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BA (Hons) Global Business (Business Management)
Level 5: Project Management
Module Leader: Nihit Joshi
STUDENT HANDBOOK: 2023
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
Welcome ………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….3
Module details …………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………4
Academic contacts ……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………5
Rationale and aims …………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..6
Learning outcomes and assessment outline …………………………………………………………………………………………………………….6
Learning and teaching methods ……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….6
Weekly schedule and topics ……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..7
Assessment ………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………9
Reading list …………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….10
Rules ………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………11
Skills for success …………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….12
Health and safety ……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………14
Student welfare ……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..14
Student development …………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….15
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1. WELCOME
This handbook provides a list of information to support you with the material about your course and
services delivered by the GBS in partnership with the University of Suffolk. Please take the time to
read this handbook.We hope you find this guide useful. Choosing your study and career path can be
a significant challenge. GBS supports you throughout your course, with mandatory study skills
workshops, scheduled careers training and advice, industry-facing guestlecturers, competitions, and
societies. Our faculty will support you to develop essential modern career skills,including reportwriting, note-taking, teamwork, planning and presenting.
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2. MODULE DETAILS
MODULE TITLE: Project Management | |
MODULE CODE: | GMDGBS205 |
LEVEL: | 5 |
CREDITS: | 20 |
TOTAL STUDY HOURS: | 200 Hours |
STUDY HOURS BREAKDOWN: |
ACTIVITY HOURS Lectures 20 Seminars / workshops 30 Individual Tutorials / workshops 10 VLE Project work Independent Learning 140 Other TOTAL 200 |
PRE-REQUISITES: | None |
EXCLUDED COMBINATIONS: |
None |
MODULE LEADER: | Nihit Joshi |
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3. ACADEMIC TEAM CONTACTS
LECTURER | CONTACT |
1. Nihit Joshi – Module Leader (London) | [email protected] |
2. Junaid Khan (London) | [email protected] |
3. Kingsford Tackie (London) | [email protected] |
4. Man Chu (Luke) Chow (London) | [email protected] |
5. Justice Ackah (London) | [email protected] |
6. Clarence Cole (Birmingham) | [email protected] |
7. Iddrisu Musah (Birmingham) | [email protected] |
8. Richard Cook (Birmingham) | [email protected] |
9. Ping Sum Lam (Manchester) | [email protected] |
10. Godswill Osemeke (Manchester) | [email protected] |
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4. RATIONALE AND AIMS
RATIONALE |
This module sets out to provide you with advanced skills in Project Management. The module builds on concepts and skills covered in the level 3 Project module. Whereas Project required you to think conceptually about the planning of a hypothetical project, this module is more practical – you will be tasked with conducting and managing an individual project. The module also links to your dissertation module at level 6, as many of the skills you learn here will be applicable to managing a research project. |
AIMS |
To allow you to understand how to deliver specific objectives and integrate the necessary resources to deliver on time and on budget. You will build project management skills in managing business processes and functions efficiently. |
5. LEARNING OUTCOMES AND ASSESSMENT OUTLINE
LEARNING OUTCOMES | |
LO1 | Prepare a professional report as the result of a research activity |
LO2 | Apply good project management processes to ensure SMART objectives are managed efficiently and delivered within the timeframe |
LO3 | Provide a portfolio of evidence of performance across the project |
LO4 | Reflect on the skills required to deliver the project in terms of individual and team functions and skills |
LO5 | Identify skills development requirements |
ASSESSMENT OUTLINE | |
Formative | Formative tasks will be completed in-class each week and these are aimed at helping students have a better understanding and analysis of the requirements of the summative assignment. Formative tasks are not marked but constructive feedback will be given for each task completed both verbally and on the feedback forum on Moodle. |
Summative | At the completion of the module, you will be required to produce a 3000-word portfolio. This portfolio should consist of 2000-word project plan (LO 1,2,4,5), a 500-word mid-way progress report (LO 2,3), and a poster on the benefits of studying at GBS. The poster should include explanatory commentary showing how the project methodology meets the objectives set out at the planning stage (500 words in total) (LO3). |
6. LEARNING AND TEACHING METHODS
