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AWARD and ROUTE TITLE / MSc PROJECT MANAGEMENT
INTERMEDIATE AWARD TITLES / Postgraduate Diploma Project Management
Postgraduate Certificate Project Management
Name of the Teaching Institution / Sheffield Hallam University
Mode(s) of Attendance
(e.g. FT/PT/SW/DL) / FT/PT
UCAS CODE
Professional/Statutory/Regulatory Body Recognising this Programme / Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors for MSc Award
QAA Subject Benchmark Statement or other relevant external reference point / Not Applicable
Date of Validation / May 2008
1 PROGRAMME AIMS
The future skill requirements of construction professionals will need to embrace continued change and innovation within the construction sector. This will include integrated construction processes within a framework of design, build, own and operate, coupled with appropriate financial initiatives.
Successful project management of the construction process requires knowledge, skills and problem- solving abilities in order to successfully complete projects. The complexities of building processes and services installations during design and construction are also of major importance to successful completion and client satisfaction. Furthermore, the completion of buildings and their management as an asset of world economies requires professionals who are equipped with the necessary knowledge, skills and expertise. Project management requires a knowledge and understanding of the management theories and techniques required to successfully project manage the construction process.
The programme is designed to provide a thorough understanding of the complex issues concerning the project management of construction processes, in addition to project resource requirements and their efficient and effective utilisation. The programme will provide a broad range of knowledge and skills required in project management and further develop these skills in pursuing solutions to complex problems that occur during the construction project process. The programme will also acknowledge other related areas, to enable work alongside/in collaboration with, other professions.
2 PROGRAMME LEARNING OUTCOMES
2.1 Knowledge and understanding covered within the Programme: by the end of the programme you will be able to
1. Explain the concepts and theories surrounding the practice of project management
2. Select and explain the complex issues concerning the project management of construction processes
3. Justify the appropriateness of principles related to the field of project management
4. Select relevant issues within project management and provide new insights into their relevant application
5. Explore the uncertain and ambiguous nature of issues related to project management and the impact of their implications
6. Select and explain systems theories that are applicable to project management
2.2 Intellectual/Cognitive skills covered within the Programme: by the end of the programme you will be able to
1. Critically evaluate the principles and theories of the subject area
2. Make judgements on the relevance of current research and new insights in the practice of project management
3. Synthesise the various sources and types of data that occur during the project life cycle
4. Justify the information links between the various stages of construction projects
5. Make decisions about incomplete and ambiguous information during the various stages of projects
6. Support and sustain argument surrounding complex project management issues, based on authenticated evidence
2.3 Intellectual/Subject Specific skills covered within the Programme: by the end of the programme you will be able to
1. Critically evaluate the tools and techniques used in project management
2. Identify and select appropriate methods of dealing with complex project situations to ensure successful outcomes
3. Identify appropriate methodologies which reflect best practice in the management of projects
4. Select and use appropriate technology as part of the project management process
5. Improve current knowledge in the application of project management techniques
6. Identify and apply appropriate systems knowledge to the various stages of project management
2.4 Intellectual/Professional /Practical skills covered within the Programme: by the end of the programme you will be able to
1. Identify and select approaches to the assessment of risk associated with construction projects
2. Appraise and solve complex problems related to project management scenarios
3. Collect, evaluate and use information which occurs at the various stages of construction projects
4. Select and use best practice approaches in the management of construction projects
5. Implement plans and timescales for the monitoring and review of project progress
6. Form appropriate decisions based on current research and publications in the practice of project management
7. Identify the parties to a project, other than the client, and their roles and contributions to promote project success
8. Agree project resources and support from the parties and other stakeholders to a project
9. Identify and promote ethical working practices at all stages of construction projects
10. Take responsibility for initiating and achieving project success on behalf of the client
2.5 Intellectual/Key skills covered within the Programme: by the end of the programme you will be able to
1. Collect, retrieve and evaluate sources of data related to the subject area
2. Evaluate current research and academic publications within the subject domain
3. Enhance and adapt appropriate forms of communications with project participants and other stakeholders
4. Identify and plan the required resources in connection with construction projects
5. Evaluate and use appropriate information technologies in the management of construction projects
6. Select appropriate project strategies to promote project success
7. Use and evaluate numerical approaches to project data at various stages of the project
8. Adopt appropriate project management techniques in pursuit of project success on behalf of the client
9. Reflect and evaluate the factors which are likely to impact on project success
3 LEARNING, TEACHING AND ASSESSMENT
The Faculty's LTA Strategy has a number of key principles which were already present in the Construction Programme and the revalidation has provided an opportunity to ensure that the acknowledged best practice already employed in various modules and awards can be expanded to cover the entire Programme.
