Study Guide

Objective

The primary course objective is to make students aware of all the essential elements within project management i.e. are aware of various approaches and tools necessary from project inception to delivery process.
After completing this course the student is able to
- describe the project management process
- draft a project plan and create project documentation
- describe how projects are followed and steered
- review various project management tools

Content

- introduction to project management
- project organisation and the roles
- project communication and team building
- project management process overview
- project initiation, planning, scheduling and time management
- project steering and control

Materials

- Materials provided in a course workspace, e.g. recorded lectures, lecture materials, additional study materials.
- Students may seek for further suitable study materials

One example of study material:
Heagney, J. 2011. Fundamentals of Project Management. Amacom.
And other materials mentioned in Optima.

Teaching methods

- Interactive online meetings: all group meetings with teachers, small group meetings with own group and teachers, group working,
- Team discussions and sharing: group: working with own small group.
- Individual research and reflection: based on work division between group members

Exam schedules

No examination.
All five group task need to be finalised for passing the course.

Course implementation is basing for group working. That's why there isn't possibilities to accomplish the course individually or retake possibilities are not able to offer. In case of failing the course, student need to attend again next year.

International connections

Lectures, group working in study groups, individual work

Completion alternatives

No possibilities for alternative implementation. Course implementation is based on the group working which is an essential role in real life project management and working as well.

Accreditation of Prior Learning based on Competence (not transferred of credits):
Two weeks prior to course start, student submits a video and a written report showcasing expertice in the aforementioned course topics:
- project in general
- project planning phase
- the content of the project plan
- project initiation, scheduling and time-management
- budget management
- risk management
- project communication
- project organization, the roles and team building
- presenting the project

Student workload

135 hours student work divided into 11 weeks of study. Working hours can be divided for tasks listed below. The final Project plan is biggest task (65 % of the grade).

DL of the pre-task 11.1.2021
DL of the project plan draft 28.2.2021
DL of the presentation on project plan draft 2.3.2020 / 3.3.2021
DL of the presentation on project plan final version 16.3.2021 / 17.3.2021
DL of the project plan final version 21.3.2021
DL of the self-reflection and teamwork evaluation 28.3.2021

Content scheduling

Content:
- project in general
- project planning phase
- the content of the project plan
- project initiation, scheduling and time-management
- budget management
- risk management
- project communication
- project organization, the roles and team building
- presenting the Project

Timetable:

Course starts on Thu 14th of January and ends on 28th of March (the latest).
Before first all group meeting on Thu 14th of January, pre-task need to be done latest January 11th 2021.

The schedule of all group meetings:
- January 14th, 2021 at 4 pm (Project management: project work in general & project planning)
- January 28th, 2021 at 4 pm, (Project management: scheduling, resourcing, budget management, risk management)
- February 4th, 2021 at 4 pm, (Project communication + case study, lessons learned)
- February 18th, 2021 at 4 pm, (How to present project idea, tips for pitching)

The schedule of small group meetings
- March 2nd / 3rd (Presentation of the draft of the Project plan)
- March 16th / 17th (Presentation of the final Project plan)

Further information

The primary course objective is to make students aware of all the essential elements within project management. i.e. are aware of various approaches and tools necessary from project inception to deliver process.

After completed this course the student:
- knows the basic elements of a project and is able to establish a project plan.
- is able to describe the project management process, including the project planning process.
- is able to understand importance of project follow-up.
- is able to identify various project management tools.
- is able to identify and attach the project to a wider framework.
- have better understanding of the risk in project management and need for the project communication as well as for resourcing and scheduling.
- has more experience of presenting new ideas and how to build informative presentation within essential information.

Evaluation scale

H-5

Assessment methods and criteria

Numerical grading, from 1 to 5 (0 means failed).
Assessment and grading is based on tasks:
1) Pre-task (pass / failed)
2) The project plan draft (10%)
3) Presentation on project plan draft (5 %, inc. participation in Small Group meetings)
4) Presentation on project plan final version (10 %, inc. participation in Small Group meetings)
5) Project plan final version (65%)
6) Self-reflection & teamwork evaluation (10 %). Please, find the Innovation Competence Criterias from the Optima.

Active group working and participation should be shown for passing the course.

Assessment criteria, fail (0)

Numerical grading, from 1 to 5 (0 means failed).

Assessment criteria, satisfactory (1-2)

Project plan:

1) Project planning & project management processes: The student understands some basic concepts and ideas of a project plan and the project planning process. Student can see some connections between the project plan and project management process.

2) Project plan: The student is able to establish a project plan based on the project plan template in basic level. The project plan covers mainly the titles of the project plan template. The student is able to identify and describe basic elements of a project plan and see some connections between these in the project plan.

Presentation:

1) Contents of the presentation: The project pitch covers the main topics of the project plan. The presentation includes basic information on the project. The main idea of the project is presented.

2) Presentation: Some visualization / graphic elements are used.

Assessment criteria, good (3-4)

Project plan:

1) Project planning & project management processes: The student understands the concepts and ideas of a project plan and the project planning process. The student can identify and describe the aspects that needs to be considered in a project plan. Student has abilities to apply theoretical project management knowledge to practice, which is reflected to the project plan.

2) Project plan: The student is able to establish a project plan based on the project plan template. The project plan covers the titles of the project plan template and also some additional elements have been included. The project plan is realistic, concrete, clear and understandable. Project plan consists of various elements and they are clearly connected. The targets, objectives, activities and results of the project are connected to each other. The student is able to identify and describe various elements of a project plan and see vide connections between these.


Presentation:

1) Contents of the presentation: The project pitch covers the topics of the project plan and the presentation supports the project plan outline. Presentation provides the client with essential information on the project.

2) Presentation: Visualization / graphic elements are used. Pitch is interesting, informative and easy to follow.

Assessment criteria, excellent (5)

Project plan:

1) Project planning & project management processes: The student understands the concepts and ideas of a project plan and the project planning process. The student can identify and describe a variety of aspects that needs to be considered in a project plan. The student can identify and attach the project plan to a wider framework.

2) Project plan: The student is able to establish a project plan based on the project plan template. The project plan covers all the titles of the project plan template and additional elements have been included. The project plan is realistic, concrete, clear and understandable. The targets, objectives, activities and results of the project are connected to each other. The project plan is connected to the project management process. The student is able to identify and describe various elements of a project plan and see vide connections between these in the project plan. The assignment reflects students’ capability to apply information in practice. The student has found independently more information on project planning and project management and this is reflected to the assignment.


Presentation:

1) Contents of the presentation: Pitch covers all the main topics of the project plan and the presentation strongly supports the project plan. Pitch is very clear and understandable to the client. Information presented in the pitch is essential from the client’s perspective. Presentation provides the client with all the essential information on the project.

2) Presentation: The presentation is interesting and inspiring. Visualization is well planned.