Project Management - BSc Hons (Lancaster University)

This industry-focused programme introduces you to the tools and techniques required for effective project management, focusing on how to implement those techniques and the various scenarios to which they apply. This emphasis on learning through application enables the development of cognitive skills and capabilities and a set of competencies for addressing ‘real world’ issues. The variety of students’ working backgrounds allows for cross-pollination of working practices and ideas to strengthen your understanding of the dynamic role of practising project managers.

A list of modules and a description of each are outlined below:

Business and Commerce - This module examines the business-based considerations necessary to ensure potential projects and their related activities are more likely to succeed. It considers not only financing issues but also how effective business cases, the foundation on which projects are built, can be created along with the advantages of early planning concerning procurement, funding and contract issues. The problems of operating projects within business-based environments are discussed and potential solutions sought. The challenges facing both the marketing and operation of the modern project-based organisation are investigated.

Dissertation - The first phase of this module is to provide initial guidance, counselling and preparation, an intensive series of lectures and related seminars will be held. These will be organised by the Module Leader and will address issues concerned with topic selection, research design, methodology and implementation, the role of the dissertation, assessment criteria and processes, and the student-supervisor relationship. The purpose of this phase will be to provide appropriate preparation to enable the student to undertake a coherent and systematic study at honours level. The Module Leader will be responsible for providing the students with general guidelines concerning the planning and implementation of the dissertation. The Module Leader will work with the student to formulate a satisfactory dissertation proposal. Once this has been approved, the student will be formally allocated a member of staff as a dissertation supervisor. The supervisor will advise on the planning and scheduling of work, methods of investigation, data collection and the preparation of the written report. Dissertation supervisors will be expected to ensure that students are aware of the assessment criteria for the dissertation. The second phase of this module is to establish how the dissertation will normally be an empirical investigation incorporating secondary sources. The dissertation module will enable students to demonstrate the application of those analytical, investigative and evaluative skills developed during earlier and /or concurrent components of the course. The dissertation will allow students to pursue issues in depth and undertake their own research with limited supervision. The topic chosen will normally be based on one of the major areas of study within the degree structure or will integrate two or more of these

Leadership and Team Work - This module looks at the development of practical leadership skills at a non-strategic level, within the rapidly changing working environment. The unit provides an opportunity for learners to explore in depth the attributes and skills of successful leaders. Learners will also be able to consider how some of the leadership theories and models can be applied to specific situations and to learn how leadership skills can be developed. The intended outcomes will enhance the ability of the student to motivate individuals and maximize the contributions that teams can make within a project management work place. The module draws on a selection of established principles and on more recent work published about management and leadership practices in today’s working environment. It seeks to consider their relevance to specific working situations.

Strategic Planning - This module will examine the influence of organisational strategy on projects and how an organisation can ensure that projects are aligned to their strategic objectives. Learners will explore the area of benefits realisation through project, programme and portfolio management, where a benefit can be defined as the positive and measurable impact of change on the performance of an organisation contributing to one of more strategic objectives.

Project Planning and Control - This module will explore how project control management systems and life cycle methodologies are applied within organisations. Learners will critically evaluate the effectiveness of how controls are developed and utilised and explore the barriers that need to be overcome to enable successful implementation. The module will encourage students to develop an awareness of the interdependencies needed between project and function teams and how they can influence the success of a given project (or system). To help focus on achieving the benefits of project and function links, learners will investigate hard and soft thinking concepts to assist in aiding acceptance of change. This module links in with the Strategic Planning module in how project controls can influence organisational strategy. The learner will critically evaluate the focus on project sponsors as the key stakeholder representative for the project and their ability to influence high level management decisions for the project. The module will also challenge the paradoxical view of Value Management as a style of management particularly dedicated to motivating people, developing skills and promoting synergies and innovation, with the aim of maximising the overall performance of an organisation. Learners will also explore strategic management element reviews and evaluate appropriate risk management techniques with a view to influencing implementation at a strategic level also considering elements of environmental management which examines how businesses integrate environmental issues on sustainability into their activities, with an understanding of the eco management and audit schemes and ISO 14001.

The modules included in this course are

Year 1 - Level 6

• BAPM01 Business & Commerce - 20 credits
• BAPM02 Dissertation - 40 credits
• BAOM03 Leadership of Teams - 20 credits
• BAPM04 Strategic Planning - 20 credits
• BAPM05 Project Planning & Control - 20 credits