LO1 Develop a critical understanding of the principles and practices of project management and successful delivery.

2025-07-15 15:37:22

Module Handbook 2024/25

Project Management

Module Code: BMG944 (65878) 

Programme/s: MSc Marketing

MSc Management

Department of Management, Leadership and Marketing

Please be aware the information provided within the module handbook is subject to change.

Table of Contents

Module Code: BMG944 (65875)

Table of Contents

Welcome

1. Module Overview and Communication

2. Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and Graduate Attributes (GAs) in your module

3. Aim and Learning Outcomes

4. Assessment and Feedback

5. Learning Resources

6. Organisation and Management

7. Student Voice and Support Services

Welcome to this really exciting module that will see you expand your project management skills to make you more employable in the marketplace whilst having some fun along the way. I am really looking forward to working with you this semester and getting to know you all on a professional level. We will be working face to face to develop your skills and allow you collaborate and work in teams with your classmates. Please make sure you read your University email every day so you don’t miss any important information and also log into the module area in Blackboard Learn Ultra for all module materials and assessment details. If you need to contact me the best way to do this is via email but if its urgent you can get me on my office phone number during working hours, if you leave a message on this number I will get back to you as soon as I can. Successful students engage every week with materials in BBL and work consistently on their assessments.

1. Module Overview and Communication

Module Details

Module Title

Project Management

Module Code

BMG944

Module Level

7

Credit points

20

Module Status

Core

Semester

1

Location

Belfast

Delivery Mode

Face-to-face with online support materials

Contact Details and Communication Methods

General Information, Queries and Consultations

If you require advice on any aspect of the module, please read the guidance provided here, in the Module Handbook.

For General Queries, please utilise the class Discussion Board. For Specific Queries or studies advice, you can avail of the ‘Virtual Office Hours’.  Please contact Amanat Ullah if you have questions relating to the module or wish to schedule an appointment. Please note, we aim to respond to emails within 48 hours during the working week.

 

Module Announcements

Key announcements will be presented during tutor-led activities.

Out of class communication including notifications, reminders, etc will be distributed via the Blackboard Announcement tool. You will receive a duplication of the announcement direct to your student email inbox. It is essential that you check your emails regularly.

It also advisable that you download the ‘Blackboard’ App as an alternative to access these announcements, notifications, and reminders as well as content.

2. Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and Graduate Attributes (GAs) in your module

Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

The UN SDGs are a comprehensive set of global goals to end poverty, protect our planet, and improve living conditions of the Global Population. You are encouraged to think critically and reflect on SDGs in the context of this module.

The following SDGs are relevant in the context of this module:

Graduate Attributes (GAs)

Ulster University’s Graduate Attributes are a high-level set of competencies, developing universal understandings, skills, qualities, and values. 

As a result of engaging with this module you will have opportunities to develop and practise the following selected attributes:  

Thriving Individual

D

A

 

Engaged Learner

D

A

Enhancing Potential

Confidence and Resilience

Well-being

Growth Mindset

x

x

 

 

  

 

Subject Specialist

Creative Problem Solver

Researcher

Critical Thinker

X

X

X

x

x

x

 

x

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Collaborative Professional

D

A

 

Active Citizen

D

A

Responsible Team Player

Effective Communicator

Enterprising Innovator

Digital Fluent Professional

x

x

x

x

x

 

 

x

 

Citizen with Integrity

Inclusive Citizen

Sustainable Citizen

Future Thinker

x

x

x

x

  

KEY:

D = Developed

A = Assessed

3. Aim and Learning Outcomes

Module Rationale

The purpose of project management is to plan and manage a project to successfully complete its listed goals and deliverables. It involves identifying and managing risks, careful resource management, smart budgeting, and clear communication across multiple teams and stakeholders.  In today`s business environment most companies organise their workload into projects. This module takes a step by step process approach to provide students the skills and tools to successfully complete and manage projects.

Overall Aim of the Module

This module aims to provide students with a tool box for successfully managing and delivering business projects.It will develop a critical understanding of the various methodologies that businesses adopt in managing projects.

Learning Outcomes

  What you should be able to do by the end of this module?

Successful participants will be able to:

  1. Develop a critical understanding of the principles and practices of project management and successful delivery.
  2. To enhance and further develop knowledge in project planning skills that will facilitate completion successful projects.
  3. To ensure that students have the necessary critical thinking skills relevant for project management methodologies and their application in a business setting.
  4. Critically evaluate each step of the project management journey, explaining the activities required to guide a project throughout its lifecycle  

 

4. Assessment and Feedback 

  What you need to do to demonstrate achievement of learning?

