Higher Certificate in Project Management

Purpose

The purpose of the Higher Certificate in Project Management is to provide entry into the field of project management. This qualification will equip learners with project management skills to work at entry-level in a business and industry. Learners will acquire the requisite knowledge and skills to operate ethically as part of a project team. The qualification will improve the learner's efficiency and effectiveness, which are key components in an office environment for ensuring that the organisation runs smoothly. This contributes to higher productivity and improved service delivery. A qualifying learner will be a well-rounded practitioner with foundational technical skills in management, administration, planning and organisation.

The curriculum ensures a high degree of portability and enables learners to enter multiple job roles and careers in their quest to meet individual and organisational requirements.

The qualification emphasises using project management in the business context. The successful learner will develop foundational knowledge and requisite competencies in project management, which can be applied to the business environment. Learners will obtain exposure to communication, information systems, management, administration and project management. Training for qualification is both theoretical and practical. It allows learners to grasp fundamental knowledge in the workings of various project management methods, approaches and tools in the modern work environment.

This qualification will contribute to the full development of the learner within the business environment by providing recognition and further mobility within the field. The qualification supports the philosophy of life-long learning, because learners will be able to increase their access to employment since this qualification also caters for individuals that who are employed but lack the certification to perform efficiently or to be promoted.

Rationale

In all spheres of business and industry, Project Management has arisen as a key skill for managers, administrators, supervisors and staff in general. Project management is used across business functions of the organisations from human resources to finance and information technology or services and also applies to all types and entities of businesses and organisations.

The skills, knowledge and understanding demonstrated within this qualification are essential for social and economic transformation and contribute to the upliftment and economic growth within the business sector. Learners will be able to obtain employment in a range of entry-level project management and administrative positions including office administration and related positions and support managers and supervisors. The learners are trained to support management and administrative staff with various tasks using technological tools and facilities. The qualification allows experienced management and administrative staff to upgrade the skills and enhances access to additional employment opportunities and promotions.

The current skills deficit across all sectors means that there is a great need for staff that are qualified and able to perform across the key areas of project management. Employees must be equipped with skills and knowledge that are key to the transformation of the South African economy and that they can contribute to the positive performance of their employers. The qualification is highly relevant and required into today's business world as it focuses on what is required, thus allowing learners to contribute to regional and national goals by facilitating capacity building and human resource development.

This qualification has been designed and developed to make a positive contribution to the South African economy by providing an opportunity for the education and training of Project Management practitioners and administrators across all sectors of business and commerce.

Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL)

The institution has increasingly considered how learning that has taken place in a range of contexts may be assessed and formally recognised through accreditation. As per the national and institutional RPL policies and procedures, RPL applies to all prospective learners. Learners may be admitted to the qualification through RPL as stipulated in the CHE guidelines.

This qualification may be achieved in part through the Recognition of Prior Learning, which includes informal, formal learning and work experience. The learner must demonstrate competence in the knowledge, skills, values and attitudes indicated in the qualification to obtain credits/credit exemptions.

Entry Requirements

The minimum entry requirement for this qualification is

• National Senior Certificate, NQF Level 4 granting access to Higher Certificate studies.

Or

• Senior Certificate, NQF Level 4.

Or

• National Certificate Vocational, NQF Level 4 granting access to Higher Certificate studies.

This qualification consists of the following compulsory modules at National Qualifications Framework Level 5 totalling 128 Credits.

Compulsory Modules, Level 5, 128 Credits

• Computing for Project Managers, 24 Credits.
• Business Communication, 12 Credits.
• Business Management Fundamentals, 16 Credits.
• Applied Project Management, 20 Credits.
• Project Management Basics, 20 Credits.
• Operations Management Fundamentals, 20 Credits.
• Project Management Practice, 16 Credits.

1. Communicate effectively, using various modes of accessing and communicating information to achieve business goals and objectives.
2. Demonstrate the use of information systems and technical knowledge to support the completion of business processes for project management and to understand the role software, hardware and equipment.
3. Discuss management theories, models and approaches and key business functions that inform decision making and planning within a business.
4. Apply project management tools and techniques in the business environment.
5. Discuss how project management concepts, theories and procedures are applied to enhance effectiveness and improve efficiencies within a business.
6. Discuss operations management theories, tools, techniques and procedures that enable effective decision making and planning within a business.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 1

• Explain effective communication.
• Demonstrate effective verbal and written communication skills.
• Use a variety of communication technologies to communicate effectively with stakeholders.
• Use appropriate style and language to communicate coherently and concisely with stakeholders in the work environment.
• Demonstrate interpersonal skills to work effectively as part of a team to achieve a common outcome.
• Apply appropriate communication skills to interact with culturally diverse colleagues and customers.
• Demonstrate knowledge of social media.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 2

• Describe, explain and discuss the information systems.
• Discuss the purpose and use of business computing equipment and devices.
• Demonstrate the use of computer hardware and software applications.
• Demonstrate the use of office software to complete business tasks.
• Show the use of the Internet to complete business tasks.
• Use project management software in business contexts.
• Describe and demonstrate social media applications.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 3

• Describe and explain the elements and components of various organisational types.
• Discuss organisational types and models.
• Discuss the organisational cultures, leadership and management styles.
• Describe planning, leadership, organising, motivating and controlling as business activities and functions of managers.
• Describe the basic human resource legislation and regulations.
• Explain routine human resource operations (recruitment, selection, retention and IR).
• Explain the fundamental accounting terms.
• Describe and explain the accounting documentation (ledgers, journals, source documents), accounting processes, accounting legal requirements, accounting transactions and the accounting cycle.
• Explain and describe the basic marketing terms, marketing approaches, personal selling, advertising principles, the 4Ps, marketing legal requirements and; marketing competition using Porter's model.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 4

• Explain and discuss the project management techniques, processes and phases.
• Explain, discuss and apply project costing principles and processes, project procurement principles and processes.
• Discuss project controls applicable to businesses.
• Explain and discuss the risk management applicable to business projects.
• Make informed decisions using operations and project management techniques.
• Explain, discuss, analyse and evaluate the business data using statistical techniques.
• Explain and apply solutions to organisational problems using mathematical models.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 5

• Describe and explain project management concepts and terms.
• Explain and discuss project management theories and practices.
• Discuss the keys steps and phases in the project management process.
• Plan and coordinate project activities.
• Identify and explain project management tools and techniques.
• Explain and apply the project management tools in small scale projects.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 6

• Explain operations management concepts, terms, principles, theories and practices.
• Discuss and apply the production and operations management knowledge and skills in the manufacturing and service environment.
• Describe the purpose and application of product and service design.
• Discuss available product layouts for approval.
• Explain and perform layout analysis and planning.

Integrated Assessment

The qualification will combine formative and summative approaches. Diagnostic assessment is also used to guide and support learners in both formal and informal settings.

Learners are provided with various assessment opportunities to develop and demonstrate attainment of the exit outcomes of this qualification.

The assessment approaches include

• Tests.
• Assignments.
• Practicals.
• Workbooks.
• Presentations.
• Examinations.
• Oral assessments.

General and specific feedback will be provided after each assessment. Learner feedback will either be provided verbally or in written format with two-three weeks of the date of assessment. Opportunity for reassessment after the intervention may be provided when necessary.

Assessments will be set by an internal examiner and overseen by the head of department and examination board. A moderator will be appointed from external academic institutions since the modules are being assessed be at the exit level. Assessors and moderators are expected to have at least one qualification at one level higher ad the qualification and have to experience in the assessed field of training. All continuous assessments will be moderated before the assessment and after it has been assessed to ensure the standard of assessment and marking reliability.