Postgraduate Diploma in Project Management

Purpose

The Post Graduate Diploma in Project Management enables learners with relevant work experience to develop their functional and reflective competencies in project management.

The programme aims to develop an integrated conceptual understanding, synthesis and critical application of specific qualitative and quantitative issues in project management.

The qualification is directed towards learners having some relevant work experience and occupying middle and senior management positions. It also provides for the accomplishment of quantitative skills in project finance and management science.

The qualification will enhance the capability of managers to improve production and/or service delivery thereby contributing to organizational effectiveness.

Rationale

The Post Graduate Diploma in Project Management

• Contributes to regional and national goals by facilitating capacity building and human resource development.
• Empowers learners with project management skills and competencies necessary to function and progress in business environments.
• Attempts to satisfy the demand for project management skills in the public and private sectors.
• Recognises and caters for the career and economic needs of learners who are in employment.

Learning assumed to be in place

This qualification assumes that

• The learner is competent in the language of instruction of the programme.
• The learner is able to work independently.
• The learner is able to conduct basic research.
• The learner has obtained the general theoretical, practical, professional and academic knowledge and understanding at NQF Level 6.

Recognition of Prior Learning

This qualification may be obtained in whole or in part through the recognition of prior learning.

In the cases where prior learning is to be recognised for purposes of access to the qualification

• It is assumed that the learning derived from work or life experience will be a major element in the profiles of non-standard entrants primarily by means of an examination of their curriculum vitae (CV).
• Such 'non-standard' candidates will be selected on the recommendation of a senior manager from their organisations/companies.
• Where appropriate, interviews will also be conducted to assess the applicants. Some of the key criteria that will be used in evaluating 'non-standard' applicants include:

> The applicants' motivation, maturity and realistic approach to their studies.

> Job description, covering relevant area of work, giving examples of tasks carried out, possibly supplying references.

> The nature and level of life/ work experience and prior study, and the learning which has resulted from such experience.

> Details of in-company short courses, length, content of material covered, standard achieved.

> The clarity of the applicant's educational goals and objectives.

> The extent to which the applicant can provide evidence of the threshold skills and knowledge for the programme.

Where prior learning is recognized for advanced standing, credit will be given for prior certificated learning in accordance with established practice at South African higher education institutions. The amount of 'specific' credit granted is dependent on the match between prior learning and award towards which the intended programme leads.

Credits may only be accumulated for modules, which are prescribed within the structure of a named award.

Access to the qualification

The minimum level of attainment required for entry into this programme is a Degree or Diploma or equivalent qualification provided that the applicant is:

• 23 years of age or older.
• Has at least two years of working experience.

The following will also be considered

• Work experience.
• A detailed motivational letter and CV.
• Prior learning.

Total Credits: 120.

Components

- Core learning: 120 credits (20 credits each)

> Principles of Project Management.

> Organisational Behaviour.

> Management Science.

> Applied Project.

> Project Financial Management.

> Project Quality Management.

An award of the Management College of Southern Africa (MANCOSA) will be conferred when the following conditions are satisfied:

• The candidate was an enrolled and registered student of or at the College at the time of his or her assessment for an award and was not in debt to the College.
• Details of the candidate's full name, date of birth, sex, programme and award have been registered by the College.
• It has been confirmed that the candidate has completed a programme of study approved by the Examinations Board as leading to the award being recommended.
• The award has been recommended by a Board of Examiners convened, constituted and acting under regulations approved by the Academic Board and including members approved as external examiners for the programme.
• The recommendation of the award has been signed by the Chair of the Board of Examiners and by the Examinations Officer, confirming that the assessments have been carried out in accordance with the College's requirements.

A learner attaining the Post Graduate Diploma in Project Management will be able to

• Apply project management principles in a work-based context.
• Apply quantitative methodologies in making work-based decisions.
• Utilise technology to solve work-based problems.
• Communicate knowledge acquired in a work-based project.
• Display basic research skills in solving work related problems.
• Manage people in a project.
• Display project leadership skills.
• Apply financial management principles.
• Display knowledge of quality principles.

Specific Outcomes (for each Module)

Module Title: Principles of Project Management.

Credit Points: 20.

At the end of the module the learner will be able to

• Define a project.
• Outline the responsibilities of a project manager.
• Describe the four phases of a project.
• Develop project plans.
• Use project management tools and techniques to effectively plan, track and control projects.
• Improve team performance.
• Improve interpersonal effectiveness.
• Analyze project information and report status.
• Identify complex trade-offs in project decisions.

Module Title: Organisational Behaviour.

Credit Points: 20.

At the end of the module the learner will be able to

• Define the roles, functions and tasks of managers.
• Explain the importance of planning.
• Explain the techniques for group decision-making.
• Describe the factors that influence the organising process.
• Identify the various sources of power in organisations.
• Explain delegation as a management task.
• Evaluate motivation theories and leadership models.
• Identify barriers in the communication process.
• Describe the steps in the control process..
• Explain the management process, including what managers do.
• Describe the changing role for managers.
• Describe why the "people side" of management is important.
• Discuss the main trends in how modern organizations are changing and managed.
• Outline current forces creating turbulence and change for organizations and managers.

Module Title: Management Science.

Credit Points: 20.

At the end of the module the learner will be able to

• Use a framework and be able to choose an appropriate management method for different problem contexts.
• Apply methods and approaches to aid project planning.
• Be able to choose an appropriate forecasting method.
• Apply optimisation techniques to solve management problems.

Module Title: Project Financial Management.

Credit Points: 20.

At the end of the module the learner will be able to

• Explain concepts in financial management.
• Apply budgeting principles in the financial management of a project.
• Forecast the financial requirements for a project.
• Distinguish between the different forms of financing available to projects.
• Analyse the feasibility of projects.

Module Title: Project Quality Management.

Credit Points: 20.

At the end of this module the learner will be able to

• Define quality and quality management.
• Distinguish between Quality Assurance, Quality Monitoring and Quality Control.
• Explain quality principles.
• Integrate quality management principles into a project.
• Describe the main quality theories.
• Apply the principles of continuous improvement and innovation.
• Explain the benefits of quality management.

Module Title: Project.

Credit Points: 20.

At end of this module the learner will be able to

• Perform a sustained exercise in research in project management.
• Show competences in the methodology of research.
• Communicate the results of research findings accurately.
• Draw conclusions and make appropriate recommendations arising out of their research.

• Project Management theory and principles are applied in a work-based context.
• Quantitative methodologies are used to solve work-based problems.
• Research is conducted.
• Appropriate technology is utilised in various communication modes.

Assessment is based on

• The use of work based assignments to test the application of project management principles in an organisation.
• The use of quantitative techniques to solve work based problems and interpretation of their implications on the decision making process.
• The use of information technology, networks and web browsers to obtain work related information and communicate with peers.
• The use of research to solve work based problems.

Integrated Assessment

Assessment centres around

• The extent to which the learner has grasped the basic concepts which form the base of management education.
• The application of Project Management theory to a practical context.
• The methods of research used.
• A balance between theory and practice and its relevance to the level of the qualification.
• The use of appropriate technology to ensure effective communication of ideas.

Assessment methods measure the extent to which the learner has achieved competence in the different areas of study delivered through course modules.

These assessment methods include

• Case studies.
• Report writing.
• Interpretative and analytical problem solving in the written examination.
• Work based assignments.
• Self assessment activities in the course material.