Postgraduate Diploma in Project Management

Purpose

The purpose of the qualification is to empower learners with the necessary competencies (knowledge, skills, values and attitudes) to analyse, synthesise and apply relevant information within project environments. Relevant information refers to the conceptual mapping of key theoretical project management frameworks and the application of these to a range of project management scenarios, taking into consideration social, cultural, environmental and economic factors. The ability to design, develop and implement comprehensive project management plans, which meet or exceed stakeholder expectations, will form the focus of this qualification.

Learners will be able to critically analyse organisational contexts, governance, ethical, legal and regulatory requirements and risk management when applying fundamental project management principles in a real-life situation. Furthermore, learners will be able to communicate effectively to specialist and non-specialist stakeholders utilising a variety of professional oral and written forms in order to justify and interpret theories, methodologies, recommendations and professional decisions. Integrating professional standards into practice, along with incorporating continuing professional development in accordance with leading PM professional voluntary organisations, forms a pivotal component of this qualification. The qualification is benchmarked against: The Association for Project Management (APM), the Australian Institute of Project Management (AIPM), the Project Management Institute (PMI), the International Project Management Association (IPMA) and the International Association of Project and Program Management (IAPPM) protocols and standards.

This qualification also provides an opportunity for participants to integrate knowledge from various modules by working on a final project in which they will come to appreciate the project value creation process and in which they will face practical challenges at a project coal face

Rationale

This qualification is designed for professionals currently working or looking to work in the field of project management. It is particularly relevant for professionals looking to take the next step in their careers. It intends to develop the ability of learners to apply project management competencies in workplace situations within PBOs (project-based organisations) and non-PBOs across all industries and sectors. It focuses on application that relates to decision-making, resolving problems and interacting in a project, programme or portfolio leadership style by unlocking the talents and establishing vital project, programme and portfolio management competencies in others.

This qualification is intended for learners in various fields such as Engineering, Mining, Marketing, Education, Geology, Pharmacy, Information and Communications Technology (ICT) and so on, who have no or limited project management qualifications, who hold a Bachelor's Degree or an equivalent qualification from a recognised institution, and who are occupying project management positions in the field of business. The rationale of the Postgraduate Diploma is to bring the knowledge and project management understanding of these learners to practice as project managers in various industries and sectors, or to have them proceed with a Master's Degree in Project Management, Business Administration or Business Leadership, or in other Value Chain-related Master's Degrees.

The careful selection of the modules makes it a fully-fledged qualification for acquisition of the generic project management knowledge base necessary for a professional project manager. Furthermore, the interdisciplinary nature of the qualification prepares the learners for progression from project management responsibilities to qualification and portfolio management within PBOs and non-PBOs.

This qualification is intended to contribute positively to the development of skilled, competent, efficient and value-adding project managers able to practice across industries and sectors within both the private and public sectors. In offering qualifications in project management practice, South Africa (and other countries) is provided with people who can "fill the gap" of this scarce skill, and who understand the constructive role they need to play as project managers within their respective industries and sectors. Efficiently managed projects, programmes and portfolios will contribute positively to the economies of the country and of the continent.

This qualification will provide learners with the project delivery skills and expertise required to manage large, complex projects, whether they are working on emergent projects, operating in dynamic project environments or collaborating across industry sectors. Learners will learn scalable project management concepts, methodologies and tools based on world's best practice (APMBoK, IAPPMBoK, IPMA, PMBoK� Guide and PRINCE2"), and will learn to confidently apply these skills and this knowledge to meet professional and organisational goals.

The qualification will advance the objectives of the NQF by helping to accelerate the redress of past discrimination in education, training and employment opportunities. It will do so by helping to facilitate mobility and progression within the project management career paths in the field of business. Being a step in the development pathway of project management practitioners and value chain leaders, it will also contribute to the full personal development of each learner and the social and economic development of the nation at large.

Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL)

The institution's Policy on Recognition of Prior (RPL) learning may be applied where required. The general statutes require learners to complete a qualification at the certificating institution, meaning that learners may receive RPL credit towards a qualification. Therefore, only part of the qualification may be completed through RPL.

RPL for Admission

Prospective applicants who do not meet the formal admission requirements will be able to apply in accordance with the Recognition of Prior Learning policy of the institution.

