| Code | Faculty | Department |
|---|---|---|
| 12250173 | Faculty of Engineering, Built Environment and Information Technology | Department: Engineering and Technology Management |
| Credits | Duration | NQF level |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum duration of study: 2 years | Total credits: 180 | NQF level: 09 |
More information:
Refer also to G36-G37.
The stipulations of the relevant Faculty regulations are applicable.
Guidelines for the preparation and examination of mini-dissertations are available from the department.
Refer to G40.
A student must by means of a mini-dissertation prove that he or she is capable of planning, instituting and executing a scientific investigation. As part of the examination a student must submit an article and present at the final-year symposium. The article should be based on the research that the student has conducted for the mini-dissertation and be approved by the supervisor. Conferment of the degree may be made subject to compliance with the stipulations of this regulation.
A student who completes the master's degree on grounds of coursework and a mini-dissertation, passes with distinction if a weighted average mark of at least 75% (not rounded) is obtained in the first 180 credits obtained for the degree provided that 90 of these credits are allocated to the mini-dissertation. However, the degree is not awarded with distinction should a student fail any of these modules (excluding modules which have been timeously discontinued). The degree is also not awarded with distinction if a student obtains less than 70% for the mini-dissertation. The degree must be completed within the prescribed study period.
University of Pretoria Programme Qualification Mix (PQM) verification project
The higher education sector has undergone an extensive alignment to the Higher Education Qualification Sub-Framework (HEQF) across all institutions in South Africa. In order to comply with the HEQSF, all institutions are legally required to participate in a national initiative led by regulatory bodies such as the Department of Higher Education and Training (DHET), the Council on Higher Education (CHE), and the South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA). The University of Pretoria is presently engaged in an ongoing effort to align its qualifications and programmes with the HEQSF criteria. Current and prospective students should take note that changes to UP qualification and programme names, may occur as a result of the HEQSF initiative. Students are advised to contact their faculties if they have any questions.
Module content:
The aim of this module is to enhance engineering managers’ understanding of Financial Management principles and its role in maximising the long term wealth of the shareholders and other stakeholders. Three major decisions are involved: Firstly, capital structure decisions relate to how long-term sources of finance such as debt and equity are combined in an optimal structure for the firm. Secondly, capital budgeting decisions relate to how these sources are optimally invested in for instance infrastructure and manufacturing assets. Thirdly, short-term decisions relate to the use of current assets and current liabilities in the best possible way. Engineering managers need to understand how the results of these three types of decisions are reflected in the financial statements of the firm. Financial principles are important in assessing the financial health of a firm, be it private or public, large or small, profit-seeking or not-for-profit. A thorough understanding of these principles and how they interact from a risk-return perspective is crucial to best serve the strategic goals of the firm.
Module content:
Since the beginning of human history, man has continued to engineer artefacts that provide the means to enhance the way we live, often by directly replacing humans in numerous laborious and dangerous tasks. These engineered assets range from indispensable and personalisable gadgets (e.g., mobile phone) and tools (e.g., notebook computer) to small and large scale cyber-physical systems, equipment, facilities, infrastructure, machinery, and industrial plant that are deployed in all aspects of human endeavour. The module emphasises the value doctrine as the basis for managing engineered assets. Thus, the focus is on the synergy between multidisciplinary knowledge areas in science, engineering and technology, as well as the application of cross-disciplinary skills in operations, maintenance, finance, logistics, human resources, inter alia, to achieve effective management of engineered assets that constitute our built environment. Candidates studying the module will be required to analyse case studies and to carry out practical exercises.
Module content:
A research project on a topic of the student’s choice from any of the modules offered by the Graduate School of Technology Management is done. The work takes place under the supervision of a study leader (project adviser). In addition to the satisfactory completion of the report itself, the student also has to prepare an article based on the project and present it at the final-year symposium held during November each year. Evaluation is based on the report content, article, as well as the presentation. A follow-up symposium is also held during May in the next year.
