Module: Project Management

Latest Module Specifications

Current Academic Year 2025 - 2026

Module Title	Project Management
Module Code	MNA1096 (ITS: MT314)
Faculty	DCU Business School	School	DCU Business School
NFQ level	8	Credit Rating	5

Description

This is a foundation module in Project Management for undergraduate students.

Learning Outcomes

1. discuss project characteristics (scope, time, cost, and quality) and the project management lifecycle
2. produce a work breakdown structure and project schedule (using eg. Gannt Chart, activity network (node and arrow), Critical path)
3. monitor and control a project
4. discuss the nature of project leadership, the identifying and managing of stakeholders, and the importance of managing change
5. use a software pacakage to assist in project management

*Type*	*Hours*	*Description*
Workload	Full time hours per semester
Lecture	24	formal classroom-based delivery of conceptual material
Assignment Completion	24	carrying out of project assignment
Independent Study	36	preparation for lectures and post-lecture study of lecture materials
Directed learning	24	preparation for examination
Independent Study	17	assignment research/ concept research
Total Workload: 125

Section Breakdown
CRN	20742	Part of Term	Semester 2
Coursework	0%	Examination Weight	0%
Grade Scale	40PASS	Pass Both Elements	Y
Resit Category	RC1	Best Mark	N
Module Co-ordinator	Colum Foley	Module Teacher	James Byrne, Marty Reilly, Paul Davis, Priya Ambilkar, Terry O'Brien

Type	Description	% of total	Assessment Date
Assessment Breakdown
Assignment	project management assignment	40%	Week 1
Formal Examination	End-of-Semester Final Examination	60%	End-of-Semester

Reassessment Requirement Type
Resit arrangements are explained by the following categories; RC1: A resit is available for both^* components of the module. RC2: No resit is available for a 100% coursework module. RC3: No resit is available for the coursework component where there is a coursework and summative examination element. ^* ‘Both’ is used in the context of the module having a coursework/summative examination split; where the module is 100% coursework, there will also be a resit of the assessment

Pre-requisite	None
Co-requisite	None
Compatibles	None
Incompatibles	None

All module information is indicative and subject to change. For further information,students are advised to refer to the University's Marks and Standards and Programme Specific Regulations at: http://www.dcu.ie/registry/examinations/index.shtml

Indicative Content and Learning Activities

1. Introduction to projects and project management
Characteristics of a project: Scope/ Time/ Cost/ Quality; Projects and programmes; Management by projects; Requirements/ needs identification; RFPs, Proposals, evaluation, contracts.

2. The project lifecycle
Project planning; Project execution and control; Project termination.

3. Detailed planning
Deliverables and milestones; Work breakdown structure and activities/ tasks; Resource pool and assigning responsibility; Scheduling: Gannt charts and activity networks; Risk, float and the critical path; Resource levelling; Project costs.

4. People
Project manager, project team; Motivation and communication.

5. Changes, issues, risk and uncertainty

6. Project management software support

Indicative Reading List

Books:

Hodgson, D and Cicmil, S.: 2007, Making projects critical, Palgrave Macmillan,
Clements, J. and J. Gido: 2006, Effective project management, Thomson.,
Gray, C. and Larsen, W.: 2006, Project management: the managerial process, McGraw-Hill,

Articles:
None

Other Resources

None