UCT Advanced Diploma in Business Project Management

university of cape townadvanced Diploma in Business project Management

information packfebruary 2015 presentation

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NEED FOR THE PROGRAMMEAccording to research by the Project Management Institute (PMI), the demand for skilled and knowledgeable project management professionals is on the rise. At both a national and global level, organisations have become increasingly aware of the value of hiring skilled project management professionals to coordinate and lead their endeavours to successful conclusions. The challenge for these organisations lies in finding these professionals: the resources available in the job market simply do not match this rising demand. Many professionals find themselves managing projects without a thorough grounding in the discipline. They are limited in large part due to inaccessibility of high-quality project management programmes in South Africa. The Advanced Diploma in Business Project management aims to address this need and provide students with quality education that can be accessed from any location. The next few years present the perfect opportunity for interested individuals to enter the project management industry, as salaries are high and skilled professionals are scarce.

CAREER OPPORTUNITIESProject management skills are among the most transferable in today’s competitive job market. Project managers, whether they have the official title or not, are needed across the business sector, and the discipline in itself is fundamental to the economy. Regardless of role or industry, everyone practices project management to some degree, and this programme is ideal for individuals who want to take their project management skills and interest to the next level. As “business projects” are found across numerous industries, including (but not limited to) events, IT, government, service, NGOs, financial, retail, commercial oil, and telecommunications, students of project management have versatile opportunities to build a career that spans a wide variety of industries. Managers or business owners who find themselves overseeing projects on a regular basis can expand their careers and businesses by developing project management skills. In short, project managers have a wide range of industry and career options open to them.

PROGRAMME-LEVEL OUTCOMES By the end of this programme, students will be able to:

• Apply the hard skills of project management, which include the methodologies, processes, tools, techniques and standards that make up the various project management bodies of knowledge.

• Analyse the soft skills required for effective people management within a business project context, specifically around managing teams and team members.

• Analyse the context in which their selected business project is situated.• Plan, design and construct the various project artefacts required to execute their project.• Evaluate their organisation’s approach to project management by assessing its

structure, competitive edge, maturity level, and the role of its business plans.• Evaluate the strategic alignment of their business project within their organisation.

advanced Diploma in Business project Management

PROGRAMME OVERVIEWThis 1-year diploma offers a solid grounding in the theory and practice of business project management principles and guidelines, to educate students to achieve better success in their projects and produce more effective project plans.

PROGRAMME DURATION1-year part-time programme, delivered online with one final exam at centres throughout South Africa. The programme is available throughout Africa, and requires approximately 15 - 20 hours per week.

PROGRAMME APPROVAL:This programme is accredited by UCT. You will receive adiploma issued by theuniversity once you have successfully completed the programme.

PROGRAMME DATES:Late applications now acceptedProgramme starts: February 2015Exams: TBC

CONTACT:Brendan Marsh

[email protected] Timothy Dimech

[email protected] 021 447 7565 021 447 8344

tel:%2B27214477565

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PROGRAMME The following modules are covered during the programme:

Module 1

FOUNDATIONS OF PROjECT MANAGEMENTModule 1 covers the hard skills required for managing a business project effectively. By the end of this module, students will be able to:

• Define what constitutes a business project and identify how this fits into the project’s business and social environments.

• Discuss the factors necessary for a business project to be successful.• Distinguish the different elements of a project and project plan in a variety of

business-related case studies.• Explain how to execute, monitor and control, and implement the project plan,

as well as close the project.

module 2

MANAGING PEOPLE IN BUSINESS PROjECTSThis module covers the all-important and often neglected soft skills required for effective project management. Soft skills are needed for effective self, project team, and stakeholder management, as well as to ensure that project communication and relationships run smoothly. By the end of this module, students will be able to:

• Analyse the crucial skills needed for effective general management, including delegation, authority, trust, responsibility, and accountability, along with planning, organising, and controlling.

• Identify the key competencies required of successful project managers.• Describe the differences between leadership and management as applied to

project management.• Demonstrate how the concepts of emotional intelligence, personality assessment,

team development, productivity, and motivation can be used to manage project teams.• Discuss the ethical issues facing project managers.


