Purpose of the unit standard
The person credited with this unit standard is able to begin operating in a project environment by understanding the terminology used and interpreting and explaining fundamental concepts of project management. This standard will also add value to learners who are running their own business and recognize that project management forms an integral component of any business.
Learners credited with this unit standard are able to:
- Explaining the nature of a project.
- Explaining the nature and application of project management.
- Explaining the types of structures that are found in a project environment.
- Explaining the application of organisation structures in a project environment.
- Explaining the major processes and activities required to manage a project.
Course Content
Specific Outcome 1: Explain the nature of a project.
- The characteristics of a project are explained with examples
- Differences between project and non-project work are explained with examples of each
- A basic project life cycle is explained with examples of possible phases
- The reasons for undertaking projects are explained with practical examples
- A range of types of projects and their complexity are explained in simple terms
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Specific Outcome 2: Explain the nature and application of project management
- Project management is defined and its application is explained according to recognized published standards
- The major project management processes are described and explained according to recognized best practice
- The differences between project management and general management are explained with examples of each
- The difference between project management processes and technical (end product related) processes is explained with examples of each
- The difference between a project team member and the project manager is explained in accordance with role descriptions
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Specific Outcome 3: Explain the types of structures that are found in a project environment
- The reasons for defining structures for a project is explained with examples
- The concept of programme and project hierarchies is explained with an example
- The purpose of decomposing a project into manageable components or parts is explained with practical examples
- The concepts of breakdown structures for product, work and cost are explained in simple terms
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Specific Outcome 4: Explain the application of organisation structures in a project environment.
- The basic differences between a matrix and functional organisation structure are explained with examples of each
- The project organisation structure is described and explained in a written format
- The purpose and key responsibilities of two roles on a project are described in a written format
- Stakeholders are explained with examples of at least six different stakeholders
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Specific Outcome 5: Explain the major processes and activities required to manage a project.
- Key processes and activities that take place to manage a project are described from beginning to end
- The supplementary management sub-processes and activities required to support the key processes and activities are briefly described with examples of each
- The reasons for planning and controlling a project are explained with examples of the consequences of not planning and controlling
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