UNISA Short Course in Applied Project Management in an Information Technology Environment

Short Course in Applied Project Management in an Information Technology Environment (70467)Purpose

This short course on software project management is intended for first time project managers and project managers wanting to expand and formalise their knowledge. The course aims to provide students with the basic skills, knowledge and competence to effectively understand and manage information technology projects.
 
There is a need for a project management course focusing specifically on the management of Information Technology (IT) projects. Most similar courses focus less on IT, form part of a curriculum for a formal degree, and are less skills oriented. Given the growth of the IT industry, a need exists for computer specialists, as well as project managers, to gain a practical and theoretical foundation for managing IT projects, as this area has been grossly neglected over time.
There is a definite need for courses which do not require the employee to interrupt their work schedule for an extended period to obtain a formal qualification. This certificate course fills this need as it focusses on sensitising the prospective student on concepts, techniques and strategies available to the IT project manager.

Target group

This course is intended for the following target market:
 

• Project managers working within an Information Technology environment looking for a certified qualification,
• General project managers that also want to focus on the management of Information Technology related projects, and
• Persons working within an Information Technology related environment and wishing to broaden their career path to include project management of IT projects.

Admission requirements

• Matriculation certificate qualification.
• Experience in an Information Technology environment or exposure to project management practice is recommended.

Duration

Semester course
 Language medium

English
 Registration periods

for more information about registrations visit http://cs-cert.unisa.ac.za
e-mail address: cense@unisa.ac.za

Tuition method

UNISA open distance learning by means of tutorial letters and additional tutorial matter necessary for the course; telephone, email support and the Internet; consultation and solutions of material. Note: the study material will be in English only.
 Kind of assessment

Note:
Formative assessment and examination admission will comply with UNISA’s formative assessment rules and policies
Formative assessment:
Two written assignments that include theoretical and practical questions
Summative assessment:
Written examination must be passed at the end of the short course in order to obtain the UNISA certificate.
 Applied Project Management in an Information Technology Environment (CSPM1DR)Syllabus/Content Topics

• The context of the management of information technology projects: the environment, project management framework, process groups and knowledge areas.
• The information technology project management profession: its history, professional organizations such as the Project Management Institute (PMI), certification, ethics.
• Information technology project integration management: the strategic planning process, the project charter, the project management plan, as well as project execution, management and monitoring.
• Software project scope management, requirements elicitation, the work breakdown structure and change control.
• Software project time management: activity scheduling, various tools and techniques, activity duration estimation and schedule development.
• Software project cost management: cost management principles, concepts, types of cost estimates and methods.
• Software project risk management: qualitative risk analysis, risk management plan, risk monitoring and controlling.
• Case studies are used to illustrate software project management techniques and project management software assisting project management tasks are delineated.

Course leader

Prof E Kritzinger (PhD)
School of Computing,
Information Security,
Office: Block C 3-26, Cnr Christiaan de Wet and Pioneer Avenue, Florida Campus, UNISA
Tel: 011 670 9116
Email: Kritze@unisa.ac.za
 
Ms K Engelbrecht
 Programme administrator(s)

School of Computing
Office: Block C 3-06, Cnr Christiaan de Wet and Pioneer Avenue, Florida Campus, UNISA
Tel: 011 670 9131 / 9139
E-mail: cense@unisa.ac.za