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Unit 6: Managing Projects
QCF Level: 5
Credit value: 10 credits
Aim
This unit provides the learner with an understanding of the principles of project management and develops their project management skills.
Unit abstract
Most managers have to run projects, whether to launch services or products, hold one-off events or implement improvements to systems. This unit starts with the fundamentals of managing projects, including the nature of a project and the phases of a project. Learners will then consider the importance of determining success criteria.
Learners will study the all-important project planning methods which include the development of a project initiation document and use of project planning tools such as checklists, project work plans, Gantt charts and critical paths. They will also learn how to assess the risks of failure, how contingency plans can be devised to ameliorate the risks, how to develop a communications plan to monitor and control activities, and maintain a sense of direction for all stakeholders.
Learners will go on to find out how to implement the project plan including communicating the project plan, allocating responsibilities, setting objectives and supporting team members. They will also learn about monitoring achievements against the project plan and how to modify project plans to ensure delivery is on time and as planned.
The final part of the unit is about post-project activities such as evaluating the project outcomes against the purpose of the project and the success criteria, reporting on what was learned from the project and making recommendations for running other similar projects.
The assessment activities for this unit are both practical and theoretical and on completion of this unit learners will have acquired knowledge about project management techniques and the associated practical skills.
Learning Outcomes
To achieve this unit a learner must:
1 Understand the principles of project management
2 Be able to plan a project
3 Be able to manage the implementation of a project
4 Be able to present project outcomes to stakeholders.
