What will I learn on this module?
Organisations are increasingly structured strategically through a series of projects, programmes, and portfolios, which enables them to focus clearly on specific objectives and manage resources effectively to achieve them. As a result, there is increasing demand for qualified Programme and Project Managers who can develop, lead and deliver strategic outcomes for their organisation.
Strategic management is the continuous planning, monitoring, analysis and assessment of all that is necessary for an organization to meet its goals and objectives. This module enables students to critically assess aspects of strategic management in a programme and project management context. Organisations have to choose where they focus their resources and what they hope to achieve. Strategic management introduces the key principles of strategy and students will have the opportunity to understand how 3P (Project, Programme and Portfolio Management) relates to Strategic Management.
The module introduces the key tools and techniques required to develop business objectives within the context of business strategy. Essential management skills such as strategic capability, culture, methods, evaluation, development, organising, resources, and managing change will be explored in the context of strategic management and the relationship to projects, programmes and portfolios. Specifically you will be encouraged to evaluate organisational strategies through case studies both in lectures and coursework.
How will I learn on this module?
The module will be delivered using a mix of taught workshops, tutorial, directed and independent learning.
An initial workshop will introduce you to the module, assessment and core topics. Subsequent to this you will be guided through a range of subject specific topics delivered over the period of the module. Key messages from these sessions will be available by video/podcast to support your learning outside of the classroom.
Subsequent tutor-guided activities reflected in a learning plan, including prompted reading, activities to undertake and questions to address will form the next stage of your learning. Topics will normally be introduced in lectures and further explored through practical exercises. Therefore, you will be able to develop a range of relevant practical skills.
Independent study requirements also entail reading beyond the learning materials/reading list provided, reflecting on its potential relevance for your own development will also be essential.
Throughout the module you will asked to engage in a range of formative assessment tasks. These may be in the classroom or to be completed in between taught sessions. These formative assessment activities are designed to build your knowledge, understanding and ability to apply concepts learned in class. Feedback will typically be provided by your tutor or peers on these formative assessment activities which in turn should aid your overall understanding of the subject and final assessment submission.
The virtual learning environment will be used to encourage individual and group contributions to critical debate on key topics and issues. Materials and discussion group work will be available on the e-learning portal to support and engage you. To support and embed the learning, provide the opportunity for reflection and encourage effective communication, you will engage in discussion forums via the University’s e-Learning platform.
This will include posing and answering topic specific questions posed by the tutor and peer group and providing peer group formative feedback. You will also be encouraged to use email and discussion board tool to clarify issues.
For those of you studying on the part time, your work experience may form a significant element of your learning. An interactive approach to taught sessions will draw upon your own experiences. You can therefore expect the reflective-practitioner approach to learning to be embedded in all workshop/seminar sessions through undertaking activities which facilitate application of theory to ‘real-life’ situations, critically analysing and making recommendations for appropriate ways forward for the organization/individual. Significant emphasis will also be made on making your cohort network a key element of knowledge/experience exchange a subsequent learning.
For those of you studying in full time mode it is recognised you are likely not to have relevant work experience to draw upon. As such opportunities to apply learning to practice will be achieved through use of case study, simulation, visiting speakers from practitioners and additional lab and workshop experiences.
How will I be supported academically on this module?
A range of approaches are adopted to accelerate your learning in this module.
During the first week of this module, you will receive information about the module and Teaching & Learning Plan. The teaching and learning plan (TLP) sets out
• Learning outcomes and overall module and programme aims
• Teaching, learning and assessment strategy
• Teaching schedule
• Directed reading references (text and journals) and core texts for the module
During this module your module tutor will provide academic support including:
• Delivering workshops
• Providing guidance in relation to assignments
• Development of key resources, made available through the VLE
• Assessing assignments and assess or review any other agreed summative or formative outputs as appropriate
E-Reading Lists
The module will also have an e-reading list which directs learners to specific reading for each session. This includes direct access to repositories, journal articles and other academic sources. You will also be provided with access to a significant set academic research sources via the Northumbria University library portal.
You will also have opportunities to receive formative feedback from your tutor in response to opinions you express and issues you raise during workshop sessions and face-to-face or online tutorials. These formative feedback sessions are formally scheduled at key points throughout the module.
What will I be expected to read on this module?
All modules at Northumbria include a range of reading materials that students are expected to engage with. Online reading lists (provided after enrolment) give you access to your reading material for your modules. The Library works in partnership with your module tutors to ensure you have access to the material that you need.
What will I be expected to achieve?
On completion of the module you will be able to:
Knowledge and Understanding
1. Define and evaluate selected key theories and concepts associated with the main characteristics, models and processes of Strategic Management
2. Critically appraise selected key theories and techniques associated organization, organizational structures and management processes in relation to Strategic Management.
Intellectual / Professional Skills & Abilities:
3. Empowered with the knowledge, skills and abilities to apply the principles of strategic management to a project management context
4. Critically review the literature on strategic management and engage with what others have written through evaluative discourse.
Personal Values Attributes (Global / Cultural awareness, Ethics, Curiosity) (PVA):
5. Exhibit the professional ethics characteristics of a Northumbria University postgraduate student.
How will I be assessed?
Formative Assessment
Formative assessment of your knowledge and understanding is a key component of the assessment strategy. It enables both you and your tutor to assess existing knowledge; highlight perceived gaps in knowledge and understanding. It encourages self-reflection and recognition of areas to be refined in order
to improve your performance and provides the basis for the final summative assessment.
Throughout the module you will asked to engage in a range of formative assessment tasks. These may be in the classroom or to be completed in between taught sessions. These formative assessment activities are designed to build your knowledge, understanding and ability to apply concepts learned in class. Feedback will typically be provided by your tutor or peers on these formative assessment activities which in turn should aid your overall understanding of the subject and final assessment submission.
Summative Assessment
You will be summatively assessed by:
1. 4000 word Assignment (100%). This will address MLOs 1,2,3,4 and 5
You will be able to access and review your TurnitinUK originality report following the summative assessment of your academic paper. Your unconfirmed mark and summative assessment feedback will be released to you using the GradeMark facility in TurnitinUK. The QuickMark and Rubric Score Card tools will be used to provide consistent summative assessment feedback for all students enrolled on the module. [MLOs: 1 to 5]
Module abstract
It is very important for future Project and Programme Managers to understand Strategic Management and how projects deliver the Strategy of an organisation.
The business world today is considerably different and more complex than it was in the previous years. Both the challenges and opportunities facing organizations of all sizes today are greater than ever. Organizations are required to continuously find better ways to compete in the rapidly changing global business environment. Survival and competition have become imperative for organizations in the current global scenario.
In this context, the module develops the strategic thinking and decision making abilities of students, especially in relation to understanding the employability of various strategies in different situations.
