Centre for Public Administration and Management

DAPM06S/101/3/2011
College of Economic and Management Sciences
Centre for Public Administration and Management
PROGRAMME IN BASIC-, INTERMEDIATE- AND
ADVANCED PROJECT MANAGEMENT
INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY FOR PROJECT
MANAGEMENT (DAPM06S)
TUTORIAL LETTER 101/3/2011
IMPORTANT INFORMATION: READ NOW.
Assignment 1, 2 and 3 (Portfolio of Evidence) are contained in this
Tutorial Letter. This is the only tutorial letter for this module.
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2. SYLLABUS 3
2.1 Programme in Basic-, Intermediate- and Advanced Project Management 3
2.2 Information Technology for Project Management 3
3. PRESCRIBED AND RECOMMENDED READING 4
4 LIBRARY AND INFORMATION SERVICES 4
4.1 Library hours 4
5. INFORMATION ABOUT THE PROGRAMME IN BASIC-, INTERMEDIATEAND ADVANCED PROJECT MANAGEMENT 5
5.1 Exemption 5
5.2 Important information pertaining to this programme 5
6. ASSESSMENT PLAN 5
6.1 Purpose of assessment 6
6.2 Assessment method 6
6.3 Reasons for the assessment 6
6.4 Persons involved in the assessment process 6
6.5 Assessment time frame 7
6.6 Assessment review and quality assurance 7
6.7 Assessment logistics 8
6.8 Learning outcomes and assessment criteria 8
7. GENERAL INFORMATION 8
7.1 Contact with the lecturer and UNISA 8
7.2 Contact with administrative staff members 9
8. ASSIGNMENTS AND PORTFOLIO OF EVIDENCE 9
8.1 Due dates for the submission of assignments and the portfolio of evidence 10
8.2 Continuous evaluation 10
8.3 Submission of the assignments and the portfolio of evidence 11
8.4 Assignment cover 11
8.5 Presentation of assignments and the portfolio of evidence 12
8.6 Posting of assignments and the portfolio of evidence 12
8.7 Copying of assignments and portfolio of evidence 12
8.8 Additional guidelines 12
8.9 Submission of assignments on myUnisa 13
8.10 Examination 13
9. COMPULSORY ASSIGNMENTS AND PORTFOLIO OF EVIDENCE FOR 2011 13
9.1 Assignment 01: Multiple choice questions (compulsory) 13
9.2 Assignment 02: Multiple choice questions (compulsory) 15
9.3 Assignment 03: Portfolio of evidence (compulsory) 16
10. CONCLUSION 18
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COPYRIGHT DECLARATION
In terms of the Copyright Act 98 of 1978, no part of this material may be reproduced,
stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic,
mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise, published, redistributed, screened or
used in any form without prior written permission from UNISA. Where materials have been
used from other sources, permission must be obtained from the original source.
1. INTRODUCTION
Welcome to the Programme in Basic-, Intermediate- and Advanced Project Management
at UNISA. I trust that you will not only enjoy the programme, but also that you will find it
useful with regard to your work.
2. SYLLABUS
The syllabi for this programme and the module are specified hereunder.
2.1 Programme in Basic-, Intermediate- and Advanced Project Management:
The Programme consists of the following twelve (12) modules:
Semester 1 registration period 1: (Part 1)
• The Project Management Framework ( Module code: DAPM01M)
• Strategic Project Management (Module code: DAPM02N)
• Project Management for Development and Upliftment (Module code: DAPM03P)
• Project Management Processes (Module code: DAPM04Q)
• Project Time Management (Module code: DAPM05R)
• Project Human Resources Management (Module code: DAPM07T)
Semester 2 registration period 2: (Part 2)
• Project Cost Management (Module code: DAPM08U)
• Project Procurement Management (Module code: DAPM09V)
• Project Risk Management (Module code: DAPM10N)
• Project Quality Management (Module code: DAPM11P)
• Project Communications Management (Module code: DAPM12Q)
• Information Technology for Project Management (Module code: DAPM06S)
2.2 Information Technology for Project Management
This module consists of 2 study units:
• Introduction to MS Project 2007
• Building your plan, track and manage your project
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3. PRESCRIBED AND RECOMMENDED READING
There is no prescribed book for this module:
The following book that you have received with your module, forms part
of your study material:
Chatfield, Carl. & Johnson, Timothy. 2007. Microsoft Office Project 2007 Step by Step.
