The new elective Agile Project Management Module on the Programme in Project Management (PPM) Online
The GSTM and EUP pride themselves on being the leaders in project management education, training and research in Africa. They are making a lot of effort to keep their courses updated on the latest developments.
The PPM (Programme in Project Management) has been presented 210 times since 1997, and one of the latest improvements is that people enrolled in the PPM Online can now choose between one of the following two elective modules:
- Legal Aspects for Project Managers, or
- Agile Project Management
At this stage, the Agile Project Management module is only available online – both as a module of the PPM Online and as a stand-alone short course. It is, however, planned that Agile Project Management will, in future, be offered as an in-class module on the Midweek and Weekend alternatives of the PPM, as well as an in-class stand-alone short course.
This blog provides information and opinions to guide PPM Online applicants in choosing between these two elective modules.
The basics of project management we teach in the PPM is Traditional Project Management (also known as the Waterfall methodology) that applies to most projects in several industries such as construction, mining, electrical and water utilities, defence, etc., where the product (deliverable or solution) of the project can be determined with relative certainty before project execution starts.
Agile Project Management, on the other hand, is a flexible and collaborative approach that applies to projects where the project’s product (deliverable or solution) is relatively uncertain. The uncertainty is catered for in small steps that are repeated during project execution. This enables the team and customers to learn more about the solution or end product as the project progresses.
Agile project management methods lead to improved responsiveness to changes, higher speed of delivery, and better team collaboration. Agile methods are, therefore, widely used in IT projects and other projects where the scope and the deliverables are uncertain. Agile methods are sometimes also applicable during the early phases of traditional projects.
Prof Taryn Bond-Barnard presents the Agile Project Management module of the PPM Online and as a stand-alone short course.
One of the standard PPM modules, Project Procurement Management, addresses the management of projects (or part thereof) performed outside the project manager's organisation. The Legal Aspects for Project Managers alternative provides a deeper understanding of the legalities involved in project contracts. This module also addresses aspects of the South African Labour Law. We recommend this Legal Aspect alternative for people involved in contractual matters related to projects.
We strongly recommend the Agile Project Management alternative for people involved in IT projects or any other type of project where the project’s product (deliverable or solution) is relatively uncertain.
People who wish to do both these elective modules can do the Legal Aspects for Project Managers as part of the PPM and, in addition, enrol in the online Agile Project Management short course (In this case, an additional fee would be payable).
