BUSINESS FACULTY

Module Handbook
2019-20

BUSI1329/1288 – Project Planning

and Management

Level 5: 15 Credits

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Contents

1. WELCOME.......................................................................................................................................... 3

2. INTRODUCTION TO THE MODULE........................................................................................................ 4

2.1 AIMS.............................................................................................................................................. 4

2.2 LEARNING OUTCOMES.......................................................................................................................... 4

2.3 ENQUIRY BASED LEARNING AND RESEARCH LED TEACHING..............................................................................4

2.4 EMBEDDING EMPLOYABILITY IN THE CURRICULUM........................................................................................ 5

2.5 LEARNING AND TEACHING ACTIVITIES........................................................................................................ 5

2.6 EXPECTED STUDY TIME.......................................................................................................................... 6

2.7 ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS.................................................................................................................. 6

3. CONTACT DETAILS.............................................................................................................................. 7

3.1 EXTERNAL EXAMINING OF YOUR MODULE AND PROGRAMMES OF STUDY............................................................7

4. MODULE CONTENT AND DESIGN......................................................................................................... 9

4.1 PLANNED TERM DATES:........................................................................................................................ 9

4.2 SESSION PLAN.................................................................................................................................... 9

4.3 SESSION REQUIRED READING................................................................................................................ 11

5. ASSESSMENT DETAILS....................................................................................................................... 12

5.1 SUMMARY OF ASSESSMENT.................................................................................................................. 12

5.2 RULES FOR ANONYMOUS SUBMISSION AND MARKING:..................................................................................12

5.3 DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF ASSESSMENT................................................................................................... 13

6. Other Details.................................................................................................................................... 19

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2. Introduction to the Module

Project Management is defined as ‘the application of knowledge, skills and techniques to execute
projects effectively and efficiently. It’s a strategic competency for organizations, enabling them to tie
project results to business goals — and thus, better compete in their markets’ (PMBOK® Guide).

This course provides a general introduction to project management including project planning. It will
provide students with the knowledge of basic tools and techniques in successfully managing different
phases of projects such as costing, scheduling and risk analysis.

2.1 Aims

The overall aim of this course is to produce professional business managers capable of making effective
and efficient project management decisions. The course provides a range of academic knowledge,
business understanding, project management techniques and seeks to develop within students the ability
to integrate these with an appreciation of the usefulness of appropriate project management software.
On completion of the course, students will have the core knowledge needed to work successfully within
a project team or as a project manager on small projects in an environment constrained by time, cost and
quality.

The course will expose students to the unique nature of project management by utilising a range of
learning activities including, but not limited to lectures, tutorials, talks from project management
professionals and workshops on project management software. Highlighting the rise of the
contemporary project-orientated organisation will cause the student to give greater consideration to the
importance of understanding the basic disciplines of project management, such as resource and time
planning, controls, communication mechanisms, reviews and other project management tools.

2.2 Learning Outcomes

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

1. Analyse both quantitative and qualitative data relating to project planning.

2. Evaluate alternative strategies for executing projects.
3. Use a range of electronic and non-electronic tools to create a project plan.
4. Understand the people, processes and procedures around organising a project including risk
management, change management and people management.

2.3 Enquiry Based Learning and Research Led Teaching

Enquiry-Based Learning (EBL)

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This course makes use of Enquiry Based Learning (EBL). This is an approach based on self-directed
enquiry or investigation in which you are actively engaged in the process of enquiry facilitated by your
tutor. EBL uses real life scenarios (for example, from case studies, company visits, and project work)
and you will investigate topics of relevance that foster the skills of project planning, critical analysis and
problem solving. Students will be required to research definitions, theories and information about
specific topics, and solutions to specific problems.

Research-Led Teaching (TLD)

Your learning is supported by research conducted here, elsewhere in the world and also by you as the
student. This Research Led Teaching (RLT) approach involves introducing you to research conducted
by your tutors where it is relevant to the curriculum being taught. They will also draw on their own
knowledge of research developments in the field, introducing you to the work of other researchers.
Furthermore RLT requires that you become active participants in the research process, not just as an
audience. An example of this in this course is with regard to the project planning report. This is
achieved by discussing relevant research in lectures and classes, and setting reading lists including
recent research publications at the frontier of the field.

