MSc Project Management

Course Learning Outcomes

Applied Research Project

On completion of the module the learner, operating independently and applying their knowledge and skills, should be able to:

• Create a considered, topical, applied research project.
• Evaluate complex ideas and analysis in their area of study.
• Formulate a complex argument within a theoretical and practical framework.
• Demonstrate self-direction, confidence, resilience, ambition, and creativity in carrying out independent and evidence informed study in an area of the built environment.
• Communicate research findings through writing clear, comprehensible narrative in accordance with academic conventions.

Benefits Management and Project Success

On completion of the module the learner, operating independently and applying their knowledge and skills, should be able to:

• Explore advanced concepts in benefit identification, measurement, and realisation.
• Develop knowledge and expertise in the determination and application of key performance indicators (KPIs) and metrics for tracking and evaluating project benefits throughout the project life span.
• Examine advanced strategies for engaging stakeholders throughout the project, including techniques for managing diverse stakeholder expectations and interests.
• Introduce Return on Investment (ROI) concepts and methodologies, emphasising the importance of financial benefit realisation in project management.
• Explore the concept of Social Value, including methods for identifying, measuring, and maximising the social and environmental impacts of projects.

Building a Successful Project Team

On completion of the module the learner, operating independently and applying their knowledge and skills, should be able to:

• Evidence a deep and meaningful knowledge and understanding of the role soft skills play in personal development and the role of the project manager.
• Identify and appraise the relationships of the stakeholders engaging in a project and their contributions towards the project’s success.
• Demonstrate thorough knowledge and understanding of cultural diversity, gender equality, and intercultural issues to support ethically aware, collaborative professional practice.
• Advance appropriate strategies to construct and maintain integrated project teams resilient to the internal and external constraints of a project.
• Evidence knowledge and understanding of the tools and techniques for managing organisational change

Contemporary Project Management Practice

On completion of the module the learner, operating independently and applying their knowledge and skills, should be able to:

• Evaluate the effectiveness of a range of project management methodologies.
• Apply suitable procurement methods in practice.
• Formulate and align project objectives with organisational strategy and goals.
• Integrate sustainability principles into project management practice.
• Evaluate the impact of quality management on project success and stakeholder satisfaction.

Managing Risk and Uncertainty

On completion of the module, the learner, operating independently and applying their knowledge and skills, should be able to:

• Utilise advanced techniques to identify and categorise risks considering their potential impact on project and organisational value. 
• Evaluate and monitor the selected risk response strategies and consider their implications for value delivery and optimisation.
• Apply advanced quantitative risk analysis techniques while recognising their role in value driven decision making.
• Distinguish between risk and uncertainty and understand their implications for value management.

Project Management Principles

On completion of the module, the learner, operating independently and applying their knowledge and skills, should be able to:

• investigate and critically evaluate the theories and concepts behind the Project Management discipline
• examine the nature of the Built Environment sector and the contribution professional bodies and professional ethics and values make towards sustainable construction
• appraise a project by measuring its aims and objectives against an organisation’s strategic objectives and available finance mechanisms
• design and deliver appropriate strategies to control and monitor key elements within the project lifecycle and a client setting that is complex and unpredictable
• autonomously display a deep and systematic understanding of how high performing management teams within a dynamic project environment are developed
• adopt an inclusive approach to practice and recognise the responsibilities, benefits and importance of supporting equity, diversity and inclusion

Project Planning and Execution

On completion of the module the learner, operating independently and applying their knowledge and skills, should be able to:

• Propose feasible and achievable responses to a need to plan and manage the execution of a project.
• Synthesise information from a variety of sources to produce a work breakdown structure.
• Interpret complex project requirements and information to develop and monitor a detailed baseline project plan which evaluates and manages project risk and includes a programme identifying project milestones, resource requirements and critical path.
• Assess and respond to changes to the project goals.