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Information Technology Project Management

Information Technology Project Management (abbreviated ITPM) is one of the 3 specializations in Master of Computing (abbreviated MComp) program, offered by NUS School of Computing (SoC), National University of Singapore (NUS), Singapore. SoC has two departments, Department of Computer Science(CS) and Department of Information Systems(IS).

This is a graduate program that requires candidates possess good related computing bachelor degree as the admission criteria [1]. The candidates of MComp ITPM specialization are required to have gained at least 2 years of relevant industry experience in Project Management. However, it is not a very strict criterion. This program is targeting fresh graduates as well as working professionals who intend to seek, update & upgarde their career in project management field in the IT industry.

COM1. Lecture Room
SoC Team Discussions

Master of Computing overview

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Introduction

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The Master of Computing programme (MComp) is a comprehensive and challenging graduate programme with area specialisations. It encompasses the latest research findings, both applied and fundamental. The programme also provides advanced and in-depth knowledge of IT to prepare the students for challenges in IT career. [1]

MComp programme is useful for both working people who prefer to reinforce their knowledge in Information Technology. Not just that, MComp programme is an important study that students who want to do further study like PhD are encouraged to take.

However people who did not have fundamental knowledge in IT would find modules in MComp programme quite challenging and difficult to digest.

Structure

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As of 2008, the MComp programme provides students with 3 choices of specialization:

Computer Science
which concentrates on computing algorithm and finding resolution for complex or unresolved problems in computing
Infocomm Security
which concentrates on technologies in managing and securing Information and communication such as databases and database security
Information Technology Project Management
which concentrates on technologies and methodologies in managing IT projects

Students are required to pass 10 modules, with at least 5 modules selected from the above specialisations. Each module are graded based on a scale of 5 points. Maximum point is equivalent to A or A+ grades.

Grading Scheme for Examinations [2]

Mark Range Grade Grade Points Description
85 - 100 A+ 5.0 Excellent
80 - 84 A 5.0 Excellent
75 - 79 A- 4.5 Excellent
70 - 74 B+ 4.0 Very Good
65 - 69 B 3.5 Very Good
60 - 64 B- 3.0 Very Good
55 - 59 C+ 2.5 Good
50 - 54 C 2.0 Satisfactory
45 - 49 D+ 1.5 Probationary Grade
40 - 44 D 1.0 Probationary Grade
0 - 39 F 0 Fail

To graduate successfully, students have to get the CAP points (which is averaged over 10 modules) of at least 3.0 (or B- grade)

Evolution & History

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3 1/2 years back MComp was a very straight forward degree course with the option to select any of the 10 available courses to attain the degree.

There were various feedbacks from the students and the industry to bring concentration and focus to the course. Based on the feedback Graduate Office committe discussed and listed number of concetrations & specialisations to better manage the interest. Finally, the Graduate Committee finalised the following specialisations:

  • Computer Science (CS)
  • Infocomm Security(IS)
  • Information Technology Project Management (ITPM)

Before year 2007, Computer Science (CS) department has offered 3 specializations:

  • Computer Science (CS)
  • Digital Media(DM)
  • Infocomm Security(IS)

Information Systems (IS) department has offered 3 specializations as well:

  • Management of Information Systems(MIS)
  • Information Technology Project Management (ITPM)
  • E-Business(e-BIZ)

However, due to other constraints, since January 2007, the following 3 specializations were suspended:

  • Digital Media(DM)
  • Management of Information Systems(MIS)
  • E-Business(e-BIZ)

ITPM overview

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SoC student discussion

ITPM focuses on information system planning, project management, consulting and most importantly, relationship with business. Most of the modules are prepared carefully for the purpose to raise the awareness of students on business perspectives of IT technology. These include budgeting, scheduling, human management, strategy, policy and many others. The modules encompass latest cases happen in the world or in Singapore and also, most updated research findings and technology.

The background of this degree is to serve the community, facilitate people who are out of school for a while either to update or upgrade. Most actually pursue this course for update.

Structure

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As ITPM is one of the specializations in MComp programe, the structure of the program is the same as that set up by Mcomp.

  • the program may be taken full-time or part-time
  • the minimum and maximum tenure for full-time students are 1 and 3 years
  • the minimum and maximum tenure for part-time students 2 and 3 years

On an average based on the past records student generally take minimum of 1 1/2 Years to maximum of 3 years to complete.

