The emphasis of this course is on introducing a notion of that there are no Information Technology (IT) projects, only business projects. It offers an exploration of project management within the business environment, equipping learners with both the theoretical foundations and the practical skills necessary for managing successful projects. This course provides learners with a structured and comprehensive introduction to the principles and practices of IT Project Management, combining theory with real-world application across five progressive weeks.
This course Learners will develop a solid understanding of the core principles of IT project management, learning how these principles underpin the structure and flow of projects across different industries. Key topics include traditional methodologies such as Waterfall and contemporary approaches like Agile, including an examination of the 12 Agile principles and the role of Scrum in modern project delivery.
The course covers the project lifecycle, from initiation through execution to closure. Learners will explore critical stages such as defining scope, identifying stakeholders, managing resources, and reflecting on lessons learned. The importance of project constraints, which often referred to as the ’iron triangle’ of scope, time, and cost, is analysed alongside stakeholder satisfaction, which is increasingly recognised as a fourth essential dimension.
The course further develops learners’ ability to evaluate and manage risks, enhance team communication, and apply key planning tools. Practical skills are honed through tasks such as milestone vs. deadline planning and preparing presentations for team or managerial audiences. Emphasis is placed on the application of project management skills in information technology (IT) settings, introducing learners to the unique challenges and perspectives relevant to tech-based projects.
During the course, learners will be acquiring the skills to plan, manage, and evaluate projects effectively. They will become capable of making informed decisions, adapting to dynamic challenges, and leading project teams with insight and professionalism. The course fosters critical thinking, communication, and leadership skills which are essential for anyone aspiring to drive successful project outcomes in today’s complex business world.
By the end of the course, learners will be able to
Demonstrate a critical understanding of Information Technology (IT) project management principles, methodologies, and lifecycle stages.
Evaluate project constraints, risks, and success factors to enhance project performance.
Apply project planning, execution, and evaluation skills using appropriate tools and techniques.
Analyse the roles of stakeholders, governance, and organisational context in project success.
Week 1 focuses on the essential principles of IT project management. It highlights the common reasons for project failures, such as unclear objectives, poor communication, inadequate planning, resistance to change, and scope management issues.
Throughout the week, you will engage with key concepts such as the definition of success in IT projects, the impact of emerging technologies on project delivery, and the need for adaptive and informed decision-making in a fast-evolving business landscape. By the end of Week 1, you will have developed a foundational understanding of how project management practices contribute to strategic business outcomes and the unique role that technology plays in shaping project dynamics.
You will engage in reflective activities and study journal exercises to analyse personal experiences and understand the iron triangle (scope, time, cost), along with examples of successful projects that broke these constraints.
Inclus
4 vidéos12 lectures2 devoirs1 sujet de discussion
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4 vidéos•Total 21 minutes
Course introduction - Managing technology projects for business success•4 minutes
Information Technology projects - successful, challenged, or failed•6 minutes
Examples of projects that succeeded but broke the iron triangle •4 minutes
The context of information technology projects – strategy and culture•7 minutes
12 lectures•Total 420 minutes
Course structure and navigation•20 minutes
Learn effectively this course•15 minutes
Week 1 introduction•5 minutes
Activity - Definitions of the different types of projects•30 minutes
Model answer - Definitions of the different types of projects•10 minutes
Activity - Expectations and satisfaction•60 minutes
Activity - Successful and unsuccessful projects •60 minutes
Activity - The iron triangle•60 minutes
Activity - Factors of success inside and outside the iron triangle •60 minutes
Activity - Defining success and failure•60 minutes
Week 1 summary•10 minutes
Evaluation of study in Week 1•30 minutes
2 devoirs•Total 60 minutes
Factors affecting a project’s success•30 minutes
Week 1 summative quiz•30 minutes
1 sujet de discussion•Total 20 minutes
There are no IT projects, only business projects•20 minutes
Methodologies in project management in business
Module 2•8 heures à terminer
Détails du module
Week 2 focuses on the IT project management methodology with a particular emphasis on understanding Agile. The week begins by discussing the importance of project life cycles and explaining various project management methods such as Waterfall, Agile and Scrum.
