Module descriptors

Management of Projects 

The Module provides a foundational perspective on the challenges of managing projects by placing them in their organisational context and introducing students to the range of management issues that are incorporated in the ‘management of projects’ paradigm. The keynote lectures will also introduce students many of the subjects that will be considered in greater depth in the core and optional modules in the MSc Management of Projects. It familiarises students with the APM Body of Knowledge, PMI project management processes, and emerging advanced project management methodologies.

Principles of Sustainable Project Management

This module introduces key project management concepts and definitions, their evaluation and application in projects. It explores the connection between the ‘project’ as route to implement and achieve sustainable development objectives. An understanding of the ethical dimensions of planning and delivering projects is developed. Moreover, using the lens of sustainable development, the module will consider the topic of project evaluation and appraisal, and it develops an understanding of the project life cycle management.

Planning Execution and Control

This module aims to develop students’ understanding of the processes of project implementation. The module specifically focuses on developing students’ knowledge and skills in the theory and application of planning, execution, performance measurement, and monitoring and control method for projects. The module aims to provide an opportunity for students to critically reflect on the knowledge and skills necessary for successfully managing projects.

Risk and Resilience

This module focuses on risk management and resilience in projects. It introduces a structured risk management process and the tools and techniques to identify, evaluate, transfer, and monitor risks. It also incorporates additional emphasis on building resilient and sustainable infrastructure and facilitating adaptation to unforeseen events. Most tools and techniques can be employed in various fields and this module leverages on cases and examples in a variety of sectors such as engineering and construction projects, IT projects or transformation projects.

Project Management Research Methods

This module provides a comprehensive understanding of research methods across micro, meso, and macro levels, with a strong focus on projects and organisations. Students learn how to design research proposals, address ethical considerations, and conduct research assignments. The module covers qualitative methods such as data collection, transcription, and analysis, as well as quantitative techniques including surveys and SPSS. It also explores mixed-methods approaches like action research, ethnography, case studies, and modelling, concluding with guidance for student research assignments.

Innovation and Digital Technologies

This module examines innovation and the role of digital technologies in supporting and driving forward innovations in project management.  Innovation is explored from a number of critical project management perspectives, including value creation, governance, ethics, digitalisation and everyday project management work processes.  Theoretical and conceptual understandings of innovation evolution, design and delivery are explored through practical case studies; the practice of innovation creation being contextualised against wider strategic and industry drivers for improvement.

People and Organisations

This module covers a wide range of theories (from classical to more contemporary postmodern perspectives) in the study of organization and human relations relevant to the management of projects. Besides, the module reflects on and reviews a range of theoretical perspectives that can be used to problematize people and/or organizations in the management of projects and applies a range of theoretical perspectives to appropriate and evaluate possible interventions in tackling everyday people and/or organizational problems in project environments.

Applied Project Management

This module is an active simulation of a project. In particular, it builds up from all the previous modules and applies it into a simulated project environment through a Project Management Simulator Software. It explores the impact of decision-making on the variables and outcomes in the simulated project environment.

Dissertation

The dissertation module aims to develop the ability to conduct substantial research work in a specific area of project management and report on this work in the form of a Dissertation. Students may adopt quantitative methods, qualitative methods, or a mixed-methods approach, depending on the nature of their research question. This module provides an opportunity for students to explore research issues in a focused area of project management in depth, with relevance to real-world contexts, and to allow them to demonstrate their independent research skills to the course assessors. The dissertation is supervised individually and assessed based on a final report of 20,000 to 40,000 words and an oral viva.