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.
涵盖的内容
4个视频12篇阅读材料2个作业1个讨论话题
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4个视频•总计21分钟
Course introduction - Managing technology projects for business success•4分钟
Information Technology projects - successful, challenged, or failed•6分钟
Examples of projects that succeeded but broke the iron triangle •4分钟
The context of information technology projects – strategy and culture•7分钟
12篇阅读材料•总计420分钟
Course structure and navigation•20分钟
Learn effectively this course•15分钟
Week 1 introduction•5分钟
Activity - Definitions of the different types of projects•30分钟
Model answer - Definitions of the different types of projects•10分钟
Activity - Expectations and satisfaction•60分钟
Activity - Successful and unsuccessful projects •60分钟
Activity - The iron triangle•60分钟
Activity - Factors of success inside and outside the iron triangle •60分钟
Activity - Defining success and failure•60分钟
Week 1 summary•10分钟
Evaluation of study in Week 1•30分钟
2个作业•总计60分钟
Factors affecting a project’s success•30分钟
Week 1 summative quiz•30分钟
1个讨论话题•总计20分钟
There are no IT projects, only business projects•20分钟
Methodologies in project management in business
第 2 单元•小时 后完成
单元详情
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.
涵盖的内容
4个视频11篇阅读材料2个作业
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4个视频•总计22分钟
What are lifecycles? Why do they exist?•6分钟
The history of large-scale information technology failure•5分钟
The Agile Manifesto•8分钟
Why do we need Scrum framework (if we have Agile)?•3分钟
11篇阅读材料•总计395分钟
Week 2 introduction•10分钟
Activity - The project lifecycle: a basic four-stage lifecycle model•15分钟
Activity - Predictive and adaptive lifecycles•60分钟
Activity - What is Waterfall? Evaluating the Waterfall approach•60分钟
Activity - Definition of Agile•10分钟
Activity - Understanding the 12 Agile principles and implications of implementing the Agile Manifesto•120分钟
Model answer - Understanding the 12 Agile principles and implications of implementing the Agile Manifesto•10分钟
Activity - Reflective comparison of predictive and adaptive approaches in project management•60分钟
Model answer - Reflective comparison of predictive and adaptive approaches in project management•10分钟
Week 2 summary•10分钟
Evaluation of study in Week 2•30分钟
2个作业•总计75分钟
Why do we need Scrum if the Agile Manifesto already exists?•45分钟
Week 2 summative quiz•30分钟
The project phases: Initiation, planning, execution and closure
第 3 单元•小时 后完成
单元详情
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.
涵盖的内容
1个视频11篇阅读材料1个作业
显示有关单元内容的信息
1个视频•总计5分钟
Communicating responsibilities in a RACI chart•5分钟
11篇阅读材料•总计460分钟
Week 3 introduction•10分钟
The project initiation phase•20分钟
Activity - Applying the Waterfall approach to the initiation phase •90分钟
Activity - Planning phase: Using milestones to help manage your project•30分钟
Activity - Creating a stakeholder communication plan•90分钟
Model answer - Creating a stakeholder communication plan•10分钟
Activity - What is risk management in projects?•40分钟
Activity - Project closure•90分钟
Week 3 summary•10分钟
Evaluation of study in Week 3•30分钟
1个作业•总计20分钟
Week 3 summative quiz•20分钟
Strategic aspects of project management in business
第 4 单元•小时 后完成
单元详情
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.
涵盖的内容
3个视频12篇阅读材料1个作业
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3个视频•总计17分钟
How are decisions made? What power does the project manager have?•7分钟
The five perspectives on information technology systems•4分钟
The cloud in the context of historical approaches to information technology•6分钟
12篇阅读材料•总计335分钟
Week 4 introduction•10分钟
Activity - Skills for success•30分钟
Activity - Leadership and management•30分钟
Activity - Governance as the human and political elements of an organisation•30分钟
Model answer - Governance as the human and political elements of an organisation•10分钟
Activity - Why is governance critical to the success of a project?•60分钟
Model answer - Why is governance critical to the success of a project?•10分钟
Activity - ‘Information technology’ and ‘information systems’•45分钟
Activity - What does the cloud mean to information technology managers and project managers?•60分钟
Model answer•10分钟
Week 4 summary•10分钟
Evaluation of study in Week 4•30分钟
1个作业•总计30分钟
Week 4 summative quiz•30分钟
Case study: Analysis of project failure
第 5 单元•小时 后完成
单元详情
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.
涵盖的内容
11篇阅读材料1次同伴评审2个讨论话题
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11篇阅读材料•总计390分钟
Week 5 introduction•10分钟
Revision activity - An explanation of the five characteristics of projects•40分钟
Ten key project management areas (Optional)•30分钟
Activity - Case studies•60分钟
Activity 1 - What went wrong?•30分钟
Activity - The planning stage: how was planning done in this project?•30分钟
Activity - Executing the project: how was execution approached?•40分钟
Activity - How were decisions made on the project?•60分钟
Activity -Project communications•60分钟
Week 5 summary•10分钟
Activity: Your goals after this course•20分钟
1次同伴评审•总计90分钟
Final assignment: summary of a case study analysis •90分钟
2个讨论话题•总计45分钟
Understanding the case study chosen for analysis•15分钟
Course summary and evaluation of learning journey•30分钟
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