Summary Assessment Information

This module will be assessed via two items of assessment

Type

Assessment method and submission date:

Percentage (%) and word count equivalent

Feedback due date

Coursework 1

Individual Project Management Tools Report (2500 words)

Students will submit on Friday week 9 (8th August 2025)

50%

20 working days post submission date (via BBL Ultra)

Coursework 2

Team Project Plan (4000 words team + 1000 words for individual team assessment)

Students will submit by 12 noon Monday week 12th (29th August 2025)

50%

20 working days post submission date (via BBL Ultra)

Assessment Guidance

1) Word count includes the title page, contents page, in-text references and citations but excludes tables, reference list and appendices.

1) Your work should include references to relevant journal articles and other good quality information sources and should be properly laid out using the Harvard system of referencing. More detailed guidance is available in the Subject Guides. We encourage you to make good use of all the support services offered by your Campus Librarian, further details are in the Learning Support Services Section.  You should refer to the assessment criteria to provide fuller details of the marking criteria for each classification band.

2) In addition, you should refer to the standard assessment guidelines as presented in your Course Handbook/Support Area, this includes guidance and policies on referencing style, plagiarism, etc.

3) We recommend the use of Studiosity which offers constructive feedback on draft written submissions within 24 hrs.  

4) Coursework must be submitted by the dates specified. Coursework submitted after the deadline, without prior approval, is not normally accepted. For further guidance on the late submission of coursework, please see the course handbook.

5) Assessments must be submitted as per the assessment brief.

Please note: Words in excess of +10% of the word count will not be marked.

6) The university has harmonised assessment submission days and times. All assessments will from 2024/25 be submitted:

  1. Monday-Friday
  2. During weeks 1-12, 13-25, 26-39 and not during vacation periods.
  3. Submission dates will not be set for bank holidays or days on which the university is closed.

7) Generative AI is permitted for use within assessments in this module, you must include any outputs, to include prompts, within an appendices for each submission and this must be referenced in the text.  It must be clear how you have developed this content into your own critical thoughts and words and NOT just pasted this content into your assessment submission.

Coursework 1

Assessment Task

 Individual - Project Management Report using Project Management tools and frameworks (2500 words – Deadline 4th April 12 Noon)

Coursework 1 – BRIEF

a) In the first assessment students are provided a specific case company project scenario to be found within the assessments folder in the BBL area. This will provide students with all the details of the project scenario and supporting materials for the case company. Students will choose the appropriate tools and frameworks to apply this scenario. Students should use tools such as Mural to complete frameworks that are the basis for the different phases within a project.   You will have used all of these tools and frameworks in class.

b) Detailed assessment guidance will be provided during the day 1 of class (also in the BBL assessments folder) and this will provide advice on the use of media/technologies for this assessment.

c) An assessment support workshop for this assessment will be provided from 9-1 pm on day  4 of class. This will provide students the opportunity to have their work reviewed and some feedback on enhancements before the submission deadline.

d) Completed assignments must be submitted in Word format via the Turnitin Dropbox in your Blackboard Course Area by the specified date and time outlined in the Key Assessment Information Table above.

e) All submitted assignments should have the file name:

i) "SurnameFirstNameBNumber"

ii) e.g. BrownJohnB00001234_AssignmentOne.

Coursework 1 – FEEDBACK

Written feedback on the assessment will be provided via Blackboard by 20th December 2024

Coursework 1 – ASSESSMENT RUBRIC/MARKING PROFORMA

Coursework 2

Assessment Task

 Team project plan (4000 words (team) + 1000 words individual team assessment) – Deadline 12th May 12 noon)

Coursework 2 – BRIEF

Students should work in teams to develop a project plan for a real life business problem. The final report to be submitted should be 4000 words max +1000 words individual (10% over is permitted). The business context and all necessary documentation is provided in the assessments folder in BBL. Students are required to complete the necessary documentation that would be required to complete a project using one of the taught methodologies. The Project plan should include:

  • Project aims and objectives
  • Project planning methodology
  • Project management tools
  • Project time scales
  • Risk mitigation plan
  • Project budget
  • Project team

f) Detailed assessment guidance will be given during the day 1 of class (also in the BBL assessments folder) and this will provide advice on the use of media/technologies for this assessment.

g) An assessment support workshop for this assessment will be provided from 2-5 pm on day  4 of class. This will provide students the opportunity to have their work reviewed and some feedback on enhancements before the submission deadline.

h) Completed assignments must be submitted in Word format via the Turnitin Dropbox in your Blackboard Course Area by the specified date and time outlined in the Key Assessment Information Table above.

i) All submitted assignments should have the file name:

i) "SurnameFirstNameBNumber"

ii) e.g. BrownJohnB00001234_AssignmentOne.

