Stakeholders, Negotiation and Project Management Course Descriptor

Course Summary

This course gives learners the tools to be an effective change agent in modern business. The course examines the breadth and diversity of stakeholders and their levels of engagement. Techniques and strategies for negotiating and influencing a breadth of stakeholders in order to implement technological change. How to manage digital transformation projects, using industry-recognised approaches such as Agile. Learners will critically evaluate business case studies and current research to explore a range of management skills. 

Course Aims

• Train learners in the breadth of stakeholders in an organisation and the stages of stakeholder engagement.
• Train learners in negotiation and influencing techniques, suitable for a diverse range of stakeholders.
• Train learners in IT project management techniques.

Learning Outcomes

On successful completion of the course, learners will be able to:

Knowledge and Understanding

Subject Specific Skills

Transferable and Professional Skills

Teaching and Learning

This is an e-learning course, taught throughout the year. 

This course can be offered as a standalone short course.

Teaching and learning strategies for this course will include: 

• Online learning
• Online discussion groups
• Online assessment

Course information and supplementary materials will be available on the University’s Virtual Learning Environment (VLE).

Learners are required to attend and participate in all the formal and timetabled sessions for this course. Learners are also expected to manage their self-directed learning and independent study in support of the course.

The course learning and teaching hours will be structured as follows:

• Off-the-job learning and teaching (6 days x 7 hours) = 42 hours
• On-the-job learning (12 days x 7 hours) = 84 hours (e.g. 2 days per week for 6 weeks)
• Private study (4 hours per week) = 24 hours

Total = 150 hours

Workplace assignments (see below) will be completed as part of on-the-job learning.

Assessment

Formative

Learners will be formatively assessed during the course by means of set assignments. These will not count towards the final degree but will provide students with developmental feedback. 

Summative

Feedback

Learners will receive formal feedback in a variety of ways: written (via email or VLE correspondence) and indirectly through online discussion groups. Regular tri-partite reviews between the learner (apprentice), their apprenticeship advisor (provider) and workplace line manager (employer) formally monitor and evaluate the learner’s progress.

Indicative Reading

Note: Comprehensive and current reading lists for courses are produced annually in the Course Syllabus or other documentation provided to students; the indicative reading list provided below is used as part of the approval/modification process only.

Books

Roeder, T. (2013). Managing Project Stakeholders: Building a Foundation to Achieve Project Goals. Somerset: Wiley

McCarthy, A. and Hay, S. (2015). Advanced Negotiation Techniques. California: Apress; New York : Springer

Paquette, P. and Frankl, M. (2016). Agile Project Management for Business Transformation Success. New York : Business Expert Press

Journals

Learners are encouraged to read material from relevant journals on project management and negotiation as directed by their Course Leader.

Electronic Resources

Learners are encouraged to consult relevant websites on project management and negotiation.

Indicative Topics

Learners will study the following topics: 

• Stakeholder engagement
• Negotiating and influencing
• Project management