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Purpose and Rationale

Purpose

The Bachelor of Business Administration in Project Management is designed to provide opportunities for qualifying individuals to access positions in middle to senior management in project management and administration within various fields of business and economic environments. The qualification aims to develop well-rounded learners with a solid knowledge base, theory, and methodology of project management, enabling them to demonstrate initiative and responsibility in academic or professional contexts. It comprises an in-depth study of vital project management principles and techniques, with a range of modules allowing learners to integrate knowledge and skills such as project planning, cost management, quality management, risk management, and IT software. The qualification requires the execution of learning content in a specific order in line with national and international accepted project management standards to create a comprehensive knowledge foundation.

Rationale

The National Scarce Skills List (2014) identifies project management skills as among the top scarce skills in the South African business and economic environment. The demand for project managers spans various sectors as organizations implement strategies through projects. Global executives consider project management critical for delivering success. The Association of Project Management South Africa (APMSA) emphasizes the need for fundamental learning qualifications to prepare individuals for project management careers, with a focus on understanding project and general management tools, methodologies, business processes, and organizational contexts. The qualification aims to equip individuals with the knowledge and skills to manage diverse projects successfully, be effective team members or leaders, plan and execute projects, and consider internal and external organizational environments.

The International Project Management Association (IPMA) emphasizes the importance of formal training in creating project managers with extended competencies. The current economic climate underscores the value of proficient project managers who can initiate, plan, execute, monitor, control, and successfully close projects to help organizations achieve their goals. Graduates of this qualification may pursue various career opportunities such as Junior Project Manager, Project Administrator, Senior Project Manager, IT Project Manager, Risk Manager, Project Consultant, and more.

Outcomes

Explain the principles, standards and phases applicable to project management.
Demonstrate an understanding and application of key project management processes inclusive of planning, implementation, monitoring and control.
Illustrate the vital importance of high-performance teams in achieving effective and efficient project management results.
Demonstrate knowledge of the spectrum of risks in the external and internal environments that may impact on project execution.
Demonstrate general knowledge pertaining to management theory and practices.
Demonstrate and apply management practices and processes to a project management environment.
Demonstrate an understanding of and the ability to use various software packages to promote effective and efficient project management.
Use information systems to support the management of projects.
Demonstrate knowledge of financial management within a project management environment.
Demonstrate an understanding of the complexities of socio-economic environments that influence projects.
Demonstrate knowledge of business, labour, procurement and contract law and its implications to a project environment.
Communicate effectively and professionally in a project environment.
Research topics related to project management, using a research method appropriate to the topic and organise this information in a report.
Apply scientific knowledge and ways of thinking to societal issues related to project management, taking into account ethical and cultural considerations.

Assessment Criteria

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 1

Define a project and its attributes.
Explain the principles and practices of project management.
Describe project management methodologies inclusive of their characteristics and limitations.
Analyse critical success factors for project management.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 2

Apply the project management life cycle using applicable examples from a selected environment to ensure the successful execution of a project.
Explain and apply the elements involved in creating a project plan inclusive of setting project objectives, providing work breakdown structure and identifying resource requirements in line with recognised standards.
Determine the planned resource utilisation of a project.
Perform steps in the project control process inclusive of how it will be monitored and corrective action be taken to ensure successful completion.
Identify and describe the application of tools and techniques to plan and control quality within a project.
Discuss, using applicable examples, processes and methods of monitoring and controlling projects.
Explain the context and requirements of project evaluation.
Describe project closure and various factors that may influence project success.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 3

Identify organisational and people factors that will affect the successful implementation of a project.
Describe the importance of team growth, performance setting and appraisal.
Discuss the necessity of conflict and negotiation skills in developing and maintaining high-performance teams.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 4

Explain the importance of managing time as a project risk factor.
Conduct a qualitative and quantitative risk analysis using various techniques to determine probability and scale of risks.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 5

Describe the nature of management theory and the evolution thereof.
Explain contemporary management issues within a project management environment.
Present an understanding of planning, organising, leading and control as key management functions inclusive of its processes and areas of application.
Describe ethics, social responsibility and corporate governance as contemporary management issues.
Describe various leadership and management styles and differentiate between leadership and management.
Discuss marketing and the importance of marketing management within a project environment.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 6

Discuss the relationship between various business functions and the management of projects in organisations.
Explain the application of key planning strategies to develop goals and objectives as the foundation for project development.
Identify reasons for businesses and various types of businesses in which projects are executed.
Recognise the important role of psychological climate dimensions in organisations about the effective management of a project.
Describe leadership and management styles and the application thereof to a project environment.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 7

Define the role and scope of ICT in effective project management.
Differentiate between different types of project management software packages.
Select and explore project management software packages ideal for various types and scopes of projects.
Investigate the use of the virtual environment as a tool to manage project information.
Identify software-related problems, their effect on the execution of projects and possible solutions to minimise risk.
Describe the use of technology tools during the planning, implementation, monitoring, control and evaluation of various types of projects.
Control the execution of projects using relevant documentation available via project management information systems (PMIS).

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 8

Analyse technical environments to design and implement advanced technical systems towards improved project management.
Analyse information system problems and their impact on the successful execution of projects.
Design, develop and implement information system infrastructure to support project management execution.
Explain the flow of project information, using a practical example of an information system infrastructure.
Explain the importance of information as part of decision-making during the planning, implementation, control and evaluation of projects.
Discuss the value of knowledge management to improve project execution efficiently.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 9

Analyse the financial management environment of the organisation and its impact on projects.
Indicate how the financial status of an organisation will influence effective project execution.
Discuss various financial instruments.
Conduct project cost management.
Apply the concept of project life cycle costing and costing accuracy.
Conduct cost/benefit analysis throughout a project life cycle.
Discuss procurement as a key component of managing project finances.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 10

Explain the main environmental influences on an organisation and the degree of change in strategies that may impact on project scope and management.
Analyse the socio-economic and political environment in which an organisation operates and the implications thereof on its strategic focus.
Describe the influence of organisational culture on the social environment within which projects are executed.
Describe changes in demand and supply and the influence thereof on long term projects.
Investigate the impact of global and government policies on business operations and the influence on effective project execution.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 11

Describe the role of labour law and its implications for managing projects.
Define generic terms and conditions related to contracting.
Describe human resource contracting processes and methods.
Explain contracting related to procurement within the project scope.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 12

Communicate project information in a coherent format applicable using professional business communication formats.
Recognise the importance of establishing effective communication in the project system.
Apply various communication methods and channels such as face to face discussions, letters, memos, meetings, presentations and electronic media to communicate project information.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 13

Collect and record data accurately, truthfully and in appropriate formats.
Conduct appropriate forms of enquiry by applying standard procedures within the discipline such as experimental or computational techniques, or deductive reasoning.
Analyse data and scientific evidence and from such analysis construct valid arguments and conclusions.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 14

Apply knowledge of theory to particular real-world contexts.
Design appropriate procedures for generating relevant information, including selecting and applying such with due concern for bias and any ethical or safety considerations.
Compile a detailed project plan using own knowledge and skills.

Integrated Assessment

Formative assessment: 50% towards the final mark, includes assignments.
Summative assessment: 50% towards the final mark, includes traditional examinations.
Each module will be examined through written examinations, examination equivalent assignments, or oral examinations.

Bachelor of Business Administration in Project Management