Higher Certificate in Project Management

Purpose

The purpose of the Higher Certificate in Project Management is to provide learners with theoretical and practical knowledge, as well as applied skills appropriate to project management. The simulated Experiential Learning component of the qualification exposes learners to the practice of project management in the work environment. Learners learn how to effectively manage the constraints in project management, namely scope, cost, quality and time.

The qualification is suitable for learners who wish to

• Enter a junior or middle management position.
• Obtain another qualification in an applied area of practice but needs a more business-oriented project management qualification that is relevant to his/her career goals.
• Enhance and develop project management skills and knowledge.

Furthermore, the qualification allows them to become subject matter experts and produce graduates that satisfy the needs of industry across professional disciplines both nationally and internationally and thus; enhances learners' employability. The qualification addresses the skills gap present in the South African economy by producing work-ready, skilled and knowledgeable graduates, ready to contribute to society.

Qualifying learners will be able to perform the following competencies

• Analyse, interpret, understand and apply project management principles, processes and procedures.
• Take decisions in the context of a project development environment to concrete but often unfamiliar problems based on informed judgement.
• Undertake investigations in the project management field, including evaluating different sources of information, gathering and interpretation appropriate information and communicating information reliably and coherently using project management and related conventions, formats and technologies.
• Utilise appropriate techniques to communicate effectively as a project manager to all project stakeholders;
• Use information technology effectively to manage a project;
• Develop a project management plan; Execute, monitor and control a project
• Operate ethically as part of a project team and as an individual to promote effective service delivery and national economic development.

Rationale

The advent of the Fourth Industrial Revolution has placed a greater demand on industry to deliver products, services or results at an even faster pace within the restrictions of time, cost and quality to remain competitive. Project Management prepares individuals to organise and manage resources such that the project is completed within defined scope, quality, time and cost constraints. The Project Management Professionals remains on the Scarce Skills List in South Africa and the High-demand Occupations List compiled by the Department of Higher Education and Training (DHET). The qualification is therefore aimed to bridge the gap in the industry by equipping learners with a foundational and working knowledge of project management for professions across industries and as such creating a pool of skilled project management professionals.

The qualification was designed in line with the Project Management Body of Knowledge (PMBoK) developed by the Project Management Institute (PMI, 2017) to ensure alignment with international standards and best practices. This alignment with international standards further enhances the credibility of the qualification.

The qualification provides learners with entry into the dynamic field of project management for both entry level and school leavers as well as individuals already engaged in the practice or administration of project management. This formal learning intervention guides learners in the exploration of project management as it is practiced today. The qualification also acts as an initial academic entry point for learners to pursue further higher education qualifications within the field of project management in Diploma and Bachelor's Degree.

The qualification is designed for learners who want to pursue careers and professional designations such as

• Project Assistants.
• Project Management Officers.
• Project Co-ordinators.
• Project Administrators.

Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL)

The institution has developed mechanisms and systems to facilitate RPL, which would also serve candidates for distance learning, namely, RPL for Alternative Access, RPL for Credit to enhance Credit Accumulation and Transfer, and RPL for Advanced Standing. The institution's RPL policy has been aligned to the National Policy for the implementation of RPL (SAQA, 2019:6) and Council on Higher Education RPL Policy (CHE, 2016).

RPL is a mechanism for formally recognising and placing a value on what people have learned through their daily life, work experience, informal and/or non-formal learning. This is an enabling mechanism for candidates to gain alternative access to further learning opportunities or improved career prospects. The latest definition of RPL by the South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA, 2019:6) is as follows:

"Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL)" means the principles and processes through which the prior knowledge and skills of a person are made visible, mediated and assessed for alternative access and admission, recognition and certification, or further learning and development."

There are two main pathways of RPL, namely RPL for Credits and RPL for Access. Both pathways are made available at the institution.

RPL for credits

• Credit may be granted if any of the previous studies are comparable in content, equivalent in standard and suitable to be included as part of the qualification.
• RPL can enable exemption from a module(s) in cases where learners have gained sufficient mastery of the content and skills of those areas of the curriculum.

RPL for Access

• RPL for access is made possible for all candidates who cannot access higher education study through the traditional route of matriculation exemption certificates.
• RPL seeks to be an inclusive process that is aimed at overcoming barriers to access and success within registered higher education institutions.

Entry Requirements

The minimum entry requirement for this qualification is

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

or

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

or

• Senior Certificate, NQF Level 4 with endorsement.

This qualification consists of the following compulsory modules at National Qualifications Framework Level 05 totalling 120 Credits.

Compulsory Modules, Level 5,120 Credits

• Project Management 1, 15 Credits.
• Project Scope and Time Management, 15 Credits.
• Project Resource, Cost and Procurement Management, 15 Credits.
• Project Risk and Quality Management, 15 Credits.
• Project Stakeholder and Communications Management, 15 Credits.
• Project Integration Management, 15 Credits.
• Leading and Managing Project Teams, 15 Credits.
• Experiential Learning, 15 Credits.

1. Demonstrate an understanding of project management key concepts and processes.
2. Apply project management knowledge, skills, tools and techniques across the project life cycle to ensure a successful project implementation.
3. Plan for each of the project management knowledge areas.
4. Develop a project plan by integrating the plans for each of the project management knowledge areas.
5. Analyse and apply skills, roles and responsibilities required of an effective project manager in leading and managing project teams.
6. Demonstrate the ability to apply project management in the work environment through a Work Integrated Learning (WIL) research project.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 1

• Define Project Management concepts and life cycle processes.
• Describe organisational arrangements and project governance.
• Describe Project management knowledge areas.
• Use applied technology for project planning, tracking and reporting.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 2

• Select projects using financial and non-financial project selection methods.
• List the key elements of a business case and project charter developed to initiate a project.
• Identify planning for each of the knowledge areas.
• Monitored and control project activities led during project execution.
• Use appropriate tools and techniques to close a project.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 3

• Develop plans for each of the project management knowledge areas: Scope, Time, Resources, Cost,
• Procurement, Quality, Risk, Stakeholder, Communications and Integration management.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 4

• Initiate a project by creating an appropriate business case.
• Develop a Project Charter.
• Apply project management knowledge, skills, tools and techniques to plan a project.
• Develop a project plan to integrate and manage the nine project management knowledge areas.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 5

• Understand the process of acquiring, developing and managing the project team.
• Identify the various methods to manage project conflicts and build relationships within the core team.
• Describe the communication needs of global and virtual teams.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 6

• Demonstrate an understanding of the fundamentals of managing projects.
• Analyse problems and propose a plan to address simple project management.
• Apply project management knowledge, skills, tools and techniques to plan for successful project implementation.
• Utilise Project Management software to present, track and report on project implementation and progress.
• Demonstrate the ability to engage in self-directed learning within the field of project management.