Principles

The RPL process, being stakeholder and needs-driven, is underpinned by the following principles. RPL at the institution undertakes to:

• Provide affordable access, quality flexible assessment, student support and feedback to the institution's candidates.
• Provide educational opportunities to life-long learners within the African context.
• Follow a student-centred and client-centred approach.
• Provide holistic and flexible assessment.
• Subscribe to a developmental approach for the implementation of RPL.
• Recognise the diversity of knowledge and learning styles.
• provide a rigorous and transparent assessment and moderating process to protect the integrity of academic standards.
• Be committed to community needs and development.
• Address the achievement of equality and social redress and justice.
• Empower potential students by: a) providing access to formal education and training; and b) correctly placing them in formal and non-formal training programmes at levels which will be to their maximum advantage.

The school requires from the applicant of RPL to submit a portfolio of evidence of their generalist, professional or project- based working experience. The portfolio is assessed against the critical cross field outcomes and the level of acquired competencies at the NQF level that precedes that of the qualification wherein access is applied for. Access onto the qualification is granted if the acquired competencies are at the acceptable level that will assist the applicant to cope with the demands of the qualification.

Entry Requirements

The minimum entry requirement for this qualification is

• Bachelor's Degree, NQF Level 7.

Or

• Advanced Diploma, NQF Level 7.

This qualification consists of the following compulsory modules at National Qualifications Framework Level 8 totalling 120 Credits.

Compulsory Modules, 120 Credits

• Managing Project Execution and Control, 12 Credits.
• Managing Project Stakeholders, 12 Credits.
• Managing Project Costs and Finance, 12 Credits.
• Managing Project Risk, 12 Credits.
• Managing Project Procurement and Contracts, 24 Credits.
• Project Leadership, 24 Credits.
• Integrated Project Management Practice, 24 Credits.

1. Apply project management practice knowledge to real-life situations.
2. Manage resources regarding value chains, stakeholders, contractual, and global market environments.
3. Manage information and knowledge appropriately.
4. Critically analyse project parameter information as it affects project performance. Learners are able to.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 1

• Real-life situational needs are analysed, and opportunities are adequately explored.
• Strategic solutions are established within a variety of contexts.
• Correct procedures are chosen to solve specific project management problems.
• Limited resources are organised to achieve the maximum output.
• Principles appropriate to situations in real life projects or in simulated scenario/case study situations are applied.
• Application results are evaluated.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 2

• The economic and efficient use and flow of resources within a project and to a Project-Based Organisation (PBO) and a non PBO are evaluated.
• Critical areas for resource allocation and management within a project or project office are identified.
• The systems approach to the management of the project and a PBO and a non PBO are understood.
• Findings and recommendations to appropriate project governance levels within a PBO and a non PBO are conveyed.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 3

• Identify and select information specifically relevant to the field of project management.
• Interpret and analyse information specifically relevant to the field of project management.
• Identify information for different cultural and economic systems.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 4

• Demonstrate knowledge of project procurement procedures and principles.
• Critically interpret project objectives, feasibility and scope statements, showing evidence of sound principles and critical judgements.
• Analyse real life situations to demonstrate knowledge of principles of project management decision-making at various phases of the project lifecycle.
• Demonstrate knowledge of project risk management and selection of appropriate project procurement systems.

Integrated Assessment

All assessments will be conducted in line with the principles of assessment as defined in the the institution's Assessment Policy.

For the qualification learners must demonstrate the ability to engage in project management in an integrative way, dealing effectively with divergent and "random" demands related to the requirements of stakeholders and sustainability requirements.

Two assignments need to be completed per module, the first one contributing 40% and the second one 60% to the year mark. The submission of assignments is compulsory and gives admission to the examination. Formative assessment contributes 40% of the final mark. One four-hour examination is written for each module, with the exception of Integrated Project Management Practice. Alternatively, a portfolio assessment or take-home examination can be conducted. The mark obtained for the examination constitutes the learner's examination mark and contributes 60% to his or her final mark.

To ensure that students have achieved the Exit Level Outcomes (ELO) and the Associated Assessment Criteria (AAC) of the qualification, the Integrated Project Management Practice which is a capstone module, provides the learner with an opportunity to demonstrate authentic, practical experience of managing all aspects of a live project through the project life cycle. It assesses the capacity of learners to integrate standard project management processes and key knowledge areas through applying competencies acquired across all modules.

The assessment process will follow the following procedure

• Part 1: Learners will conduct an oral presentation to examiners and answer questions raised by examiners - examiners (individually) will use a standard marking scheme and rate teams at a maximum mark of 100%.
• Part 2: Examiners will scrutinise the presented work under Part 1 - they will use a standard marking scheme and rate teams at a maximum mark of 100%.
• Combination of marks under Part 1 and Part 2 will lead to a final mark to each team at a maximum mark of 100%.