Inclus
4 vidéos11 lectures2 devoirs
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4 vidéos•Total 22 minutes
What are lifecycles? Why do they exist?•6 minutes
The history of large-scale information technology failure•5 minutes
The Agile Manifesto•8 minutes
Why do we need Scrum framework (if we have Agile)?•3 minutes
11 lectures•Total 395 minutes
Week 2 introduction•10 minutes
Activity - The project lifecycle: a basic four-stage lifecycle model•15 minutes
Activity - Predictive and adaptive lifecycles•60 minutes
Activity - What is Waterfall? Evaluating the Waterfall approach•60 minutes
Activity - Definition of Agile•10 minutes
Activity - Understanding the 12 Agile principles and implications of implementing the Agile Manifesto•120 minutes
Model answer - Understanding the 12 Agile principles and implications of implementing the Agile Manifesto•10 minutes
Activity - Reflective comparison of predictive and adaptive approaches in project management•60 minutes
Model answer - Reflective comparison of predictive and adaptive approaches in project management•10 minutes
Week 2 summary•10 minutes
Evaluation of study in Week 2•30 minutes
2 devoirs•Total 75 minutes
Why do we need Scrum if the Agile Manifesto already exists?•45 minutes
Week 2 summative quiz•30 minutes
The project phases: Initiation, planning, execution and closure
Module 3•8 heures à terminer
Détails du module
In Week 3, you explore the four essential phases of the IT project lifecycle, i.e. initiation, planning, execution, and closure, to understand how each contributes to a project's success. The week highlights the value of a structured and strategic approach to project management. By the end of the week, you will gain a comprehensive understanding of all four phases and how to apply best practices to deliver successful, value-driven projects.
Inclus
1 vidéo11 lectures1 devoir
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1 vidéo•Total 5 minutes
Communicating responsibilities in a RACI chart•5 minutes
11 lectures•Total 460 minutes
Week 3 introduction•10 minutes
The project initiation phase•20 minutes
Activity - Applying the Waterfall approach to the initiation phase •90 minutes
Activity - Planning phase: Using milestones to help manage your project•30 minutes
Activity - Creating a stakeholder communication plan•90 minutes
Model answer - Creating a stakeholder communication plan•10 minutes
Activity - What is risk management in projects?•40 minutes
Activity - Project closure•90 minutes
Week 3 summary•10 minutes
Evaluation of study in Week 3•30 minutes
1 devoir•Total 20 minutes
Week 3 summative quiz•20 minutes
Strategic aspects of project management in business
Module 4•6 heures à terminer
Détails du module
In Week 4, the focus expands from hands-on IT project execution to the strategic dimensions of project management within information technology contexts. You will explore how project managers' function is not only as team leaders and delivery overseers but also as key actors within broader organisational systems that shape project outcomes. Another major theme in this week is the distinction between stakeholders and governance. The week concludes with an overview of five key perspectives on information technology, encouraging you to view IT projects through a wider strategic lens.
Inclus
3 vidéos12 lectures1 devoir
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3 vidéos•Total 17 minutes
How are decisions made? What power does the project manager have?•7 minutes
The five perspectives on information technology systems•4 minutes
The cloud in the context of historical approaches to information technology•6 minutes
12 lectures•Total 335 minutes
Week 4 introduction•10 minutes
Activity - Skills for success•30 minutes
Activity - Leadership and management•30 minutes
Activity - Governance as the human and political elements of an organisation•30 minutes
Model answer - Governance as the human and political elements of an organisation•10 minutes
Activity - Why is governance critical to the success of a project?•60 minutes
Model answer - Why is governance critical to the success of a project?•10 minutes
Activity - ‘Information technology’ and ‘information systems’•45 minutes
Activity - What does the cloud mean to information technology managers and project managers?•60 minutes
Model answer•10 minutes
Week 4 summary•10 minutes
Evaluation of study in Week 4•30 minutes
1 devoir•Total 30 minutes
Week 4 summative quiz•30 minutes
Case study: Analysis of project failure
Module 5•10 heures à terminer
Détails du module
Week 5 focuses on integrating the concepts learned throughout the course by analysing a case study. This final week emphasises the key factors influencing the success of project management, such as strong leadership, clear goals, stakeholder engagement, effective communication, risk management, resource allocation and adaptability. It also includes comprehensive case study examples of IT project failures to illustrate the practical application of these concepts.
Inclus
11 lectures1 évaluation par les pairs2 sujets de discussion
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11 lectures•Total 390 minutes
Week 5 introduction•10 minutes
Revision activity - An explanation of the five characteristics of projects•40 minutes
Ten key project management areas (Optional)•30 minutes
Activity - Case studies•60 minutes
Activity 1 - What went wrong?•30 minutes
Activity - The planning stage: how was planning done in this project?•30 minutes
Activity - Executing the project: how was execution approached?•40 minutes
Activity - How were decisions made on the project?•60 minutes
Activity -Project communications•60 minutes
Week 5 summary•10 minutes
Activity: Your goals after this course•20 minutes
1 évaluation par les pairs•Total 90 minutes
Final assignment: summary of a case study analysis •90 minutes
2 sujets de discussion•Total 45 minutes
Understanding the case study chosen for analysis•15 minutes
Course summary and evaluation of learning journey•30 minutes
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