Coursework 2 – FEEDBACK

Written feedback on the assessment will be provided via Blackboard on 20th February 2025

Coursework 2 – ASSESSMENT RUBRIC/MARKING PROFORMA

5. Learning Resources    

A list of current learning resources specifically chosen to build your knowledge and understanding for this module

Reading List

 Also available online via Key Links: https://ulster.keylinks.org/#/

Books/Journal Article/Publications Required Reading (Must read)

Pinto, J.K. (2020) Project management: achieving competitive advantage. 5th ed. ed. Harlow, England: Pearson.

Books/Journal Article/Publications Recommended Reading (Should read/Could read)

Association for Project Management. and Association for Project Management, (2019) APM body of knowledge. 7th ed. ed. Princes Risborough, Buckinghamshire: Association for Project Management.

Hinde, D. (2018) PRINCE2 Study Guide: 2017 Update. Newark: John Wiley & Sons, Incorporated.

Project Management Institute. (2017) A guide to the project management body of knowledge

(PMBOK guide); agile practice guide. 6th ed. ed. Newtown Square, Penn: Project Management Institute, Inc.

Useful Journals

The International Journal of Project Management

The Project Management Journal

The Journal of Modern Project Management

Useful Library Databases and Websites

Forbes.com

Gartner.com

McKinsey.com

ScienceDirect

ABI Inform/Proquest

Library’s Support Services

In collaboration with teaching staff, your Subject Librarian will be delivering timetabled workshops to ensure you are able to make the best use of the Library’s services and information resources in successfully completing your coursework. Furthermore, if you need specific help with an assignment or dissertation then you can make an appointment to meet with your Subject Librarian by email, phone or through using the appointments schedule.

Online support is also available by accessing the Library’s Faculty Guides as these provide help in developing your information and research skills by identifying the best learning resources available, forming effective literature searches, offering academic writing support and adopting the best referencing techniques.

6. Organisation and Management

  Types of learning activities that will make up your weekly timetable

BMG944 Project Management, is a 20-credit point module, this requires approximately 200 hours of your commitment, distributed through the following learning and teaching activities over the 15-week semester. For a description of the nature of the learning activities please refer to your course handbook.  

Summary of Learning Activities

Learning Activities: Weeks 5-9 inclusive

Indicative  Weekly Hours  

Total Hours (200 hours)

Face to Face Workshop Activities

8 hours

32

Other, Directed Learning Activities

3 hours

36

Independent Study: Week 5-8 inclusive

Indicative Guide  

 

Assigned Reading and Note-taking

12.5 hours

50

Assessment Activities and Workshop Preparation

20.5 hours

82

The teaching and learning plan provides a more detailed overview of content on each teaching day.

Module delivery will typically consist 3 full days of teaching and 1 day for assessment support workshops.

Weeks 5-8 one day per week, please refer to Publish for your allocated time and room location.

Attendance at workshops is most important and therefore will be monitored.

All students should download the SEAtS Student Attendance App to their smartphones. Regularly checking into class using the app helps you keep track of your attendance and ensures you stay on course with your studies. For more information, including user guides, video demonstrations, and

FAQs, please click here. https://www.ulster.ac.uk/student/courses/attendance 

Five-Day Block Delivery

BlockDay/ L&T Methods/ Topic Title

Curriculum Content/Topic Title

Independent Study, includes: Required Reading, Tutorial Preparation, and/or Assessment Preparation

  

Block 1 Delivery

 

 

Summary Learning Objectives:

Introduction to the key concepts in Project Management

Reading: Pinto (2020) Chapter 1 and 2

Other readings will be added to the BBL folder for these sessions

 

  

Session I

9.15 – 10.15

Learning Objective: 

Introduction to Module and assessment strategy

Content:

  • review module handbook and discuss key learnings
  • outline expectations for assessment

Reading: Module Handbook

 

  

Session II

10.15 – 11

 

Learning Objective: 

Introduction: Why Project Management?

