Project Governance Course Descriptor

Course Summary

This course examines the governance frameworks – policies, regulations, ethics, processes and structures – with which projects must operate. A range of sectors and organisations will be assessed to highlight different levels of control and governance, including health, IT, business, Government and third sector. Learners will understand how to consider governance throughout the project lifecycle with a focus on developing governance compliant business cases and reporting requirements. 

Course Aims

• Train learners in governance frameworks across a number of sectors and organisations.
• Train learners in how to apply governance considerations and control across the project lifecycle.
• Give learners the tools to understand and be able to apply governance frameworks relating to their workplace sectors.

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 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 on examinations is provided through generic internal examiners’ reports and are made available to the student on the VLE. For all other summative assessment methods, feedback 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

Müller, R. (2009). Project Governance. Aldershot : Gower

Beecham, R. (2011). Project Governance: The Essentials. IT Governance Publishing

Renz, P. (2007). Project Governance Implementing Corporate Governance and Business Ethics in Nonprofit Organizations. Heidelberg : Physica-Verlag

Journals

Learners are encouraged to read material from relevant journals on project governance as directed by their course leader.

Electronic Resources

Learners are encouraged to consult relevant websites on project governance.

Indicative Topics

• Governance frameworks
• Business, government, third sector
• Project lifecycle