LEARNING AND TEACHING METHODS |
The focus will be on building your detailed knowledge of project management and the processes used to monitor performance and achieve successful outcomes. Your tutors will use lectures to build your subject knowledge and week by week grow your understanding of project management and in rationalising the key objectives, associated tasks and timelines. Subject knowledge revision will help consolidate your learning from lectures will be achieved through debates and discussions in class to allow the tutor to explore your understanding and the information you have acquired from the lecture. During your sessions your tutors will build your knowledge of project management by getting you to practice your objective analysis and task resourcing |
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7. WEEKLY SCHEDULE AND TOPICS
Weekly Schedule | |
Week 1 | Session 1 • What is project management? • The characteristics of a project • Understanding project management • Why use project management • Types of projects • Five phases of project management • The advantages of using project management • What is methodology? • The Waterfall Methodology • Waterfall project management Session 2 • Agile method • The Prince 2 methodology • Prince 2 project management • SMART objectives in project management • Project management planning: Deliverables • Planning your project • What is project planning? • What is Work Breakdown Structure (WBS) • WBS activities • What is effective planning? |
Week 2 | Session 1 • Project construction process • Project scope • Product scope • Project risk management • Risks and risk types • Risk management planning • Project risk identification techniques • Qualitative risk analysis • Quantitative risk analysis • Risk response planning • Project schedule • Gantt charts • Project cost • Project cost management Session 2 • Project manager: roles and responsibilities • Project plan execution • Indicators to evaluate a project’s success • Indicators to evaluate a project’s progress • Essentials project management skills |
Week 3 | Session 1 |
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• Project management effectiveness • Credibility • Priority • Accessibility • Visibility • Data gathering techniques • Matrix process and data gathering techniques • Benchmarking • Brainstorming • Checklists • Focus groups • Interviews • Market research • Questionnaires and surveys • Statistical sampling Session 2 • Quality management • Quality drivers • Market expectations • Strategic quality management • The Deming Cycle for continuous improvement • Degrees of quality • Quality expectations • Quality policy • Quality objectives • Manage project knowledge • The Manage Project Knowledge process • Common misconceptions of knowledge management • Organisational perspective on knowledge management • Manage Project Knowledge: Inputs • Manage Project Knowledge: Tools and Techniques • Manage Project Knowledge: Outputs • Monitor and control project work • Monitor and control project work: Inputs • Monitor and control project work: Tools and Techniques • Monitor and control project work: Outputs |
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Week 4 | Session 1 • Creating a Work Breakdown Structure (WBS) • Major Groupings Found in a WBS • How WBS Helps the Project Manager • WBS Development • Project closure • Types of project closure • Wrap-up closure activities • Post-Implementation Evaluation • Retrospectives Session 2 • Assignment workshop and tutorial |
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8. ASSESSMENT
Overview
Overview GBS is a fast-growing higher education provided in the UK. Currently, GBS is providing higher
education in four cities through eight campuses. Due to its popularity and successful operations in the
current cities, GBS is going to open a new campus in a new city Liverpool.
GBS now has decided to hire you as a project manager for its new project in Liverpool.
For the summative assignment, the students are required to prepare a 3000-word portfolio containing
three elements: a 2000-word project plan (LO 1, 2, 4, 5), a 500-word mid-way progress report (LO 2,
3), and a poster on benefit of studying at GBS with explanatory commentary showing how the project
methodology meets the objectives set out at the planning stage (500 words in total) (LO3).
Description of Task
The project plan (2000 words) will consist of:
• A statement of work (SoW) containing clear project objectives devised using SMART goals, and an
outline and justification of the project management methodology / methodologies used.
• A reflection on the skills required to complete the project.
• A risk assessment featuring strategies for mitigation.
• A project timetable presented in the form of a GANTT chart / milestone chart.
• A full bibliography.
The mid-way progress report (500 words) will consist of:
• An evaluation of the progress of the project according to the SMART goals and timetable set out in
the project plan.
• An updated project timetable in the form of a Gantt chart, featuring any necessary amendments.
The poster and accompanying commentary (500 words) will consist of:
• A completed poster advertising the benefits of studying at GBS to adult learners.
