Principles of Project Management

Overview

Framework:
RQF
Level:
Level 3
Unit No:
Y/617/6663
Credits:
6
Guided learning hours:
48 hours

Aim

The aim of this unit is to introduce learners to project management as a concept as well as a process where internal and external factors, alongside resource utilisation, are key factors in determining a projects success.

Unit Learning Outcomes

1

Understand the concept of project management.

  • Concept
    A project is a set of controlled activities and resources which are established to produce a specific outcome, within a set budget and to a set timeframe.
    Project management is the practice of acquiring, planning, deploying and monitoring resources in a structured and logical way, and which take inputs and convert them to outputs to achieve the project’s goals.
  • Project Life Cycle
    Initiation – Planning – Execution - Closure.
  • Tools and techniques
    Gantt charts; PERT analysis; work break-down structures; network diagrams; critical path analysis; fishbone diagrams.
  • Approaches
    Prince 2; Agile, SCRUM, Waterfall, Hybrid; PRiSM.

Assessment Criteria

  • 1.1

    Explain why organisations undertake projects and how they are distinct from core business.

  • 1.2

    Explain the importance of project management to the successful delivery of projects.

  • 1.3

    Explain the purpose of the different stages of the project life-cycle.

  • 1.4

    Describe different tools and techniques used to support effective project management.

2

Understand roles within a project.

  • Stakeholders
    Senior management; sponsors; suppliers; government; customers; project manager; project team; financiers; local community.
  • Project manager
    Overall responsibility for planning; controlling; decision-making; budget management; performance management; task delegation; delivering objectives; stakeholder communication and engagement.
  • Project team
    Individuals with different specialisms who bring specific expertise to a project to support a project manager deliver a project’s goals.
  • Importance of effective teamwork
    Teamwork creates synergy; share skills in contemporary roles; proactive collaboration; mutual support and motivation. 

Assessment Criteria

  • 2.1

    Explain the roles of a project’s different stakeholders, including the specific contribution of the project manager.

  • 2.2

    Explain why effective teamwork is important to achieving a project’s outcomes.

3

Be able to identify factors which may impact on the success of a project.

  • SWOT – internal environment analysis which means strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats
  • PESTLE – external environment analysis which means political, economic, societal, technological, legislative, environmental

Assessment Criteria

  • 3.1

    Use relevant approaches to analyse the external and internal factors which may affect the success of a specific project.

4

Know how to manage project resources.

  • Resources required
    Financial – capital investment and budgets; human – suitably qualified and experienced personnel; technical – equipment and IT; facilities – buildings and workshops.
  • Allocating resources
    Know the project’s; scope, timelines, budget, resource availability and resource requirement.
  • Monitor performance of resources
    SMART objectives, key performance indicators; critical success factors; deviation monitoring; performance appraisals.

Assessment Criteria

  • 4.1

    Explain the different types of resources required to deliver a project.

  • 4.2

    Explain how to allocate resources to a project.

  • 4.3

    Explain techniques used to monitor the performance of a project’s resources.