Overview of the Module

Businesses and organizations are constantly changing. Regardless of whether organizations are planning to expand or rationalize, managing projects that facilitate change is an integral part of ensuring a competitive advantage for an organization. This module is designed to introduce students to the processes of project management in a business environment. It aims to develop students’ understanding and skills in the use of project management tools and techniques and in the impact of effective people skills on the outcomes of projects. Students will explore the opportunities and challenges of managing projects. Using real-life case studies, students will reflect on factors affecting projects, such as the impact of national culture. Therefore, the module aims to develop and equip students with the knowledge, capabilities, and skills to enable them to work within and lead a successful project in, today’s complex business environment.

Assessment Learning Outcomes to be addressed:

L01 – Demonstrate a critical understanding of the role of project management within organisations to deliver successful change.
LO2 – Critically assess project management tools and techniques for the effective and successful implementation of a project.
L03 – Construct a project management plan that documents the actions necessary to define and coordinate activities, assesses project deliverables, and ensures the control and management of cost, schedule, and changes to the project.
L04 – Evaluate current issues in project management and assess the impact of hard and soft skills on the management of a variety of different projects.

Assignment Title: Individual Written Report

Create a project management plan for a leading financial institution embarked on a digital transformation project to enhance its online banking services.
Your final complete coursework should include the following sections:
Executive Summary (no more than 1 page, not incl. in word count)
Table of Contents (not included in word count)

Introduction

• Provide an overview of the chosen financial institution and its significance in the context of the institution enhancing its online banking services.
• Explain the importance of project management for the financial institution to successfully enhance its online banking services. (LO1).

Project Management Tools:

• Identify suitable project management tools and techniques (e.g. work breakdown structures, critical path analysis and Gantt charts) for the financial institution you have identified. (LO2)
• Explain how these tools are necessary for the chosen institution to define and coordinate activities, assess project deliverables, and to ensure the control and management of cost, schedule, and changes to the project. (LO3)

Potential Challenges and Skills Required:

• Discuss the potential challenges in project management relevant to the financial institution embarking on a digital transformation (LO4).
• Evaluate the role of both hard (technical) and soft (interpersonal) skills in being able to assist the financial institution in enhancing its online services (LO4).

Conclusion:

• Summarize your findings.
• Reflect on the role of project management in achieving successful organizational change (LO1).
Submission Procedure: Electronically via Blackboard (Turnitin)
Word Count: 3500 words with +/-10%
Expected return of feedback and material work: 2 weeks after submission
Credits/Weighting: This assessment contributes 100% to total module mark.

Formatting Requirements

• Double/ 1½ line spaced
• Arial/Times New Roman font size 12
• Referenced in APA referencing style
• Include Cover sheet (Appendix 1), Submission Form (Appendix 2) and Ethics
• Approval Certificate plus associated documents
• Include Contents page
• Include page numbers on every page
Note:
Please make sure that your ID number and the module number appear on the actual coursework assignment as well as on your cover sheet.
Assessment Criteria