Module Details

Module Code: COMP9044
Title: Information Project Management
Long Title: Information Project Management
NFQ Level: Expert
Valid From: Semester 1 - 2023/24 ( September 2023 )
Duration: 1 Semester
Credits: 10
Field of Study: 4811 - Computer Science
Module Delivered in: 2 programme(s)
Module Description: This module focuses on project management skills for information design and development projects. Students learn to write clear and complete requirements, apply estimation techniques for timelines and budgets, schedule project activities, define risks and mitigation strategies, and apply scope, change, and acceptance management concepts. Students also learn about the quality and communication activities that are required for a project manager to be successful.
 
Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of this module the learner will be able to:
# Learning Outcome Description
LO1 Examine the main phases associated with information development management and life cycles.
LO2 Evaluate the processes and best practices for successfully managing projects to scope, timelines, requirements, and budget.
LO3 Appraise the impact of a topic-based design on project planning.
LO4 Analyze project risks and risk mitigation strategies to ensure project success as well as facilitate the resolution of issues, changes, roadblocks, and expectations.
LO5 Plan an information development project, including creation of a scoping document, a detailed project schedule, and a Risk Log.
LO6 Identify the main activities used to ensure quality in the information development process.
LO7 Understand best practices in managing the production and delivery of information products and collecting customer feedback.
Dependencies
Module Recommendations

This is prior learning (or a practical skill) that is strongly recommended before enrolment in this module. You may enrol in this module if you have not acquired the recommended learning but you will have considerable difficulty in passing (i.e. achieving the learning outcomes of) the module. While the prior learning is expressed as named MTU module(s) it also allows for learning (in another module or modules) which is equivalent to the learning specified in the named module(s).
Incompatible Modules
These are modules which have learning outcomes that are too similar to the learning outcomes of this module. You may not earn additional credit for the same learning and therefore you may not enrol in this module if you have successfully completed any modules in the incompatible list.
No incompatible modules listed
Co-requisite Modules
No Co-requisite modules listed
Requirements

This is prior learning (or a practical skill) that is mandatory before enrolment in this module is allowed. You may not enrol on this module if you have not acquired the learning specified in this section.
No requirements listed
 
Indicative Content
Information product development life cycle
Plan, design, develop, produce, and evaluate. Trends in project methodology. Approaches used in types of information development. Role and skills of project manager.
Project plan preparation
Project goals, acceptance criteria, and scope. Identification of project stakeholders. Communication of plan. Work breakdown structure, project schedule, and budget. Identification of risks to the project.
Information design structure
Best practices for planning for types of information products. Managing content for topic-based designs versus linear, long-form authored products. Maps and topics hierarchies.
Project monitoring
Project monitoring and reporting. Topic milestones. Progress reporting. Project changes and adaption. Communication of project progress and changes.
Information product quality
Information Development life cycle and quality. Activities involved in quality assurance. Types of editorial reviews. Content accuracy. Customer feedback. Technical editing and proofreading. Peer review cycles. Peer, copy, and developmental editing. Global English. User interface content editing.
Localization, translation, and subcontractor management
Managing localization and translation requirements. Topic-based localization planning. Preparing content for translation and review. Subcontracting in information projects. Understanding the impact of types of agreements on project management.
Production, delivery, and evaluation
Planning for production and delivery. Dealing with production edits. Closing out projects effectively. Project evaluations. Project reporting. Evaluating team performance and collecting customer feedback.
Module Content & Assessment
Assessment Breakdown%
Coursework100.00%

Assessments

Coursework
Assessment Type Reflective Journal % of Total Mark 30
Timing n/a Learning Outcomes 1,2,3,4,5,6,7
Assessment Description
Reflective journal focused on the critical review of student’s own learning throughout the module.
Assessment date is every 3rd week.
Assessment Type Project % of Total Mark 30
Timing Week 7 Learning Outcomes 2,3,5
Assessment Description
Design and develop a scoping document to manage an information product. The student is required to submit a report that applies project management concepts being covered.
Assessment Type Project % of Total Mark 40
Timing Sem End Learning Outcomes 4,5,6,7
Assessment Description
Create a detailed project plan to manage the development of an information product. The plan should include an effective schedule and budget, show mastery of writing requirements, binary acceptance criteria, and risk statements, and describe how quality and communication are ensured on the project.
No End of Module Formal Examination
Reassessment Requirement
Coursework Only
This module is reassessed solely on the basis of re-submitted coursework. There is no repeat written examination.

The University reserves the right to alter the nature and timings of assessment

 

Module Workload

Workload: Full Time
Workload Type Contact Type Workload Description Frequency Average Weekly Learner Workload Hours
Lecture Contact Lecture delivering theory underpinning learning outcomes Every Week 2.00 2
Tutorial Contact Tutorial to support learning outcomes Every Week 1.00 1
Lecturer Supervised Learning (Non-contact) Non Contact Independent study Every Week 11.00 11
Total Hours 14.00
Total Weekly Learner Workload 14.00
Total Weekly Contact Hours 3.00
Workload: Part Time
Workload Type Contact Type Workload Description Frequency Average Weekly Learner Workload Hours
Lecture Contact Lecture delivering theory underpinning learning outcomes Every Week 2.00 2
Tutorial Contact Tutorial to support learning outcomes Every Week 1.00 1
Independent & Directed Learning (Non-contact) Non Contact Independent study Every Week 11.00 11
Total Hours 14.00
Total Weekly Learner Workload 14.00
Total Weekly Contact Hours 3.00
 
Module Resources
Recommended Book Resources
  • Hackos, JoAnn T.. (2007), Information development: Managing your documentation projects, portfolio, and people, John Wiley & Sons, [ISBN: 978-0-471-777].
Supplementary Book Resources
  • Hamilton, R. L. (2009), Managing Writers: A Real World Guide To Managing Technical Documentation 1st Edition, XML Press, [ISBN: 978-098221910].
  • Carey, M., Lanyi, M. M., Longo, D., Radzinski, E., Rouiller, S., Wilde, E.. (2014), Developing Quality Technical Information: A Handbook for Writers and Editors, 3rd Edition. IBM Press, [ISBN: 978-013311897].
  • David J. Anderson, Andy Carmichael PhD. (2016), Essential Kanban Condensed, Lean Kanban Press, [ISBN: 97809845214].
Recommended Article/Paper Resources
Other Resources
 
Module Delivered in
Programme Code Programme Semester Delivery
CR_KINDD_9 Master of Science in Technical Communication 2 Mandatory
CR_KIDDE_9 Postgraduate Diploma in Science in Technical Communication 2 Mandatory