Mindful Project Management (ES99K-15)

There are two specific features about project management theory which make it a slightly different type of subject to most other academic modules. Firstly, the subject has its origins in large-scale, complex operations. This means that a large proportion of the published theory concerns the planning and control aspects of the management of such processes. Secondly, most of the concepts were developed in the heyday of the 1960s, where a lot of activity was taking place in the aerospace, defence and construction sectors. This means that most of the basic literature is reasonably old and technically focused.
In the modern context, project management methods are now used for a much wider variety of applications including Humanitarian Engineering projects. In times of humanitarian challenges such as climate change, more and more people are engaged in post-disaster rebuild project management.
As a consequence, this module aims to span a range of sectors and be as multi-disciplinary and as possible. The planning and control aspects of the module occupy only about 20% of the total time available.
The module aims are:

1. To develop a robust baseline of knowledge and understanding of the fundamental principles of project management, applicable to a humanitarian engineering project.
2. To introduce key theories, principles, processes, tools and techniques underpinning project management.
3. To raise critical awareness of common methods and other guidance for practical application in a humanitarian engineering context.
4. To demonstrate a student’s learning in planning for a simulated project, including critical reflection of key theories, principles, processes, tools and techniques underpinning project management.
5. To apply and experience the concept of collective mindfulness necessary to address aspects of volatility, uncertainty, complexity and ambiguity (VUCA)
6. To investigate and define the humanitarian engineering problem, identifying any constraints including environmental and sustainability limitations; ethical, health, safety, security and risk in.
7. To develop understanding of current project and programme management approaches in a humanitarian engineering context.
8. To develop sensitivity to different project environments and to make comparisons and conclusions about them.
9. To increase the student’s understanding of humanitarian engineering issues in the management of projects.
10. To provide experience of handling project management problems in a simulation setting.