MSc Management of Projects

The dissertation involves self study (self directed independent learning) in depth, to acquire coherent and detailed knowledge of project management-related concept/s, and/or technique/s and/or discipline areas. A project topic area, and a Dissertation Supervisor, is allocated to each student during the early weeks of Semester 2. Where possible the allocation of the project topic area is based on student preference.

The Project Topic Allocation Process includes students reviewing and bidding for a limited number of project topic areas (5) from a wide range of available project topic areas, and/or applying for a small number of Industry-linked projects (separate application and interview process).  In consultation with their allocated Dissertation Supervisor, students are required to develop a specific project within their allocated project topic area. The allocated project topic area forms the basis for both the prerequisite unit, MACE60050 (Project Management Research Methods) and the Dissertation. Students are required to do substantial background reading to prepare for the Semester 2 MACE60050 coursework, (which they must pass to proceed to dissertation), and to provide the foundation for the formal dissertation preparation period. 

The formal dissertation preparation period commences immediately after the Semester 2 Exam period and the dissertation is submitted in the first week of September. The Dissertation is assessed by the Supervisor and a second marker, and may be subject to further assessment and/or moderation.

The Dissertation represents 60 credits and 600 hours of work and is a substantial commitment during both Semester 2 and the formal preparation period from the end of the Semester 2 Exam Period to the submission date. Students are also required to review a list of project topic areas during the latter part of Semester 1, in preparation for the bidding process (part of the Project Topic Allocation Process).

The preparation of the dissertation is the outcome of the student’s own work, and requires significant self-study, time management and planning. The student is wholly responsible for developing their project specific knowledge, and for the planning, preparation, contents, quality, presentation of the dissertation, and for meeting the submission deadlines.  The Dissertation Supervisor provides guidance via a limited number of supervision meetings, and online communication.

To introduce the students to project management-related investigation, including critically reviewing, critically analysing and synthesizing published research, data and other published material, collecting information and data, critically reviewing and discussing findings, and presenting their work and conclusions in written form (dissertation) in ways appropriate to a project management audience or readership.

In addition, where appropriate (topic dependent), to introduce students to developing, planning and undertaking empirical research, including analysing and discussing the findings and presenting the work and conclusions within the dissertation.

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

Discuss work with allocated supervisor, peers and staff.

Create a written academic piece of work (dissertation) that conforms to standards of academic presentation.

Relate research findings to the research question with written argument.

Critique current research and issues related to the research area.

Identify a research area and develop a relevant academic knowledge base.

Design appropriate research methods, incorporating outputs from literature review and consideration of ethics.

Conduct an independent investigation into a research question using appropriately justified research methods.

Propose theoretical and practical contributions to the research area, integrating with concerns of practice and academic debate.

Find a concern within the realm of project organisation and formulate a meaningful research question  about it.

Verbal feedback is provided continuously during the duration of the project work, with regular face-to-face meetings between the student and his/her supervisor.

1. Dissertation Research and Writing for Built Environment Students by Shamil G. Naoum. Routledge, 2019.
2. Doing your research project: a guide for first-time researchers by Bell, Judith. McGraw-Hill Education, 2018.
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4. Doing your master's dissertation by Furseth, Inger. Sage, 2013.
5. Doing a systematic review: a student's guide by Cherry, M. G.; Boland, Angela,; Dickson, R. SAGE, 2024. 
6. Designs, methods and practices for research of project management by Pasian, Beverly,; Algeo, Chivonne. Gower, 2015.
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8. PROJECT MANAGEMENT RESEARCH-THE CHALLENGE AND OPPORTUNITY by Shenhar, Aaron ; Dvir, Dov. Project Management Journal, 2007.
9. Project‐as‐practice: In search of project management research that matters by Blomquist, Tomas ; Hällgren, Markus ; Nilsson, Andreas ; Söderholm, Anders. Project Management Journal, 2010.
10. Analyzing project management research: Perspectives from top management journals by Kwak, Young Hoon ; Anbari, Frank T. International Journal of Project Management, 2009.
11. The current state of project management research: Trends, interpretations, and predictions by Kioppenborg, Timothy ; Opfer, Warren. Project Management Journal, 2002.
12. Building theories of project management: past research, questions for the future by Söderlund, Jonas. International Journal of Project Management, 2004.