Computer Science

Project management in the modern organisation is a complex team-based activity, involving the use of resources from within the organisation and contracted from outside. In this module you will learn about the processes, methods, techniques and tools that organisations use to manage their information systems projects. You will gain project management skills by applying systematic methodologies for initiating, planning, executing, controlling and closing projects, including PRINCE2 and agile project management methods.

You will also practice useful personal skills including CV writing, presenting and participating in interviews, and you will learn about aspects of IT professional practice through a series of “guru lectures” by leading IT practitioners from prominent organisations.
 

The aims of the module are:

• To introduce you to the fundamentals of project management, as applied by organisations in information systems projects.
• To help you develop effective communication skills, which you will need in many of your modules and in professional practice.
• To give you practice in employability skills that will help you succeed in applying for IT jobs.
• To give a flavour of the work done by IT practitioners and the IT-related problems faced by real organisations.

1. outline the foundations of project management and describe the processes, methods, techniques and tools that organisations use to manage information systems projects.
2. identify and use suitable software tools in support of project management.
3. explain the legal and cultural issues pertaining to complex project contexts including external acquisition and working with global teams.
4. demonstrate an appreciation of current issues faced by IT practitioners.
5. apply PRINCE2 at Foundation level.

Discipline Specific Skills and Knowledge:
 

6. demonstrate an ability to manage a project (typically less than six months, no inter-dependency with other projects and no strategic impact) including the rescheduling for deviations, the handling of review meetings and the management of problems and escalation processes.
7. construct a project plan for a multi-threaded project.
8. create and manage a risk register.
9. take account of basic management considerations: prioritisation, task versus responsibility management, managing up the organisation, people considerations
10. follow a project management methodology.
11. make use of the concept and application of deliverables.
12. demonstrate the use of critical path planning and managing dependencies.

Personal and Key Transferable / Employment Skills and Knowledge:

13. demonstrate good interpersonal communication and teamwork skills.
14. apply for a particular IT job opportunity and participate in the interview process.
15. communicate fluently in writing, with the ability to articulate complex issues, taking into account the reader’s viewpoint.
16. make concise, engaging and well-structured oral presentations, arguments and explanations of varying lengths by using various methods, with and without the use of media, taking into account the audience viewpoint at all times.
17. summarise and critique presentations.

Professional skills

• Communication skills
• Employment skills

Project management

• The project management lifecycle
• Managing project teams and communication
• Project initiation, scope, planning and scheduling
• Managing resources
• Managing quality
• Managing risk
• Procurement
• Project execution, control and closure

Guru lectures

All referred/deferred assessment will be by examination.

ELE: http://vle.exeter.ac.uk

Web based and Electronic Resources:

Other Resources:

Module notes given by lecturer(s)

Reading list for this module: