Project Management (5cr)

Evaluation scale

H-5

Content scheduling

The course starts on 22.1.2026, when the pre-assignment task is available in Itslearning platform for students who have enrolled and accepted to the course. All students MUST complete and return the pre-assignment latest 8.2.
The course is fully online (Teams) with a strict time schedule to follow. It consists of webinar sessions, individual and group assignments work with written and spoken reports and presentations, discussions as well as peer reviews. Individual and group assignments are very intense, with a strict time schedule during the course period with several assignment deadlines to be followed.

Webinars are used to introduce the topics and assignments. Course time schedule (Zoom) :
Thu 22.1. Pre-assignment available in ItsLearning. Return DL: 8.2.
Tue 10.2. klo 8.30-12, webinar 1/5
Tue 3.3. klo 16.00-18, webinar 2/5
Tue 24.3. klo 16.00-18, webinar 3/5
Tue 14.4. klo 16.00-18, webinar 4/5
Tue 28.4. klo 16.00-18, webinar 5/5
Date: ToBeDefined, Foundation project certification test.

Passed PMAF Foundation certification test is part of course requirements.
The webinars' lecture presentations will be recorded for later viewing.

Students will learn and understand basic concepts and practices of project management. The course is focusing on project management topics which are common to most projects independent on project’s domain, type, size or management style. Key areas include project life-cycle, project initialization, planning, execution phases as well as management, control and closing phases. Different project processes are discussed. Students will learn to understand stakeholder management and different roles in project framework, roles emphasizing project management and leadership skills, duties and responsibilities in different phases of the project life-cycle. Project communications will be addressed as ne important enabler for successful projects.

International project management frameworks, including ISO standardization body, PMI, PMBoK and IPMA will be reflected and referenced as baseline for project management models and competences. Few examples of specific modern project management methodologies are addressed as best practices for certain project types. Program and Portfolio management and alignment to organization strategy will be addressed.

Objective

After completing the course the student
- knows frameworks and standardized processes for different project management models
- is able to identify and use suitable project management models based on project type, purpose, size and other factors, in their own field
- is confident and familiar with different tools and techniques for project management
- is able to act in different roles in projects, eg. project manager, steering group member and project sponsor
- communicates effectively project developments to all the relevant stakeholders
- understands the principles of project program and portfolio management and alignment with strategy

Content

- Theoretical frameworks for project management. The role of international project management organizations, key competencies, roles of certification of individuals and organizations
- Project key concepts and phases from project initiation to closing. Project charter, stakeholder management and roles, requirements development, project planning techniques. Different execution models, monitoring, controlling management areas and styles.
- Management and leadership of projects. The importance of communication.

Materials

• Turner, J. Rodney, 2014. Gower Handbook of Project Management, Gower, ISBN 978-1-4724-2297-2
• Lock, Dennis, 2014. The Essentials of Project Management. Taylor & Francis Group
• Cynthia Stackpole Snyder, 2013. A User's Manual to the PMBOK Guide, John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
• Artto K., Martinsuo M., Kujala J., 2011. Project business. Helsinki, Finland, ISBN 978-952-92-8535-8
http://pbgroup.aalto.fi/en/the_book_and_the_glossary/project_business_2011.pdf
Additional literature and materials in ItsLearning (learning platform) and during lectures.

Teaching methods

Webinars, individual and group learning assignments with written and spoken presentation reporting, status reporting, peer reviews. Key parts of webinars will be recorded for later viewing.

Exam schedules

There no exam, but the passed PMAF Foundation certification test is part of the course requirements.

Pedagogic approaches and sustainable development

Innovation pedagogy via constructionist learning method. Problem solving by applying new theories and practices to individuals prior knowledge. During the webinars and with proactive self-learning the theories and practices of modern project management are addressed and discussed within the student group. Students will apply their own professional experiences to expand and apply the theories to solve real world problems in assignments.

Completion alternatives

Not available.

Student workload

Total student work, in average, is 135h. Webinars cover 16h, all remaining in individual learning, student group collaboration, assignment works including reporting and peer reviewing.

Failed (0)

Student has not completed assignments work acceptably in due time.

Assessment criteria, satisfactory (1-2)

The assignment work shows that student is managing the basic concepts and theories of project management and is showing some skills applying those. All the assignments, including the certification test, needs to be passed.

Assessment criteria, good (3-4)

Student is managing well the theories and concepts of project management and is applying the knowledge to the benefit of the organization and other stakeholders. Student is using well the given literature and apply it to given assignments.

Assessment criteria, excellent (5)

Student, in assignments and otherwise, demonstrates excellent mastering of theories and concepts of project management and is applying knowledge to benefit of the organization and other stakeholders. Student is able to use the given literature in excellent way and is capable finding and applying new and relevant additional professional and scientific information sources creating new valuable viewpoints.

Further information

Course communication is done using student's TUAS (Turku University of Applied Sciences) email address and ItsLearning platform used in TUAS.

Offering 10 student places for CampusOnline students and 5 student places for Open UAS students.