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Project Management - ARC00124M

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  • Department: Archaeology
  • Module co-ordinator: Dr. Elaine Jamieson
  • Credit value: 20 credits
  • Credit level: M
  • Academic year of delivery: 2024-25
    • See module specification for other years: 2023-24

Module summary

This module seeks to introduce students to the key principles and strategies of project management and how they can be used to ensure the effective delivery of archaeological projects. Drawing on real world examples, you will be introduced to approaches used within both the UK planning system and the archaeological research sector. You will learn how to devise a project plan, develop a realistic Schedule of Works, manage resources, analyse risk and build a strong team culture.

Module will run

Occurrence Teaching period
A Semester 2 2024-25

Module aims

This module aims:

  • To give students an understanding of the key principles and strategies used in project management
  • To explain the main documentation used in the development of projects within the archaeological sector
  • To provide students with the skills and techniques to successfully deliver any archaeological project on time and on budget

Module learning outcomes

By the end of the module the students should be able to:

  • Demonstrate an comprehensive understanding of the key principles of project management
  • Demonstrate a systematic understanding of the guidance documents and curatorial frameworks which inform the management of archaeological projects in the UK
  • Demonstrate a practical understanding of how to use Written Schemes of Investigation to devise a project plan that identifies stages, products and tasks and defines costs and durations
  • Evaluate different methodologies used in project management and develop strategies for monitoring project progress, risks and costs
  • Deal with complex common project management problems both systematically and creatively

Module content

Almost everything we do in the workplace that has a completion date, from the smallest to the largest task, can be defined as a project. Project management is therefore an incredibly useful skill and one that can be applied to any project of any size in any industry. This module will introduce students to the key principles and strategies of project management and explore how these can be effectively applied to modern archaeological projects. It will consider the frameworks which inform the management of archaeological projects in the UK and use real world examples to show how they are applied in both the commercial and research sector. It will look in detail at the key elements that form a project plan and explore how you can use traditional project management tools to develop a realistic Schedule of Works, manage resources and keep your project on track and on budget.

Assessment

Task Length % of module mark
Essay/coursework
Project design		 N/A 100

Special assessment rules

None

Reassessment

Task Length % of module mark
Essay/coursework
Project design		 N/A 100

Module feedback

Formative: oral feedback from module leaders

Summative: written feedback within the University's turnaround policy

Indicative reading

Carver, J,. 2010. ‘The Urban Archaeology of the CrossRail Project’ in the The Proceedings of the Conference of Cultural Heritage and New Technologies (CHNT) 15, Vienna pp. 518-537 http://www.chnt.at/wp-content/uploads/eBook_WS15_Part4_Sessions2.pdf

Cooper, M.A., Firth, A., Carman, J., & Wheatley, D. (eds.) 1995. Managing Archaeology. London, Routledge.

Schofield, J., Carmen, J and Belford P. (eds). (2011). Archaeological Practice in Great Britain Springer: New York (chapters 2 and 4)


The information on this page is indicative of the module that is currently on offer. The University is constantly exploring ways to enhance and improve its degree programmes and therefore reserves the right to make variations to the content and method of delivery of modules, and to discontinue modules, if such action is reasonably considered to be necessary by the University. Where appropriate, the University will notify and consult with affected students in advance about any changes that are required in line with the University's policy on the Approval of Modifications to Existing Taught Programmes of Study.