Study-Unit Description

Study-Unit Description


CODE ICT3006

 
TITLE Management of Computer Engineering Projects

 
UM LEVEL 03 - Years 2, 3, 4 in Modular Undergraduate Course

 
MQF LEVEL 6

 
ECTS CREDITS 6

 
DEPARTMENT Faculty of Information and Communication Technology

 
DESCRIPTION This study-unit introduces students to the main concepts of management of computer engineering and telecommunications projects and the embedded systems design cycle.

1. Organisations
Students will be introduced to organisational structures including: roles of different stakeholders, organisations as systems, best practice techniques, organisational culture and organisations in the global competitive environment. Students will also be given an overview of strategic management, business life cycles and related societal issues. A number of case studies of computer and telecommunication organisations like Vodafone, Intel and HP are discussed.

2. Being an Effective Manager
Students will be introduced to the role, tasks and skills of effective managers in the computer engineering context. This will include discussions on managerial decision tools, leadership and teamwork, inter-functional team dynamics and the principles of planning, organising, directing and controlling. Legal issues are also highlighted. Management styles are discussed in detail with comparisons between different tech company CEOs like Steve Jobs, Bill Gates and Jack Welch.

3. Project and Risk Management
Project and Risk Management is introduced through discussions about the lifecycle of computer engineering projects, project planning, identification of risks. Methods on running meetings effectively, managing discussions and brain storming sessions, managing external partners are also highlighted. An overview of contract management, negotiation management and change management is given. Funding instruments and the management of procurement and tenders are also introduced. Case studies of international computer companies like Apple and Sony are included. Case studies of local telecommunication companies like GO mobile are discussed.

4. Performance Management
The general concepts of performance management are also discussed. These include how to manage personnel, roles and job descriptions, recruitment processes, employment law and rights, employment reviews and employee development. Particular focus is given on how to improving motivation and performance through activities, processes, programs and tools. Case studies on performance management in high-tech companies are discussed including companies like Google, F5 Networks and LinkedIn.

5. Supply Chain Management
Students will also be introduced to the general concepts of supply chain management including: process and layout design, capacity and demand management, inventory and materials management, enterprise resource planning, material requirement planning, manufacturing resource planning, just-in-time techniques, quality planning, control techniques, total quality management, lean techniques, logistical systems and distribution network configurations. Case studies of supply chain management in companies are included including Amazon, Qualcomm and Cisco.

6. Financial Aspects and IP
Students are given a quick overview of business capital, the business plan, various sources of finance and funding opportunities. Students are also introduced to enterprise finance, management accounting and investment appraisals. Various case studies are examined and discussed. Intellectual property rights, copyright, confidential information, patents, trademarks, domain names and IP disputes are highlighted.

Engineering managers from local industry will also be invited to share their personal experiences directly with the students.

(NB: The assignment component is composed of several small tasks relevant to the different topics covered in the study-unit.)

Study-unit Aims:

This study-unit aims at equipping computer and telecommunications engineers with the baseline knowledge they will require when managing computer engineering projects, telecommunication projects and the design cycle of embedded systems. Students will be exposed to organisations as systems, being an effective manager, project and risk management, performance management, supply chain management Financial aspects and IP.

Learning Outcomes:

1. Knowledge & Understanding:
By the end of the study-unit the student will be able to:

- Describe how an organisation functions;
- Appraise the role of a manager in the different levels of an organisation;
- Examine the nature of different organisations;
- Assess the qualities and skills that a good manager should have to be effective;
- Evaluate the general concepts of performance management;
- Analyse the general concepts of supply chain management;
- Employ general finance and IP concepts.

2. Skills:
By the end of the study-unit the student will be able to:

- Integrate management techniques in a computer engineering and telecommunications environment;
- Employ management skills into the design cycle of embedded systems;
- Inspect the performance of employees, colleagues and an organisation in general;
- Integrate best practice techniques to optimise the supply chain of an organisation;
- Examine management accounts;
- Assess basic IP issues.

Main Text/s and any supplementary readings:

Chelsom, “Management for Engineers, Scientists and Technologists”, Wiley, 2nd Edition (2004) ISBN-13: 978-0470021262.

Supplementary Texts:

Samuel Huang, “Supply Chain Management for Engineers”, CRC Press, (2013), ISBN-13: 978-1466568921.
Derek Torrington, “Human Resource Management”, Pearson 9th Edition (2014), ISBN-13: 978-0273786634.

 
ADDITIONAL NOTES Pre-Requisite qualifications: B.Sc. (Hons) (Comp. Eng.) Entry Requirements

 
STUDY-UNIT TYPE Indep Online Learn, Indep Stud, Lecture & Tutorial

 
METHOD OF ASSESSMENT
Assessment Component/s Sept. Asst Session Weighting
Assignment Yes 50%
Examination (2 Hours) Yes 50%

 
LECTURER/S Nicholas Joseph Sammut

 

 
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The availability of optional units may be subject to timetabling constraints.
Units not attracting a sufficient number of registrations may be withdrawn without notice.
It should be noted that all the information in the description above applies to study-units available during the academic year 2023/4. It may be subject to change in subsequent years.

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