Module attendance dates

Year 1 – 2011 

Registration day: 10 January

Year 2 – 2012 - Modules 5-8
(dates to be confirmed)

Foundations of Programme and Project Management

We aim to take traditional thinking in project management and challenge it with new and modern approaches in the field. This module will raise your level of understanding around the strategic aspects of PPM, and its role in adding competitive advantage to your organisation.

You'll start with a firm grounding in the key principles, processes, tools and techniques that underpin project and programme management. We will explore the basic concepts and theories of project management, and relate them to the more modern concept of programme management.

On completion you will be equipped to make informed decisions on project and programme management processes, and be aware of their application and limitations. Additionally, you will possess a critical awareness of PPM 'bodies of knowledge' and how they are used, as well as understand the relationship between business strategy, portfolios, programmes and projects.

Business Case and Financial Management

Developing a comprehensive and robust business case for projects and programmes helps you gain both the investment and organisational commitment.

Underpinned by advanced research on benefits management, and the extensive work of the Cranfield Information Systems Research Centre, this module will help you build the link from strategy to business case. This will include a comprehensive explanation of the Benefits Management Approach - developed at Cranfield - you will appreciate how to increase the business value actually delivered from programme and project investments.

We will also cover key financial analysis techniques, examine the role of the 'programme office' in managing benefits, and be introduced to aspects of risk analysis.

Planning and Control

Projects are complex adaptive systems which need a strategic approach to planning and control. Successful managers need to recognise the limitations of each approach and understand the challenges faced by planners.

You will build confidence in assigning appropriate control measures to tasks, projects and programmes. You will also gain a valuable insight into agile and lean approaches to planning and scheduling. We will show you how to critically evaluate means of monitoring and control, configuration and quality management.

The competitive group simulation exercise helps you develop your practical skills in a risk free environment. You will gain a solid understanding of planning and control systems and appreciate how these systems are influenced by behavioural elements. In addition, you will undertake a scenario-based exploration of the role of enterprise project management in a modern organisation.

Risk and Opportunities Management

All projects and programmes possess a certain level of uncertainty - a fundamental challenge for managers is managing that uncertainty.

There are well developed processes for project risk management, and emerging processes for opportunity management. We will introduce you to risk and opportunity management at strategic, programme and project levels. You will also gain an insight into the importance and influence of behavioural aspects, including personal judgement capability.

You will also critically review existing methodologies and approaches - considering their impact on complex stakeholder interactions.

The Organisation and the Individual

A challenge for many organisations is the increasing number and complexity of programmes and projects that they run. It is vital for managers to understand and make sense of this complexity.

We will share advanced thinking about the relationship of individuals and organisations, looking at the impact this relationship has on managing projects and programmes.

We will introduce you to the principles of systems thinking, systems dynamics and complexity theory, examining alternative approaches to programme management. In addition, you will learn how to deal with and respond to dynamic situations, and how to apply different strategies to particular challenges in this context.

Strategic Marketing

A core skill of a successful business leader is the ability to make key decisions and think strategically. Appreciating the scope and direction of the organisation is paramount in planning and managing complex programmes. Without a strategic focus, organisations face many problems, not least of all competing priorities and conflicting programmes of change.

This module provides a critical overview of strategy formulation relevant to programme and project-based organisations. You will improve your ability to think strategically, take an organisational view of programme and project requirements, and understand that decisions must be consistent with organisational strategy.

Supply Chain Management

Organisations and governments are continuously seeking more effective ways to deliver products and services. A key trend is the increased use of outsourcing and complex arrangements, including public private partnerships and private finance initiative schemes - with varying levels of success.

This module will consider the principles and realities of such arrangements and look at the way that organisations manage these relationships.

Leading Transformational Change

Organisations operating in today's competitive business environment are required to adapt and change at a faster pace than ever before in order to remain competitive. This module has been designed to help you successfully address and lead change initiatives. You will look at different approaches to leadership in the programme management context, and we will share latest thinking on implementation of these initiatives.

Organisational Learning

Project-based organisations often face significant challenges when implementing organisational learning programmes. Reasons include the temporary nature of individual programmes and often geographically dispersed teams. A number of solutions have emerged in response to this challenge, including establishment of communities of practice, knowledge-based systems and increasing use of personal coaching and mentoring to encourage local-level learning. We will explore these techniques alongside the development of a learning model appropriate for the programme management level.

Developing Personal Performance

The efficient management of programmes has become increasingly important in supporting organisational success and development. Based on extensive research surrounding perception, programme management capabilities and ongoing development, you will explore interpersonal skills and innovative approaches to self-management.

Group Action Project

Working as a team, you will spend three days investigating current programmes within a modern organisation.

You will:

• explore current projects and programmes
• collect data, conduct analysis and report on the findings
• assess the maturity of the organisation
• produce recommendations based on your learning and suggest how the organisation can improve its core capabilities in PPM

This provides an ideal opportunity for you to use your new skills in a risk-free yet challenging team environment.

Research Methods

In order to fully prepare you for undertaking your thesis, and conducting research in your career, you will need both theoretical and practical knowledge of appropriate research tools and techniques.

We will guide you through:

• principles of research
• the research process
• problem formulation
• data collection
• data analysis
• report writing

On completion you will understand the nature of management research and the breadth of approaches appropriate to this field of study. You will be equipped to plan and manage complex research projects. And you?ll have the confidence to design and evaluate different tools and techniques.

Self-development Sessions

You will have several opportunities to further develop key personal skills that are essential to your future career. You will undertake a course on handling the media - building your confidence in handling a crisis situation. This will develop your skills in presenting effectively and persuasively, listening, influencing, negotiating and networking.

In addition, our dedicated career development team will lead careers guidance sessions, offering strategic careers advice.

Individual Research Project or Company-based Thesis

Throughout the programme you will gain valuable experience, skills and knowledge that will enhance your company's operation. This innovative yet practical project is a key opportunity to carry out rigorous research in an area of PPM that is of particular interest to you and your organisation, and can bring direct advantage. Integrating your research and professional skills, you may wish to focus on particular problems or key issues that your organisation is facing.

Past projects have supported and informed strategic management decisions, influencing change and successfully contributing to the delivery of high profile programmes.

You will work closely with your supervisor, who will provide expert guidance, advice and insights into leading-edge thinking in your subject area. They will offer unrivalled support throughout the entire project, from the planning stage through to delivery.