APPLICATION DATESLATE APPLICATIONS NOw ACCEPTED

PROGRAMME FEES: Non-refundable application fee: R100Total programme fees:R35,000 (estimated)Initial payment of R10,000 by 30 November 2014

Contact usShould you have any queries, please contact Brendan or Timothy: Brendan Marsh


[email protected] 021 447 7565 021 447 8344

tel:%2B27214477565

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Module 3

BUILDING ThE PROjECT PLANModule 3 covers the ‘how’ of managing projects. In this highly practical and applied module, students will follow a step-by-step approach to building their own project plan for their own organisation using the knowledge and skills gained in modules 1 and 2. By the end of this module, students will be able to:

• Analyse the components of the business case for their project.• Create a project charter for their specific project.• Revise the components of a typical project plan.• Build the various planning artefacts that are required to execute the project, and that

constitute the project plan, including the scope statement, schedule, budget, risk register, quality matrix, communications plan, procurement plan, HR plan, change management plan, and implementation strategy and handover plan.

Module 4

STRATEGIC PROjECT MANAGEMENTThis module focuses on the effectiveness and of projects in business at a strategic level, and looks at how businesses can use project management to set themselves apart form the competition. By the end of this module, students will be able to:

• Assess agile and traditional organisational structures, focussing on the move towards project-based organisations and with special reference to the organisational structure in which their business project is situated.

• Analyse how the business can create competitive advantage using projects.• Explain how business plans can be converted into projects using project portfolio

management, the business case, the project office, and programme management.• Assess the importance and advantages of benefits realisation management,

as well as its processes and how these concepts can be applied in the organisation in which their project is situated.

• Evaluate the Organisational Management Maturity Model, with special reference to business projects in general, and their organisation in particular.

WHO SHOULD ATTENDThis programme is aimed at:

1. Individuals who hold an undergraduate qualification in project management or another discipline; or

2. Individuals working in a project management capacity without a distinct project management qualification, with an emphasis on business projects.






[email protected] 021 447 7565 021 447 8344

tel:%2B27214477565

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Individuals with existing project management qualifications can fast track their career through this programme, and those without formal qualifications of any kind, but with the prerequisite experience, will also be given the opportunity to enhance their skills and open new doors.

Although students from other areas, such as construction and engineering, will be acceptedif they qualify, they must understand that the focus is on the business sector.“Business projects” are found across numerous industries, including (but not limited to) events, IT, government, service, NGOs, financial, retail, commercial oil, and telecommunications. Many people working in these industries are fulfilling a project management role, regardless of whether or not they possess the title of project manager. In addition, experienced managers who require project management skills to enhance their existing abilities would also benefit from this programme, provided they have access to a current or historical business project for reference and assessment throughout the programme.

APPLICATION AND ENTRY REQUIREMENTSThe following application requirements apply to the Advanced Diploma in Business Project Management:

Qualifications• Ideally, applicants should have an undergraduate degree or equivalent (in any field

of study) from UCT or an equivalent tertiary educational institution.• Individuals seeking to apply for admission into the programme who hold qualifications

other than an undergraduate degree will need to satisfy the Senate (through Recognition of Prior Learning) that their qualification and/or experience are an adequate preparation for the work prescribed in the programme.

Documentation• All applicants are required to submit a 2-page CV detailing previous relevant work

experience and/or extra-curricular involvement.• Applicants with undergraduate degrees from universities other than UCT are required

to submit their full academic transcripts to date (stating proof of graduation). NB: Degree certificates alone are not sufficient.

• Applicants who wish to acquire Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) must provide a letter of motivation. The application fee for RPL assessment is R800. Those eligible for the RPL course will be required to complete a compulsory, two-week Recognition of Prior Learning course presented entirely online. The third and final RPL course (assessing eligibility for the 2015 presentation of the postgraduate programme) will be presented from 26 November - 10 December 2014. NB: Applications for this RPL course, and therefore all RPL candidates who wish to apply for admission to this programme, are closed as of 14 November 2014.






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Resources• Students must have a current email account, access to a computer and the internet,

as well as be able to read documents in Adobe PDF and create documents in Microsoft Word and Microsoft Excel to create documents, spreadsheets and presentations.

• Students will be required to use various online tools and possess a good level of computer and internet literacy.