Module content:
This module presents an integrated perspective on the central role of production and operations (manufacturing and services) within industrial enterprises and covers the spectrum of systems, products and services. Firstly, the module deals with the role of the production and operations function in the enterprise and its interaction with the other functions in the organisation, emphasising aspects like customer requirements, competitiveness and measurements. An overview of the different types of production/operations processes is also provided. Secondly, the basic elements within the POM environment are covered in detail and include day-to-day operations management decisions, master planning consisting of demand management, production and capacity planning and the master production schedule, in/outsourcing, scheduling and inventory reduction. TOC with its foundation as a continuous improvement management approach is central to the module. The aim is to supply the student with background knowledge to understand the principles of production and operations management applicable to all industries and types of organisations.
Module content:
SE & M is discussed within the context of the technology-based enterprise. The first objective is to conceptualise and model a tech-based enterprise in terms of core business processes and the interaction amongst them. SE processes are hence defined and managed in the context of the project and organisation. The concepts of “system, project and process” are explained.
The design and development of the total system for the total system life-cycle, taking into account the requirements of all stakeholders, is the heart of SE. SE & M focuses on the management of the SE process and the establishment of a SE capability in the organisation.
All stakeholders and their requirements are identified, analysed, described and managed over time. The system life-cycle stages/phases and related system design processes are focused upon. A number of “specialty engineering topics”, e.g. information and configuration management, life-cycle cost, quality of design, downstream “design to” requirements and logistics are touched on. The enabling role of SE within Engineering Management is emphasised.
Module content:
The objective with this module is to stimulate strategic thinking and the development of strategic decision making skills amongst students in the field of strategic management in an engineering environment. In this module the following topics are addressed:
Concepts and practice of strategy: An historical background serves as introduction. Classical concepts and misconceptions in strategic and operational management work are given.
The process of strategic management: The work content and structure of strategic management are discussed. A schematic model of the process is developed.
Formulation of Strategy: This section gives a statement of the work to be done in formulation of strategy. The following aspects are covered: The company mission. External environment. Environmental forecasting. The company SWOT analysis. Formulating objectives and grand strategies. Strategic analysis and choice.
Implementation of strategy: In the concluding part of the module attention is given to implementation through business functions, structure, leadership and culture, rewards, control mechanisms for measuring, evaluating and corrective actions.
Module content:
Technology is important for an organisation’s competiveness and productivity. Technology management is therefore an important function within any organisation, whether it is as a core resource of technology-based companies or as a support resource in service organisations. Technology is present over the whole lifecycle of projects and operations with technology management activities such as identification, selection, acquisition, learning, exploitation and protection. The module therefore addresses themes such as technology dynamics; technology identification; technology audits; technology selection; technology road-mapping; technology acquisition; technology adoption; technology management in the operational lifecycle.
Module content:
The aim of this module is to equip engineering managers with the key competencies they require for managing in both South African and International Engineering and Technology environments. The module focuses on key elements of organisational behaviour and explains how to manage individuals, teams and organisations with regard to various dimensions of thereof including: individual diversity, emotional intelligence, motivation and team performance, communication, leadership, power and politics, organisational culture and stress, with a view to optimising performance in organisations. Furthermore, the module aims at developing an understanding of talent management processes with a focus on the relationship between the HR department and the engineering manager, the aim being to highlight the role of the latter in the management of people.
Module content:
A research project on a topic of the student’s choice from any of the modules offered by the Graduate School of Technology Management is done. The work takes place under the supervision of a study leader (project adviser). In addition to the satisfactory completion of the report itself, the student also has to prepare an article based on the project and present it at the final-year symposium held during November each year. Evaluation is based on the report content, article, as well as the presentation. A follow-up symposium is also held during May in the next year.
Module content:
The modern world consists of “systems”. This is evident from everyday discussions. Statements such as “The system failed us”, or “The national energy system is under pressure” abound. Most people have little or no understanding of what a system is, or how to deal with it. Digging deeper into the concept of “system” leads one to realise that engineers and scientists without any working knowledge of “systems thinking”, or as some describe it, “thinking in systems”, rarely succeed when attempting to solve the problems of our time mainly because they do not know how to deal with trending patterns. Peter Senge, author of the book The Fifth Discipline and well-known systems thinker, defines systems thinking as “both a thinking skill and a language for understanding and working with complexity”. This module will provide you with the know-how and tools to achieve the desired outcomes in your real-world environment, notably when that world includes complex and wicked problems. The real-world in this case includes people as well. This module will challenge almost everything you have been taught to date. After completing this module you will view the world in a different way. You will become a big-picture thinker who can transcend your own discipline with ease. The module includes the history and benefits of systems thinking, systems thinking terminology, managing interrelationships, overview of appropriate tools and methodologies including system dynamics, soft systems methodology, systemigrams, etc. These will be illustrated further by applying them to relevant case studies. This module is the ideal complement to systems engineering, which focuses mainly on hard systems whereas systems thinking focuses on soft systems.
