Award in Fundamentals of Project Management

Course Description

The unit is intended to provide a holistic understanding of the fundamental principles of project management, and to obtain a theoretical point of view to be able to gain the skills necessary to effectively manage projects.

Concretely, the learner will be able to distinguish between projects, programmes and portfolios, to prepare oneself for the eventual responsibilities associated with managing various projects simultaneously.

The learners will be able to identify the duties of the project manager, and the distinguish between responsibility and accountability. Particular emphasis will be given to the primary role of the project manager acting as the bonding agent which keeps the various units together, working jointly towards the project outcomes.

The unit will delve in further detail of the major phases constituting a project, identifying the moment to move on to the successive phase, closing the previous phase.

Stakeholders could make or break a project, and learners will be trained to identify each stakeholder and other external factors which could be detrimental to project completion. Exercises will be conducted to simulate real-life projects when it comes to the identification of stakeholders and influencing factors.

Any project rests on the mother of all rules: time-cost-quality. Leaners will be trained to keep this three pillar rule in check throughout the execution of the project lifetime, and methods on how this may be controlled.

Towards the end of the unit, learners will gain the skills to be able to identify the necessary team positions required for a given project, and the different options available at building the right team for a given project.

Career Paths

Project Management Executive, Events Executive, Program Implementation Executive

Structure and Assessment

Course delivery is planned to be face-to-face lessons along with practical assignments where applicable.

Duration – 30 Hours

Note: Additional hours as directed by the Lecturer need to be dedicated by way of Self-Study / Research / Assignments / Projects / Presentations / Group-Work or similar.

Assessments

Assignments based on project scenarios will be carried out in class‚   to assess learners on all Learning Outcomes, in particular the learner’s application of project management tools.

Learning Outcomes

LO1 Identify what constitutes a project and distinguish a project from a programme and a portfolio.

LO2 Summarise the duties, responsibility and accountability of the central role of the project manager.

LO3 Identify the 5 major phases of the project life-cycle: initiation, definition, planning, execution and closeout.

LO4 Identify the various stakeholders and external factors affecting the project.

LO5 Apply the time-cost-quality project management rule and master project management techniques for effective implementation.

LO6 Identify the various positions within the project team and the different types of teams.

Entry Requirements

A Full MQF Level 4 qualification

Maturity Clause:

Applicants who do not meet all the minimum eligibility criteria, and who have attained the age of 21 years, may submit an application under the maturity clause. A Curriculum Vitae and a Motivation Letter (the latter clearly indicating what motivates the applicant to apply for this particular course) are required.

These applicants must demonstrate that they stand to benefit and show that they are able to follow the programme through an interview held for the purpose. Additionally, applicants under the maturity clause may be evaluated through an assessment.

The Admissions Department may suggest pre-eligibility courses any applicant would be required to follow before being considered eligible for this course.