Course Resources Archive

The objective of this module is to introduce students to two key elements of business information technology in practice, project management and professional issues.  Project management introduces students to managing computer systems projects from the perspective of effectively meeting client requirements within the constraints of time, cost and quality.  Professional issues introduces students to the professional and ethical issues of computing disciplines and facilitates the consideration of these professional and ethical issues within the business arena, allowing students to reflect on maximizing their own employability within organizations of the 21 st century. 

The need for software development projects to be successful is increasingly important as software systems become more complex and organizations become ever more dependent on their software systems. As product life cycles get shorter it is becoming harder to meet a client’s requirements and deliver new software systems within the constraints of time, cost and quality.  The project management element of this module explores the management of software projects including project management method, life cycle, various management issues such as users, suppliers, development team management and stage management, document and communication management, change and risk management and quality review/control and contract management. 

Rapidly developing information and communication technologies are important drivers of change, strongly influencing the way we work.  In the workplace, at whatever level you work, it is vital that you have the knowledge and understanding, skills and competencies to anticipate and work with change for both your personal and your organization’s benefit.  The professional issues element of this module will equip you with relevant employability skills, knowledge and ideas that are needed to succeed at work including strategic thinking and ethical practice and allow you to plan your own professional development.

1. discuss the scope of project management and be able to evaluate appropriate project management packages and examine a number of planning and estimation methods
2. compare and contrast project staff motivation techniques
3. appreciate management issues involved in running a software project and suggest how some of the problems arising may be overcome
4. analyse real projects to establish the underlying causes of success or failure
5. Be able to critically evaluate professional and ethical issues arising within a technological context
6. Appreciate the need to plan their own continuing personal and professional development.

The Library Catalogue contains full details of the current reading list for this module. Further details may also be found in the Module Guide.