The Faculty of Development and Society's Learning, Teaching and Assessment (LTA) Strategy aims to build on success so far in learning, teaching and assessment by:
3.1 The approach to Learning and Teaching within the Programme
Lectures will provide the appropriate knowledge required in the designated and other mandatory modules of the programme. This learning will be reinforced by tutorials and seminars to discuss and debate relevant issues and current best practice within the field. Class and group discussions will enable principles and theories at the forefront of the subject area to be highlighted and challenged, where appropriate, facilitating new insights and ideas.
Lecture sessions to model project concepts will facilitate cognitive learning. Lectures with discussion will also encourage students to question and challenge project related issues and provide the opportunity for critical evaluation to promote and justify appropriate and successful outcomes. Reflection of project management principles and practice will be attained through directed reading and report back sessions. Revision sessions will be carried out to support learning, together with individual tutorial support as appropriate. Case study based work will also provide the opportunity for the promotion of cognitive skills.
Factual information and subject specific material will be delivered through lectures and tutorial sessions. Class and group discussions will provide the necessary forum for identification, critical evaluation and selection of methodologies and techniques appropriate to specific project situations. Small group exercises and report back sessions will provide the opportunity to reflect on experience and allow the identification of best practice in the field. The utilisation of computer technology will be obtained through LITS and Faculty of Development and Society, Built Environment Division.
Learning and teaching of professional/practical skills will take several forms including lectures, lectures with discussion, and project based seminars and tutorials. This will also include individual learning, through research and directed reading, and self assessment of project information. Site visits will be incorporated as appropriate. Peer group learning will be achieved through case studies allowing reflection of particular situations to test students' problem solving skills. Project scenarios will promote the use of role playing and communication between other project participants. This will facilitate debating sessions and decision making to determine appropriate action plans for project monitoring and control.
The teaching of key skills will be through lectures of both theory and practice in project management and other modules. Seminars and tutorials will provide the opportunity for participation of individuals, together with group working to enhance key skills. Support will also be provided from LITS in the use of information systems, the provision of appropriate skill packs and the use of Key Skills On-line. Blackboard is used to enhance and support student learning on some modules within this award, and as experience of application and use evolves, it will be extended. Learning and teaching is well informed by research, staff publications and professional practice. Enhancing links between teaching and research forms a strong component of the Faculty’s learning and teaching strategy, further improving quality and meeting the requirements of professional bodies.
3.2 The approach to Assessment and Feedback within the Programme
Assessment will embrace the key aspects of the University's LTA Strategy (2006-10) and the CCS Subject Group's LTA priorities, supported by the Faculty's LTA Strategic Action Plans.
Levels of knowledge and understanding will be assessed in written and oral forms. Formative assessment during class sessions for individual and group work activities will provide for immediate assessment of feedback from peers and tutors, providing for self reflection. Directed reading and the understanding of principles and concepts will be assessed both formatively through class based activities, and summatively through the preparation of reports and oral presentation.
Cognitive skills will be assessed formatively through individual and group working on project scenarios. This will include presentations of synthesised project data and appropriate solutions to set problems. Both peer and tutor feedback on the work presented will promote the enhancement of cognitive skills.
The assessment of key skills will take place across all the modules of the programme. The attainment and enhancement of individual key skills will be tested through both formative and summative assessment, reflected in written assignments and reports, presentations and oral communications.
