Master of Science in Information Technology

This module introduces IT project management and control concepts and exposes the student to modern tools and methodologies such as information systems pathology, risk analysis and control using generic risk management criteria, feasibility determination, and identification of opportunities. 

Aims:

Course objectives of this course include:

(i)Determination of project key success factors

(ii)Project evaluation techniques such as post-implementation reviews, risk checklists. 

(iii)Risk identification and analysis techniques. Such as RAMESES, SEI-SRE, and Riskit). 

(iv)Creative problem solving approaches (e.g. Theory of Inventive Problem Solving, TRIZ), and techniques such as the 9 boxes tool the contradiction matrix. 

(v)Evaluation of relationship between risks and opportunities

Learning Outcomes:

At the end of this course the student will be able to:

(i)Determine the feasibility of competing IT project implementations

(ii)Measure IT project risk and design mitigation strategies, and

(iii)Measure project performance and perform project reviews

Teaching and learning pattern:   Lectures, tutorials and group assignment

Course Contents

(i)Understanding of the PMI framework and it’s set of project management best practices.

(ii)Fluency in IT project management terminology

(iii)Introduction to and analysis of IT Project Life Cycles and SDLC models

(iv)Identification and analysis of why IT projects fail and what skills are required to implement

(v)Practice with the identification of project deliverables, requirements, and objectives.

(vi)Identification and analysis of project stakeholders and project communications.

(vii)Understand and apply Project feasibility measurement techniques

(viii)Understand and apply risk analysis techniques 

(ix)Comprehensive understanding of IT project complexity metrics, and

(x)In depth understanding of general systems quality theory and application

(f)Assessment: 

(i)Tests and assignments (60%)

(ii)Final written exam (40%)

Reference Books:

(i)Project Management: A systems approach to planning, scheduling and controlling, Harold Kerzner, John Wiley & Sons, 1997 ISBN 0471288357 

(ii)Software Engineering Project Management , Richard H. Thayer (Editor), Winston W. Royce, Edward Yourdon, IEEE Computer Society, 1997 ISBN 0818680008

(iii)Project Risk Management: Processes, Techniques and Insights, Chris Chapman and Stephen Ward, 1996 ISBN-10: 0471958042