Advanced IT Project Management Course Descriptor

Course Summary

This course is an in-depth exploration of the principles, practice and methodologies used in IT project management. Learners will evaluate and critique a number of industry-standard IT project methodologies, such as Agile, Waterfall, Scrum and Kanban. The appropriateness of IT project methodologies will be assessed depending upon the predictability of outcome, scale, time-frame, resources and complexity of tasks. Learners will examine the need for compliance with regulations, consultation, negotiation and effective communication strategies alongside the selection and management of a project team, financial modelling, forecasting, risk assessment and budgetary control. 

Course Aims

• Train learners to evaluate, select, and use a range of IT project management methodologies for complex projects.
• Give learners the tools to be effective consultants with balanced technical, communication and management skills.
• Train learners in regulation, compliance, financial forecasting and budgetary control.

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 (12 days x 7 hours) = 84 hours
• On-the-job learning (24 days x 7 hours) = 168 hours (e.g. 2 days per week for 12 weeks)
• Private study (4 hours per week) = 48 hours

Total = 300 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 learners 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. Learners will also attend a formal meeting with their Academic Mentor (and for apprentices, including their Line Manager). These bi or tri-partite reviews will monitor and evaluate the learner’s progress.  

Feedback is provided on summative assessment and is made available to the student either via email, the VLE or another appropriate method.

Indicative Reading

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

Books

• Wysocki, R. (2019). Effective Project Management: Traditional, Agile, Extreme Hybrid. Indianapolis : Wiley 8th Edition
• Phillips, J. (2004). IT Project Management. McGraw-Hill
• Cole, R. and Scotcher, E. (2016). Brilliant Agile Project Management. Pearson

Journals

Learners are encouraged to read material from relevant journals on IT Project Management as directed by their course leader.

Electronic Resources

Learners are encouraged to consult relevant websites on IT project management.

Indicative Topics

Learners will study the following topics: 

• Project management methodologies
• Consultation, negotiation and communication
• Budgets and control