Engineering Project Management

Professionals based in industry who have some responsibility for project management at introductory to intermediate level. Especially those in engineering, technology, or science related roles.

On successful completion of this micro-credential, you will be able to:

• Describe the strategic importance of project, programme and portfolio management
  
• Assess the importance of project complexity, uncertainty, and other characteristics in selecting and adapting the project management approach.
  
• Understand project management processes for well-defined projects based on the project life cycle phases and knowledge areas in the PMBOK (project management body of knowledge) and ISO standards.
  
• Apply a range of useful tools for analysis and planning of well-defined projects including multi-criteria decision analysis, work breakdown structures, activity-on-node networks, Gantt charts, PERT, resource levelling techniques, earned value approach to project monitoring and control.
  
• Analyse and manage risks in projects, with emphasis on lean principles and iterative learning cycles.
  
• Design effective plans for project communication, performance measurement and monitoring.
  
• Understand the socio-technical nature of projects and the importance of effective leadership, team building and good stakeholder relations in project management.

The micro-credential content will cover:

• Predictive and adaptive management approaches
• Agile and lean management techniques
• Reference class forecasting
• Project scope statements
• Work breakdown structures
• Network diagrams
• Risk registers and risk management
• PERT – Programme Evaluation and Review Technique
• Earned value management
• Stakeholder analysis
• Communications plans
• Strategic planning and project portfolio management

By learning core practices of the Project Management Body of Knowledge, learners take their first steps towards potentially becoming a certified Project Management Professional through the Project Management Institute, should they choose to specialise further in this area.

This micro-credential is delivered through the UCD online learning platform (Brightspace).

Content is provided online at weekly intervals over approximately 14 weeks (including a two week break) and learners study at their own pace over the course of each week. There is also an optional live online discussion session each week so that learners have the opportunity to ‘meet’ the lecturer and ask questions directly. There is a strong emphasis on active learning through practicing the techniques and reflecting on the outcomes through both peer- and self-review. Past learners have particularly enjoyed the peer-review and group discussions both as ways to get to know classmates and to understand their own work in relation to others and get additional ideas for improvement.

Entry requirements are a primary degree with a minimum of 2.2 classification, second class honours, grade two or international equivalent.

Applications may also be considered from those with significant, relevant, practical experience on a case-by-case basis.

Applicants whose first language is not English must also demonstrate English language proficiency of IELTS 7.0 (no band less than 6.5 in each element), or equivalent.

There will be three graded assessments:

• The first (20%) is a pre-recorded debate around optimistic forecasting in megaprojects, which are projects costing more than a billion euro.The second assessment (20%) is a risk management case study based on a NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory mission to Mars, in which learners must analyse the risks and make a decision on whether to proceed with the launch or delay for over a year.
• The final, written assignment (60%) in which learners choose a real-world project in their area of interest, apply the core project management tools as if they were managing that project, and analyse the management style, challenges, and outcomes to identify lessons that could be applied in future projects. This is a great opportunity to delve into a specific area of interest in more depth, with topics ranging from the New Children’s Hospital in Dublin to Concorde, to the Olympic Games.

Please note: Learners can avail of only one of the below funding opportunities per application. 

Green Tech Skillnet Funding

Green Tech Skillnet, an organisation dedicated to fostering skills and expertise in the field of green technology, is partnering with UCD micro-credentials to fund 40% of the course fee for eligible learners* on relevant, sustainability-focused, micro-credentials.

How to access the funding:

1. Apply for one of the applicable micro-credentials through the UCD website.
2. Clearly indicate on your application that you are applying with the intention of receiving a subsidised place on the course through Green Tech Skillnet’s partnership and that you believe you are eligible for this funding.
3. If you are successful, you will receive an offer from UCD.
4. Once you have accepted your offer, and provided you meet the eligibility criteria*, you will make payment of 60% of the micro-credential fee directly to Green Tech Skillnet, and they will cover the remainder.
5. Once payment has been made, you can register and join your micro-credential.

*The eligibility criteria, as set out by the Green Tech Skillnet, are as follows:

• Companies must be private enterprises based in the Republic of Ireland.
• Skillnet Ireland funding is not available to public sector bodies or publicly funded organisations, such as community-based not-for-profit companies or charities.
• Commercial semi-state companies are eligible, providing that income contributed to a Network is not sourced from the public purse.
• Sole traders are eligible as Companies.

Eligibility for Trainees:
Key requirements regarding trainee eligibility:

• Trainees must be based in the Republic of Ireland.
• Trainees must be employed within private enterprise.
• Green Tech Skillnet is required to collect data on the profile of trainees supported and record this data for Skillnet Ireland.

Visit the Green Tech Skillnet website page regarding the (opens in a new window)Electricity Grid Operations micro-credential.

UCD Alumni Discount

We are pleased to offer UCD graduates a 20% discount on tuition fees for the Electricity Grid Operations micro-credential. To avail of this discount you must use your UCD login details when submitting an online micro-credential application so that we can verify your UCD student details. If you cannot remember your UCD login details please contact the UCD Student Desk for assistance.

Organisations Sending 3 Plus Employees

If your organisation plans to send three or more employees to this micro-credential, please contact Maria Keany (maria.keany@ucd.ie), Business Development Manager with NexSys and Energy Institute to discuss availing of a 20% discount.

Individual feedback will be provided for graded assignments. Group feedback will be provided for other non-graded assignments.

Industrial Data AnalyticsMEEN41380

Decision AnalysisMEEN40360

Engineering Operations Management MEEN40260

If you have any questions about this micro-credential, or would like to speak to a UCD staff member, please contact (opens in a new window)microcredentials@ucd.ie.

Please note: Learners can avail of only one form of funding per application. 

Micro-Credentials Learner Fee Subsidy-Human Capital Initiative Pillar 3

The HCI Pillar 3 Micro-credential Learner Fee Subsidy has been introduced to enable more learners to address critical skills gaps and engage with lifelong learning through micro-credentials. The HCI Pillar 3 Micro-credential Learner Fee Subsidy is funded by Higher Education Authority (HEA) and the Department of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science. 

HCI Micro-credential Learner Fee Subsidies are available on identified micro-credentials only and in fixed numbers from March 2024 until October 2025.  

Please see Eligibility Criteria for further information.