SAQA All qualifications and part qualifications registered on the National Qualifications Framework are public property. Thus the only payment that can be made for them is for service and reproduction. It is illegal to sell this material for profit. If the material is reproduced or quoted, the South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA) should be acknowledged as the source.
SOUTH AFRICAN QUALIFICATIONS AUTHORITY 
REGISTERED UNIT STANDARD THAT HAS PASSED THE END DATE: 

Explain fundamentals of project management 
SAQA US ID UNIT STANDARD TITLE
120372  Explain fundamentals of project management 
ORIGINATOR
SGB Project Management 
PRIMARY OR DELEGATED QUALITY ASSURANCE FUNCTIONARY
-  
FIELD SUBFIELD
Field 03 - Business, Commerce and Management Studies Project Management 
ABET BAND UNIT STANDARD TYPE PRE-2009 NQF LEVEL NQF LEVEL CREDITS
Undefined  Regular-Fundamental  Level 4  NQF Level 04  5 
REGISTRATION STATUS REGISTRATION START DATE REGISTRATION END DATE SAQA DECISION NUMBER
Passed the End Date -
Status was "Reregistered" 		 2018-07-01  2023-06-30  SAQA 06120/18 
LAST DATE FOR ENROLMENT LAST DATE FOR ACHIEVEMENT
2026-06-30   2029-06-30  

In all of the tables in this document, both the pre-2009 NQF Level and the NQF Level is shown. In the text (purpose statements, qualification rules, etc), any references to NQF Levels are to the pre-2009 levels unless specifically stated otherwise.  

This unit standard replaces: 
US ID Unit Standard Title Pre-2009 NQF Level NQF Level Credits Replacement Status
10131  Identify, organise and co-ordinate project life cycle phases for control purposes  Level 4  NQF Level 04  5   

PURPOSE OF THE UNIT STANDARD 
The person credited with this unit standard is able to begin operating in a project environment by understanding the terminology used and interpreting and explaining fundamental concepts of project management. This standard will also add value to learners who are running their own business and recognise that project management forms an integral component of any business.

The qualifying learner is capable of:
  • Explaining the nature of a project.
  • Explaining the nature and application of project management.
  • Explaining the types of structures that are found in a project environment.
  • Explaining the application of organisation structures in a project environment.
  • Explaining the major processes and activities required to manage a project. 
    		•

    LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING 
    Learners accessing this qualification will have demonstrated competence in computer literacy, numeracy, literacy and communications at NQF level 4 or equivalent. 

    UNIT STANDARD RANGE 
  • Project level will include but is not limited to working as a leader in the context of a small project/sub-project involving few resources and having a limited impact on stakeholders and the environment or working as a contributing team member on a medium to large project when not a leader.
  • Projects may include but are not limited to all projects including technical, developmental and business related projects.
  • Processes and sub-processes may include but are not limited to initiating, planning, controlling, execution, close out processes, budgeting, approval, implementation, monitoring, evaluation, elementary risk identification, analysis, quantification, time management, risk management, quality management, resources management, communication management, scope management, contract management and supplies management.
  • Life cycle phases may include but are not limited to concept, development, design, implementation, construction, close out, identification, formulation, financing and evaluation.
  • Basic terminology and definitions may include but is not limited to project management, project, sub-project, programme, phase, stage, life cycle, process, activities, tasks, milestones, close out, scope, risk, scheduling, timeline, planning, controlling, deliverables/product/service, hierarchy, breakdown structures, operational, stakeholders, budget, estimating, communications.
  • Roles may include but are not limited to Project Sponsor, Project Manager, Project Administrator, Project Engineer, Steering Committee, Team member.
  • Understanding and explanations will reflect the nature of project experience, the sector within the learner is operating and prior management experience.
  • International and local professional bodies linked to project management practice and standards will include but are not limited to Project Management Institute (PMI), Australian Institute of Project Management (AIPM), International Project Management Association (IPMA), and Association for Project Management (APM), Association for Construction Project Managers (ACPM), Cost Engineering Association of South Africa (CEASA) and Project Management South Africa (PMSA).
  • Recognised published standards may include but not limited to those published by APM, PMI, IPMA, Global Performance Standards for Project Management Personnel, American National Standard Institute, International Standards Organisation, British Standard and South African National Standards.
  • Policies and procedures may be organisation specified systems, policies and procedures or where these do not exist, accepted industry best practice. 
    		•

    Specific Outcomes and Assessment Criteria: 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 1 
    Explain the nature of a project. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    The characteristics of a project are explained with examples. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    Differences between project and non-project work are explained with examples of each. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    A basic project life cycle is explained with examples of possible phases. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    The reasons for undertaking projects are explained with practical examples. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 5 
    A range of types of projects and their complexity are explained in simple terms. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Type of project may include but is not limited to simple, complex, closed to open, "fog, quest, movie or paint by number", technical, business, community based, development, research and development of new products.
     

