So I’ve completed another module for my Postgraduate Diploma in Software Development. It was the project management course, and I have to say it was the most challenging one so far. It was an optional module, but I thought it would be interesting as I am starting to take on more managerial tasks at work.

A lot of the concepts in the course were completely new to me, so there was a lot of information to take in. The course was divided into the following units:

1. Project initiation
2. Risks, estimates and contracts
3. Planning
4. Building and leading the team
5. Project execution
6. Standards, methodologies and reflections

As my previous modules had been a lot more technical, this was a refreshing change. It really helped me to see the overall view of a project rather than just a small aspect of it, as I would ordinarily experience as a programmer.

The course text was very well written, and used good examples throughout. As part of the course assessment, I had to use a real project that I have involvement in as an example. This was a useful feature of the course as it help to relate my learnings to the real world.

Out of all of the courses I have taken so far, this is definitely the one in which I have learnt the most so in this respect it has been very worthwhile.

My next course starts on 1st November, and I have chosen M877 Advanced Database Technologies, which should be just as interesting, if somewhat more technical.

update, 9th December 2008: I can breathe a huge sigh of relief as the results are in and I’ve passed the course!

Glen Scott

I’m a freelance software developer with 18 years’ professional experience in web development. I specialise in creating tailor-made, web-based systems that can help your business run like clockwork. I am the Managing Director of Yellow Square Development.

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