2.4 Embedding Employability in the Curriculum

The concept of employability has been embedded into the curriculum design of this course. By
completing your study, you should expect to gain the following skills which will enhance your
employability when presenting to your prospective employers.

a. Cognitive Skills

Exposure to a wider set of problems with greater emphasis on assessing risk and drawing conclusions.
Practice in drawing conclusions, justifying judgements, attention to detail and reflection on skills
gained.

b. Generic Competencies

Through Group work, students will be able to set goals including influencing, planning, questioning,
listening, persuading, interpersonal sensitivity. It also includes the opportunity to reflect on how the task
was managed and how the group worked together. Informal project presentations are also included in
this course.

Substantial written element emphasising clear formatting, spelling and grammar within a clear, well-
reasoned narrative.

c. Personal Capabilities

Offer extra-curricular opportunities such as team-building exercises.

d. Technical Ability

Introduce and apply the advanced technical skills (MS Project Software) in project planning with
reflection on the value of these skills for the appropriate subject/discipline.

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e. Organisational Awareness

Understanding organisational goals and structures. Awareness of issues around management and
leadership in project-related context.

f. Practical and Professional Elements

Level 5: Demonstrate increased professionalism and encourage effective applications for project-related
placement and internship opportunities.

2.5 Learning and teaching activities

This course is delivered through lectures; participation in tutorial discussions; library and on-line
searches; guest lecturers (practitioners); and analysis and synthesis of course and other materials.

2.6 Expected study time

Activity Hours Overall percentage of total

Scheduled teaching 12 8%

Tutorials 12 8%

Guided Independent Study 126 84%

Total 150 100%

2.7 Additional Requirements

Students will need to gain access to MS Project software.

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3.1 External Examining of Your Module and Programmes of Study
External examining at the University of Greenwich provides one of the principal means whereby the
University verifies, maintains, and enhances the academic standards of the modules and the programme
on which you are studying. They also help the University to ensure that your assessment processes are
sound, fairly operated and in line with the policies and regulations of the University of Greenwich.

External examiners - academic staff from other Higher Education Institutions or from the professions -
are appointed as reviewers of your modules and your programme of study for a period of 4 years. They
provide the University with a number of important services. For example external examiners will
 Review and comment on the standard of key elements of assessment that you have been set.
 Review samples of student work and confirm whether the standard is at the level expected for the
award you are studying and whether it is comparable with other Institutions that they know.
 Provide the University with an independent view of how well we conduct our processes for
marking and internal moderation of assessments.
 Attend Progress and Awards Boards (PABs) and contribute to deliberations for conferring your
degree classifications and awards, assisting the University in treating all students fairly and
consistently with regard to our regulations. External examiners will endorse the outcomes of
PABs based on their scrutiny of the assessments and the deliberations of the PAB. No degree
award can be made without the assent of an external examiner.
 Report formally their findings to the University at the end of each year and identify our good
practice as well as making recommendations for improvements in the future.

Is there anything an external examiner won’t be asked to do?

External examiners will not mark your work personally and nor will they comment upon individual
student performance or individual works in their reports or engage in correspondence with individuals
in respect of grades, marking, feedback, degree class and other personal academic matters. For these
you will need to speak to your tutors and programme leader.

The external examiner for your module of study is:

Name: Dr Michel Leseure
University/College University of Chichester

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4. Module Content and Design

4.1 Planned Term Dates:

Welcome Week 2nd September 2019 To 6th September 2019
Term 1 9th September 2019 To 13th December 2019

Term 2 Mgt Practice 2 13th January 2020 To 03rd April 2020

Assessment 7th April 2020

Resit Examination Period 20th July 2020 24th July 2020

Please note these dates are correct at time of publication – please check for updates at:
[Link]

4.2 Session Plan

Term One
Uni Wk Session Title and Description Reading to
complete
18 Lecture 1 Introduction to Project Management: Maylor chapter
 Project definitions and perspectives 1
 Project management – 4Ds
 Project examples/types/complexity
 Success and failure issues
Seminars Assessment planning
19 Lecture 2 Guest Presentation
 Project planning examples
 Project issues and solutions
Seminars Channel Tunnel Project: Assessing Projects’ Success/Failure
20 Lecture 3 Define the Project Maylor chapter
 Stakeholder analysis 2, 4, 5
 Objective and scope
Seminars Group work : Choose a project, create a scope statement
and list of stakeholders
21 Lecture 4 Work Breakdown Structure (WBS) Maylor chapter
6

