MSc Management of Projects

Central to the unit is a team-based coursework wherein students will create a video documentary based on a real-world project, applying principles from the Association for Project Management Body of Knowledge (APMBoK), the latest guidelines from the UK's leading project management professional association. By comparing and contrasting the APMBoK, literature, online notes, and the most up-to-date real-world project management literature and practices across various sectors selected by students’ teams, students will discern how theoretical knowledge translates into real-world decision-making. Additionally, they will assess the transferability of this knowledge in practical settings. Students will select three areas of focus, refining them based on the context of the chosen real-world project. This marks the first opportunity in the postgraduate degree before the dissertation to conduct three primary research pieces alongside in-depth reading. Managing the research process itself provides first-hand project management experience through collaboration with peers by managing this complex three-piece research project.

Syllabus Overview:

The unit will be delivered in three stages.

Stage 1: Project Initiation

Research strand:

Students will explore real-world project bids to understand how projects are framed and initiated.

In this stage’s tutorial, the teaching team will guide students in developing the core logic of their research-led project and provide examples of successful project bids.

Practice strand:

Students will define and write a project scope statement to formally initiate their team project.

Tutorials will offer hands-on support in breaking down tasks, clarifying roles, and other understanding project initiation techniques.

Stage 2: Project Design and Planning

Research strand:

Students will narrow their research focus and develop interview questions and a case study protocol.

The teaching team will assist in refining research questions and designing ethical, effective data collection strategies.

Art and storytelling strand:

Students will design a storyboard for their documentary to plan how to visually present their research findings.

Support will be provided in using storyboarding tools and aligning content with communication goals.

Project management strand:

Students will learn to use AI tools for planning, monitoring, and communication in projects.

Workshops will be provided in AI applications, providing demonstrations and hands-on practice.

Stage 3: Project Execution and Evaluation

Research strand:

Students will collect and report findings from their case studies using academic standards.

The teaching team will offer formative feedback on data analysis and reporting strategies.

Practice strand:

Students will evaluate their own project management performance and enhance their practices.

Tutorials will focus on reflective techniques, peer learning, and tools for evaluating success and identifying improvements.

The unit entails an in-depth exploration aimed at acquiring and applying advanced and detailed project management knowledge and theories, much of which is at the forefront aspects of Project Management. It's designed to prepare students to tackle and solve a substantial range of Project Management problems, including those that are complex and/or novel.

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

ILO 1: Conduct a case study to investigate the alignment and divergence between project management theory and practice.

ILO 2: Apply generative AI in project management practice and  evaluate its impacts on the profession.

ILO 3: Demonstrate critical awareness of professional practices and recent developments in project management;

ILO 4: Communicate complex project management concepts and research findings effectively to both technical and non-technical audiences through documentary production.

ILO 5: Critically compare the application of project management theories in practice, identifying implications for future practice.

ILO 6: Lead and contribute to a team-based research project by demonstrating effective collaboration and reflection on team performance.

Other - In class test

Group coursework - Formative feedback will be provided through in person tutorials, online discussion board and emails based on request. The initial plan will be feedback by in-person tutorials and this will be finished before the 8th week. Summative feedback will be provided after the exam board.
Individual coursework - Formative feedback will be provided through in person tutorials, online discussion board and emails based on request. The initial plan will be feedback by in-person tutorials and this will be finished before the 8th week. Summative feedback will be provided after the exam board.