MSc Commercial Project Management

The Unit explores the use of ICT (Information Communication Technology) in projects today and how the management of projects is now intrinsically linked with ICT use.  It examines ICT`s from both practical and theoretical perspectives, enabling students to appreciate the informational and communicative foundations upon which ICT`s are designed and used.  An emphasis on both social and technical aspects of ICT`s and rapid developments in the field (e.g. social media; Big Data) allows the full import and centrality of ICT`s on projects to be appreciated.

The Unit involves study of different engineering topics and applications which enhance the prime content of the programme.

To develop a critical understanding of the contribution and role of ICT (Information Communication Technology) in project management today.
To appreciate the social and technical aspects of ICT design, deployment and use in projects today.
To understand and apply theoretical ideas relating to ICT development, application and use.
 

Projects, Information & Management.
Students learn distinctions between data, information, knowledge; students learn foundational importance of information to project effectiveness & management; students initiate critical thinking activities (Media Richness Theory).  Self-Reading activities begin.

Communication, Knowledge & ICT on Projects.
Students learn how semiotic theories are central to ICT design and use on projects; students acquire learning to analyse signs; students identify differences between information & knowledge management principles in projects.

ICT Planning, Management & Control.
Students learn about varieties of ICT applications used in projects for planning, management & control; students identify components of an information architecture; students begin to think critically about Big Data.

Lifecycles, Systems & Tools.
Students learn about project & information lifecycles; students evaluate and make critical distinctions between project information tools; contextualization of ICT`s in relation to whole lifecycle process.

Work, Occupations & ICT.
Students think critically about full impact of ICT`s on work and occupations of people in project based industries with appropriate concepts and theories (e.g. affordances)

Project Complexities, Society & Information.
Students explore how projects have unique social/technical characteristics through appropriate theories: sociotechnical systems (STS) / actor-network theory (ANT) / sociomateriality; students acquire skills to begin analysing projects from such perspectives.

Digitization, Modelling & Information Value.
Students learn how digitization & modelling is changing some aspects of project management today; continual critical analysis of project scenarios (using social and technical theories).

Visualizations, Representations & Realities.
Students learn how ICT has critical role for information visualization and representation; appropriate theory and analytical technique are taught (social semiotics; visual social semiotics); students examine, evaluate and assess materials using these concepts.

Government & Infrastructure Projects.
Students explore how government development agendas are closely bound with ICT use on projects; students learn about the use of ICT on infrastructure projects; students think critically about such initiatives.

Ethics, Security, Cybercrime.
Students learn about information law (DPA; FOI) and importance to project management through case studies; direct developments in the field (e.g. social media; Internet) are explored; issues are explored through further group discussion.

Exam - via script viewing