Each student is required to pass ten modules in order to graduate. 7 out of these 10 modules must be modules categorized under ITPM. 8 out of 10 modules must be modules level 5000 and above. However, the rules are relaxed and modified in such a way the instead of 7 modules taken from the specialization, only 5 are needed. This is applicable for student admitted from Semester 1, AY2008/09 onwards (July 2008 onwards).

Program fee

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Like most other graduate programmes in NUS, MComp programme is heavily subsidized by Singapore Ministry of Education. MComp students will surprisingly find that they have to pay a much lesser amount compared to undergraduates who their course are not subsidized do. Course fee is different for International students who do not own a permanent resident pass, Permanent Resident (PR) pass holders and Singapore citizens. Although the fee is not much different for PR holders and Singapore citizens, it is a few hundreds to few thousands different for International students and PR holders.

Course fee is also different for full-time and part-time students in which the formers have to pay more for usage of the School facilities and participating in School activities such as seminars and workshops which part-time students are usually not able to participate. Course fee is paid on semester basis regardless of how many modules the students take in a semester. However, there is a limit of 5 modules for full-time students and 3 modules for part-time students to take in a semester above which students have to pay extra fee. As of now, part-time MComp students who are also PR holders have to pay around S$1,800 in the first semester (which includes examination fee) and around S$1,400 for subsequent semesters.

More details about course fee can be found at: GOVERNMENT-SUBSIDISED GRADUATE PROGRAMMES


Comparison to other PM courses

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ITPM is a master’s degree designed for students willing to pursue in-depth academic knowledge in Project Management.

ITPM specialization, a Masters Degree in Project Management, found to be an attractive course to help the successful students to seek their next employer or climb up in the corporate ladder.

The successful students will receive the Transcript that mention "Master Of Computing - ITPM Specialization".

PM Certification Courses

  • Certification courses focus to provide considerable Project Management concepts and understanding but very less on the ability to conduct project management.

PM Polytechnic Diploma Courses

  • Polytechnic Diploma courses focus to provide practical exercises so that the students are geared to handle hands on activities immediately after the completion.

ITPM Masters Degree Course

  • ITPM being a Masters Level covers some of the most advanced topics in Project Management and other related subjects.
  • Offered by NUS, a more academic oriented educational institution interested in educating students with the latest research outcome and also involves students in some of the relevant research exercises.
  • NUS as a University, on top of providing the relevant knowledge and practical hands on exercises, helps its students to think and perform research on their own, which will help to handle the real time problems faced in actual day to day Project Management activities.
  • Thought by lecturers and professors who were involved in extensive research in the specific area.

If the motive is to get employed in to organisations that require more hands on then Certificate courses would be more appropriate then ITM Masters.

Students choose ITPM for their own self satisfaction, MASTERS and not for certificate.

ITPM Modules

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SOC1: ITPM Lecture Room

There are 12 modules categorized under ITPM specialization in total. Each one has a module code which can be of level 4000, 5000 or 6000. However, not all the modules are offered for each semester. Usually, there will be around 4 to 5 modules are offered for each semester.

All the modules categorized under ITPM are using identifiable by a module code started by CS followed by a 4-digit number. CS stands for computer of science. The number can be 4000 plus, 5000 plus or 6000 plus. Most level 5000 and 6000 modules are conducted in the evenings.

Generally, level 4000 modules are for undergraduate students, level 5000 is for Master student and level 6000 is for PhD students although Master students are allowed to take some modules which are not level 5000.

ITPM Module List:

    • CS4251: Strategic IS Planning
    • CS4253: Information Systems Consulting
    • CS4254: IS Project Management
    • CS5212: Software Project Management
    • CS5251: Integration of IS and Business
    • CS5254: Information Technology Policies
    • CS5257: Case Studies in Enterprise Systems
    • CS5259: Information Technology Outsourcing*
    • CS5261: Telecoms and International Network
    • CS5268: Electronic Government
    • CS5350: System Dynamics
    • CS6301: Case Study Research

CS4251: Strategic IS Planning

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This module covers strategic planning to link information needs and technology support to organisational objectives. The module content includes: IT effects on industries, markets, and organisations; how organisations can use IT to gain competitive advantage; evaluation of business strategy (plans) and IS strategy (plans); and management of aligning business strategy (plans) and IS strategy (plans). The module will focus on organisational performance (efficiency, effectiveness, and competitiveness), the use of IT as a means to enhance organisational performance (not an end in itself) and creative and analytical frameworks and methodologies.