Seminars Group work: creating a WBS

22 Lecture 5 Time and Resource Planning Maylor chapter
• Gantt Chart 6
• Network Analysis
• Critical Path Analysis
Seminars In pairs: Solve network analysis problem
Reminder of students of bringing in their laptops for next
week’s seminar.
23 Lecture 6 Design the Project by using Software

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  MS project
Seminars MS Project exercise (with additional independent lab time)
24 Lecture 7 Mid-Term Revision Maylor chapter
 Defining a Project 1-6
 Assessing Projects’ Success/Failure
 Project Planning Tools
 Assessment A&Q
Seminars Coursework Clinic 1
25 Lecture 8 Project Structure and Leadership Maylor chapters
 Organisational structures 11 & 12
 People management
Seminars Case study analysis and discussion
26 Lecture 9 Project Cost Planning Maylor chapter
• Approaches to costing 8
• Financial appraisal
Seminars Group work: Case Study
27 Lecture Project Risk Management Maylor chapter
10
• Qualitative method 10
• Quantitative method
Seminars Group work: Case Study
28 Lecture Develop the Project - Evaluation and Closing Down Maylor chapter
11
14
Larson & Gray
chapter 13-14
Seminars Coursework Clinic 2
29 Lecture Course Revision
12
Reminder of Assessment Requirements
Seminars Revision; Q&A, discussion
Reminder of Submission of Individual coursework on
Monday before 3PM.

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4.3 Session Required Reading

Publisher/
Author Date Title
ISBN
Essential Reading
Maylor, H. 2010 Project Management, 4th edition Pearson
CHECK OUT THE E-BOOK VERSION IN THE
LIBRARY
Recommended Readings
Larson, E. W. and 2013 Project Management: The Managerial Process, 6 th McGraw Hill
Gray, C. F. edition
Chatfield, C. and 2016 Microsoft Project 2016 Step by Step Microsoft
Johnson, T. Press
AXELOS 2009 Managing Successful Projects with PRINCE2 TSO
Project 2013 A Guide to the Project Management Body of Project
Management Knowledge 5th Ed.) Management
Institute Institute
[Link]
query=A+Guide+to+the+Project+Management+Body+of+Knowledge&resultsUri=items%3Fquery
%3DA%2BGuide%2Bto%2Bthe%2BProject%2BManagement%2BBody%2Bof%2BKnowledge
%2B
Recommended Journals
1) International Journal of Project Management
2) Project Management Journal

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5. Assessment Details

5.1 Summary of assessment

Assessment Weight Length Due Date Anonymou Anticipate Header

Title towards s d Return Sheet
final Submission Date number
grade Required?
5,000(excludin
Individual
100% g appendix and 09-04-2020 Yes
Assessment
references etc.)

For attention of BUSI1288 students ONLY:

You will indeed just be doing the one assessment as outlined above which is different from the one as
you can see you in your profile. This is due to the course change as part of the recent progarmme
review. However, the mark of the individual assessment will be entered for both BUSI1288 elements as
shown in your profile, so that your overall grade for the course is unaffected.

5.2 Rules for anonymous submission and marking:

The University has adopted anonymous marking on most modules, as research shows that this is the
fairest and most equitable approach for all students.

Therefore, unless instructed by the module leader to use a non-anonymous approach for a particular
reason, you are required to ensure you do not include your name anywhere on your work, i.e. it must
not appear on the front of the document, in the text, in headers and footers etc. In addition, you must
ensure that the file that you upload is only identified by ID number and does not have a name that can
identify you.

When you upload in TurnItIn you will be asked to give your submission a title – again DO NOT use
your own name in this title.

The Business Faculty has made allowances that some assignment topics will not be submitted
anonymously; this includes some portfolios and all final year dissertations/projects. If you are in doubt,
please talk to your module leader.

There is more guidance in your Programme Handbook

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5.3 Detailed description of assessment

Based on the given project scenario, write a 5,000 words (excluding appendix and
references) project planning report addressing the following project tasks. Please
note that you may work in groups with your fellow students for discussions but the
report has to be completed individually.

