About the Programme
The primary aim of the Master of Science in Project Management programme is to produce graduates with the necessary skills to enter the project management field at a professional managerial level. To this end, students are exposed to the full spectrum of the Project Management Body of Knowledge and related issues, including: project management and systems theory; project planning and implementation, including scheduling and control; human resource management and communication; total quality management in project environments; project finance, cost and procurement; and risk management. In addressing each of these areas, a strong emphasis is placed on the development of decision-making skills. A further aim specific to the programme is to develop research planning and design skills, and critical thinking.
Course Modules
The seven modules are presented every year at approximately fourteen week intervals, commencing in January/February. Exact dates may be obtained from the department. The MSc in Project Management runs over three years. Each module typically comprises, a 40-hour contact week at the university, 120 hours of assignment work, and an examination. Candidates registered for the MSc in Project Management are required to take the seven modules plus the minor dissertation.
For the 20 credit course, there is no set order in which these must be taken. However, the CON5046Z (Research Methodology) is concerned with ensuring that every student on the MSc course is familiar with writing in an academic style. CON5046Z (Research Methodology) is a pre-requisite for completing CON5023Z (Minor Dissertation) as the student will use the knowledge gained in CON5046Z in their research.
The seven modules plus the minor dissertation are as follows:
- Project Management and Systems Theory – CON5014Z (20 credits)
Project Management: Overview of Project Management Knowledge Areas and Project Management Processes; relationship of Project Management to other management disciplines. Systems Theory: The Project Management Body of knowledge and its place in the trans-disciplinary study of the abstract organization of projects, independent of their substance, type, or spatial or temporal scale of existence; investigation of both the principles common to all complex projects, emphasis is placed on real systems that are open to, and interact with, their environments, and that acquire qualitatively new properties through emergence, resulting in continual evolution; Systems concepts including: system-environment boundary, input, output, process, state, hierarchy, goal- directedness, and information. Project Environments: Overview of the project environment and structures. - Project Planning & Implementation – CON5016Z (20 credits)
The need for planning; rules for planning and control; project conception and definition; project strategy; project organisation; project methodology; project planning, scheduling, project integration and control and project closure. - Human Resource Management & Interpersonal Communication – CON5018Z (20 credits)
The human resource management needs of project management interfacing with stakeholders including: communication, conflict resolution, negotiation, developing project teams, ethics and culture, group dynamics, leadership and motivation methods of achieving project objectives through others in a people intensive environment. - Total Quality Management – CON5022Z (20 credits)
Total Quality Management as a set of management processes and systems; TQM in project environments; value engineering, design management, partnering, safety, health and welfare. - Minor Dissertation Project Management – CON5023Z (60 credits)
Methodology: selection of the research problem; preparation of the research proposal. Research Report: conducting empirical research; analysis of findings; drawing conclusions; making recommendations; presentation of a research report. - Research Methodology – CON5046Z (20 credits)
Research methodology, the research experience; knowledge and problems; the proposal chapter; designing the research; theoretical frameworks; overview of research methods – from quantitative to qualitative; case studies; writing the literature review, data presentation and analysis; concluding the research. - Project Risk Management – CON5029Z (20 credits)
The Nature of Risk: Definitions of risk; risk as a social construct; risk contexts; mathematical concepts of risk; behavioural concepts of risk; risk and decision- making; risk and uncertainty; classifying risk. The Nature of Projects: The nature of projects; project complexity; mapping project risks; risky projects. Decision-making, Risk Perception and Risk Communication: decision-making environment of the organisation; communication environment of the organisation; project team decision-making and communication; external stakeholder communication; risk perceptions and the communication of risk. Systematic Risk Management: Stakeholder risks not project risks; features of systematic risk management; risk management systems. Risk Analysis: Risk allocation; A multi-dimensional risk magnitude perspective; systemic risk assessment. Risk Decisions and Actions: Risk response options; strategic risk response; risk monitoring and control; risk disaster planning and risk recovery; post- project risk evaluation and risk recording; communicating risk messages. Building a Risk Management System: Organisational maturity in risk management; creating a project risk management framework; establishing risk registers; reviewing risk management performance - Project Finance and Procurement – CON5030Z (20 credits)
Cost modelling basics – income and expenses, fixed and variable costs, break even analysis. Financial modelling basics – Capital Asset Pricing Model, Cost of Capital, Discounted Cash Flows and Net Present Value, Perpetuities. The use of a business case in projects, reviews and setting tolerance levels. Business case development – Economic feasibility and cost benefit analysis. Make or buy decisions – cost estimating methods, request for information procedures. Procurement / Supply chain – RFP, Bidding, Tender adjudication and vendor selection, contract awards. Cost budgeting – performance baselines. Cost control and reporting – Earned Value Management. Project finance – project, contract and governance structures: Marketing / selling solution projects; Risk and project finance. Project organisations / partnering – PPP and alternative models.
Entry Requirements
The minimum requirement is a four-year bachelor or honours degree in an appropriate field, obtained from a recognised University. Examples of appropriate qualifications include, but are not limited to: construction management; quantity surveying; architecture; engineering; and planning. Other fields outside the construction / engineering fields are also eligible provided they involve project management, for instance in the fields of ITC or commerce, In addition, candidates should have work experience and should preferably be currently employed.
Applicants who do not meet this requirement, may be accepted if they possess recognised tertiary qualifications and have appropriate experience.
Applications and Enquiries
Ms Mareldia Fagodien
Administrative Officer (Postgraduate)
Department of Construction Economics and Management
University of Cape Town
Private Bag, Rondebosch, 7701
South Africa
Tel: (021) 650 3443
Fax: (021) 689 7564
Email: con-cem@uct.ac.za