Part III Individual Project Phase 1 | ECSP3000

Module overview

The Part Three Individual Project gives students the opportunity to gain both detailed knowledge and practical experience in a more focussed area than generally possible elsewhere in their degree programme. Most projects are in the nature of a challenging engineering exercise in which there is scope for flair and originality. Typically, the result of the project will be some demonstrable software and/or hardware together with the supporting final report. Phase 1 of the Individual Project provides an initial development and exploration framework for students, allowing them to explore the context of their project including elements beyond the technical, develop a project aim and plan considering specific and wider implications and a framework for implementing and evaluating preparatory and initial work. Students are provided with an introduction to commercial business and law – knowledge and skills which can be applied to the operations of an engineering-based organisation. The learning outcomes address: managerial decisions, commercial aspects, law in engineering, entrepreneurship, project management and project risk management. A range of case studies will be used to illustrate principles and provide examples. Students are guided through the development of their experimental or theoretical methods, and planning a successful execution and completion of their project. The module also teaches students what it is to be a professional practitioner, examining ethical and legal issues around professional practice, as well as commercial, management and legal aspects for developing technologies, as it pertains to their project. Students are also supported through regular interaction with individually assigned project supervisors, in the conduct and implementation of their project, culminating in a Phase 1 Progress Report.

Aims and Objectives

Learning Outcomes

Transferable and Generic Skills

Having successfully completed this module you will be able to:

Critically analyse products and technologies in light of commercial realities, professional, regulatory, social, ethical and legal obligations
Work independently to manage a project to completion
Study independently in order to gain specialist knowledge in a specific area
Present and explain technical work in written form
Apply appropriate professional, ethical and legal practices to your work

Knowledge and Understanding

Having successfully completed this module, you will be able to demonstrate knowledge and understanding of:

The nature, scope and impact of managerial roles, skills, ethics and decision-making, supporting effective project work, change management, appraisal methods, and evaluation
Manufacturing, project and systems management, operations management and quality management
The ethical requirements of a professional, professional bodies, codes of conduct, conflicts of interest and other ethical dilemmas
Legal systems relevant for engineering: contract law, intellectual property and tort, both nationally and internationally
The broader subject area of your project, including previous work and alternative approaches
The commercial context for engineering processes and business models that are socially responsible and environmentally sustainable

Subject Specific Intellectual and Research Skills

Having successfully completed this module you will be able to:

Identify a suitably challenging topic for your project, with guidance
Assess economic aspects related to your project area and generally, understanding marketing, business opportunities and the importance of innovation and entrepreneurship
Plan and manage a project, taking into account potential risks
Identify a topic for your project that is relevant to your degree, with guidance

Subject Specific Practical Skills

Having successfully completed this module you will be able to:

Identify and apply appropriate knowledge, methods and/or technology from relevant sources
Apply knowledge and skills to a substantial technical problem, as an individual

Syllabus

Project Management & Project Risk Management Introducing factors affecting project implementation. Introducing project management techniques for coordinating resources, planning implementation, budgeting, assessing risks and achieving goals, reflecting the commercial, social, environmental and regulatory environment, and how these techniques are applied through engineering projects. Engineering Decision Making Defining cost categories and overhead cost allocation; Activity Based Costing; Budgeting and financial control; Relevant costs and Investment Appraisall Net Present Value. Commercial management of projects and manufacturing/service processes; Ethical management of measurement processes; limitations of financial analysis. VC investment. Commercial and Project Management Approaches Appreciating the nature, scope and impact of managerial roles, skills and decision-making, supporting effective project work and evaluation for continuous improvement. Introduction to business ethics and CSR. Economics and Entrepreneurship. Introduction to marketing, addressing opportunities, price setting and management of product lines. Importance of innovation in Technology: Entrepreneurial characteristics and behaviours stimulating creative approaches and innovation in large organisations as well as in start-ups; managing growth and change. Law in Engineering Introducing contract law with awareness of key legal requirements for engineering, including; legal responsibilities, intellectual property, formation of contracts, remedies for breach of contract and some main insurance law principles such as the duty of good faith and the cover provided by some specific types of insurance e.g. professional indemnity and contractors all-risks insurance.

Learning and Teaching

Teaching and learning methods

The content of this module is delivered through lectures, the module website, directed reading and pre-recorded materials. Students work on their understanding through independent study and with formative assessments in the form of coursework assignments.

Study time
Type	Hours
Lecture	12
Project supervision	12
Revision	8
Follow-up work	6
Preparation for scheduled sessions	6
Completion of assessment task	90
Wider reading or practice	16
Total study time	150

Resources & Reading list

Textbooks

McGrath and Bates. The Little Book of BIG Management Theories. Pearson.

J. Zhuo. The Making of a Manager. Pearson.

J.K. Pinto. Project Management: achieving competitive advantage. Pearson.

Atrill and McLaney. Accounting and Finance for Non-Specialists. Pearson.

Harvard Business Review. Harvard Manager's Handbook.

L. Belker et al. The First-Time Manager. Pearson.

Assessment

Summative

This is how we’ll formally assess what you have learned in this module.

Breakdown
Method	Percentage contribution
Progression Review	60%
Computer assisted assessment	40%

Referral

This is how we’ll assess you if you don’t meet the criteria to pass this module.

Breakdown
Method	Percentage contribution
Progression Review	60%
Computer assisted assessment	40%