Washington: Microsoft Press.
The following books are recommended to help you with your studies and to complete the
assignment:
Knipe, A., Van der Waldt, G., Van Niekerk, D., Burger, D., and Nell, K., 2002. Project
Management for Success.: Cape Town: Heinemann.
Van der Waldt, G., & Knipe, A., 1998. Project Management for Strategic Change and
Upliftment. Cape Town: Oxford University Press.
These books can be borrowed from the UNISA library or public libraries.
You are encouraged to consult as many project management sources as possible.
4. LIBRARY AND INFORMATION SERVICES
4.1 Library hours
Please note the UNISA Library hours at the Florida campus:
• Mondays to Fridays 09:00 – 16:00 (Between 07:45 & 09:00 a voice-mail service is
available)
• Saturdays 09:00 – 12:00 (Times are subject to change)
• The Library is closed on Sundays and public holidays
Please note the UNISA Library hours at the Muckleneuk campus:
• From January to November, Mondays to Fridays 07:45 – 18:00, Saturdays from 08:00
– 16:00
• December, Mondays to Fridays 07:45 – 16:00, Saturdays from 08:00 – 13:00
Please note that the Services and Procedures, which lists all the services offered by the
Unisa library is available at http://www.unisa.ac.za/contents/library/docs/2008.pdf
Most of the Library’s services are available electronically. Please call the Library on (012)
429 3641 for more information.
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5. INFORMATION ABOUT THE PROGRAMME IN BASIC-, INTERMEDIATE- AND
ADVANCED PROJECT MANAGEMENT
The following information is very important:
You must register for the first six (6) modules during the first registration period (part 1)
and the remaining six modules during the second registration period (part 2). Also refer to
point 2 above for the module particulars.
5.1 Exemption
Upon successful completion of this programme, students who register for the National
Diploma in Public Management will qualify for exemption towards the module Project
Management II (PMN201P)
.
5.2 Important information pertaining to this programme
• Students need to register for the first six modules of the 1st registration period (part 1)
and must pass four or more modules before they can register for the 2nd registration
period (part 2).
• Twelve (12) months open distance learning in which a student must complete two (2)
compulsory assignments and one (1) compulsory portfolio of evidence (Assignment 3)
for each module for assessment
• Candidates who successfully complete this programme will be awarded with a UNISA
competency certificate
• All modules are outcomes-based to ensure maximisation of skills and application
• This programme is offered on NQF level 5 and carries 96 credits
6. ASSESSMENT PLAN
All assessment activities during the semester will be based on this assessment plan.
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6.1 Purpose of assessment
The purpose of the assessment interventions (assignments and portfolio of evidence) is to
determine students’ scientific and practical competence. Students’ ability to identify and
analyse the role and functions of project management in the public sector is assessed.
6.2 Assessment method
The assessment plan is based on two compulsory formative assessment interventions,
namely two multiple-choice assignments and one compulsory summative assessment
intervention, namely the one portfolio of evidence assignment. The multiple-choice
assignments give evidence of students’ competence in the form of their answers to 10
multiple-choice questions. The portfolio of evidence assignment requires the learner’s
individual input.
6.3 Reasons for the assessment
The following are the reasons why these assessment interventions are conducted:
• To determine whether the learning required for the achievement of specific learning
outcomes in the field of project procurement management has taken place.
• To collect evidence of students’ newly acquired knowledge of project procurement
management in the public sector.
6.4 Persons involved in the assessment process
Three different assessors are involved in the assessment process, namely the student, the
lecturer and the external assessor.
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Student:
In the case of the formative interventions the student has the primary responsibility for the
success of the assignments. In other words, the student is encouraged to become an
independent learner and has to check (self-assess) the contents of the assignment before
it is submitted for assessment.
Lecturer:
The formative and summative interventions will be assessed by appropriately qualified and
trained lecturing staff or marking staff. All the staff members involved in the assessment
process have completed the required assessor training successfully. The marking staff,
mark the portfolio according to the learning outcomes and assessment criteria set out in
the study material.
External assessor:
The summative intervention will also be assessed by an appropriately qualified academic
person.