• Accompanying commentary which explains how the project methodology meets the objectives set
out in the project plan.
9. READING LIST
Core texts:
1. Project Management Institute (2017) A Guide to the Project Management Body of Knowledge
(PMBOK® Guide), Project Management Institute, 2017. (available as an eBook through the
University of Suffolk Library.
2. Barbara Allan (2017) The No-Nonsense Guide to Project Management. London: Facet
Publishing. (available as an eBook through GBS Library).
3. Simon, P. and Murray-Webster, R. (2018) Starting out in Project Management, 3rd Edition,
APM Knowledge
4. Burtonshaw-Gunn, S. (2010) Essential Tool for Management Consulting: Tools, Models and
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Approaches for Clients and Consultants, 1st Edition, Chichester: Wiley & Sons Ltd
Other reading:
1. Larson, E. and Gray, C. (2018) Project Management: The Managerial Process 7th Edition,
McGraw Hill.
2. OGC (2006) Managing Successful Projects with PRINCE2, 4th Edition: TSO.
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10. RULES OF ASSESSMENT
• Plagiarism
Students are responsible to reference their work correctly to avoid plagiarism. Students are encouraged to include
ideas and quotes from other sources only if they are adequately referenced and the original source is provided in
the bibliography. Citations must include quotation marks to avoid presenting someone else’s ideas as your original
work.
To find out more about academic misconduct please click here.
• Referencing
Referencing is a paramount element of any written assignment; it aids others to track the original source used in
your written work. Every module should indicate what referencing style is expected to be used in your work.
Always speak to your lecturer if in doubt what referencing style is required for your assignment.
• Submission
GBS courses provide you with opportunities to test your knowledge and understanding informally through
‘formative’ assessment. Formative assessment will be completed before your formal ‘summative’ assessment
which will determine your final marks. Each module normally contains at least one piece of formative assessment
from which you will receive feedback. It is your responsibility to submit your work on Moodle by the provided
submission deadlines.
• Extenuating Circumstances FAQ
What should I do if I cannot attend an exam or submit work?
If unforeseeable events happen which mean you are not able to submit an assignment and/or attend an exam you
can apply for extenuating circumstances. To apply for extenuating circumstances, you need to do so before the
submission deadline/exam date and provide evidence to support your request. You can apply for an extension,
deferral or intercalation.
What is an extension?
An extension allows students an additional 10 working days to submit their work. To request an extension, students
need to apply via OASIS and they need to provide evidence of their extenuating circumstances. For example, if a
relative has passed away we would require a death certificate or if you were unwell we would require a doctor’s
note. The University of
Suffolk approves or declines the requests. If the extension is approved, the student has an additional 10 working
days from the date of the original submission date.
What is a deferral?
A deferral grants you to submit your exam or assignment at a later date. The new date will be agreed by the
Assessment Board. Students requesting a deferral need to apply via OASIS and are also required to provide
evidence of their extenuating circumstances.
Deferral requests will be approved by the Extenuating Circumstances Officer.
What is an intercalation?
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An intercalation is a break from your study. To request an intercalation the student needs to apply via OASIS and
provide evidence of their extenuating circumstances. This will be reviewed and approved or rejected by the
Extenuating Circumstances Officer. If the student is granted an intercalation the student will return the following
year, in the same cohort.
For example, if you start in July 2019 and intercalate you would start again in July 2020.
What happens if I apply for extenuating circumstances but am rejected?
If you apply for extenuating circumstances and are not successful, you will be required to submit your work on time
and/or attend the exam. If you do not submit your work and/or do not attend your exam you will be marked 0. You
will be given the opportunity to resubmit your work and/or retake your exam but your mark will be capped at the
pass mark of 40%.
• Feedback
Student feedback is conducted regularly throughout the academic year. Students are encouraged to visit Students
Service Centre at any time should they have any suggestions or comments. To find out more information how the
feedback is conducted please click here.
At the end of each module students need to complete an online module survey.
