Advanced Diploma in Project Management

Purpose

The Advanced Diploma in Project Management is aimed at professional preparation for prospective Degree or Diploma learners and to offer an intensive, focused and applied specialisation which meets the requirements for project managers in the labour market.

The purpose of the qualification is to enable learners to develop a deep understanding of project management through understanding the role of the project manager, being able to analyse requirements, execute sound project management practices, comply with standards and manage the project using different project management methodologies.

This qualification is therefore particularly suitable for continuing professional development through the inculcation of a deep and systematic understanding of current thinking, practice theory and methodology in project management.

This qualification is designed to prepare learners for postgraduate study through the deepening of their knowledge and understanding of theories, methodologies and practices in the project management, as well as the development of their ability to formulate, undertake and resolve more complex theoretical and practice-related problems and tasks through the selection and use of appropriate methods and techniques.

The practitioner develops applied competence throughout the qualification through consideration of real-world cases, simulations and integrated assessments targeting real-world environments. Graduates will have attributes that include acting as professional, ethical and competent project managers that are capable of communicating, collaborating and innovating in diverse contexts.

Rationale

The qualification was borne out of consideration that it would serve the needs of the 4th industrial revolution and the country envisioned in the National Development Plan (NDP) (2012). Project management at the level that the qualification offers is required in South Africa and project management is noted as an essential skill in the NDP and the National Infrastructure Plan (2012).

The NDP specifically states that there is a lack of effective project preparation and project management skills, including thorough feasibility work that causes service delivery backlogs, poorly conceptualised projects, and failure to spend allocated budgets.

South Africa currently has massive planned major infrastructure projects worth billions of rands and these types of projects will require capable project managers that are competent in advanced project management disciplines.

The qualification is modelled on the Individual Competence Baseline of the International Project Management Association that does not prescribe a methodology for executing project management but focuses on building the competencies required for a successful project, qualification and portfolio management.

The rationale for the qualification is to enable a project manager to have the required baseline competence in the domains of people management, practice management in the areas of project, qualification and portfolio management and perspective which is aimed at linking the initiatives of the project to the required achievement of the project goal.

Employers and learners are responding to the need for a qualification that allows for a deeper understanding of the requirements of project management. The need for this qualification comes as there are an increasing plethora of project management methodologies and to move beyond this to focus on the competencies to support the ongoing development of a capable project manager that can operate at an advanced level. The need for technical skills and project implementation remain relevant and is recognised as a critical component of continued transformation.

There is an interest in this type of qualification in multiple sectors, most notably technology, infrastructure, financial services and the service sector. A person that completes this qualification would be able to operate as an independent project manager in these and other industries.

The learner will benefit from a lifelong specialist and professional skill that is widely recognised and that will enable the skills required in the execution of strategic objectives of an employer organisation. Employers will benefit from learners that have a deep understanding of the project management context, environment and execution at all levels. The economy benefits from the efficient and ethical use of resources by capable project managers that deliver positive societal outcomes through the project approach.

Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL)

The number of learners admitted and requirements for RPL will align with the requirements of the HEQSF and the policies of the institution at all times. A person may gain access and exemption based on prior learning in line with the credit accumulation and transfer policy of the institution.

Entry Requirements

The minimum entry requirement for this qualification is

• Diploma in Project Management or related fields, NQF Level 6.

This qualification consists of the following compulsory modules at National Qualifications Framework Level totalling 120 Credits.

Compulsory Modules, Level 7, 120 Credits

• The Project Environment, 20 Credits.
• Project Systems and Requirements Analysis, 20 Credits.
• Project Planning, 20 Credits.
• Project Execution, 20 Credits.
• Project Performance, 20 Credits.
• Project Phases, 20 Credits.

1. Strategically analyse the role of the project manager in establishing, managing and transforming organisations and systems.
2. Apply systems design and integration perspectives to manage projects within complex systems.
3. Systematically analyse establishment, requirements, plans, the progress of projects and evaluate and proposed improvement areas of projects in all phases of project delivery.
4. Contribute sound project management practices to the development of project organisations, processes, systems and solutions in different industries.
5. Comply with legal, legislative, governance, quality and ethical standards when implementing, managing and improving project environments.
6. Propose project delivery mechanisms in the context of qualification management and portfolio management requirements using different project management methodologies.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 1

• Define, evaluate and structure the role of a project manager concerning the competencies of a project manager, in various applied organisational contexts (legal, financial, managerial) and industries.
• Identify and discuss the role of the project manager in establishing, managing and transforming organisations and systems.
• Describe the change in the role of the project manager over the steps in a project and the phases of a project.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 2

• Develop a project design in line with design thinking principles.
• Apply systems theory to integration and design problems for projects.
• Demonstrate the use of projects in organisations to improve and change complex systems.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 3

• Develop an approach and guideline for implementation that can be used for establishing, analysing requirements, planning, managing progress, evaluating and improving projects that take into consideration different project management best practices.
• Differentiate between the requirements of projects that are in a start-up, execution and close-out phases and critically review the role of the project manager in each of these phases.
• Demonstrate the application of appropriate methods for leadership, establishment, requirements analysis, planning, performance management, monitoring and evaluation and change management in all project phases.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 4

• Assess different project management practices and comment on their applicability in an applied context.
• Compare and contrast different project organisations, processes and systems.
• Evaluate how different organisations implement project management regarding industry-specific practices.
• Demonstrate the baseline competence in people management, practice management in the areas of project, qualification and portfolio management required of a project manager.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 5

• Develop a personal and project code of ethics that takes into consideration the role of the project manager as a leader of the project team and their individual and collective responsibility to stakeholders, clients, their team and the broader context of a project.
• Evaluate project scenarios from compliance, legislative, legal, governance and ethical standpoints and be able to recommend solutions that prioritise high ethical standards.
• Consider the unique issues that may arise in different stages and phases of a project from a legal, legislative, governance, quality and ethical viewpoint.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 6

• Compare and contrast different project management and portfolio management methodologies through identifying their main components, processes & methods and where and when they are applied.
• Describe the significance of project management concerning different qualification and portfolio management methodologies.
• Design an end to end project delivery mechanism for a specific and applied project environment.

Integrated Assessment

Assessments are done following the assessment policies of the institution.

Each module has

• Tests and assignments (50%).
• Marks are allocated for completion of course-related activities (20%).
• One summative assessment (30%).
• Assignments are industry-related and applied and will require research and application of concepts to case study and real-world environments.
• Learners must achieve the pass mark in all three categories of assessment. (i.e. cannot exclude the summative assessment in favour of completing all other activities, or not complete classwork and only pass the exam).
• Exams are written in according to the examination policy of the institution and a learner must pass all modules to complete the qualification.