Student Remarks about the Module
No information
Workload:
No information
Assessment:
No information
Project:
No information

CS4253: Information Systems Consulting

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This course is designed to initially overview the general consulting profession with a subsequent emphasis on information systems consulting issues. Effort will be placed on developing proficiencies in a range of skills required to practice consulting. The course is relevant to those who are specifically interested in consulting careers and/or whose current or future jobs involve staff consulting or line management using consultants.

The aims and objectives are:

  1. to provide an overview of Information Systems (IS) consulting and to develop a more specific understanding of the practice;
  2. to provide students with the knowledge of management and IS consulting practices; and
  3. to give students the opportunity to be involved in a field consulting project.
Student Remarks about the Module
Some students have given feedback that the knowledge of this course is more suitable for working professionals than for fresh undergraduates.
Workload:
No information
Assessment:
No information
Project:
No information

CS4254: IS Project Management

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This module focuses on the management of IS projects. Various managerial issues pertaining to the evaluation and selection of information systems projects, choice of project organization, planning, scheduling and budgeting of project activities and basic principles in control and project auditing will be covered. The students will also learn how to use practical techniques and tools, such as network models (PERT/CPM), simulation, and state-of-the-art project management software, in scheduling project activities. This module serves as a good introduction to information systems project management for students who may participate in coordinating and managing large-scale information systems projects.

Students are not required but encouraged to take CS3214 (Information Systems Development Project) or CS3215 (Software Engineering Project) before this course.

Student Remarks about the Module
No information
Workload:
No information
Assessment:
No information
Project:
No information

CS5212: Software Project Management

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This module examines the managerial aspects of the software production process: from its initial feasibility phase to its maintenance phase. It covers topics such as feasibility studies, cost estimation and control, quality and operational integrity reviews, project scheduling and control techniques and methods, and productivity and quality metrics. Of particular interest will be the management of cross-cultural and cross-border software teams. Students who are certified IT Project Managers will be given credit for this module.

Although there are currently, no pre-requisites for the course, the course is designed with students who have some software project management experience in mind. Each student is encouraged to prepare slides about their experienced IT project and present in front of class in knowledge sharing session. This activity contributes 5% of total grade of this course.

Student Remarks about the Module
Some students have given feedback that they got very low marks for their critique submission.
Workload:
No information
Assessment:
No information
Project:
No information

CS5251: Integration of IS and Business

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This module examines the high level CEO/CIO perspectives of information systems within the wider scopes of the corporations. It covers introduction to information systems in organisations from the general manager's perspective, organisational strategies, finance, operational and other functional objectives, managerial and strategic uses of information systems, overview of enabling technologies, how information systems are developed and managed, long-range planning for information systems investment and employment, study of information technology in Singapore's business environment, and individual and team projects.

Student Remarks about the Module

This module will help to easily achieve a minimum of B- grade. Generally there are less or no failures
Workload:
Assessment:
Project: Project topic is preferable to be a real world case.

CS5254: Information Technology Policies

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This course covers policy making and evaluation for information technology. Students will learn about policy making in organisations as well as at the national level. Topics range from the policy control of information technology within organisations in various industries, the policies peculiar to the IT industry, and the social, educational and economic uses of IT, such as the Internet and E-commerce. Students will learn how policies are made and implemented. They will also learn how to evaluate the long-term impact of these policies.

CS5257: Case Studies in Enterprise Systems

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CS5257: Project Presentation

This module examines some of the recent enterprise system management implementation issues taking place in most business organisations. It covers a range of system implementation issues from an information system perspective. Using actual cases, the data collection and analysis methods employed in which these enterprise systems are examined are also discussed. This module is especially useful for research students (M.Sc. and Ph.D.) and part-time students (M.Comp.) who have prior IT industry experience.

Student Remarks about the Module
Module is very helpful to understand Enterprise Systems Issues and Management Strategies. Case Study and project is very userful
Workload:
Very important to attend lectures. Inclass discussions and interactions does count.
Assessment:
Mid-term exam held quite early so that we can apply the knowledge immediately after the lectures and dedicate time for project after the exam
Project:
Very interesting topics, involves detailed case study, survey, interviews and documentation.

CS5259: Information Technology Outsourcing

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IT outsourcing has a great impact on today's information technology industry. This course will provide an overview of IT outsourcing concepts and practices and discuss new directions of outsourcing in the context of Internet information management. Topics covered include: vendor management; global outsourcing; outsourcing project management and cross-border knowledge management.