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 2 
    Explain the nature and application of project management. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    Project management is defined and its application is explained according to recognised published standards. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    The major project management processes are described and explained according to recognised best practice. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    The differences between project management and general management are explained with examples of each. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    The difference between project management processes and technical (end product related) processes is explained with examples of each. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Project management processes are those associated with the management of a project and technical processes are those required to produce the required deliverables to satisfy the objectives of the project.
     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 5 
    The difference between a project team member and the project manager is explained in accordance with role descriptions. 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 3 
    Explain the types of structures that are found in a project environment. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    The reasons for defining structures for a project is explained with examples. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Structures may include but are not limited to; programme to sub project hierarchy; organisation structures; product /work/cost/organisation breakdowns note - structure is a set of interconnecting parts of any complex thing, a framework.
     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    The concept of programme and project hierarchies is explained with an example. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Programmes include related projects, which may be broken down into sub projects, phases or other components/units.
     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    The purpose of decomposing a project into manageable components or parts is explained with practical examples. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Decomposing a project is breaking it down from top to lower levels, similar to a functional decomposition.
     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    The concepts of breakdown structures for product, work and cost are explained in simple terms. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Product may include products, services or results. The term deliverable is associated with Product, a common interpretation is that deliverables are produced as the project progresses resulting in an end product.
     

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 4 
    Explain the application of organisation structures in a project environment. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    The basic differences between a matrix and functional organisation structure are explained with examples of each. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Limited to organisational matrix and functional structures not extended to their impact on a project.
     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    The project organisation structure is described and explained in a written format. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
  • Organisation structure includes project roles and reporting such as team leader to project manager to project sponsor. Organisation structure includes identifying but not detailing description of roles, responsibilities and reporting lines, progress and communication reporting, authority hierarchy, decision-making accountability.
  • Reporting lines, authority levels, single point of responsibility/accountability.
     
    		•

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    The purpose and key responsibilities of two roles on a project are described in a written format. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    Stakeholders are explained with examples of at least six different stakeholders. 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 5 
    Explain the major processes and activities required to manage a project. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    Key processes and activities that take place to manage a project are described from beginning to end. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    The processes and activities may include but are not limited to start up, initiation, planning, controlling, monitoring, execution, implementing, closing, evaluating.
     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    The supplementary management sub-processes and activities required to support the key processes and activities are briefly described with examples of each. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Supplementary sub-processes and activities includes but are not limited to scope, risk, quality, communications, schedule, cost, change control, resource, stakeholder and procurement management.
     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    The reasons for planning and controlling a project are explained with examples of the consequences of not planning and controlling. 


    UNIT STANDARD ACCREDITATION AND MODERATION OPTIONS 
  • An individual wishing to be assessed (including through RPL) against this unit standard may apply to an assessment agency, assessor or provider institution accredited by the relevant ETQA.
  • Anyone assessing a learner against this unit standard must be registered as an assessor with the relevant ETQA.
  • Any institution offering learning that will enable achievement of this unit standard or assessing this unit standard must be accredited as a provider with the relevant ETQA.
  • Moderation of assessment will be conducted by the relevant ETQA at its discretion. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD ESSENTIAL EMBEDDED KNOWLEDGE 
  • Basic terminology and definitions of project management including: project management, project, programme, phase, stage, life cycle, product, deliverable, milestone, activities, tasks, close out, scope, risk, scheduling.
  • The concept and role of product, project and operations life cycles.
  • The Life cycle approach in the structuring of projects.
  • Simple project life cycles.
  • How to decompose a project into manageable components or parts.
  • The elements of a project: uniqueness, constraints of time and resources, specified deliverables.
  • Alternative organisation structures and their implications, for example functional versus matrix.
  • How various role-players are involved over the project and product life cycle.
  • Key project management activities.
  • The relationship between processes, sub-processes and core knowledge areas. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD DEVELOPMENTAL OUTCOME 
    N/A 

    UNIT STANDARD LINKAGES 
    N/A 


    Critical Cross-field Outcomes (CCFO): 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO ORGANISING 
    Organise and manage oneself and one's activities responsibly and effectively to gain the required understanding of the fundamentals of project management. 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO COLLECTING 
    Collect, organise, and critically evaluate information pertaining to the fundamentals of project management and recognised best practices. 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO SCIENCE 
    Use of science and technology in representing and communicating the fundamentals of project management. 

    UNIT STANDARD ASSESSOR CRITERIA 
    N/A 

    REREGISTRATION HISTORY 
    As per the SAQA Board decision/s at that time, this unit standard was Reregistered in 2012; 2015. 

