BENG502 

Module Name Engineering Management 
 Module Code BENG502 
 Level Five 
 Credits 15 

  

Module Description and General Aims 

The objective of this module is to prepare students to plan, develop, manage and successfully implement and deliver projects in their area of practice. The module takes a holistic interdisciplinary view of project management theory, considering and applying innovative solutions to end to end project life cycle issues. 

The subject matter covered in this module will enable students to transition from formal education to professional practice. The module focuses on real world engineering projects through case studies applicable in the context of their country and area of practice.  

In this module the students will learn to define and develop the foundations of a project management plan; produce project requirements documents; create work breakdown structures; schedules; budgets; estimated and control costs; manage risks; and manage other resources. Students will also gain an understanding on the philosophy and principles of quality management, human resource management, communications management, and both qualitative and quantitative approaches to risk management. 

There is a project component in this module whereby students will undertake case studies of engineering projects in the context of their country and sub-discipline. At the conclusion of this module, students will understand the critical role played by effective project management in successful engineering projects. They will also understand the obligations of an individual in the engineering profession, occupational safety and health considerations and ethical conduct.  

  

Learning Outcomes 

On successful completion of this Module, students are expected to be able to: 

  1. Evaluate the fundamentals of sustainable and ethical project management. 
    Bloom’s Level 5 
  1. Identify the elements of project life cycle, including plan, control, organize and allocate resources. 

Bloom’s Level 3 

  1. Assess problems arising from planning, scheduling and managing engineering projects and choose appropriate solutions. 
    Bloom’s Level 5 
  1. Analyse the application of modern project management tools and techniques for effective and successful completion of engineering projects. 
    Bloom’s Level 4 
  1. Discuss professional responsibilities, occupational safety & health and ethical conduct of engineering technologists. 
    Bloom’s Level 6 
  1. Apply effective and professional teamwork, reporting and communication practices. 
    Bloom’s Level 3 
  1. Assess project risks and formulate strategies to avoid potential risk impact. 
    Bloom’s Level 5 

  

Student Assessment 

Assessment Type When assessed Weighting (% of total module marks) Learning Outcomes Assessed 
Assessment 1 Type: Multi-choice test / Group work / Short answer questions Example Topic: Project management, systems engineering, life cycle, contracts. Students may complete a quiz with MCQ type answers and solve some simple equations to demonstrate a good understanding of the fundamental concepts      
After Topic 5 
 		25% 1, 2 
Assessment 2  Type: Group work / Short answer questions / Role Play / Self-Assessment / Presentation / Case study / Project Example Topic: Budget, specification, quality Students may provide solutions to simple problems on various topics.  
After Topic 9 
 		30% 3, 4 
Assessment 3 Type: Individual work / Short answer questions / Role Play / Self-Assessment / Case Study / Project Example Topic: WBS, Scheduling, PERT, Risk analysis Students may provide solutions to simple problems on various topics. After Topic 11 20% 4, 5, 6 
Assessment 4 Type: Project and Report (Individual work component) Example Topic: WBS, Scheduling, PERT, Risk analysis Students may complete a quiz with MCQ type answers or solve some simple problems or use software to complete a practical. After Topic 12 20% 1 to 7 
Attendance / Tutorial Participation Example: Presentation, discussion, group work, exercises, self-assessment/reflection, case study analysis, application. Continuous 5% 1 to 7 

  

Overall Requirement: An overall final module score of 50% or above must be achieved to pass the module once all assessment, including the exam, has been completed. 

Prescribed and Recommended Readings 

Course Textbook(s) 

  • Nicholas, J. M. and Steyn H, 2011, Project Management for Engineering, Business and Technology, 6th Edition, Routledge, ISBN-978-0-367277345 

