National Diploma in Project Management (Level 5)

The programme will allow students to:

• Gain skills and knowledge that are directly relevant to working or further training in the business sector.
• Demonstrate knowledge and skills to standards recognised by the industry sector as appropriate.
• Develop work habits and practice appropriate for further training and employment in the business sector.

The programme is made up of the following units:

Core compulsory papers – all must be completed:

US 25219 - Manage projects (Level 4) 16 credits

This unit standard covers the management of a straightforward project or a section of a larger project. It focuses on the application of project management skills and the requirement of meeting timelines, quality standards, budgetary limits and other requirements set for the project. Students will be able to define a project, develop a project plan, administer and monitor a project, finalise a project and review a project.

US 25221 - Manage application of project integrative processes (Level 5) 8 credits

At the completion of this unit standard, students will be able to manage integration of all functions of project management, coordinate internal and external environments and implement project activities throughout project life cycle. A project manager usually performs the specialist functions required by this unit standard.

US 25222 - Manage project scope (Level 5)  6 credits

People credited with this unit standard are able to conduct project authorisation activities, conduct project scope definition activities and manage application of scope controls for projects. A project manager usually performs the specialist functions required by this unit standard.

 US 25223 - Manage project time  (Level 5)  6 credits

Students will be able to determine and implement project schedule and assess time management outcomes for projects at the completion of this unit standard. A project manager usually performs the specialist functions required by this unit standard.

US 25224 - Manage project costs (Level 5) 6 credits

At the completion of this unit standard, students will be able to determine project costs, monitor and control project costs and conduct financial completion activities for projects. A project manager usually performs the specialist functions required by this unit standard.

US 25225 - Manage project quality (Level 5) 7 credits

Successful completion of this unit standard will mean that students are able to determine quality requirements, implement quality assurance and implement project quality improvements for projects. A project manager usually performs the specialist functions required by this unit standard.

US 25226 - Manage project human resources (Level 5)  7 credits

People credited with this unit standard are able to implement human resource and stakeholder planning activities for projects, implement staff training and development for project team members and manage the project team and stakeholders. A project manager usually performs the specialist functions required by this unit standard.

US 25227 - Manage project communications (Level 5)  7 credits

People credited with this unit standard are able to plan communications processes, manage information, manage project reporting and assess communication management outcomes for projects. A project manager usually performs the specialist functions required by this unit standard.

US 25228 - Manage project risk (Level 5)  8 credits

People credited with this unit standard are able to determine project risks, monitor and control project risk and assess risk management outcomes for projects. A project manager usually performs the specialist functions required by this unit standard.

US 25229 - Manage project procurement (Level 5) 5 credits

People credited with this unit standard are able to determine procurement requirements, establish agreed procurement processes, conduct contracting and procurement activities, implement the contract and/or procurement and manage contract and procurement finalisation procedures, for projects. A project manager usually performs the specialist functions required by this unit standard.

Electives – All must be completed or substituted with up to 44 credits from anywhere on the New Zealand Qualifications Framework/DAS at level 4 or above of which 20 credits must be at level 5 or above.

US 9692 - Present information orally to an audience (Level 5) 4 credits

People credited with this unit standard are able to gather material for an oral presentation and structure and deliver an oral presentation to an audience.

US 9685 - Write an analytical report (Level 5) 5 credits

People credited with this unit standard are able to select and organise information, write introductory section(s), body and summary of the report and produce the report according to specified standard format.

US 11649 - Manage and coordinate business meetings to achieve outcomes (Level 5)  8 credits 

Students will be able to establish meeting objectives, identify and inform participants, conduct meetings to achieve objectives and record and report meeting outcomes and determine follow-up actions.

US 1986 - Apply calculations, data analysis and statistical interpretation in a business context  (Level 4) 5 credits

At the completion of this unit standard, students will be able to complete calculations for a business operation, compile, measure and analyse business data and present and interpret business statistics for the analysed data.

US 19025 - Demonstrate and apply knowledge of quality assurance in a business operation (Level 4) 7 credits

People credited with this unit standard are able to explain concepts, systems and principles of quality and quality assurance, identify the quality assurance requirements for a business operation and assess the quality assurance system of a business operation.

US 8498 - Demonstrate and apply knowledge of managing conflict in the workplace  (Level 5)  6 credits 

Students will be able to demonstrate knowledge of conflict, monitor conflict situations and develop and apply strategies to address conflict situations in the workplace at the completion of this unit standard.

US 9691 - Demonstrate knowledge of group processes  (Level 5) 5 credits

People credited with this unit standard are able to analyse the advantages and disadvantages of working in groups, explain group processes and their effect on group function and outline strategies to manage conflict in a group.

US 9678 - Conduct formal meetings (Level 5) 4 credits 

Students will be able to prepare for and chair a formal meeting and manage post meeting follow-up at the completion of this unit standard.

People awarded this qualification will have demonstrated that they have taken responsibility for managing projects, including managing the work of others within a project team.

SUGGESTED STUDY PATH/COMBINATIONS

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

Part time study is recommended due to the intensive workload.

CROSS CREDITS

Students who have previously completed any of the above units at SIT or another learning institution can apply to have the unit(s) cross credited to their record of learning at SIT.  This is done by filling in a cross credit application form and attaching proof of achievement. The cross credit application form is available on MySIT or from the Programme Administrator on 0800 748 257 ext. 3320.

Applicants may also be able to cross credit up to 44 credits from anywhere on the National Qualifications Framework at level 4 or above of which 20 credits must be at level 5 or above.

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.

The assessments for this course typically include 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. Reports are required to be supported by work evidence.  There are no external 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 applicants should demonstrate a keen interest in project management and have academic attributes indicative of successful completion of the programme.

• Applicants should be a minimum of 20 years of age, with a minimum of 4 years secondary education
• School leavers should have attained a minimum of 12 NCEA credits at level 2 in each of 4 subjects.
• Mature students are welcome to apply
• Prior completion of the National Certificate in Project Management (Level 4) is recommended
• Applicants must be working managing projects or be responsible for the outcomes of sub-projects.

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.

For students to be considered to have satisfactorily completed the programme and be eligible for the award of the qualification National Diploma in Project Management (Level 5) they must have completed all scheduled course work requirements and assessments, successfully completed assessment requirements for all unit standards, and achieved 120 credits as specified in the programme schedule.

The National Diploma will be awarded directly by NZQA on attainment of 120 credits as specified and upon verification of the graduate's NZQA official record of learning.