    UNIT STANDARD NOTES 
    This unit standard replaces unit standard 10131, "Identify, organise and co-ordinate project life cycle phases for control purposes", Level 4, 5 credits. 

    QUALIFICATIONS UTILISING THIS UNIT STANDARD: 
      ID QUALIFICATION TITLE PRE-2009 NQF LEVEL NQF LEVEL STATUS END DATE PRIMARY OR DELEGATED QA FUNCTIONARY
    Core  50080   Further Education and Training Certificate: Project Management  Level 4  NQF Level 04  Passed the End Date -
    Status was "Reregistered"     		 2023-06-30  SERVICES 
    Core  58800   Further Education and Training Certificate: Project Support Services  Level 4  NQF Level 04  Passed the End Date -
    Status was "Reregistered"     		 2023-06-30  SERVICES 
    Core  58780   Further Education and Training Certificate: Quantity Surveying  Level 4  NQF Level 04  Passed the End Date -
    Status was "Reregistered"     		 2023-06-30  CETA 
    Core  58883   National Certificate: Fluid Power  Level 5  Level TBA: Pre-2009 was L5  Passed the End Date -
    Status was "Reregistered"     		 2023-06-30  MERSETA 
    Elective  50479   Further Education and Training Certificate: Advertising  Level 4  NQF Level 04  Passed the End Date -
    Status was "Reregistered"     		 2023-06-30  MICTS 
    Elective  58063   Further Education and Training Certificate: Labour Recruitment Services  Level 4  NQF Level 04  Passed the End Date -
    Status was "Reregistered"     		 2023-06-30  SERVICES 
    Elective  77963   Further Education and Training Certificate: Mining/Exploration Geology  Level 4  NQF Level 04  Passed the End Date -
    Status was "Reregistered"     		 2023-06-30  MQA 
    Elective  64649   Higher Certificate: Early Childhood Development  Level 5  NQF Level 05  Passed the End Date -
    Status was "Reregistered"     		 2023-06-30  As per Learning Programmes recorded against this Qual 
    Elective  57651   National Certificate: Forensic Science  Level 5  Level TBA: Pre-2009 was L5  Passed the End Date -
    Status was "Reregistered"     		 2023-06-30  SAS SETA 
    Elective  58600   National Certificate: Land Transport Planning  Level 5  Level TBA: Pre-2009 was L5  Passed the End Date -
    Status was "Reregistered"     		 2012-06-30  LG SETA 
    Elective  65649   National Certificate: Official Statistics  Level 5  Level TBA: Pre-2009 was L5  Passed the End Date -
    Status was "Reregistered"     		 2023-06-30  PSETA 
    Elective  60549   National Diploma: Aeronautical Information Management Practice  Level 5  NQF Level 05  Passed the End Date -
    Status was "Reregistered"     		 2016-12-31  TETA 


    PROVIDERS CURRENTLY ACCREDITED TO OFFER THIS UNIT STANDARD: 
    This information shows the current accreditations (i.e. those not past their accreditation end dates), and is the most complete record available to SAQA as of today. Some Primary or Delegated Quality Assurance Functionaries have a lag in their recording systems for provider accreditation, in turn leading to a lag in notifying SAQA of all the providers that they have accredited to offer qualifications and unit standards, as well as any extensions to accreditation end dates. The relevant Primary or Delegated Quality Assurance Functionary should be notified if a record appears to be missing from here.
     
    1. Bright Storm Projects 
    2. College Africa Group (Pty) Ltd 
    3. Damelin Correspondence College (Pty) Ltd 
    4. Fort Hare Trading Solutions (Pty) Ltd 
    5. HILLCROSS BUSINESS SCHOOL (PTY 
    6. Ikusasalethu Youth Development Project NPC 
    7. Le - Mark Training and Development Pty (Ltd) 
    8. Musengavhadzimu Media 
    9. Provincial Public Service Training Academy Province of Kwazulu Natal 
    10. QUALITATIVE INNOVATIVE SOLUTIONS 
    11. Rams Professional Training and Conferencing 
    12. Richfield Graduate Institute of Technology Pty Ltd 
    13. Sunshine Community Outreach Ministry of Youth With A Mission 
    14. Tloumogale Business Development & Consulting (Pty) Ltd 
    15. Varsity Institute of Science & Technology (Pty)Ltd 
    16. WESTERN COLLEGE FOR FURTHER EDUCATION AND TRAINING 
    17. Whitestone College 


    All qualifications and part qualifications registered on the National Qualifications Framework are public property. Thus the only payment that can be made for them is for service and reproduction. It is illegal to sell this material for profit. If the material is reproduced or quoted, the South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA) should be acknowledged as the source.