The role of projects in realising (more) sustainable business strategies and a more sustainable society is one of the emerging topics in project management. From the literature on this topic, two types of relationship between sustainability and project management appear: the sustainability of the project’s product, the deliverable the project realises, and the sustainability of the project’s process of delivering and managing the project. The first relationship, sustainable projects, is well studied and addressed, for example in relationship to eco-design and ‘green’ construction. The second relationship, sustainable project management, is emerging as a new ‘school of thought’ in project management.
As project managers play a pivotal role in the sustainability of their projects, this module will discuss the ‘why?’, ‘what?’ and ‘how?’ of sustainable project management. The lectures will discuss the concepts of sustainability, the role of projects in sustainability, the impact of sustainability on project management, the integration of sustainability in the project management process and the structure of a ‘Sustainability Management Plan’.
Module content:
This module will primarily address marketing in the industrial environment, not commercial environment. It is based on the principles of business to business marketing (B2B) as well as services marketing. The primary objective of this module is to provide students from a technology or engineering background with a thorough foundation of basic marketing principles and how it can be applied in practice. The areas of market segmentation, macro and micro market environment, developing a value proposition, and understanding buyer behaviour will be explained. Services marketing will include: service development and design, pricing aspects, how services are delivered, how to manage employees and customers in service delivery, managing demand and supply, marketing communication aspects, building customer relationships and loyalty, and how to recover service failures.
Module content:
Modern societies increasingly depend on the development and successful commercialisation of new technology that may exist either in the form of knowledge, process, product, service, or combinations of these forms. The module addresses principles and practices required to identify and package technology so as to increase the chance of successful commercialisation. The module highlights the significance of the systems of innovation concept and emphasises the integration of innovation and technology management with entrepreneurial flair in order to facilitate successful commercialisation of technology towards the generation of economic growth, wealth and prosperity. Candidates studying the module will be required to analyse case studies and to carry out a practical exercise.
Module content:
The general objective with this module is to emphasise understanding and application of the concepts of quality management within technological enterprises. The module focuses on important concepts and definitions of quality such as quality in design and processes to ensure customer satisfaction. The role and relevance of quality management systems and standards. The link between quality and competitive advantage, leadership, ethics, culture, empowerment, partnering, and teamwork. The measurement of quality and the use of tools and techniques for process and product improvement. Organisational quality management implementation strategies.
Module content:
The objective of this module is to present the basic principles of the law with which the project manager has to deal with during the planning and execution of a project. An introduction is presented on the sources of law, the structure of the South African legal system and representatives sources of obligations. The general law of contract is done in great detail with special reference to clauses used in contracts, different types of contracts as well as breach and remedies. Practical examples are given to enable the student to understand how the law is applied in practice. Special attention is then given to the law of purchase and sale and to construction/engineering law (letting and hiring of work). Further attention is also given to aspects of labour law and alternative dispute resolution. Another relevant aspect discussed in less detail is representation (agency).
Module content:
The role of projects in realising (more) sustainable business strategies and a more sustainable society is one of the emerging topics in project management. From the literature on this topic, two types of relationship between sustainability and project management appear: the sustainability of the project’s product, the deliverable the project realises, and the sustainability of the project’s process of delivering and managing the project. The first relationship, sustainable projects, is well studied and addressed, for example in relationship to eco-design and ‘green’ construction. The second relationship, sustainable project management, is emerging as a new ‘school of thought’ in project management.
As project managers play a pivotal role in the sustainability of their projects, this course will discuss the ‘why?’, ‘what?’ and ‘how?’ of sustainable project management. The lectures will discuss the concepts of sustainability, the role of projects in sustainability, the impact of sustainability on project management, the integration of sustainability in the project management process and the structure of a ‘Sustainability Management Plan’.
