Diploma in Project Management (Level 6)

In the Diploma in Project Management (Level 6) you will further develop the theory and practical application of project management to enable your expertise to be utilised across a variety of sectors.

The qualification structure enables project management competencies to be applied to a range of contexts including human resources, costing, risk management, finance and timeframes.

The programme is made up of the following papers:

DPM101- The Project Management Lifecycle (Level 6) 15 credits

On successful completion of this paper the learner should be able to:

• Define the scope of project management
• Describe the major models of project management
• Critically evaluate these models in relation to their applicability to practice
• Explain the relevance of systems thinking to project management
• Describe the steps of the project management life cycle
• Apply these steps to a project management case study
• Outline the use of project management software in practice

DPM102 - Organising and Defining the Project (Level 6) 15 credits

On successful completion of this paper the learner should be able to:

• Explain project organisation in the context of systems thinking and complexity theory
• Describe the elements of project organisation and how it is a dynamic process
• Explain how to select a project and determine project management strategy
• Apply the principles on defining a project
• Describe the uses of project management software

DPM103 - The Project Plan and Resources (Level 6) 15 credits

On successful completion of this paper the learner should be able to:

• Apply the principles of strategic planning processes
• Estimate project cost and time
• Describe the essential components of a project plan that would meet industry standards
• Critically evaluate project plans
• Prepare an outline of a project plan
• Describe the principles of resource identification, allocation and management

DPM104 - Risk Management and Quality (Level 6) 5 credits

On successful completion of this paper the learner should be able to:

• Identify areas of risk in the project management lifecycle
• Undertake a risk analysis
• Implement problem solving methods for dealing with problems when they arise in projects.
• Describe the principles of quality control in projects
• Describe the common methods of evaluating quality in projects
• Develop a quality management plan
• Undertake corrective action in quality management

DPM 101 is the pre-requisite for this paper (full time learners may study these two papers concurrently).

DPM105 - Scheduling Costs and Timeframes (Level 6) 15 credits

On successful completion of this paper the learner should be able to:

• Describe resource constraints
• Allocate resources for a project
• Design project timeframes
• Apply the principles of resource-constrained scheduling
• Develop a project cost baseline
• Reschedule projects in response to change
• Reduce the duration of a project.

DPM106 - Human Resource Management, Coordination and Teams (Level 6) 15 credits

On successful completion of this paper the learner should be able to:

• Develop a human resource management plan for a project
• Describe the factors involved in performance management
• Describe the factors that contribute to a positive work environment
• Explain the importance of leadership style in managing people
• Manage teams effectively
• Appropriately deal with problems that arise in project teams
• Describe effective communications management in projects

DPM 101 is the pre-requisite for this paper.

DPM107 - Measuring Performance, Evaluation and Closure (Level 6) 15 credits

On successful completion of this paper the learner should be able to:

• Explain the principles underpinning methods of evaluation
• Describe common methods of measuring and documenting the progress of a project
• Analyse a project's progress
• Undertake corrective action if progress is inadequate
• Design performance measurement criteria for a project
• Effectively execute the necessary steps to bring a project to closure

DPM 101 is the pre-requisite for this paper.

DPM108 - Project Management Project (Level 6) 15 credits

On successful completion of this paper the learner should be able to:

• Design a project proposal
• Successfully negotiate the proposed project
• Develop a detailed plan of a project
• Implement a project to completion
• Communicate with colleagues regarding the conduct of all aspects of the project and adjust the project accordingly
• Document all aspects of the project to industry standards

This paper is to be studied in the last/final enrolment in the programme.

People awarded this qualification will have demonstrated that they can manage and evaluate projects in a specific workplace. They can also organise and lead others within a project team.

SUGGESTED STUDY PATH/COMBINATIONS

Papers should be completed in the order listed on the application form. 

Part time and Full time study options

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

• As a guideline, one credit equates to approximately 10 hours study within an intake period.  Click HERE to download a Study Load Calculator (spreadsheet).
• All papers selected within a particular intake must be completed within that intake unless a transfer is requested (conditions apply; see FAQs).
• Application forms are filled out on a year by year basis and students are welcome to apply for multiple intakes on the one application form.  Further enrolment is the responsibility of individual students.  There is no automatic enrolment rollover.

Assessments for this course typically include a combination of contribution to group activities posted to discussion boards, case studies and open book essays and written reports on how to apply project management concepts and theory in the work place and in practical situations across various management disciplines.  Access to the workplace for assessment purposes is required.

There are no exams for this course.

The Zero Fees Scheme applies to this course, so there are no tuition fees as long as you are a New Zealand citizen or permanent resident (residing in NZ), BUT there is a student direct material cost of $6.50 per credit of study undertaken, plus a non-refundable administration fee of $50.00 for each application processed, and the required textbook/s listed below.  You must maintain satisfactory academic progress to retain your Zero Fees Scheme entitlement.

Fees must be paid by the due date shown on the invoice.

All SIT2LRN courses are approved by Studylink.  Any queries regarding Studylink allowances, loans, and terms and conditions should be made directly to Studylink on 0800 88 99 00 or www.studylink.govt.nz.

Please check the textbook list to see if you need a textbook for the unit(s) that you are applying for. The list is available here:

 http://www.sit.ac.nz/documents/pdf/textbooklist.pdf

All SIT2LRN courses require you to have a computer and internet access. Students are required to use their SIT webmail only for all SIT2LRN communications. All course materials and information, including assessments and due dates, are located on the online Blackboard system. Once you have been accepted into a programme you will receive a Welcome Kit that includes information that you can use to familiarise yourself with our online Blackboard learning environment. From the intake start date you will have access to the online course materials to work through.

Facilitator Assistance:  During the enrolled intake period, students have email access to Facilitators, who endeavour to respond to emails within 48 hours (week days only).  All students are required, within the first two weeks of an intake, to send an email to their Facilitator confirming their start on the programme of study.  Students who have not emailed their facilitator or embarked upon their course of study by the end of the 2^nd week of an intake, will be Faculty Withdrawn from the programme.  Such withdrawals may impact on future access to SIT Zero Fees Scheme and Student Direct Material Costs are still liable for payment.

We recommend students new to SIT2LRN read through the ‘Frequently Asked Questions’ section of our website at http://www.sit.ac.nz/pages/FAQs for further study and enrolment information.

• All applicants should demonstrate a keen interest in project management and have academic attributes that indicate that they have a reasonable likelihood of successful completion of the programme.
• Applicants need to be a project manager or programme Manager managing projects.
• Prior completion of the National Diploma in Project Management (Level 5) is recommended.

For students to be considered to have satisfactorily completed this programme and be eligible for the awarding of the qualification Diploma in Project Management (Level 6), they must have completed all scheduled course work requirements and assessments, successfully completed assessment requirements for all unit standards, and achieved a total of 120 credits as specified in the programme schedule.