11. SKILLS FOR SUCCESS
• Attendance and Punctuality Monitoring
Once you have enrolled to your course, it is compulsory to attend your classes. Register will be taken and
monitored at every class. GBS expects students to fully participate and attend their chosen course. You must
sustain your attendance at the satisfactory level of 80%. In case of absence, you must inform your programme
manager by email. Please make sure to include:
Your name:
Student number:
Lecture date and time:
Lecturer name:
An explanation of why you cannot attend.
12. STUDENT SERVICE CENTRE
• Council Tax letters
To request confirmation letter for the council tax reduction, please submit your request via
[email protected]
• Student Discounts
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Unidays and Totum offer variety of discounts for the university students.
To apply for your Totum discount card (paid and free schemes available) please click here. Make sure you select
University of Suffolk students Union. To apply for Unidays discount scheme for students (free) please click
• Student Finance FAQ
What should I do if my student loan has not come through?
If you have any issues with your student loan you will need to contact Student Finance England to ask why you have
not received your loan. Contact details are available on the website.
• Why have I been invoiced for my tuition fees?
If the University of Suffolk does not receive funding from Student Finance England to cover your tuition fees, you
will be responsible to cover the fees and will be invoiced accordingly. Failure to pay, will see sanctions put on your
learning, such as not being able to submit work or view results.
• What happens if I withdraw from the course?
You can self-withdraw from the course at any point and you can do this via OASIS. If you withdraw you will still
need to pay your tuition fees and you will be sent an invoice. Once you withdraw, we will notify Student Finance
England and this will stop your tuition and maintenance loans.
• Can I be withdrawn from the course?
Yes, you can be withdrawn from the course if you have poor attendance and/or you are under achieving. If the
University of Suffolk and GBS decide to withdraw you from the course, you will receive a notification. Student
Finance England will also be notified and your student loan will be stopped. You will also be required pay any
outstanding tuition fees.
• How much money do I need to pay if I withdraw or if I am withdrawn?
Depending on when you withdraw/have been withdrawn will depend on how much you need to pay back. It is the
student responsibility to repay the tuition fees/loan.
Liability points:
25% – after two weeks 50% – after six months 100% – after nine months
13. HEALTH AND SAFETY
• Campus Policy
GBS is committed to providing a safe working environment to all students, visitors and staff and have implemented
robust protocols and procedures to ensure that this is maintained. GBS students must report any Health and Safety
concerns or near misses to the Student Service Centre team.
• Fire
Fire drills are conducted regularly at all sites, during your induction you will be given the Fire Drill and Exit
instructions for your relevant site.
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In case of an alarm, you must exit the building immediately by following the exit signs or directions of the delegated
fire warden. Do not run, use lifts or return to collect your personal belongings. Do not return to the building and do
not leave the meeting location unless instructed to do so.
• Accidents and First Aid
In case of a personal accident-causing injury, first-aider must be contacted immediately. Your nearest first aider can
be found in the Student Services Office.
In a critical emergency or to report a crime in action please dial 999 for Fire, Police and Paramedics
To report non- critical emergency to police please dial – 101
For general health advice please dial – 111
14. STUDENT WELFARE
• Student Welfare
The University of Suffolk and GBS both take your welfare very seriously. Should you have any personal problems or
concerns that might impact your studies, please contact our welfare support team at [email protected]
• Disability and Emotional Wellbeing
The School will do all that is reasonable to ensure that our culture, policies and procedures are made accessible to
students who have disabilities and to comply with our legal and moral responsibilities under equality legislation in
order to accommodate the needs of applicants and students who have disabilities for which, after reasonable
adjustments, we can cater adequately.
• Equality and Diversity
At GBS we are committed to provide space where diversity and inclusivity is celebrated and where all members of
the community are respected and valued for their contribution and distinctiveness. GBS is dedicated to providing
work and learning environment which is free from discrimination against, race, gender and sexual orientation.
15. STUDENT DEVELOPMENT
• Refer a friend
If you are a current or past student of the GBS, we are looking to hear from you! If you refer a friend or family
member who enrols to one of our courses, you will be awarded with £500 voucher. For more information, please
enquire at the Student Service Centre.
We hope you have found this guide helpful. For any suggestions, please contact Student Service Centre.