Management Simulator Course Descriptor

Course Summary

This course is an intensive two-week bootcamp that gives learners hands-on experience of project management in practice. Learners will explore the full project lifecycle from negotiating with stakeholders and requirements gathering, to implementation, planning, scheduling, governance, financial frameworks, status reports to project closure and reporting. Learners will work collaboratively, to manage a business project using an appropriate, industry-standard project management methodology. The bootcamp will involve group discussion, debate and team-working. 

Course Aims

• Train learners in the practice of project management.
• Train learners to work effectively in teams, negotiate, communicate and lead.
• Allow learners to learn project management techniques through hands-on experience.

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 a two-week bootcamp. 

This course can be offered as a standalone short course.

Teaching and learning strategies for this course will include: 

• Lectures
• Informal discussion groups
• Practical sessions
• 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 (10 days x 7 hours) = 70 hours
• On-the-job learning (10 days x 7 hours) = 70 hours
• Private study =  10 hours

Total = 150 hours

Apprentices will complete workplace activities before the bootcamp, as part of their on-the-job learning. Preliminary activities include reading and workplace research.

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

Wells, K. and Kloppenborg, T.J. (2015). Project Management Essentials. New York, New Jersey : Business Expert Press

Wilson, R. (2015). Mastering Project Management Strategy and Processes: Proven Methods to Meet Organizational Goals. O’Reilly

Bell, R., and Martin, J.S. (2014). Managerial Communication. New York : Business Expert Press

Journals

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

Electronic Resources

Learners are encouraged to consult relevant websites on project management in practice.

Indicative Topics

• Project management in practice
• Project management methodologies
• Stakeholder negotiation