Content: 

  • Understand why project management is becoming such a powerful and popular practice in business.
  • Recognise the basic properties of projects, including their definition.
  • Understand why effective project management is such a challenge.
  • Understand and explain the project life cycle, its stages, and the activities that typically occur at each stage in the project.

Reading: Pinto (2020) Chapter 1

 

  

Session III

11.15- 1

Learning Objective: Project Success

Content: 

  • Understand the concept of project “success,” including various definitions of success, as well as the alternative models of success.
  • Understand the purpose of project management maturity models and the process of benchmarking in organizations.
  • Recognise how mastery of the discipline of project management enhances critical employability skills for university graduates.

We will work in teams and assess some PMM models highlighting strengths and weaknesses of each.

Reading: Pinto (2020) Chapter 1

  

Session IV

2- 5

 

Learning Objective: The Organisational Context: Strategy, Structure, and Culture

Content: 

  • Understand how effective project management contributes to achieving strategic objectives.
  • Recognize three components of the corporate strategy model: formulation, implementation, and evaluation.
  • See the importance of identifying critical project stakeholders and managing them within the context of project development.
  • Recognise the strengths and weaknesses of three basic forms of organizational structure and their implications for managing projects.
  • Identify the characteristics of three forms of a project management office (P M O).
  • Understand key concepts of corporate culture and how cultures are formed.

We will use the ‘Skunkworks’ case study to explore this topic during this session.

Reading: Pinto (2020) Chapter 2

  

Block Day/ L&T Methods/ Topic Title

Curriculum Content/Topic Title

Independent Study, includes: Required Reading, Tutorial Preparation, and/or Assessment Preparation

Block 2 Delivery

 

Summary Learning Objectives:

Project scope, team building, risk and budgeting

Reading: Pinto (2020) Chapter 5 – 8 inclusive   

Other readings will be added to the BBL folder for these sessions 

Session I

9.15-11

Learning Objective: 

Scope Management

Content: 

  • Understand the importance of scope management for project success.
  • Understand how conceptual development serves as a critical first stage in scope management.
  • Identify the steps in developing the scope statement.
  • Identify the elements in the work authorization phase of scope development.
  • Identify the various types of information available for scope reporting.
  • Demonstrate how control systems and configuration management relate to scope development.
  • Discuss why effective scope management includes a project closeout stage.
  • Understand how project practices can support the critical goal of sustainability.

We will use the SMART objectives framework to develop project objectives and then practice scope development for various scenarios.

We will then use these objectives to develop a scope management plan

Reading: Pinto (2020) Chapter 5

 

 

Session II

11.15 -1  

Learning Objective: 

Project Team Building, Conflict, and Negotiation

Content: 

  • Understand the steps involved in project team building.
  • Know the characteristics of effective project teams and why teams fail.
  • Know the reasons why project teams often fail.
  • Know the stages in the development of groups.
  • Describe how to achieve cross-functional cooperation in teams.
  • See the advantages and challenges of virtual project teams.
  • Understand the nature of conflict and evaluate response methods.
  • Understand the importance of negotiation skills in project management.

 We will explore the stages in team development framework and critique this.

Project conflict scenario role play

Reading: Pinto (2020) Chapter 6

 

Session III

2- 3.15

Learning Objective: 

Risk management

Content: 

  • Define project risk.
  • Recognize four key stages in project risk management and the steps necessary to manage risk.
  • Explain the Project Risk Analysis and Management (P R A M) process.

We will develop a QUALITATIVE RISK ASSESSMENT MATRIX for a given scenario

Reading: Pinto (2020) Chapter 7

 

Session IV

 

3.30-5

Learning Objective: 

Cost Estimation and Budgeting

Content:

  • Understand the various types of common project costs and key differences between them.
  • Apply common forms of cost estimation for project work, including ballpark estimates, definitive estimates, parametric estimates, and learning curve.
  • Apply top-down, bottom-up, activity-based, and time-phased budgeting procedures for cost management.
  • Recognise the appropriateness of applying contingency funds for cost estimation.

