Continuing Professional Development

Programme
Faculty of Engineering & the Built
Environment

Project Management
Principles, Methods and Practice
Introduction and Objectives
The need for project management is pervasive. It cuts across all the domains of the economy – from government to
mining, construction, financial services, IT and technology. Good project management lies at the heart of the effective
delivery of most goods and services.
Unfortunately the history of project management is not encouraging; the vast majority of projects either do not:
• Deliver within budget
• Deliver in time, or
• Deliver the promised performance.
The problem does not lie in the state of project management knowledge. The profession has a comprehensive and
well articulated body of knowledge. The problem lies in adapting this body of knowledge to the characteristics and
idiosyncrasies of the local project context – and to interpret it in terms of local management knowledge and integrate it
into organisational practices in practical ways. Much of the problem lies in the rigid and mechanistic ways in which
many practitioners attempt to implement it. Good project management is more than a box of tools, it requires a project
mindset that is able to shape the project management body of knowledge to fit the local conditions and meet the
needs of the project context.
Course Content
This course is designed to introduce course participants to the nature and purpose of project management and to
engage with its application in project contexts. This learning experience will enable an environment for:
• Understanding the nature and scope of projects and the need for project management
• Understanding and applying the principles and practice of complex project design
• Organising and leading an effective team to undertake a project or projects
• Planning and undertaking the implementation of a project
• Use some of the methods of project management to effectively monitor and control all aspects of the project
• Communicate effectively with people with respect different aspects of a project
• Performing effectively as project managers
• Improving the management of projects within their organisations
Course Lecturers
Julian Day
Julian’s research into the limitations of conventional project management and software methodologies culminated in
PhD thesis that developed a framework for the “Design of Collaborative Projects”. He found that a chief cause of
project failure stems from the inability of diverse people to collaborate intelligently in complex situations, and that when
collaborations are well-designed, complex projects become manageable and tend to be successful.
Julian has developed his project design framework into a practical methodology and used it successfully as a
practitioner in projects across a wide spectrum of industries including oil, assurance, banking, auditing, asset
management, transport, manufacturing, retail, executive training, advertising, software development, law,
communications, tourism, cosmetics, NGOs and small business. Julian has also developed a variety of training
workshops, mentoring programmes and leadership and management development programmes. Julian lectures
regularly at University of Cape Town’s (UCT) Graduate School of Business and post-graduate programmes at UCT.
He has acted as academic director of various in-house leadership development programmes some of which are
accredited by UCT and the National Qualification Framework. He lectures at the Gordon Institute of Business Science
and University of Namibia on executive programmes.
Chris Redelinghuys
Professor Chris Redelinghuys is an aeronautical engineer with an Honours and a PhD degree in
engineering from Stellenbosch University, and a Master of Science degree from Stanford University. Chris
is currently Head of the Department of Mechanical Engineering at UCT where he has established a
research group in aeronautical engineering.
Chris has worked for various companies, both locally and abroad, as a systems design engineer and also
as a programme manager. His main focus has been on the development of high technology products. He
CPD Programme, Engineering Faculty, Menzies Building, Upper Campus, University of Cape Town
Private Bag X3, Rondebosch, 7701
Tel: ++27 (0)21 6505793; Fax: ++27 (0)21 6502669; email: ebe-cpd@uct.ac.za; web:
www.cpd.uct.ac.za
 Continuing Professional Development
Programme
Faculty of Engineering & the Built
Environment
also acted as the chief systems engineer of the South African satellite rocket booster programme in the
1980’s and is currently managing a research project sponsored by Airbus. With regard to project
management, Chris is inclined to follow a systems approach emphasising the full life cycle.
He has particular experience in proposal writing, recruiting a competent team, structuring the process and
the project team, specifying documentation requirements, managing the project and performing a life cycle
cost analysis. He is an experienced lecturer having taught at various universities.
Warren Conrad
Warren is an engineer who is a project management practitioner and consultant with extensive experience
in planning and managing projects in the public and private sectors. As CEO of Proman Project
Management Services, the projects he was involved with included: Casino licensing and development
projects, Cape Town International Convention Centre (CTICC), Spier space planning and property
development, V&A Waterfront (Clocktower precinct development), amongst others. More recent projects
and programmes include: consulting for Tshwane Capital City planning, project manager for conversion of
commercial buildings to educational facility for CPUT, Project Manager for PGWC Education, and Project
viability studies for Sun International. Warren has lectured in project management at undergraduate and
postgraduate levels for UCT, GSB (Graduate School of Business, UCT) and UWC.
Course information
Who should attend?
This course will be of benefit to qualified practitioners and postgraduate students, who are either currently
involved with the management of projects or will be in the near future. Applicants from all disciplines and
professions, including project managers, architects, engineers of all disciplines, managers, and information
technologists would be welcome as the course is widely applicable.
Format
The course consists of 1 full time contact week (6 days) with preparation reading beforehand. Participants
will be required to undertake assignments and case studies both individually and in groups.
Cost
The fee for the course will be R7000. This fee includes a comprehensive set of course notes and
refreshments. Discounts for staff and students of UCT, and students of other tertiary education institutes
are available under certain circumstances.
Payment information will be sent on receipt of an application form.
Certificates
A certificate of attendance will be awarded to all course members who attend and participate in 100% of the
lectures.
CPD Credit Requirements
The course is registered with the Engineering Council of South Africa, and is accredited for the award of
CPD points, which are now required for continuing professional registration.
Applications and cancellations
In order to ensure a place on the course applicants must complete and return a signed application form to
the course administrators: Heidi Tait or Sandra Jemaar:
Confirmation of acceptance will be sent on receipt of an application form.
Payment is due one week before the start of a course.
Cancellations must be received one week before the start of a course, or the full course fee will be
charged
Venue
To be announced
Date and Time
08h30 – 17h00 (You may be required to complete assignments or activities overnight)
Monday 28 March – Saturday 2 April 2011
Registration
CPD Programme, Engineering Faculty, Menzies Building, Upper Campus, University of Cape Town
Private Bag X3, Rondebosch, 7701
Tel: ++27 (0)21 6505793; Fax: ++27 (0)21 6502669; email: ebe-cpd@uct.ac.za; web:
www.cpd.uct.ac.za
 Continuing Professional Development
Programme
Faculty of Engineering & the Built
Environment
08h00 Monday 28 March 2011
Glasshouse Cafetaria
3rd Floor Menzies Building
Engineering Mall
(Only students who have completed an application form and have been accepted for the course will be able
to register)

CPD Programme, Engineering Faculty, Menzies Building, Upper Campus, University of Cape Town
Private Bag X3, Rondebosch, 7701
Tel: ++27 (0)21 6505793; Fax: ++27 (0)21 6502669; email: ebe-cpd@uct.ac.za; web:
www.cpd.uct.ac.za