Module content:
Project Planning introduces the learner to the basic concepts of project management. This module will set the scene for the rest of the MPM programme and addresses project management principles, standards, guidelines, institutes, certifications, professionalism and best practices. Defining and designing a project life-cycle is discussed followed by the process of initiating and planning a project. The importance of a well-defined scope statement and work-breakdown structure are explained which will include needs analysis, user requirement definitions and systems thinking. Time management remains integral with different scheduling techniques addressed and applied. The last part of the module provides an overview of the module to follow and how each will fit into the total discipline of project management.
Module content:
The development of new products is a key business function. There is always a high risk of failure but the best companies manage to launch successful new products on a continuous basis. The objective of this module is to provide students with the concepts and insight necessary both to do product development and to manage it. The strategies, processes, tools and techniques used by leading-edge companies for new product development are introduced. The module examines different stages of product development, from idea generation to market testing and includes the assessment and selection of appropriate business models. The role and impact of fourth industrial revolution technologies, like rapid prototyping with 3D printing, are also considered. Key questions addressed in the module are: how does product/process development fit into the overall business context; what products, processes, systems or services should be developed; how does one go about developing a new product/process; and how should one measure performance in product/process development and improve? Further selected concepts and topics like design thinking, design management, success factors, relationship to systems engineering, reduction of uncertainty, and software for NPD are also introduced. Although the emphasis is on physical products, many of the concepts covered in the module are equally applicable to service development.
Module content:
This module aims to provide a wider understanding of the concepts and importance of entrepreneurship and the requirements and processes in commercialising technology-based ventures.
The themes include methodology in screening opportunities and understanding the commercialisation process; compiling technology entrepreneurship strategies; product development process and business model development; understanding and protecting intellectual property; funding options for entrepreneurial ventures, and understanding the scope and content of a business plan.
Module content:
This module introduces programmes, portfolios, the basics of corporate strategy, as well as the processes that link projects to strategy.
The processes include: screening and selection of projects; portfolio design for strategic fit and balance; allocation (and scheduling) of funds and other key resources to selected projects; the interface to detailed planning, execution, and gate reviews; as well as benefit assessment of individual projects and programmes.
Attention is paid to the roles of PM methodologies, front-end loading, feasibility studies and business cases in the process of project screening, as well as to techniques used to assess projects individually and relative to one another.
The roles of individuals and groups such as the Corporate Board, executives, steering committees/review boards, a project management office, a project portfolio manager and the project sponsor in the processes that link strategy and individual projects are described.
Module content:
This module focuses on insight in the field of risk management and the application of the basic principles of risk identification, assessment, treatment and control in the business enterprise and also systems technology innovation and project management. Theory and practice are important and a number of case studies are used to illustrate the application of risk management in various functional areas of the enterprise. Risk can be defined as "the presence of adverse events or conditions that can threaten the survival of the system, or prevent the objectives of the system to be achieved". All systems including project or technology systems, natural and human-made, are exposed to risk and this risk should be managed in a responsible way by any business enterprise. The risk exposure of modern organisations is increasing due to complex technical systems, resource structures, processes and interactions. The risk management process involves establishing the goals and objectives for the organisation or functional unit, identifying the risks, quantifying and prioritising the risks, developing responses to the high priority risks, and monitoring the operations. Business enterprises in the manufacturing and service industries have a number of functional areas and processes that are interlinked. Risk management and decision analysis are therefore applied in development of new products or services, operations, maintenance, projects, safety and security. The module also includes aspects of detailed risk analysis such as risk simulation, etc.
Module content:
Business Intelligence is an approach in business decision-making where decisions are based on evidence. The presumption is that data-driven decisions have a higher probability of success. Business Intelligence incorporates data acquisition, data cleaning, data manipulation, data analytics, benchmarking, interpretation of analyses, representation of analyses, the development of actionable insight, and in some cases, automated decision-making. The Management of Business Intelligence focuses on identifying, prioritising, executing, and controlling processes that promote the effective implementation of Business Intelligence. This module includes an introduction to Business Intelligence and Business Analytics. The core of the module consists of theory and case studies on managing Business Intelligence to promote the prosperity of an organisation. A focus point is the identification of opportunities and threats of Business Intelligence
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