BSc Management (International Business Economics) with Industrial/Professional Experience / Course details

Year of entry: 2024

Course unit details:
Managing Projects

Course unit fact file
Unit code BMAN22061
Credit rating 20
Unit level Level 2
Teaching period(s) Semester 1
Available as a free choice unit? No

Overview

Project management practices are increasingly important to organisations across a range of sectors. Projects are the main vehicles by which organisations (public and private) embark on deliberate and proactive strategic change. This course will explore the practicalities of managing projects from a value creation and lifecycle perspective.

Pre/co-requisites

Option to students on: Management/Management (Specialism), IM, IMABS and ITMB.

Option to students on: Management/Management (Specialism) and IM.

 

Aims

To develop knowledge and understanding of the principles of managing projects: concepts, processes, tools and techniques through individual and group activities.

Learning outcomes

On completion of the course the student should be able to:

  • Understand and explain the relevance of projects and their management to organisations.
  • Understand and recognize the role of commercial and contract management within the management of projects.
  • Understand and identify principles, processes, tools and techniques available for managing projects within a commercial environment.
  • Apply independently and collectively relevant project and commercial management principles, processes, tools and techniques.
  • Analyse and evaluate project situations and associated issues and make recommendations for improvement.
  • Work in a team to prepare, plan and produce basic documentation relevant for managing projects.

Syllabus

Programme

Week

 

Topic

 

1

 

Projecting the future

 

2

 

Leading and assembling the project project

 

3

 

Defining the project

 

4

 

Project delivery planning

 

5

 

Tutorial 1

 

6

 

Reading Week

 

7

 

Project delivery planning: scheduling and budgeting

 

8

 

Managing risk and uncertainty

 

9

 

Defending project value

 

10

 

Tutorial 2

11

 

Summary and close

Tutorial 3

 

  

Blackboard

Full course description, introductory video, online preparation (slides, pre-reads), session slides, application exercises and solution guidelines, reading list, assignment briefs, group allocation and discussion boards, announcements and web links to relevant information sources will be included on this course’s blackboard space.

Teaching and learning methods

Workshops and tutorials complemented by participative learning activities such as, group work, application exercises, and discussion. All participating students must come prepared to answer questions and discuss reading material assigned.

Workshop Hours: 21 hours (3 hours per week over 7 weeks)
Tutorial Hours: 9 hours (3 hours per week over 3 weeks)
Private Study: 170 hours
Total Study Hours: 200 hours

Attendance
In accordance with the University of Manchester Student Charter, attendance at all scheduled sessions are compulsory and will be monitored. Spot checks will take place across the sessions. Any student who is absent without a valid reason (supported by acceptable evidence) will receive a penalty on their overall course mark. Penalties will be applied as follows: Failure to attend any of the scheduled sessions will result in 2% being deducted from the final course mark for each session missed.
 

 

Assessment methods

Individual slide cast (slides with voice over) (50%), group work (50%).

For semester 1 only exchange students admitted via the Placement and International Programmes Office that take this course as BMAN20951 the assessment will be Group Work (50%) and individual slide cast (50%). 

Feedback methods

Formative feedback is designed to help you improve your work, this feedback does not contribute to your final grade. This will be provided as the course progresses through: a) In class workshop discussions andreview of application exercises, feedback will be shared with the whole class in plenary format; b) Group tutorials to review and discuss progress on the group assignment; c) Responses to student emails and discussion forum posts; d) During office hours. Summative feedback will be provided alongside marks for pieces of assessment. Written comment will be provided to help you identify areas of improvement for you in future assessments and why the final mark was awarded for this coursework. Summative feedback will be provided on Blackboard within 15 working days of the final submission deadline. A working day is defined as Monday to Friday, not including bank holidays and excluding student vacation periods and University examination periods.

Methods of Feedback from Students/Course Evaluation
Students are encouraged to offer constructive feedback on the course either through blackboard discussion board, e-mail to the course coordinator, during office hours or via the student representative. Changes have been made to the course based on valuable student feedback. In addition to the central unit evaluation questionnaire, students are encouraged to provide feedback on the course as it proceeds.

Recommended reading

Reading List

Core Text: TBC

Supplementary Texts:

  • Pinto, J. 2020. Project Management Achieving Competitive Advantage. 5th edition. Pearson. 
  • Winch, G., Maytorena-Sanchez, E. and Sergeeva, N. 2022. Strategic Project Organizing. Oxford University Press: Oxford.

The following journals are also useful sources:

  • International Journal of Project Management;
  • Project Management Journal;
  • International Journal of Managing Projects in Business;
  • PM network.

Study hours

Scheduled activity hours
Practical classes & workshops 21
Tutorials 9
Independent study hours
Independent study 170

Teaching staff

Staff member Role
Eunice Maytorena-Sanchez Unit coordinator

Additional notes

Information

Other staff involved: N/A

Pre-requisites: N/A

Co-requisites: N/A

Dependent course units: N/A

Programme Restrictions: Available only to Management/Management (Specialism) and International Management.

For Academic Year 2024/25

Updated: March 2024

Approved by: March UG Committee

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