (p.15-63)

WEEK 12 Planning and Monitoring Tools and

Techniques: B

OBJECTIVES:
* Evaluate the tools and techniques for project management
planning and control
* Discuss the relative strengths and limitations of project
management tools and techniques

READING: Pinto (2013) Chapter 9

WEEK 13 The Management of Project Costs and Risk:

A

OBJECTIVES:
* Analyse the key techniques that allow projects to be managed in
relation to finance and risk
* Be able to explain the key financial appraisal techniques

Reading: Pinto (2013) Chapter 8

READING: Study Guide (p.65-87)

WEEK 14 The Management of Project Costs

and Risk: B
MANAGING PROJECTS SIM335 SCHOOL OF BUSINESS AND LAW
OBJECTIVES:
*Be able to explain project accounting processes
*Be able to discuss project business case approval processes
*Discuss the importance of risk in the management of projects

READING: Reading: Pinto (2013), Chapter 7

WEEK 15 Project Team Structuring: A

OBJECTIVES:
* Discuss the factors in the business environment that lead to the
successful selection of project teams
*Analyse the successful management of teams

READING: Pinto (2013) Chapter 6

Study Guide (p.89-113)

WEEK 16 Project Team Structuring: B

OBJECTIVES:
* Understand how the role of managing teams differs from the role
of the functional manager
* Discuss fully the role of the project manager
* Understand the skills required – by the project manager -to
practice successful project management

READING: Pinto (2013) Chapter 6

MANAGING PROJECTS SIM335 SCHOOL OF BUSINESS AND LAW

WEEK 17 Assignment Progress

OBJECTIVES:
* Discuss the factors that lead to the production of a successful
assignment

Note: This is an opportunity to view how successful assignments

are developed. In addition, the avoidance of common errors will be
discussed.

WEEK 18 Project Control: A

OBJECTIVES:
* Analyse and understand the factors that make up sound project
control principles
*Describe factors relating to comparing actual performance
against plans and other project criteria

READING: Study Guide (p.115 -157)

WEEK 19 Project Control: B

OBJECTIVES:
* Examine various techniques available for reporting on project
progress

READING: Pinto (2013) Chapter 13

WEEK 20 The Finale #

OBJECTIVES:
* Review course objectives and how they have been met
* Identify issues relating to course content improvements

MANAGING PROJECTS SIM335 SCHOOL OF BUSINESS, LAW AND PSYCHOLOGY

Notes: This is an opportunity for you to ask questions, so think
about what the interface between theory and practice means to
you and structure your thoughts accordingly. Prepare yourself, this
is your opportunity.

Useful Links ( It is essential that you read these links)

University Generic Assessment Criteria

https://docushare.sunderland.ac.uk/docushare/dsweb/Get/Document-3101/AQH-
B5+Generic+Assessment+Criteria.pdf

University Academic Regulations

https://docushare.sunderland.ac.uk/docushare/dsweb/View/Collection-2780

University Student Handbook

https://docushare.sunderland.ac.uk/docushare/dsweb/Get/Document-
3051/Studenthandbook2008.doc

University Policy on Plagiarism

https://docushare.sunderland.ac.uk/docushare/dsweb/Get/Document-2994/AQH-
F6-12+Policy+Statement+on+Plagiarism.pdf

University Policy on Extenuating Circumstances

https://docushare.sunderland.ac.uk/docushare/dsweb/Get/Document-2995/AQH-
F6-13+Procedures+for+Extenuating+Circumstances.pdf

University Policies on Complaints, Appeals and Student Discipline

https://docushare.sunderland.ac.uk/docushare/dsweb/View/Collection-2784

Information on how to reference correctly

https://docushare.sunderland.ac.uk/docushare/dsweb/Get/Document-3087/AQH-
K1+Bibliographic+References.pdf

MANAGING PROJECTS SIM335 SCHOOL OF BUSINESS, LAW AND PSYCHOLOGY

Appendix 1

12 Week Module Project Project Project Project Assignment Project Finale

Concepts Tools and Cost/Risk Team Progress Control
Technique Structuring
Week 1 Concepts A
Concepts B

Planning A
Planning B

Cost/Risk A
Cost/Risk B

Teams A
Teams B

Assignment Control

Control A
Control B

Finale

MANAGING PROJECTS SIM335 SCHOOL OF BUSINESS AND LAW