Module 6 – IT Project Management (lv 5)

Executive summary

This section introduces learners to the principles and practices involved in managing IT projects from initial identification through to completion and evaluation.

Learners begin by examining how business objectives can be translated into potential IT projects and how feasibility studies can be used to determine whether a proposed project is technically, economically and operationally viable.

The section then develops project planning skills, covering scope, cost, time, quality, communication, risk and resources. Learners also explore Work Breakdown Structures and milestone planning.

The focus then moves to managing projects, including monitoring progress, managing risks and issues, controlling changes and communicating project status to stakeholders.

The section concludes with project evaluation, critical reflection and post-implementation reporting.

Aims

• Identify potential IT projects from organisational objectives.
• Conduct and interpret feasibility considerations.
• Select an appropriate project management methodology.
• Develop structured project management plans.
• Define scope, resources, costs, time, quality and communication requirements.
• Create Work Breakdown Structures and milestone schedules.
• Monitor project progress.
• Manage risks, issues and changes.
• Communicate project information to stakeholders.
• Evaluate project outcomes and document lessons learned.

Summary of learning outcomes

• LO1 — Understand how business objectives can be translated into IT projects and how feasibility and methodology choices influence project selection.
• LO2 — Be able to develop an appropriate IT project management plan.
• LO3 — Be able to manage, monitor and report on an IT project.
• LO4 — Be able to evaluate project outcomes and produce post-implementation documentation.

Indicative content

• Project identification: linking organisational objectives to potential IT projects.
• Feasibility: technical, economic, operational and other feasibility considerations.
• Project methodologies: PRINCE2, Agile and other project management approaches.
• Project planning: scope, cost, time, quality, communication, risk and resources.
• Work Breakdown Structures: breaking projects into manageable components.
• Milestones: creating schedules and milestone plans.
• Project monitoring: tracking progress and identifying deviations.
• Risk and issue management: risk registers, issue logs and change control.
• Stakeholder reporting: communication plans and project status reports.
• Evaluation: assessing project outcomes and reflecting on project performance.
• Post-implementation reporting: lessons learned and recommendations.

Assessment approach

Understanding is reinforced through activities that require learners to identify suitable IT projects, assess feasibility and justify project methodology choices.

Practical assessment includes producing a project management plan, creating a Work Breakdown Structure and milestone schedule, completing risk and change registers and preparing stakeholder status reports.

The final stage requires learners to critically evaluate project outcomes, reflect on the project experience and produce a post-implementation report documenting lessons learned.