Wits Plus - digitalcampus.co.za · Week 2 – Module2: Project Feasibility and Selection. Week 3...

Wits Plus Principles of Project Management – Theory and Practice

Course Fact Sheet

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Principles of Project Management – Theory and Practice

Course Fact Sheet

0 What is Project Management?

0 Why is Project Management such an essential part of our

modern workplace?

0 What is the business case for a project?

0 How does one define and structure project requirements

and project plans?

0 How is a project executed effectively?

0 How do you ensure a high performance project team?

The Principles of Project Management will answer all these questions

and more.


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Course Fact Sheet

Principles of Project Management – Theory and PracticeReimagine your career

In today’s fast-paced, global workplace, work teams are formed across

business divisions and geographic locations to collaborate on projects that

will enable business performance and success.

The demand for Project Managers and professionals who can effectively

and efficiently contribute to projects, continues to grow exponentially.

According to Forbes Magazine, modern employers have listed the ability

to work in a team, the ability to plan, organise and prioritise work and the

ability to make decisions and solve problems as the top skills required from

prospective employees.

Deloitte’s Human Capital Trends reports have consistently flagged a trend

towards project teams that truly engage all employees and allow for cross-

functional contributions to work projects.

Experts in the talent management field agree: There is a critical shortage

of business professionals who can function effectively in project teams,

offer their ideas and insights, build on the ideas of others, and carefully

apply project management principles in order to achieve goals.

Once you are competent at applying the principles of Project Management

in your workplace, you will be able to reimagine your professional

potential.

Aimed at business professionals who are aspiring Project Managers or who

are required to participate in or lead project teams, this 10-week career

course is tailored to the specific needs of today’s corporate professional,

to prepare you for talent identification and career mobility.

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Course Fact Sheet

Principles of Project Management – Theory and PracticeCourse overview

The Principles of Project Management course introduces learners to basic

project management theory and provides the practical skills required to

successfully apply these project management principles in the workplace.

Although project plans and schedules require rigorous planning and

efficient execution, this course also investigates the importance of the

human element in projects, ensuring that learners are provided with the

relevant soft skills to ensure high performance project teams.

Target audience

This course is aimed at current and prospective business professionals

who will be managing projects, contributing to projects or utilising project

management principles in the workplace.

Whilst the Information Technology sector is proven to be the industry that

most utilises project management principles, the Principles of Project

Management course provides basic, professional principles that can be

utilised across departments and industries.

Course accreditation

This course was developed by Wits Plus, the Centre for Part-Time Studies

at the University of the Witwatersrand (Wits) and is accredited by Wits.

You will receive a certificate of competence from Wits Plus once you have

successfully completed the course.

The course is presented by Wits Plus in partnership with DigitalCampus, a

division of LRMG Performance Agency (LRMG).

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Course Fact Sheet

Principles of Project Management – Theory and PracticeAbout Wits Plus

Wits Plus, the Centre for Part-Time Studies at Wits offers various

qualifications and a wide range of high-level short courses to mature

professionals.

Wits is established as a Public Higher Education Institution in terms of The

Public Higher Education Act, is recognised as one of the leading Higher

Education institutions in South Africa and is internationally and locally

respected by both private and public sector organisations.

With Wits Plus you:

0 Will study with qualified lecturers who are widely recognised in their field.

0 Will be treated as a professional.

0 Will network with other professionals who want to get ahead and stay ahead in their careers.

0 Are assured of the best quality.

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Course Fact Sheet

Principles of Project Management – Theory and PracticeAbout LRMG

As one of South Africa’s leading performance and learning consulting

firms, The LR Management Group (LRMG Performance Agency) has been

empowering people to achieve their potential since 1997, working with

companies such as MTN, Telkom, Nedbank, MultiChoice, Engen and Sun

International. Applying their unique knowledge of the science of online

learning to specially-developed content from Wits, they’ve created a

cutting-edge platform that provides you with a completely new way of

learning.

LRMG is a SETA-accredited management group with full accreditation as

a training provider. LRMG offers fully customised learning programmes to

people and organisations wanting to ensure maximum returns on people

talent investment.

LRMG’s ISETT SETA accreditation number is ACC02 and full SETA

accreditation number is 0986.

Course duration

The Principles of Project Management course is an eight-week online

course.

An additional two weeks will be spent on the course introduction, studying

and examination.

From beginning to end, the course period is ten weeks.

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Course Fact Sheet


Course dates

To be advised

Course cost

R12 500.00, incl. VAT.

Weekly course modules

Each week, for a period of eight weeks, you will be tasked with navigating

your way through one module per week:

� Week 1 – Module 1: An Introduction to Project Management.

� Week 2 – Module 2: Project Feasibility and Selection.

� Week 3 – Module 3: Project Scoping.

� Week 4 – Module 4: Project Definition.

� Week 5 – Module 5: The Project Preliminary Schedule.

� Week 6 – Module 6: Project Execution.

� Week 7 – Module 7: Project Closure and Handover.

� Week 8 – Module 8: Project Communication.

During week 9, you are given study time. During week 10, you will write

your final examinations.

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Course Fact Sheet

Principles of Project Management – Theory and PracticeOverview of modules

Module 1:

An Introduction to Project Management

This module defines the terms ‘project’ and ‘project management’, lending insight to the attributes of a project and pointing out how projects are differentiated from regular work. Project Management as a profession is discussed, as well as the vital role of project management in an organisation. Project constraints, project classifications and the life cycle of a project effectively round off this introduction module.

