Module Code - Title:

MN6031 - PROJECT PLANNING AND CONTROL

Year Last Offered:

2025/6

Hours Per Week:

Lecture

2

Lab

0

Tutorial

1

Other

0

Private

0

Credits

6

Grading Type:

Prerequisite Modules:

Rationale and Purpose of the Module:

A structured approach to planning and controlling projects is a central theme in many project management settings, however increasingly demands for flexibility to accommodate changing requirements and innovation appears as a live debate in social and technical science domains The aims and objectives of this module are to introduce the students to the key principles of project planning and control. To provide them with the knowledge, skills, tools and techniques applicable during the various phases of the project lifecycle and to conduct critical evaluations of various approaches in a variety of project settings.

Syllabus:

Project Planning; Project Control; Project Lifecycle; Project Charter; Project Scope Statement; Work Breakdown Structure; Scope Management Plan; Time management; Activity Lists; Estimating Activity Duration; Estimating Activity Resources; Sequencing activities; Logic Diagrams; Activity on Arrow; Activity on Node; Critical Path Method; Precedence Diagramming Method; Gantt Chart; Bar Chart; Resource Levelling; Time Constraints; Resource Constraints; Least Cost Scheduling; Fast Tracking; Probability and modelling project uncertainty, PERT analysis; Schedule control methods; S curves; Earned Value; Corrective Action; Quad Plot IV; Product Lifecycle Costing; Performance Reporting Techniques; Progress Meetings; Cost Management; Cost budgeting; Cost Breakdown Structure; Cost Management Plan; Cost Control.

Learning Outcomes:

Cognitive (Knowledge, Understanding, Application, Analysis, Evaluation, Synthesis)

Identify the basic requirements of a project plan Construct key components of the project plan Analyse project scheduling techniques and determine overall project durations Develop project cost estimates and budget Modify project plans to optimise resource demand Analyse uncertainty and its impact on project costs and durations Use earned value analysis to track and control projects

Affective (Attitudes and Values)

Demonstrate how to use project planning processes to plan project activity Discuss how project control tools and techniques can be used to manage project constraints

Psychomotor (Physical Skills)

N/A

How the Module will be Taught and what will be the Learning Experiences of the Students:

Synchronous and asynchronous methods will be used to deliver the module. Students will attend a series of lectures and tutorials and will be required to undertake tutorial exercises, tutorial tests and written assessment work as required through the semester. Students will learn best practice in planning and controlling projects in the implementation phase of a project. Students will apply project management principles, established project management professional knowledge areas, processes, tools and techniques to plan, monitor and control projects effectively to achieve strategic project objectives.

Research Findings Incorporated in to the Syllabus (If Relevant):

N/A

Prime Texts:

Kerzner, H. (2009) Project Management: A Systems Approach to Planning, Scheduling and Controlling 10th edition , New York

Project Management Institute Standards Committee (2008) A Guide to the Project Management Body of Knowledge (PMBOK), 4th edition , Pennsylvania:PMI Publications.

Other Relevant Texts:

Turner, J.R. (ed) (2008) Gower Handbook of Project Management 4th edition , Aldershot: Gower

Programme(s) in which this Module is Offered:

Semester(s) Module is Offered:

Module Leader:

matthew.daniels@ul.ie