KE7001 - Approaches to Project Management

You will learn through lectures that will be delivered by a number of staff. Beyond timetabled sessions, your independent study will be guided and supported through your engagement with a range of interactive learning resources accessible on-line via the module eLP site. Experiential learning, particularly in the use and management of analytical development tools, is built in to the module through live project development by small student groups over the course of the semester. This project development will be supported by staff through tutorials and mentoring of groups undertaking selected live projects.

Lectures will be used to introduce and develop key issues, concepts and principles across the range of topics covered on the module; in effect they will act as a framework or scaffolding to support your learning. You will then further develop and build your knowledge, understanding and expertise by engaging with the on-line, interactive reading lists made available via the module’s electronic learning platform (eLP). Working in teams you will be guided through supervision on the validity and development of your project and your draft project poster.

You will be supported through supervision where teams will be able to access staff for specific advice on the project that you and your team are developing. In addition to this examples of previous work will be available. The team will be able to ask staff their views on the quality and academic merit of this material. Further, learning materials on developing a poster will be available on the eLP.

Teaching staff operate an ‘open door’ policy for students meaning you can approach them anytime during normal office hours, or via email, to answer questions, receive feedback and support your learning on the module.

All modules at Northumbria include a range of reading materials that students are expected to engage with. The reading list for this module can be found at: http://readinglists.northumbria.ac.uk
(Reading List service online guide for academic staff this containing contact details for the Reading List team – http://library.northumbria.ac.uk/readinglists)

Knowledge & Understanding:
• MLO 1: Critically review and evaluate the role of Logical Framework Analysis in project development & management
• MLO 2: Critically assess and apply approaches to monitoring and evaluation in project management

Intellectual / Professional skills & abilities:
• MLO 3: Effectively design and defend a group project poster.
• MLO 4: Effectively use and apply a range of tools that are used in project development and management.

Personal Values Attributes (Global / Cultural awareness, Ethics, Curiosity) (PVA):
• MLO 5: Work effectively as part of a team with consideration of the opinions and values of others.

There are 2 forms of assessment.

First Assessment: Working in teams you will develop a project poster that contains sufficient information about a project that you have been working on. You will defend this poster to groups of university staff and students. Individual team members will have their contribution to the project assessed through discussions with the marking team. This is worth 40% of the module. This addresses MLOs 3, 4 and 5.

Drawing on the project presentation each student will produce a 3000 word report that sets out how the project has been developed using Log Frame approaches and associated analytical tools. This is worth 60% of the module and addresses MLOs 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5.

The teams will receive formative support through a series of supervisory meetings that will focus on the project each team has elected to undertake.

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This module focuses on critical analysis of a range of methods in project planning, from development of project ideas through to methods of project management. The project planning cycle is introduced as a vehicle for implementing policy and programmes. The cycle is then analysed in terms of the components, namely identification, appraisal, implementation, monitoring and evaluation. An overview of the technical components of project appraisal is provided covering, environmental impact analysis, social impact analysis, problem analysis and stakeholder involvement. Special attention is paid to the use of logical framework analysis including SWOT (Strengths, Weaknesses, Threats and Opportunities) analysis for the preparation of project proposals. Approaches to monitoring, review and evaluation are examined including the deployment of qualitative inquiry. Focus is retained on the methodologies highlighted by major aid institutions (UN, EC etc) but interspersed with exploration into other well known methods utilised mainly via commercial enterprises such as Prince2 and Agile. In addressing the above, the influence of different epistemological persuasions is considered.
Teaching is through lectures, seminars and tutorials. The tutorial sessions will inform and mentor (small) groups as they work on selected live projects and gain experiential knowledge of utilising the Log Frame and associated tools. Assessment is through poster presentation by groups and an individual report. Feedback on poster presentation is delivered orally and there is written feedback to reports.