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: 

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
Reregistered  2018-07-01  2023-06-30  SAQA 06120/18 
LAST DATE FOR ENROLMENT LAST DATE FOR ACHIEVEMENT
2024-06-30   2027-06-30  

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  Reregistered  2023-06-30  SERVICES 
    Core  58800   Further Education and Training Certificate: Project Support Services  Level 4  NQF Level 04  Reregistered  2023-06-30  SERVICES 
    Core  58780   Further Education and Training Certificate: Quantity Surveying  Level 4  NQF Level 04  Reregistered  2023-06-30  CETA 
    Core  58883   National Certificate: Fluid Power  Level 5  Level TBA: Pre-2009 was L5  Reregistered  2023-06-30  MERSETA 
    Elective  50479   Further Education and Training Certificate: Advertising  Level 4  NQF Level 04  Reregistered  2023-06-30  MICTS 
    Elective  58063   Further Education and Training Certificate: Labour Recruitment Services  Level 4  NQF Level 04  Reregistered  2023-06-30  SERVICES 
    Elective  77963   Further Education and Training Certificate: Mining/Exploration Geology  Level 4  NQF Level 04  Reregistered  2023-06-30  MQA 
    Elective  64649   Higher Certificate: Early Childhood Development  Level 5  NQF Level 05  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  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  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. ABASUNGULI TRAINING SPESIALISTS (PTY) LTD 
    2. Advantage Training 
    3. African Training Institute 
    4. Amasu Consulting 
    5. ATTI Nelspruit Pty Ltd 
    6. BOLAND COLLEGE 
    7. Bonela Consulting 
    8. Camblish Training Institute 
    9. Capricorn College for FET 
    10. Casidra SOC Ltd 
    11. Caversham Education Institute 
    12. CENTRE FOR EARLY CHILDHOOD DEVELOPMENT 
    13. Chanrose Training and Development Projects 
    14. Circleway College 
    15. College Africa Group (Pty) Ltd 
    16. College of Cape Town - Athlone Campus 
    17. Conspectus Academy 
    18. Crown Eagles University 
    19. Custoda Trust 
    20. Damelin 
    21. Damelin Correspondence College (Pty) Ltd 
    22. Directflo 
    23. DM Training Consultants 
    24. Early Learning Foundation Montessori Teacher Training 
    25. Early Learning Resource Unit (ELRU) 
    26. EASTCAPE MIDLANDS COLLEGE BUSINESS UNIT (Uitenhage) (WA) 
    27. EBENEZER TRAINING HOUSE FOR EARLY LEARNING 
    28. EDUTAK PRE-SCHOOL TRAINING AND DEVELOPMENT 
    29. Effective Interactions 
    30. Elangeni Consulting 
    31. Everest Leadership t/a EL International 
    32. Eyoluntu Development Centre 
    33. FALSE BAY TECHNICAL VOCATIONAL EDUCATION & TRAINING COLLEGE 
    34. Footprint Media academy Pty ltd 
    35. Goldfields TVET College 
    36. Grassroots Adult Education and Training Trust 
    37. Health Advance Institute (HAI) 
    38. Heirs Training and Development 
    39. HILLCROSS BUSINESS SCHOOL (PTY 
    40. HUGENOTE COLLEGE 
    41. IG PARTNERRS SOUTH AFRICA 
    42. Ikusasalethu Youth Development 
    43. Innovative Value Consultants 
    44. Institutional Higher Education 
    45. Jabulani Training & Development 
    46. Katiso-kuno Consulting 
    47. Kgaka Kgolo Institute (Pty) Ltd 
    48. KHANIMAMBA TRAINING AND RESOURCE CENTRE 
    49. Klein Karoo Resource Centre 
    50. Leseding Computer Systems 
    51. Loago Business Consulting 
    52. LUPHINDI BUSINESS SOLUTIONS 
    53. MASIKHULE EARLY CHILDHOOD DEVELOPMENT CENTRE 
    54. Mass Computer Training and Printers 
    55. MATHS CENTRE INCORPORATING SCIENCES 
    56. MBOWA COLLEGE PTY LTD 
    57. Metanoia Ratings PTY LTD 
    58. Montessori Teacher Training Centre South Africa 
    59. Motheo Training Institute Trust 
    60. Mpembe Project Management 
    61. Musengavhadzimu Media 
    62. MWG Logistical Services 
    63. New Beginnings Training and Development Organisation 
    64. Ngoboyi Training International 
    65. NKANGALA TVET COLLEGE 
    66. Nkqubela Community Developers 
    67. Northern Cape Urban College: Kimberley Campus 
    68. Northlink College 
    69. Northshore Trading 19CC t/a Makakhaunye Training and Development Agency 
    70. Nyathela Business College 
    71. OPELONG BUSINESS INSTITUTE (PT 
    72. Orbit FET College - Central Office 
    73. Peo Entle HIV Wellness Management and Youth Skills Development NPO 
    74. Petcon Capacity Building Solut 
    75. Petra institute of Development (PTY) Ltd 
    76. Pitt Institute T/A Imithombo Institute 
    77. PND Academy of Learning cc 
    78. POP Training & Consulting 
    79. Progressive School of Business and Engineering (Pty) 
    80. ProjectPro Management Services 
    81. Prospen Group 
    82. QUALITATIVE INNOVATIVE SOLUTIONS 
    83. Retshetse Training Project 
    84. Richfield Graduate Institute of Technology Pty Ltd 
    85. Right 4 u College 
    86. SANTS College 
    87. Siyahluma Education Institute 
    88. South African ABET Development Agency SAADA 
    89. South Cape Public FET College - George Campus 
    90. STRATEGIC INVESTIGATIONS AND SEMINARS 
    91. Sunshine Community Outreach Ministry of Youth With A Mission 
    92. Sustainability Institute Trust 
    93. T Mabuya & Associates (Pty) Ltd 
    94. Teachers Learning Centre (Pty) Ltd 
    95. Tembe Service Providers 
    96. Thasha Training and Consulting 
    97. The HR Touch 
    98. The Iscariota Group (Pty) Ltd 
    99. The Port Elizabeth Early Learning Centre 
    100. The Skills College for Development and Training 
    101. THE WELLNESS SPECIALIST 
    102. Thohoyandou Victim Empowerment Trust 
    103. THUKAKGALADI INTEGRATED DEVELOPMENT PROJECT 
    104. Tinotel Communications 
    105. Tipp Academy 
    106. Train 2 Teach (PTY) Ltd 
    107. Turnstone Training Solutions 
    108. Twasa 
    109. UNIVERSAL COLLEGE OUTCOMES SA 
    110. Uteng Consulting 
    111. Varsity Institute of Science & Technology (Pty)Ltd 
    112. Visionary Skill Academy 
    113. Vuselela TVET College 
    114. VUTHLARI MARKETING CONSULTING 
    115. Vutivi Training and Skills Development 
    116. WEST COAST COLLEGE FET 
    117. WESTERN COLLEGE FOR FURTHER EDUCATION AND TRAINING 
    118. Whitestone College 
    119. World Wide Education Providers(Pty)Ltd 
    120. Zizi Business Solutions 


    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.