Course Content
Title: Occupational Certificate: Project Manager – Qualification Document
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Qualification Documents and Attachments
Knowledge Module 1: Project Management Fundamentals
project characteristics, the project environment, organisational structures, the triple constraint, and the essential competencies required of project managers. Learners gain an understanding of the full project life cycle and the key roles involved in delivering successful projects.
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Lesson 1: Introduction to Project Management
KM01 Quiz: Project Management Fundamentals
00:25:00
KM01 Assignment – Project Management Fundamentals
Knowledge Module 2 : Project Initiation
This module introduces learners to the processes, documentation, and decision-making required to formally start a project. Learners explore how project needs are identified, how feasibility is assessed, and how the project is authorised through key documents such as the Business Case and Project Charter. The module also covers stakeholder identification and analysis, high-level scope definition, early risk assessment, and the roles of the sponsor and project manager in initiating a project. By completing this module, learners will understand how to justify, structure, and secure approval for a new project, laying the foundation for detailed planning in subsequent phases
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Lesson 1: Project Initiation
KM02 Quiz – Project Initiation
00:25:00
KM02 Assignment – Project Initiation
Knowledge Module 3 : Project Planning
This module focuses on the detailed planning activities required to establish a clear roadmap for project execution. Learners will understand how scope is defined, how the Work Breakdown Structure (WBS) is developed, how schedules and budgets are created, and how resources, risks, quality, and communication are planned. By the end of the module, learners will be able to develop a comprehensive and realistic project plan that guides the team throughout the project lifecycle.
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KM03 – Lesson 1: Project Planning
KM03 Quiz – Project Planning
00:25:00
KM03 Assignment – Project Planning
Module 4 (KM04) – Project Execution
This module focuses on the execution of project plans to deliver the project’s defined scope and objectives. Learners will explore team coordination, leadership, communication, procurement management, quality implementation, contractor management, and how work is carried out according to project baselines. The module emphasises practical oversight, effective stakeholder engagement, and managing changes or challenges that arise during execution. By the end of this module, learners will understand how to manage people, resources, tasks, and unexpected issues to keep the project on track.
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KM04 – Lesson 1: Project Execution
KM04 Quiz – Project Execution
00:25:00
KM04 Assignment – Project Execution
Occupational Certificate: Project Manager (SAQA ID 101869)

Lesson 1: Managing Project Execution

1. What Is the Execution Phase?

Project execution is where the actual project work is performed according to the project management plan.

This phase involves:

  • Coordinating people and resources
  • Managing stakeholder communication
  • Ensuring deliverables meet quality requirements
  • Implementing approved changes
  • Managing suppliers and contractors
  • Monitoring performance continuously

Execution consumes the majority of the project’s time and budget, making it the most activity-intensive phase.

2. The Purpose of Project Execution

The execution phase aims to:

  • Convert plans into actual deliverables
  • Lead and manage the project team
  • Produce outputs according to the scope baseline
  • Maintain alignment with schedule and cost baselines
  • Ensure stakeholder expectations are met
  • Manage day-to-day project operations

Execution requires strong coordination, leadership, and clear communication.

3. Managing the Project Team

Team management includes:

A. Assigning Tasks

Ensuring each team member understands their responsibilities.

B. Providing Leadership and Motivation

Leaders encourage productivity, resolve conflicts, and maintain morale.

C. Developing the Team

Training, coaching, mentoring, and upskilling as needed.

D. Monitoring Team Performance

Tracking output, quality, productivity, and cooperation.

E. Resolving Conflicts

Conflicts often arise from miscommunication, unclear roles, or personality differences.
Effective resolution ensures smooth progress.

A high-performing team directly influences project success.

4. Directing and Managing Project Work

The project manager must:

  • Execute tasks defined in the project plan
  • Adapt to real-world conditions
  • Maintain communication channels
  • Ensure work aligns with approved baselines
  • Apply approved changes
  • Document work performance data

Deliverables produced during execution form the basis of the monitoring and control phase.

5. Quality Assurance During Execution

Quality assurance ensures:

  • Work is performed using approved processes
  • Deliverables meet standards
  • Inspections, audits, and reviews are conducted
  • Defects are identified and resolved early

QA tools include:

  • Checklists
  • Control charts
  • Process audits
  • Peer reviews

Quality issues caught early prevent costly rework.

6. Managing Communication

Communication during execution should be:

  • Clear
  • Timely
  • Targeted
  • Documented

Communication forms include:

  • Project status reports
  • Team meetings
  • Stakeholder updates
  • Issue logs
  • Dashboards
  • Collaboration platforms (Teams, Slack, Jira, Trello, etc.)

Poor communication is one of the biggest causes of project failure.

7. Procurement and Contractor Management

Procurement activities during execution include:

  • Issuing purchase orders
  • Managing contracts
  • Tracking supplier performance
  • Ensuring timely delivery of goods/services
  • Handling disputes or delays
  • Approving invoices
  • Verifying delivered items against specifications

Contracts may be fixed-price, time-and-materials, or cost-reimbursable.

Good procurement management prevents bottlenecks.

8. Managing Stakeholder Engagement

Execution requires ongoing stakeholder engagement:

  • Addressing questions and concerns
  • Responding to expectations
  • Keeping stakeholders informed
  • Managing resistance and negotiation
  • Ensuring impacted groups remain supported

Highly engaged stakeholders = smoother execution.

9. Implementing Approved Changes

Changes may occur due to:

  • New requirements
  • Risk events
  • Schedule delays
  • Budget adjustments
  • External conditions

Changes must follow:

  1. Change request →
  2. Impact analysis →
  3. Change Control Board approval →
  4. Update baselines →
  5. Communicate →
  6. Implement

Uncontrolled changes lead to scope creep.

10. Tracking Work Performance

Performance data collected includes:

  • Completed work
  • Schedule progress
  • Resource usage
  • Quality results
  • Costs incurred
  • Issues and risks

This data is analysed and fed into status reports and dashboards for monitoring.

🎯 Lesson Outcomes

By the end of this lesson, learners will be able to:

  1. Explain the purpose of the project execution phase
  2. Coordinate and lead a project team effectively
  3. Execute project work according to approved plans
  4. Apply quality assurance processes in execution
  5. Manage suppliers and procurement activities
  6. Maintain clear communication with stakeholders
  7. Implement approved changes responsibly
  8. Track and document project performance accurately
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