POST GRADUATE DIPLOMA IN PROJECT PLANNING AND MANAGEMENT (PDPPM)

Module Code	Module Name	Description
DPPM407	Project Planning and Design	Project planning and design is fundamental for project implementation success. The course will provide an overview of the integrated project cycle for student to have an early appreciation of the complete picture. The course covers introduction to project planning and management; project identification and definition. The report will enable students to appreciate project formulation, design and insights on undertaking the necessary feasibility analysis. The course will facilitate student appreciation of the varied project contexts
DPPM408	Statistics for Project Managers	The project execution requires computational and analytical skills on the part of project managers. The course provides an overview of statistics and applications for enhanced decision making. The course will be focusing on statistical techniques for enhanced project planning, alternative analysis, forecasting and projections. Elements covered will include various forms of interest, time series analysis utilizing with examples from real projects. At the end of the course student should be comfortable with the foundation of statistical computations they will undertake in appraisal and design modules
DPPM409	Research Methods for Project Planning and Management	This module is aimed at equipping students with a holistic and advanced approach to the linkages between population and development from a global, regional and Zimbabwean perspective, while linking such to innovation and industrialisation. Thus, the module will cover the conceptualisation of population and development; Theories of Population and Economic growth, demographic factors and economic growth, migration and development, fertility and development, mortality and development, population and environment and also economic growth and sustainable development will be covered. At the end of this module, students will be able to produce critical reviews of existing policies on the environment, population and development, and produce policy briefs highlighting the needed changes and additions. Through their dissertations students will be able to show case their ability in conducting innovative research. Each student is expected to come up with a research topic, write the research proposal, clearly articulate either the qualitative research methods or the quantitative research methods or both, the research design(s), research tools, data management and analysis, presentation and discussion of research findings. This module will produce a graduate who is able to undertake research with recommendations that will enhance policy and programme formulation, implementation, monitoring and evaluation. At the end of the module, students will be able to undertake the entire research process on varied topics on demographic, social and economic development.
DPPM410	Project Appraisal and Pre-investment Analysis	Project selection is based on feasibility analysis which entails varied appraisal. Final project selection is based on the outcomes of the sponsor. Students will explore and undertake the main types of appraisals: Technical, Institutional, Financial, Economic, Social, political and Environmental impact assessment. Students will be able to appreciate that project success goes beyond the monetary benefits. Students are expected to master the theoretical and practical processes of carrying out project appraisal. In the final analysis the student with comprehend the value of holistic project appraisal as a safeguard against project failure.
MIDSB501	Information Digital Skills for Postgraduates (University Wide Module)	The module introduces students to the use of information technologies and their application in academic research.
MSSRM501	Advanced Social Science Research Methods (Faculty Wide Module)	The module aims to provide advanced skills in research methods for graduate students. It enhances postgraduate students’ knowledge and skills for conducting, analysing and interpreting research in the field of sociology, anthropology and gender studies. The module focuses upon both qualitative and quantitative techniques and the knowledge gained, will be useful for conducting research and as tools for professional practice. The module will also equip learners with the use of digital technologies in data collection,processing, analysis and management. Students to conduct gender sensitive research for the relevant government institutions, UN agencies, NGOs and communities to inform gender policies and programming.
DPPM411	Project Finance and Investment	Most project require external funding for implementation. The focus narrows down to financial and economic parameters. The course will build on feasibility studies to enhance student appreciation of the capital budgeting process and the investment decision process: nature, scope, general framework for investment analysis. Students will be introduced to risk analysis and management of risk within the project cycle. The course will explore project financing mechanisms and critical issues in negotiating financing. At the end of the course the student should be able to put together project financing proposals with risk mitigation strategies for consideration.
DPPM412	Project Management	The course builds on the Project Management course that looked at the conceptual issues. This course provide the student with the nuts and bolts of how to effectively manage different projects. Students will be equipped with skills for project planning, design, scheduling and monitoring. The course will cover Work Break Down and Responsibility Matrices for effective planning. Project tracking tools and techniques such as techniques – Logical framework, Gantt, PERT, float, calendar, resource sheets, etc. will be introduced through case studies. Enhanced planning, scheduling and control will be enhanced through use of Project Management software including but not limited to Microsoft Project and Excel
DPPM413	Project Monitoring and Evaluation	By definition all project have deliverables defined as part of the “triple constraint”. It is vital that all project are assessed against the intended outcomes or targets. The course will introduce students to project monitoring and evaluation focusing on definitions, rationale, effectiveness and efficiency. Student will explore the importance of formative, ongoing and summative evaluation of projects. At the end of the course students shall be able to design monitoring and evaluation systems. Students will also be able to design and evaluation study, undertake necessary inquiry and do appropriate write up.
DPPM470	Project	Project planning and management skills are required in project-based development world yet there is a skills gap in this area. The paper is designed to enable students to synthesize the skills and techniques acquired throughout the 8 taught modules. Students will work on real life case study as guided by appointed supervisor. Through a systematic study the students will be able to internalize the fundamentals of the project management cycle. The composite project paper will give leaners an opportunity to deploy all the modules thereby fostering skills development. The end product will showcase project selection, design, appraisal, and management and evaluation skills capacity.