• Students require sufficient bandwidth and data to watch videos, attend live tutorials, download course content, and upload assignments throughout the programme.

Note that an application does not guarantee admission to the programme. Due to the popularity of the programme, early application backed by a solid academic and professional record will be advantageous. Applicants will be informed about the results of their application four to six weeks after close of admissions. Late applications are now being accepted.

MEET EMERITUS PROFESSOR DEREK SMITHThe programme will be designed and convened by academic leader, Derek Smith, Emeritus Professor at UCT. Derek is a highly acclaimed academic and professional, with over 45 years of experience both locally and internationally. He is a certified Project Management Professional (PMP), and founded a private training company where he has successfully taught project management for 25 years. He has many highly acclaimed research publications in international journals, and has presented papers at several international research conferences in the project management field.

PROGRAMME DELIVERYThe programme is delivered through the unique GetSmarter Learning website. To ensure that you are able to maintain a work-life balance while completing the programme, the content for each of the four modules is divided into manageable weekly modules. On each Wednesday of the 1-year programme, you will receive one module to complete in your own time and at your own pace throughout the week (incremental deadlines may apply). Modules vary in composition, depending on the best method of delivery for each module’s unique content, and can include the following components: module notes; video lectures; presentations; branching tree scenarios; interactive videos; workshops; wikis; online classes; online discussion forums; online multiple-choice practice quiz; online and downloadable written submissions; quiz assignments; and other readings and web resources. A typical week will entail a commitment of 15-20 hours. The Instructor, Professor Derek Smith, will provide you with academic support through the online discussion forum for the duration of the programme. A designated Course Coach will also be available via email and telephone to provide you with administrative support.






[email protected] 021 447 7565 021 447 8344

tel:%2B27214477565

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ASSESSMENT AND AWARD OF THE DIPLOMAThe programme is focused on teaching you practical, formal skills that you can apply to your immediate work environment and throughout your career. Your final results will be based on a combination of formative continued assessment and a final contact-based exam at the end of the programme. Formative assessment is based on a series of practical weekly assignments completed online. You will need to achieve at least 50% on the exam as well as 50% overall (coursework and exam combined) to receive the diploma as issued by the University of Cape Town at the graduation ceremony.

PROGRAMME APPROVALThis programme is accredited by the University of Cape Town. You will receive a diploma issued by the university once you have successfully completed the programme. The programme is developed and presented by the University of Cape Town in partnership with GetSmarter. GetSmarter is the first and only entirely online education company to be accredited by any SETA (Sector Education and Training Authority) as a provider of education in South Africa. Institutional accreditation number: 3692.

ABOUT GETSMARTERGetSmarter has a proven track record of delivering an unmatched high-quality online education experience in partnership with Africa’s leading University and other reputable organisations. GetSmarter brings career advancement closer to working professionals by offering a variety of online short courses and commerce-based Postgraduate Diplomas throughout South Africa, and across Africa.

ABout Across AfricaAcross Africa is a strategic partnership between UCT’s Faculty of Commerce and GetSmarter, to provide access to the highest quality blended mode business education across the African continent.

HOW TO ApplyApply online at www.commercepostgrad.uct.ac.za/uct-advanced-diploma-in-business-project-management/ Please click the “Apply online now” button at the bottom left of the page. Late applications are now being accepted. See page 5 for details on the application and entry requirements.






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http://www.commercepostgrad.uct.ac.za/uct-advanced-diploma-in-business-project-management/?utm_source=MKT&utm_medium=info_pack_url_click_ABPM&utm_campaign=how_to_apply_click

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PAYMENT DETAILS1. ONCE-OFF PAYMENT

Initial payment of R10,000 by 30 November 2014 Remaining payment to settle: R25,000 (estimated)

2. PAYMENT PLAN Initial payment of R10,000 by 30 November 2014 Remaining payment to settle: R25,000 (estimated)

• R6,250 (estimated) x 4 payments in 2015

CONTACT USShould you have any queries, please contact Brendan or Timothy:

Brendan Marsh021 447 7565021 457 [email protected]

Timothy Dimech021 447 7565021 457 [email protected]






[email protected] 021 447 7565 021 447 8344

tel:%2B27214477565

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UCT Advanced Diploma in Business Project Management