6.5 Assessment time frame
All work submitted for summative assessment (the portfolio assignment) will be returned
within a reasonable time (a maximum turnover time of three weeks after the marking).
6.6 Assessment review and quality assurance
To ensure the quality of the formative and summative interventions, they are benchmarked
against the best current quality assurance practices (see the Academic Quality Framework
of the College of Economic and Management Sciences on the UNISA website).
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6.7 Assessment logistics
The learner is referred to the UNISA Services and Procedures for any other information
about assessment related administration, such as agreements concerning learners with
special needs (for example, disabled learners).
6.8 Learning outcomes and assessment criteria
Learning outcome 1
Students should have an informed understanding and an ability to
effectively apply essential techniques of MS Project 2007 for building,
tracking and managing a project
Assessment Criteria
In the form of tasks, various activities and self-evaluation questions in the
study material, multiple-choice assignments and a portfolio of evidence,
students will be assessed on their ability to:
• Select appropriate project management software
• Have a clear understanding of MS Project 2007
• Navigate the features of MS Project 2007
• Plan and track any project by utilising MS Project 2007
• Compile reports of projects through the use of MS Project 2007
7. GENERAL INFORMATION
7.1 Contact with the lecturer and UNISA
Contact any of the following persons for academic support regarding any of the twelve
modules:
Primary lecturer for this module:
• Ms Anne Barnes, Tel.: (012) 429-6939
abarnes@unisa.ac.za
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Co-lecturers:
• Mr Barry Nkgabe, Tel.: (012) 429-6467
bnkgabe@unisa.ac.za
• Mr Lekgolo Phosa, Tel.: (012) 429-6422
Lphosa@unisa.ac.za
• Prof Kobus Wessels, Tel.: (012) 429-6099
Wessejs@unisa.ac.za
• Prof Dirk Brynard, Tel. (012) 429 6393
brynadj@unisa.ac.za
• Mr Alfred Matthews, Tel.: (011) 471-2357
amatthew@unisa.ac.za
7.2 Contact with administrative staff members
Contact any of the following persons for administrative support regarding any of the twelve
modules:
• Ms Leonie Champion, Tel.: (011) 471-2975
Lchampion@unisa.ac.za
• Mr Mfihlo Tabane, Tel. (011) 471-3051
Tabanbm@unisa.ac.za
The fax number of the Centre for Public Administration and Management is
(011) 471 3568.
You can also contact the Unisa Contact Centre for administrative enquiries on issues such
as confirmation that assignments have been received, results, academic records and
student accounts. The Contact Centre’s telephone number is (011) 670 9000 or 0861
670411.
8. ASSIGNMENTS AND PORTFOLIO OF EVIDENCE
You must submit two (2) compulsory assignments for each module which will count 10% of
the final mark. One compulsory portfolio of evidence (Assignment 3) for each module
must be submitted for assessment purposes which will count 90% of the final mark. NO
EXTENSION FOR ASSIGNMENTS OR PORFOLIOS WILL BE GRANTED TO
STUDENTS. If submitted late, it will be returned to you as an unmarked assignment
or portfolio and therefore you will have to re-register for that specific module(s).
You can find the assignments and portfolio questions for this module, i.e. Project
Procurement Management at the end of this tutorial letter.
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) IT IS VERY IMPORTANT TO SUBMIT YOUR ASSIGNMENTS IN GOOD TIME SO
THAT IT CAN BE EVALUATED. THIS MEANS THAT IT SHOULD REACH UNISA
BEFORE THE DUE DATE
) PLEASE ENSURE THAT YOU SUBMIT THE CORRECT ASSIGNMENT FOR THE
SEMESTER REGISTRATION PERIOD WHICH YOU HAVE REGISTERED FOR.
) TRANSFER OF DUE DATES FROM ONE SEMESTER TO THE NEXT SEMESTER
REGISTRATION PERIOD WILL NOT BE ALLOWED
) IF YOU SHOULD SUBMIT YOUR ASSIGNMENTS BY USING THE WRONG
REGISTRATION PERIOD’s DUE DATES, IT WILL BE CONSTRUED AS A NONSUBMISSION AND YOU WILL BE AWARDED A ZERO MARK FOR THE
ASSIGNMENTS
8.1 Due dates for the submission of assignments and portfolio of evidence