PDA Project Management

Rationale:

The proposed PDA in Project Management is designed to enhance and accredit the project management skills of new, inexperienced or aspiring project managers. It offers candidates the opportunity to develop project management skills and enable progression to other widely recognised project management qualifications.

As a PDA, it is a vocational qualification contributing to the continuous professional development of the participants. Its SCQF rating at level 8 reflects a higher level award placed within a higher education portfolio.

The PDA in Project Management adopts the same basic principles as other qualifications and is designed to fit the gap in the market for those organisations or candidates who want a project management qualification without being bound by the requirements of a particular   association or methodology and the associated costs. However, the project management process and techniques taught within the Award should provide a practical approach for managing and controlling projects. The methodology selected should provide a consistent         approach and enable candidates to maintain project control and determine facts about progress, risk and achievements.

 

 

Target client group:

The PDA in Project Management is designed to equip participants with the knowledge, understanding and skills required for successful project design and implementation in current or future employment. It aims to provide candidates from any discipline in any occupational sector with a structure and standardised approach for management of projects. It may be particularly beneficial to project managers working in the public, private or voluntary sectors who are experts in their fields but without formal project management qualifications.

 

 

Award Structure:

The PDA in Project Management at SCQF level 8 comprises two mandatory Units at SCQF level 8 (HND level) with a total of 3 HN credits or 24 SCQF credit points. The award is sequenced from the first Unit DV5H 35: Project Management: Project Justification and Planning through to the second Unit DV5J 35: Project Management: Managing the Implementation of a Project. Although both Units are mandatory for the award, each can be delivered stand-alone in order to develop particular skills.

 

General Aims of the Award:

The PDA in Project Management at SCQF level 8 will enable candidates to:

• Develop a range of personal and project management skills which will improve ability, confidence and employability in project management roles
• Develop specific skills recognised as critical by employers and Higher Education Institutions, such as meeting deadlines, attention to detail, target setting and effective dealing with stakeholders
• Participate in Continuing Professional Development opportunity in the field of project management and enhance personal CPD portfolio
• Transfer and enhance existing skills in Communication, Problem Solving and Working with others within a project management environment
• Progress to other relevant management qualifications or to other professional project management qualifications.

 

 

Specific Aims of the Award

The PDA in Project Management at SCQF level 8 will provide candidates with the knowledge and skills to:

 

1. Justify the need for a project and define its scope and objectives within a project business case.

 

1. Apply project planning techniques to manage tasks, resources and delivery of outputs.

 

1. Apply recognised budgetary principles to the estimation, analysis, and control of project budget.

 

1. Propose and implement appropriate project processes, recording and record keeping arrangements.

 

1. Communicate effectively with a project team and other stakeholders.

 

1. Prepare and update project management documentation throughout the life of a project.

 

7.  Monitor and evaluate the success of a project.