Module 2:

Project Feasibility and Selection

The feasibility of a project is explored by understanding what a strategy is and how projects are linked to the organisational strategy. Project selection approaches, including quantitative, qualitative and hybrid, are explained, as well as the business case for selecting a project. The commissioning of a project as either an internal or external project is discussed and determined, ensuring that the most correct project implementation solution is used.

Module 3:

Project Scoping

This module describes the elements that make up a perfect project scope by firstly defining the term ‘project scope’ and then exploring its contents, limitations and exclusions. Terms like ‘scope creep’ and ‘project charter’ are discussed.

Module 4:

Project Definition

To define a project, the work, organisational, budgetary and team requirements must be carefully considered. This module explores the vital role that the work breakdown structure, project time, cost estimation and the performance of the project team play.

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Course Fact Sheet


Module 5:

The Project Preliminary Schedule

This module enables learners to create a project preliminary schedule by understanding a model of project planning and how project-related activities are sequenced into this model according to the precedence diagramming method. A preliminary schedule is constructed, ensuring that forward pass, backward pass, critical path and free and total slack are correctly considered and included.

Module 6:

Project Execution

The role of monitoring and control during the project execution phase is determined by exploring what the execution phase consists of, how project monitoring and control is best conducted, the role of the Earned Value Management process and how to best manage the project team to ensure high performance during this phase.

Module 7:

Project Closure and Handover

A project manager plays a crucial role in the closure and handover of projects. This module prepares project managers for effective closure and handover by exploring these terms, the steps and roles involved, as well as highlighting the benefits of proper closure and handover of a project. The valuable role of project evaluation during this phase is also described.

Module 8:

Project Communication

Effective communication is the key to successful projects. This module explores the importance of project communication, explains the vital role that project meetings play and underlines the importance of proper documentation during the project life cycle. In an ever-evolving world, project communication might hold some interesting innovations and challenges, which is why a topic that explores the future of project communication is a useful feature of this module.

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Course Fact Sheet

Principles of Project Management – Theory and PracticeCourse pre-requisites

Grade 12 or matric certificate (or equivalent) is required. In the absence

of this, recognition of prior learning will be considered on a case by case

basis.

You do not require prior knowledge of project management to register for

this course.

This course is presented online, so you will need:

� Access to a computer with Internet access (with working webcam).

� A current email address.

� Access to Microsoft Word.

� PDF-reading software.

� To be able to watch videos presented in this course online.

All course material is in English and all assessments are delivered in

English.

This online course enables you to divide your time between work, family,

friends and study. You must set aside five to seven hours per week for the

eight modules over the duration of the course.

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Course Fact Sheet


Course delivery

This course is delivered fully online. No matter where you are, you can

simply log in to the DigitalCampus online learning portal and continue with

your course.

We release one module per week. Each module consists of several topics.

During a typical week, you must read the topic’s content and watch the

videos and animations. You will also have the option to answer progress

check questions.

At the end of each module, you are expected to:

� Log in to the Discussion Forum and participate in a discussion focusing on the module.

� Complete an assignment related to the module.

At the end of the eight weeks, you are expected to study and complete a

final examination.

You can contact the DigitalCampus Learning Journey Manager, Denise

Pivacic, throughout the duration of this course via the Q&A forum or email

her at [email protected] with your questions. If necessary,

Denise will refer your question to the lecturer, Dr Robert Venter. Dr Venter

will also monitor the Discussion Forum and contribute where necessary.

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Course Fact Sheet

Principles of Project Management –Theory and Practice

Assessment and award of certificate

We have integrated a formative (continuous) assessment in each of the

modules. These assessments, referred to as progress checks, will enable

you to evaluate your own progress and grasp of the contents.

These progress checks do not count towards your final mark.

In addition to the progress checks, you will also be expected to participate

in the learning activities as per the table below. All these activities count

towards your final mark and will be weighted as follows:

Accomplishment Weighting

Participation in Discussion Forum Activities 5%

Assignments and Knowledge Quizzes 35%

Final Examination 60%

You must achieve a combined final mark of 50% to receive the certificate of

competence from Wits University.

Application

Application not open yet. To find out more about our services contact our

Sales Executive, Melanie Holloway on +27 87 023 0888 or email us at

[email protected]

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Course Fact Sheet


Payment

In accordance with Wits policies, upfront payment is required to register for

the course. The payment of the fees for this course is the responsibility of

the individual registering for the course.

Payment options

� Once-off payment:

l R12,500.00 incl. VAT.

� Payment plan:

l Please contact our student loan partners, EduLoan at 0860 55 55 44.

Payment methods � Electronic funds transfer (EFT).

� Credit card (MasterCard and Visa).

� Company Purchase Order.

For any payment queries, please contact Melanie Holloway, our

DigitalCampus Sales Consultant at 0860 023 0888 or via email at

[email protected].

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Course Fact Sheet

Contact

DigitalCampus Learning Journey Manager

Denise Pivacic Email: [email protected]

DigitalCampus Sales Consultants

Melanie Holloway Email: [email protected] Ngalonkulu Email: [email protected]

Wits Plus - digitalcampus.co.za · Week 2 – Module2: Project Feasibility and Selection. Week 3...

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