We will conduct a comparison between a time phased budget and a direct labour cost budget

Reading: Pinto (2020) Chapter 8

 

Block Day/ L&T Methods/ Topic Title

Curriculum Content/Topic Title

Independent Study, includes: Required Reading, Tutorial Preparation, and/or Assessment Preparation

Block 3 Delivery

 

Summary Learning Objectives:

Project Scheduling, Agile PM and Design Thinking PM

Reading: Pinto (2020) Chapter 9 - 11 inclusive   

Other readings will be added to the BBL folder for these sessions

Session I

9.15 – 11

 

Learning Objective: 

Project Scheduling

Content: 

  • Understand the importance of project scheduling techniques.
  • Understand and apply key scheduling terminology.
  • Construct and comprehend Gantt charts.
  • Recognise alternative means to accelerate projects, including their benefits and drawbacks.

We will use MS Excel to construct a Gantt chart for a project scenario

Reading: Pinto (2020) Chapter 9 and 10

 

Session II

11.15 – 1

 

Learning Objective: Scaled Agile Project Methodology

Content: 

  • Introduction to Agile
  • Understand why Agile Project Management was developed and its advantages in planning for certain types of projects.
  • Frameworks for Agile
  • Agile for Marketing

We will use scenarios to explore the advantages and disadvantages of Agile PM.

Reading: Pinto (2020) Chapter 11

Session III

2-3.15

Learning Objective: Introduction to Design Thinking for project management

Content: 

  • Introduction to Design Thinking
  • Design Thinking Process – Understand
  • Design Thinking Process – Observe
  • Design Thinking Process – Point of View

Using Mural we will answer: How might we improve the Amazon business model while considering the SDG set out by the UN

Reading: Readings in BBL folder

 

Session IV

3.30-5

Learning Objective: CW2 Preparation

Content: 

  • Design Thinking Process – Ideate
  • Design Thinking Process – Prototype and Test

Using Mural we will develop a prototype solution for a project scenario  

Reading: Readings in BBL folder

 

Block Day/ L&T Methods/ Topic Title

Curriculum Content/Topic Title

Block 4 Delivery

 

 

Assessment Support Workshops – please bring all your completed assessments to these workshops so you can receive feedback and support on how to deliver your best work. The aim of these support workshops is to allow you to learn and gain feedback to improve your submission.

You will find the full assessment information in the assessment folder in the module area in BBL.

Session I

9.00 – 1.00

 

 Assessment Support workshop 1

Individual - Project Management Report using Project Management tools and frameworks

Please ensure you have completed your Coursework 1 before attending this session. You MUST bring this with you to receive feedback on your work before submission

Session II

2.00 – 5.00   

Assessment Support workshop 2

Team Project Plan

Please ensure you have completed your Coursework 2 before attending this session. You MUST bring this with you to receive feedback on your work before submission

7. Student Voice and Support Services

  How we support you

As a course team, we incorporate the key partnership principles set out in the joint UU & UUSU Student Voice Guidelines and proactively engage with the democratic election of UUSU academic student reps (Faculty Reps, School/Dept Reps & Course Reps) to ensure that student opinion is heard at Ulster. We respect your views and welcome your honest and constructive feedback on the module.  

There are several ways to do this:  

You can contact your Module Coordinator about any queries related to your learning experiences on the module as/when you have them. 

You can voice your opinions through the formal Staff/Student Consultative Committee process by contacting one of the elected UUSU Course Reps in your class. 

You will have the opportunity to give feedback on the module through completing the online Student Module Feedback Survey.  

Ulster University Students` Union Advice Bureau Service

If you are experiencing difficulties that are impacting your studies, you can contact the Advice Bureau in the Students’ Union (UUSU). You can get advice and guidance on issues such as - complaints, appeals, housing problems, disciplinaries, and info on various support providers available. To have a chat with the team, contact UUSU online.

UU Student Wellbeing Service

Ulster University’s Student Wellbeing team is available to help you manage common pressures many students experience while studying in higher education. Common pressures include stress, relationship issues, financial problems, and managing disability-related challenges, including mental health difficulties. There is no stigma to seeking support to maximise your wellbeing and achievement at UU.

Student Wellbeing support is free and confidential and is located on each of our campuses. Please view the Student Wellbeing pages for details on how to contact student wellbeing staff.  

UU Student Success Team

Ulster University’s Student Success team has developed a series of academic and study skills training resources and workshops to help you succeed educationally and develop personally and professionally. You can access these resources via the Student Success website or you can contact the team directly via email.

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