MANG6312 Decision Making and Analysis in Projects
Module Overview
Decision making and analysis are among the most critical skills of successful project managers throughout their career. Significance of these skills and the outcome of decisions in a project’s success or failure have been emphasised in theory and highly appreciated in practice of project management. This module introduces the characteristics of decisions and decision making in project environments. Different theoretical and practical approaches, styles and methods of making and analysing project decisions will be discussed and practiced throughout the module.
Aims and Objectives
Module Aims
To familiarise students with the realities and challenges of and approaches to decision making in project environments. It will prepare the students for the decision making aspects of their future roles as project managers or as facilitators of making and analysing decisions in project organisations.
Learning Outcomes
Knowledge and Understanding
Having successfully completed this module, you will be able to demonstrate knowledge and understanding of:
- the significance of decisions, specifically strategic and critical decisions, in project success or failure;
- the significance of decision making skills for project managers;
- Various theoretical and practical approaches to making project decisions;
- the distinctions between the traditional and contemporary approaches to fundamentals of decision making in projects;
- the features of project decisions and their impact on the selection of appropriate decision making and analysis methods;
- the value of decision making approaches in the acceptability of a decision’s outcome;
Subject Specific Intellectual and Research Skills
Having successfully completed this module you will be able to:
- critically analyse the approaches, methods and styles of analysing and making project decisions;
- select appropriate decision making approaches and involve stakeholders in decision process based on specific project situations;
Transferable and Generic Skills
Having successfully completed this module you will be able to:
- apply an analytical, reflective and critical approach to problem analysis and formulation;
- report and present ideas in writing
Syllabus
• Introduction to project decision analysis and decision making aspects • Decision making and analysis as the project managers’ competencies • Traditional and contemporary basis of decision making and analysis in projects • Individual vs. group decision making in project environments • Classification of project decisions • Decision analysis methods and processes in projects • Modelling for project decision making
Learning and Teaching
Teaching and learning methods
The key knowledge and theoretical components will be delivered via lectures and supplemented with directed self-study, class discussions, case studies, team work and short presentations. Practical aspects of the theories will be explored further by inviting guest lectures from industry where possible.
| Type | Hours |
|---|---|
| Teaching | 24 |
| Independent Study | 126 |
| Total study time | 150 |
Resources & Reading list
Virine, L. and Trumper, M. (2008). Project Decisions – The Art and Science.
Goodwin, P. and Wright, G. (2009). Decision Analysis for Management Judgement.
Maylor, H. (2010). Project Management.
Frame, J (2013). Framing decisions: decision making that accounts for irrationality, people, and constraints.
Assessment
Formative
In-class activities
Summative
| Method | Percentage contribution |
|---|---|
| Report (3000 words) | 100% |
Repeat
| Method | Percentage contribution |
|---|---|
| Report (3000 words) | 100% |
Referral
| Method | Percentage contribution |
|---|---|
| Report (3000 words) | 100% |
Repeat Information
Repeat type: Internal & External
Costs
Costs associated with this module
Students are responsible for meeting the cost of essential textbooks, and of producing such essays, assignments, laboratory reports and dissertations as are required to fulfil the academic requirements for each programme of study.
In addition to this, students registered for this module typically also have to pay for:
Textbooks
Recommended texts for this module may be available in limited supply in the University Library and students may wish to purchase the mandatory/additional reading text as appropriate.
Please also ensure you read the section on additional costs in the University’s Fees, Charges and Expenses Regulations in the University Calendar available at www.calendar.soton.ac.uk.