The course focuses on the acquisition of analytical and decision-making skills relevant to programme management. Key concepts are introduced in the first part of the course. The course aims to equip students with a clear understanding of different paradigms and approaches to project planning and management for development. Students are invited to assess the relevance of these paradigms and approaches. They are also introduced to a range of methods used by governments, international organisations and NGOs to design, implement, monitor and evaluate development projects. In particular, students are expected to focus on public interest issues, understand how various stakeholders - including government authorities, civil society organisations, market forces and the media - interact, and access and evaluate relevant information sources on development planning and management. Students will thus master the principles of project management, particularly as it concerns the planning, design, implementation and evaluation of development projects, and the skills required to handle all phases of the project cycle.