Project Scenario: as the chief student representative in the Business Strategy class, you have been
given a total £3,000 budget from the Faculty of Business, Greenwich University to organise a student
presentation competition on the topic of ‘How to Lead a Sustainable Business in 2018’. All the students
in your class are requested to work in groups to prepare the presentation slides and to dress formally to
present their ideas. Their audience include both the academics from the external universities and
business experts from external industries who are invited by the Faculty of Business. However, as the
organiser, you and your project team must prepare a list of potential audience; once it is approved by
the Faculty of Business, you need to prepare the invitation card and send them out on behalf of the
Faculty. A small scale of prize-giving ceremony is also needed at the end of the competition.

In your project planning report, you are required to provide details of the following six tasks:

1. Prepare Project Scope Statement to state the project’s objectives, deliverables, technical
requirements and milestones.
2. Prepare Work Breakdown Structure (WBS, to include at least 10 activities) for the project.
3. Based on the work breakdown structure (WBS) above, create a Gantt Chart, a network
diagram and indicate the critical path by using MS Project software.
4. Explain who your stakeholders are and how would you manage them.
5. Discuss what your project risks might be and how would you manage them.
6. Explain how you would evaluate this project in terms of key project success factors.

The structure you can consider to use to write the above tasks 1-3 can be found in the table below.

Project Name:

Project Objectives (describe them in 2-3 short paragraphs):

Deliverables (in bullet point):

Technical Requirements (in bullet point if applicable):

Milestone (table can be extended if needed):

Task Date to complete Task Date to complete

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Limitations and Exclusions (if applicable):

WBS (provide your chart here)

Gantt Chart (copy the chart produced from MS Project software)

Network Diagram (copy the chart from MS Project with indicating the Critical Path)

Task 4: Stakeholder Management

You can consider to use the relevant stakeholder management theories with references and briefly
discuss them. This can then be followed by a list of stakeholders which you have identified in your
project and discuss how they can be managed. Please note that the stakeholders you have identified
should be closely related to your project.

Task 5: Risk Management

By applying the risk management system as discussed in this course, you can produce a risk
management table with containing the items such as ‘the identified risk events’, ‘likelihood’, ‘impact’,
‘detection difficulties’, ‘response plan’ etc. Please note that the risks which you have identified should
be closely relevant to your project.

Task 6: Project Evaluation

To evaluate your project, you can first discuss what criteria can be used to assess a project’ success or
failure and why- consider the discussion we have in session 2 seminar. You can then talk about which
of those criteria can be applied in evaluating your project and how.

Marks will be awarded for professionalism and detail of approaches to the above tasks. The objective
of this coursework is to give you practical experience in developing and planning a project by applying
the models, paradigms and learning outcomes of this course.

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Individual Report Marking Rubrics

Detailed Criteria Point 0 1 2 3 4 5

s

Wei No Fail Pass Merit Distinctio Outstandi

ght attempt n ng

1. Discuss the 20 No Project Project Project Project Project

scope of the project attempt to scope scope scope scope scope
(including the discuss statement statement statement statement statement
project objectives, the is is clearly clearly clearly
major deliverables, project incomplet complete defines defines defines
milestones, scope. e which but may the the the
technical creates not be project. project project
requirements and huge very with some with very
Limitations). difficultie clear. discussio good
(Focus) s to ns. discussio
understan ns.
d the
project.

2. Develop a 20 No WBS is WBS is WBS WBS WBS

speculative Work attempt to very weak weak but with more with more with more
Breakdown provide a with little has at than 10 than 10 than 10
Structure (WBS). WBS. informati least 10 activities activities activities
(Synthesis and on of the activities. can can can
Soundness) project. It can clearly clearly clearly
somehow demonstr demonstr demonstr
demonstr ate the ate the ate the
ate the work work work
work packages packages packages
packages of the of the of the
of the project. project project
project. with some with very
supportiv good
e supportiv
discussio e
ns. discussio
ns.

3. Use Project 20 No Only The The The The full

Management attempt to limited network network network network
software to prepare provide a numbers diagram diagram diagram diagram
the retrospective Network of tasks has has has has
project plan at the are logically logically logically logically

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point of project Diagram demonstr and neatly and neatly and neatly and neatly
ending (including ated by demonstr demonstr demonstr demonstr
the development of using ated ated ated ated all
Gantt Chart, Project series of series of series of the
network diagram Managem tasks by tasks by tasks by necessary
and identification ent using using using tasks by
of critical Software Project Project Project using
path). (Synthesis (due to Managem Managem Managem Project
and Soundness) the poorly ent ent ent Managem
defined Software. Software. Software. ent
WBS); or Critical Critical Software.
the path is path is Critical
network also also path is
diagram clearly correctly also
was not showed. and correctly
produced clearly and
by using showed. clearly
any PM showed.
software.