Reference Materials 

  • Lester, A 2013, Project Management, Planning and Control: Managing Engineering, Construction and Manufacturing Projects to PMI, APM and BSI Standards, 8th ed, Butterworth-Heinemann, ISBN-13: 978-0128243404 
  • Baranoff, E, Brockett, P & Kahane, Y 2009, Risk Management for Enterprises and Individuals, Open Textbook Library, ISBN 13: 978-0-9823618-0-1 
  • Bahr, N. J. (2014). System Safety Engineering and Risk Assessment: A Practical Approach, Second Edition. United Kingdom: Taylor & Francis. ISBN: 978-1-4665516-0-2 
  • Darnall, R, Preston, J 2010, Project Management from Simple to Complex, Open Textbook Library, ISBN 13: 978-0-9823618-8-7 
  • IDC Technologies 2001, Project Management for Engineers and Technicians, IDC, Perth. 
  • Project Management Institute, Inc. (PMI) 2013. Guide to the Project Management Body of Knowledge (PMBOK® Guide). 6th edition. Project Management Institute, Inc. (PMI). ISBN: 978-1-628251845.  
  • Lester, A 2007. Project Management – Planning and Control. 8th ed. Elsevier. ISBN: 978-0-128243398.  
  • Brzozowska, A., Pabian, A., & Pabian, B. (2021). Sustainability in Project Management. Milton: Taylor & Francis Group. ISBN: 978-0-3675187-4-5 
  • Peer reviewed Journals 
  • IDC Technologies publications 
  • Other material and online collections as advised during the lectures 

  

Module Content 

  

Topic 1: Engineering Project Management 

  1. Project management concepts 
  1. Project management objectives 
  1. Project failure (reasons) 
  1. Project vs operations 
  1. PMBOK 

Topic 2: Systems Engineering 

  1. The Systems method 
  1. Project System characteristics 
  1. Life Cycle 
  1. Systems Development Life Cycle (conception, definition, execution and operation) 
  1. Introduction to project management software 

Topic 3: Contracts and Supply Chain 

  1. Types of contracts 
  1. Law of contracts and project delivery contracts (payment under contract, superintendent, variations, subcontractors, termination, arbitration etc.) 
  1. Procurement Process 
  1. Request for Quote 
  1. Request for Proposal (RFP); Proposal 
  1. Managing contracts 
  1. Logistics management 

Topic 4: Cost estimating and Budgeting 

  1. Cost estimation methods  
  1. Cost escalation 
  1. Cost estimating and systems development cycle 
  1. Elements of budgets and estimates 
  1. Budget types (risk allocation)  

Topic 5: Building a high-performance project team 

  1. Leadership responsibilities 
  1. Positive team culture 
  1. Team building and management 
  1. Conflict management 
  1. Stakeholder communication 
  1. Continuous learning 

Topic 6: Specification 

  1. Specification – problems, management 
  1. Scope and work definition 
  1. Master plan definition 
  1. Change control process 

Topic 7: Work Breakdown Structure 

  1. Work Breakdown Structure 
  1. Responsibilities 
  1. Gantt Charts 
  1. Project Management software 

Topic 8: Scheduling 

  1. Planning overview 
  1. Network diagrams 
  1. Critical path characteristics 

Topic 9: Project Control 

  1. The control process 
  1. Project control emphasis 
  1. Performance analysis 
  1. Variance limits 
  1. Activity variability 
  1. Z values and probability 
  1. Evaluation of PERT 

Topic 10: Risk Management 

  1. Risk definition 
  1. Risk Identification 
  1. Risk Assessment 
  1. Risk Response Planning 
  1. Risk management 
  1. Case studies 

Topic 11: Quality Management and Project Evaluation 

  1. Quality Function Deployment (QFD) 
  1. Project evaluation 
  1. Case study 
  1. Multiphase QFD 
  1. Project extensions 

Topic 12: Ethics in engineering management and workplace 

  1. What is Ethics? 
  1. Code of Ethics & professional conduct in engineering 
  1. Projects and ethical decision making 
  1. Ethical issues 
  1. Ethical dilemma 
  1. Global trends 
  1. Case studies 

Module Review 

In the final week, students will have an opportunity to review the contents covered so far. Opportunity will be provided for a review of student work and to clarify any outstanding issues. Instructors/facilitators may choose to cover a specialized topic if applicable to that cohort. 

  

Software/Hardware Used 

Software 

  • Software: N/A 
  • Version: N/A 
  • Instructions: N/A 
  • Additional resources or files: N/A 

Hardware 

  • N/A