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Hull University Business School

Module Handbook 2019-20

600542

Business Project Management

Level: 6

Trimester(s): 1

Credits: 20

Module Leader: Gavin Betts

This handbook is available in alternative formats on request from the FBLP Student Hub

Contents 1. Welcome note and introduction 3 2. Key contacts 3 3. Personal development planning 3 4. Learning and teaching study programme 4 5. How you will be assessed and submitting your work 6 6. Group work 7 7. Assessment results and feedback 8 8. ReadingLists@Hull 9 9. Module review 9

Please note:

Students are advised to read this module handbook alongside:

· The Student Handbook for HUBS UG which offers additional information including guidance on attendance, student support, plagiarism and examinations.

· The Faculty of Business, Law and Politics Study Skills Handbook - paying particular attention to the information on plagiarism.

These can be found on the HUBS UG Canvas site.

It is your responsibility to ensure that you are fully acquainted with all of the requirements set out in this handbook and in the associated documentation.

The Faculty of Business, Law and Politics operates a policy of continuous quality enhancement, reflecting on the previous year’s practice and specific feedback such as that gained through the Student-Staff Forums, Module Evaluation Questionnaires and National Student Survey. This is intended to ensure that the all subject areas provide the highest quality student experience possible. The Faculty is also, on occasion, required to amend its policies to ensure that they are fully compliant with University regulations and codes of practice. Students are advised to ensure that the Handbooks and Regulations they consult are the up-to-date versions.

This module introduces a number of concepts, techniques, and methods designed to aid the successful management of projects. It also addresses differences in management thinking and the different principles and assumptions that underpin various techniques and methods.

Traditional project management has been adopted as a common practice to deliver profitable and sound facilities, products and services that meet the expectations and needs of customers and other stakeholders. Other approaches for tackling change and improvement interventions in organisations are also achieving greater prominence. Participation in this module will introduce students to two contrasting approaches to thinking about, planning and executing a project as well as encouraging reflection on the appropriateness of each to different contexts and challenges. The module includes coverage of frames of reference drawn from the published works of Hull University Business School academics.

Appreciating complexity within the work environment and understanding that different project approaches may suit different contexts aligns with programme level learning ambitions.

During this module you will be able to develop your insight and understanding of differing ways of thinking about and undertaking projects in business settings. Throughout the module you are encouraged to reflect critically on the different approaches that have emerged over the years to help enhance your own frames of understanding. This is particularly relevant to help inform your views on contemporary project management practices.

Assessment tasks, assessment criteria and grading descriptors

This module is assessed by one 4500-word report, accounting for 100% of the overall mark.

Organisational life can be complex and challenging. Opportunities can present themselves or issues develop which must be tackled. The response to such situations is often some form of project.

Different approaches and methods have emerged that a would-be project manager might call upon. They are designed for a range of different purposes. Making astute judgements about the focus and scope of a project, as well as how to tackle it, are important considerations – they can mean the difference between success and failure. Execution is another crucial phase. Finally, critical reflection on how well a project went can be a vital source of learning for the future.

This assignment challenge requires you to choose one of the two project management approaches covered during the module and apply it to one of the two scenarios provided. Each scenario is more suited to one approach than the other – making and justifying a sound choice here is part of your challenge.

In this assignment you are required to produce a 4500-word report. Within this report you will -

· Introduce the report content and describe the organisational scenario that was tackled by the project,

· Set out which project management approach was used in the scenario previously described, from the two introduced during the module,

· Offer discussions which critically evaluate and justify your selection of project management approach, demonstrating clearly to readers why it was more suited to the task than the other approach

· Provide a detailed write up demonstrating your application of tools, techniques and stages from your chosen project management approach to the situation, including, where appropriate, evidence-based recommendations for improvement,

· conclude with critical reflections on undertaking this project using your selected project management approach, setting out any learning for the future that can be drawn from this experience.

· in undertaking all the above, make effective use of a wide range of relevant academic literature.

Further detailed guidance on the requirements for this assignment is provided in the Marking Guidance Sheets at the end of this document. This includes cross referencing to the module learning outcomes. There is a sheet for the lean systems approach and traditional approach. Please ensure you refer to the guidance sheet for the approach that you are using in your assignment.

Submitting your work

You will receive feedback on your progress in the following ways:

· Discussions with your Module Leader

· Questions during lectures and tutorials

· Coursework and examination feedback

· Further verbal feedback on request (typically during staff office hours)

Coursework feedback will be made available within twenty working days of the assessment deadline, excluding weekends and non-teaching or holiday periods such as the Christmas or Easter breaks, and should allow you to identify how you can improve and develop your work for future assessments. We appreciate your patience and would like to reassure you that the twenty working day timeline:

· ensures that your work is read thoroughly and that constructive feedback is provided, and

· allows for second marking which is a quality assurance process whereby a member of the teaching team ensures the consistency and standards of first-marking.

It is possible that some Module Leaders may provide feedback earlier than the twenty working day timeline depending on various factors including module size and teaching and research workloads but please remember that these same circumstances might not allow similarly early returns in other modules.

This module, in this format, is new and running for the first time in 2019-20. However, it has run for many years on our part time Business Management programme. Students there are professionals who have chosen to study alongside their day-job. Feedback from such cohorts has been overwhelmingly positive. We believe this applied subject matter can also make a valuable contribution to the degree programme of final year full time undergraduates who may be only months away from embarking on their own career.

Appendix: BPM - Marking Guidance Sheet

Key to Your Overall Mark:

Strengths/Weaknesses Feedback (The elements below are not weighted - more sections does NOT mean more marks)

LOs = Learning Outcomes

LOs = Learning Outcomes

Faculty of Business, Law and Politics 8

18/19 Module Handbook

Faculty of Business, Law and Politics 10

19/20 Module Handbook