4. Demonstrate 10 No The A brief A good A very An

how project attempt to discussio discussio discussio good excellent
stakeholders can be discuss n of n of n of discussio discussio
managed stakehold stakehold stakehold stakehold n of n of
effectively. er er er er stakehold stakehold
(Synthesis and managem managem managem managem er er
Soundness) ent in ent was ent in ent which managem managem
project. very general focuses ent which ent which
weak. terms. on the focuses focuses
context of on the on the
project context of context of
managem project project
ent. managem managem
ent and ent and
with some with very
supportiv good
e supportiv
discussio e
ns. discussio
ns.

5. Discuss how 10 Inadequat Very Demonstr Demonstr Demonstr Demonstr

project risks can be e limited ates a ates a ates a ates an
managed informati knowledg limited reasonabl very good exception
effectively. on e and level of e level of level of al level of
(Synthesis and provided. understan knowledg knowledg knowledg knowledg

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Soundness) Lack of ding of e and e and e and e and
understan the understan understan understan understan
ding of relevant ding of ding of ding of ding of
basic theory the risk risk risk
issues such as relevant managem managem managem
such as risk theory ent. The ent. The ent. The
risk managem such as identified identified identified
managem ent risk risks are risks are risks are
ent system, managem relevant highly highly
system, methods ent to the relevant relevant
methods of risk system, project to the to the
of risk identificat methods and the project project
identificat ion, of risk analysis and the and the
ion, analysis identificat and analysis analysis
analysis and ion, response and and
and response. analysis plan is response response
response. and also in plan is plan is
response. place. correct. also
sufficientl
y
justified.

6. Evaluate the 10 No Very A basic A good A very An

project against the attempt to weak evaluatio evaluatio good excellent
key success factors. evaluate evaluatio n of the n of the evaluatio evaluatio
(Clarity of the n with no project project n of the n of the
Structure) project. specific with the with project project
content. attempt to linking to with with
review the key linking to linking to
the key success a detailed a very
success factors. discussio detailed
factors. n of how discussio
the key n of how
success the key
factors success
have factors
helped have
managing helped
the managing
project. the
project. It
also casts
insights
on how
they
might be

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 improved.

[Link]/ 10 Very Poor Weak Good Excellent Excellent

Referencing poorly presentati presentati presentati presentati presentati
(Mechanical managed on in on in on in on with on with
Soundness) presentati general general general providing providing
on or with with some with only good good
reference many grammar, a few logic in logic in
or both. grammar spelling grammar all the all the
and mistakes. and sections. sections.
spelling Limited spelling Sufficient Sufficient
mistakes. use of in- mistakes. use of use of
No in-text text Reasonab both in- high
reference reference le use of text quality
but may but has a both in- reference references
have a reference text and ,
reference list. reference reference including
list. Exceed and list. both the
Exceed the word reference Apply the in-text
the word limit by list. word reference
limit by over + - Apply the limit with and
over + - 10%. word a margin reference
10%. limit with of list.
a margin plus/minu Apply the
of s 10%. word
plus/minu limit with
s 10%. a margin
of
plus/minu
s 10%.

Total Sum 100

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The general marking criteria which is embedded in the above rubric is as the following.

Marking Criteria Marks

allocated
to criteria:
Focus 20
Does the essay set up a clear essay question to address? Does the essay stay within and fulfil the
topic parameters?
Synthesis 30
Does the essay bring together the literature in a significant manner that addresses an essay
question?
Soundness 30
Does the essay indicate a comprehensive understanding of the topic area and literature discussed?
Clarity of structure 10
Is the essay well organised and logically constructed to achieve synthesis while being mindful of
the needs of the reader?
Mechanical Soundness 10
Is the essay clearly written, spell checked and grammatically sound and referenced appropriately?

6. Other Details
The majority of information relevant to you while you study at the University has been brought together
into your programme handbook. Please refer to your programme handbook for any further information
you might require including:

 How to submit assignments,

 Deadlines and extenuating circumstances,

 Plagiarism and referencing,

 Who to go to for advice or if you are concerned,

 How to provide us with feedback,

 Key administrative procedures.

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