4 PROGRAMME DESIGN AND STRUCTURE
The course is designed to provide the students with a thorough understanding of the complex issues surrounding the project management of construction processes. It teaches the student how to make effective use of project resource requirements. The programme provides the students with a broad range of skills needed for project management and further develops their ability to pursue solutions to complex problems that occur during the construction processes.
The programme follows the design and structure of modular provision within the institution. There are four components:
Mandatory Modules
Subject modules will be studied in the areas of Management, Finance and Law. These modules of study will provide an effective understanding of the principal concepts involved, together with the ability to apply these principles in relevant situations.
Elective Modules
Specific subject modules will be studied in the areas related to the named awards to complement the core studies of the programme.
Dissertation
The dissertation represents the final stage of study of the programme and leads to the award of an MSc degree. Candidates will be required to carry out a research project and produce a dissertation to their named award.
Level 7 modules within the programme include:
Finance and Law, Principles of Management, Fundamentals of Project Management, Project Management Practice
Students wishing to leave the programme at this stage will be eligible for a Postgraduate Certificate (PgC) in Project Management having obtained the appropriate named modules representing 60 credits.
Project Management Systems, Contract Procurement, Project Administration, Research Workshop
Students wishing to leave the programme at this stage will be eligible for a Postgraduate Diploma (PgD) in Project Management having obtained the appropriate named modules representing 120 credits.
Dissertation (related to named award)
(MSc)
MSc full-time - one calendar year
The design of the programme is a module based structure; therefore students will be able to take selected modules in a variety of modes which affect the duration of the programme. It is expected that a student studying on a full-time basis would spend two semesters studying modules with the preparation of a dissertation during the summer period. Therefore the duration for an MSc degree could be one calendar year.
MSc part-time - normally three years, two evenings per week
Modules may be taken yearly and therefore, taken over a two year period with a further year spent on dissertation work. In such a case the duration would be three years. Additionally, modules may be taken over two years with the dissertation running concurrently. Part-time students may complete their degrees in two years by completing their dissertations along with year two modules.
The duration may therefore, range from a minimum of two years to a maximum of three years.
Typical Study Pattern for each Mode of Study
The timing of delivery for the full time and part time Project Management awards is described below:
Full-time mode of study
For the Project Management named route students study four modules in semester one. In Semester 2 students study four mandatory modules. The final module is the Dissertation which is studied over the summer period for completion in September. See Figure 4.3 for students starting the programme in September and January.
Part-time mode of study
Part-time Project Management students will normally study the modules each semester. Year one and year two will be spent studying taught modules, with the third year studying the Dissertation. Figure 4.4 shows the study pattern for Part-time students.
FIGURE 4.3 MSc PROGRAMME - STUDY PATTERN FOR FULL-TIME PROJECT MANAGEMENT STUDENTS
SEMESTER 1 / SEMESTER 2 / SUMMER PERIODYEAR 1
(SEPTEMBER COHORT) / FINANCE AND LAW
PRINCIPLES OF MANAGEMENT
FUNDAMENTALS OF PROJECT MANAGEMENT
PROJECT MANAGEMENT PRACTICE / PROJECT MANAGEMENT SYSTEMS
CONTRACT PROCUREMENT
PROJECT ADMINISTRATION
RESEARCH WORKSHOP / DISSERTATION
SEMESTER 1 / SEMESTER 2 / SUMMER PERIOD
YEAR 1
(JANUARY COHORT) / PROJECT MANAGEMENT SYSTEMS
CONTRACT PROCUREMENT
PROJECT ADMINISTRATION
RESEARCH WORKSHOP / DISSERTATION
YEAR 2
(JANUARY COHORT) / FINANCE AND LAW
PRINCIPLES OF MANAGEMENT
FUNDAMENTALS OF PROJECT MANAGEMENT
PROJECT MANAGEMENT PRACTICE
Notes: 1. All Modules are Mandatory.