Student Remarks about the Module
The content of this course is very useful as IT project outsourcing is getting more and more popular.
Workload:
As of Semester 2 academic year 2007/2008, this module has been mapped to module CS4255 (IT Outsourcing and Offshoring Management). As a result, it isn't difficult for graduates to study this module.
Assessment:
No information
Project:
No information

CS5261: Telecoms and International Network

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Students will gain an understanding of how telecommunications can affect organisations and industries. Rapid advancements in telecommunications technology and the convergence of computing and telecommunications have created unique opportunities for organisations to derive competitive advantage. This module will provide students with a broad and in-depth understanding of the impact of telecommunications technology on organisations. The topics covered include: adoption and diffusion of telecommunications technology, telecommunications technology strategy, telecommunications applications in supply chain management, manufacturing, sales and marketing, inter-organisational networking, convergence, and national or international telecommunications policies.

Student Remarks about the Module
This module attracts students mainly for the following two reasons:
  1. It covers quite a wide range of new technology and new products that are interesting to students. Some brands discussed in this modules are such as iPod, iPhone, iTune, (VoIP) Skype, WiMax, Palm, Blackberry, PDA, Smartphone, Nokia, IBM, Singtel, M1, StarHub, NTT Docomo, Dell, Huawei, 3com, 3G, etc.
  2. It also introduces software marketing and strategies, and telecom business strategies and overview of information economics. Some common buzzwords used in this module includes Porter’s Five Forces, SWOT Analysis, vertical/horizontal integration, economics of scale, profitability, first/second/late mover advantage, sustainable/competitive advantage, cost leadership, differentiation leadership, economic lock-in, network effect, group pricing, etc.
Workload:
Normal workload
Assessment:
The grading policy is very transparent to students but some students find the policy is not well designed as the weightage on the project is too much.
Project:
Effort spent on the project is very useful for the exam

CS5268: Electronic Government

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This course provides current and future public managers with the requisite background to successfully manage e-government projects and government information. The use of information and communication technologies is becoming an indispensable part of government. The goal of the course is to enhance a broad understanding of e-government and information policy. These issues include e-citizenry, e-governance, strategic planning, change management, business process reengineering, design and implementation of information systems, relevant technologies, accessibility, information assurance, and knowledge management with respect to government organizations. Both external applications such as citizen services and internal processes such as automating document-processing and hiring procedure will be covered.


Student Remarks about the Module
The feedback for this module diversifies a lot. Some students find it very difficult but some easy; some find the lecturer excellent but some poor; some find the teaching material very good but some find it poor. There are not much common opinion.
Students generally take this module due to the non-availability of other modules.
Workload:
Mild difficult
Assessment:
The grading policy is quite vague. Most of the students cannot understand why they get low marks ?
Project:
Effort spent on the project is very useful for the exam.

CS5350: System Dynamics

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This course aims to introduce a methodology, System Dynamics, and its application for IT strategy analysis and development in the context of IT-driven organizational change. System Dynamics facilitates analyzing IT relevant business cases and problems from the systems thinking perspective, formulating and testing IT problems with simulation technique, and supporting decision making.

Student Remarks about the Module
This module is considered by students a difficult modules and very heavy workload. You need to submit assignment almost every week. However, the assignment is like a tutorial questions which may guide you along the learning. It is very useful to complete the assignment to keep up with the lecture.

Generally the motivation for most of the studentst to take this modules is due to no more available modules.

Workload:
Very heavy
Assessment:
No information
Project:
There are 5 assignments and 1 final project. Project topic is preferable to be a real world case.

CS6301: Case Study Research

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This is a practical course in applying the theories of case study research methodology. Lectures will cover in-depth the advantages and pitfalls of conducting research with the case study approach. Along with theoretical discussions, students have to put theory to practice by conducting a sizable case study research project, with intensive work over a 3-month period, in groups of 3 to 4 members. Each team will have a chance to present the research questions, to revise these questions and present a research plan of how evidence will be collected and analysed, and to prepare the final report.

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References

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  1. ^ http://www.comp.nus.edu.sg/graduateprog/graduate.shtml#MComp
  2. ^ https://mysoc.nus.edu.sg/admin/general/info/graduate/sinfo_new.htm#CAP
Others

Category:National University of Singapore

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