Managing Technology Projects for Business Success
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There are 5 modules in this course
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.
What's included
4 videos12 readings2 assignments1 discussion prompt
4 videos•Total 21 minutes
- Course introduction - Managing technology projects for business success•4 minutes
- Information Technology projects - successful, challenged, or failed•6 minutes
- Examples of projects that succeeded but broke the iron triangle •4 minutes
- The context of information technology projects – strategy and culture•7 minutes
12 readings•Total 420 minutes
- Course structure and navigation•20 minutes
- Learn effectively this course•15 minutes
- Week 1 introduction•5 minutes
- Activity - Definitions of the different types of projects•30 minutes
- Model answer - Definitions of the different types of projects•10 minutes
- Activity - Expectations and satisfaction•60 minutes
- Activity - Successful and unsuccessful projects •60 minutes
- Activity - The iron triangle•60 minutes
- Activity - Factors of success inside and outside the iron triangle •60 minutes
- Activity - Defining success and failure•60 minutes
- Week 1 summary•10 minutes
- Evaluation of study in Week 1•30 minutes
2 assignments•Total 60 minutes
- Week 1 summative quiz•30 minutes
- Factors affecting a project’s success•30 minutes
1 discussion prompt•Total 20 minutes
- There are no IT projects, only business projects•20 minutes
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.
What's included
4 videos11 readings2 assignments
4 videos•Total 22 minutes
- What are lifecycles? Why do they exist?•6 minutes
- The history of large-scale information technology failure•5 minutes
- The Agile Manifesto•8 minutes
- Why do we need Scrum framework (if we have Agile)?•3 minutes
11 readings•Total 395 minutes
- Week 2 introduction•10 minutes
- Activity - The project lifecycle: a basic four-stage lifecycle model•15 minutes
- Activity - Predictive and adaptive lifecycles•60 minutes
- Activity - What is Waterfall? Evaluating the Waterfall approach•60 minutes
- Activity - Definition of Agile•10 minutes
- Activity - Understanding the 12 Agile principles and implications of implementing the Agile Manifesto•120 minutes
- Model answer - Understanding the 12 Agile principles and implications of implementing the Agile Manifesto•10 minutes
- Activity - Reflective comparison of predictive and adaptive approaches in project management•60 minutes
- Model answer - Reflective comparison of predictive and adaptive approaches in project management•10 minutes
- Week 2 summary•10 minutes
- Evaluation of study in Week 2•30 minutes
2 assignments•Total 75 minutes
- Week 2 summative quiz•30 minutes
- Why do we need Scrum if the Agile Manifesto already exists?•45 minutes
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.
What's included
1 video11 readings1 assignment
1 video•Total 5 minutes
- Communicating responsibilities in a RACI chart•5 minutes
11 readings•Total 460 minutes
- Week 3 introduction•10 minutes
- The project initiation phase•20 minutes
- Activity - Applying the Waterfall approach to the initiation phase •90 minutes
- Activity - Planning phase: Using milestones to help manage your project•30 minutes
- Activity - Project stakeholder management plan•40 minutes
- Activity - Creating a stakeholder communication plan•90 minutes
- Model answer - Creating a stakeholder communication plan•10 minutes
- Activity - What is risk management in projects?•40 minutes
- Activity - Project closure•90 minutes
- Week 3 summary•10 minutes
- Evaluation of study in Week 3•30 minutes
1 assignment•Total 20 minutes
- Week 3 summative quiz•20 minutes
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.
What's included
3 videos12 readings1 assignment
3 videos•Total 17 minutes
- How are decisions made? What power does the project manager have?•7 minutes
- The five perspectives on information technology systems•4 minutes
- The cloud in the context of historical approaches to information technology•6 minutes
12 readings•Total 335 minutes
- Week 4 introduction•10 minutes
- Activity - Skills for success•30 minutes
- Activity - Leadership and management•30 minutes
- Activity - Governance as the human and political elements of an organisation•30 minutes
- Model answer - Governance as the human and political elements of an organisation•10 minutes
- Activity - Why is governance critical to the success of a project?•60 minutes
- Model answer - Why is governance critical to the success of a project?•10 minutes
- Activity - ‘Information technology’ and ‘information systems’•45 minutes
- Activity - What does the cloud mean to information technology managers and project managers?•60 minutes
- Model answer•10 minutes
- Week 4 summary•10 minutes
- Evaluation of study in Week 4•30 minutes
1 assignment•Total 30 minutes
- Week 4 summative quiz•30 minutes
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.
What's included
11 readings1 peer review2 discussion prompts
11 readings•Total 390 minutes
- Week 5 introduction•10 minutes
- Revision activity - An explanation of the five characteristics of projects•40 minutes
- Ten key project management areas (Optional)•30 minutes
- Activity - Case studies•60 minutes
- Activity 1 - What went wrong?•30 minutes
- Activity - The planning stage: how was planning done in this project?•30 minutes
- Activity - Executing the project: how was execution approached?•40 minutes
- Activity - How were decisions made on the project?•60 minutes
- Activity -Project communications•60 minutes
- Week 5 summary•10 minutes
- Activity: Your goals after this course•20 minutes
1 peer review•Total 90 minutes
- Final assignment: summary of a case study analysis •90 minutes
2 discussion prompts•Total 45 minutes
- Understanding the case study chosen for analysis•15 minutes
- Course summary and evaluation of learning journey•30 minutes
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