LV EN RU DE FR

Project Management

Course developer

Prior knowledge

PārZ1011, Fundamentals of Food Science I

PārZ1012, Fundamentals of Food Science II

PārZ3083, Development of innovative products I

PārZ3084, Development of innovative products II

PārZ3085, Development of innovative products III

Replaced course

VadZ3032 [GVAD3032] Project Management

Course abstract

Students build up an understanding and knowledge of and skills in developing and managing projects, focusing on project management principles and methods, including planning the life cycle of a project, project documentation and project organisation. Practical skills are acquired by developing project ideas, applying project management methods and drawing up project plans. Students practically learn how to work in a team, define project tasks and plan the completion of the tasks, and impose supervision over the project by applying computerised project management tools.

Learning outcomes and their assessment

Students will be able to demonstrate:
1) knowledge of the nature and concepts of project development - discussions in classes, a test,
2) how to plan project activities in enterprises and organisations - discussions in classes, practical assignments,
3) how to employ various project management methods in enterprises and organisations - practical assignments;
4) independently define project ideas and substantiate the urgency of a problem - practical assignments, group work,
5) develop a project plan, employing project management methods - group work, independent assignments;
6) responsibly plan the completion of the assignments given - group work, independent assignments,
7) engage in teamwork, express and argue their opinions - group work,
8) present a plan developed - presentation;
9) independently identify, define and analyse problems - practical assignments, group work,
10) initiate a solution to the problem by employing project management methods - practical assignments, group work,

11) to use the application MS Project in designing and implementing a project plan - practical assignments, a test.

Course Content(Calendar)

1. Project management terminology, concepts. The essence of project management. Historical aspects of project management. (lecture – 1 hour)
2. The project as an object of management. Project environment. Characteristics and characteristics of the project. Examples of modern projects. (lecture – 1 hour)
3. Project categories. Classification of projects. The project and the organization implementing it. (lecture – 1 hour)
4. Project team. Clean project organization. Matrix project organization. Project manager role. Roles of team members. Project team development phases. (lecture – 1 hour; practical work – 1 hour)
5. Analysis of the situation. Project content formulation. Development of the project task. The purpose of the project. SMARTER, RILSS and TRIKS methods. (lecture – 1 hour, practical work – 1 hour)
6. Project feasibility study, methods and tools. Analysis of project stakeholders. (lecture – 1 hour, practical work – 1 hour)
7. Project planning. Evaluation of project alternative solutions. "Fishbone" (Ishikawa) diagram. Use of IT tools in creating project plans. (lecture – 1 hour, practical work – 2 hours)
8. Project life cycle method. Phases of the project. (lecture – 2 hours, practical work – 2 hours)
9. Structuring. Product structure plan. Work Breakdone Structure Plan (WBS). The use of IT tools in the creation of a structural plan. (lecture – 2 hours, practical work – 2 hours)
10. Scheduling of deadlines. Timetable. List technique. Gantt technique. PERT method. Project network diagram. Using the MS Project environment. (lecture – 2 hours, practical work – 2 hours)
11. Project resource planning. Project resources planning in the MS Project environment. (lecture – 1 lecture, practical work – 2 hours)
12. Monitoring and controlling of the project - monitoring and control mechanism. Closing project. (lecture – 1 hour, practical work – 1 hour)
13. Test: Completion of tasks in the MS Project program. (1 hour)

14. Use of information technology in project management. Presentations. (practical work – 2 hours)

Requirements for awarding credit points

Cumulative score consists of:
identify and analyse a problem, find a solution to the problem, develop a project (individual or collective up to 3 students) and create a project plan in MS Project; test

Description of the organization and tasks of students’ independent work

Independent assignment has to be defined during practical.
Independent assignments (individual or collective up to 3 students) require students to: identify and analyse a problem, find a solution to the problem, develop a project and create a project plan in MS Project.

Criteria for Evaluating Learning Outcomes

The final mark consists of the following pieces of assessment:
Test – a maximum score of 20;
Project developed – a maximum score of 20;
Use of computer tools in developing projects – a maximum score of 20;
Activity during classes – a maximum score of 20;
Presentation of a project developed – a maximum score of 20.
A score of 10 is equal to one point on a 10-point marking scale.

Compulsory reading

1. A Guide to the Project Management Body of Knowledge (PMBOK® Guide) - 7th Edition, Project Management Institute, 2021, 250 p.
2. Lester A. Project Management, Planning and Control. - 8th Edition. Elsevier, 2021, 696 p.
3. Nielsen K. Agile Portfolio Management. Taylor & Francis Group, 2022, 349 p.
4. Jurgena I. Projektu vadīšana. Mācību metodiskais materiāls. Jelgava, LLU, 2009, 33 lpp.
5. Jurgena I., Dukulis I. Apgūsim PROJECT! Microsoft Office Project 2003. Mācību līdzeklis. Jelgava: LLU, 2010, 51 lpp.
6. Projektu vadīšanas rokasgrāmata. Dienas bizness HUB: https://www.dbhub.lv/projektu-vadisanas-rokasgramata
7. Trevors L. Jangs Kā vadīt projektu. Zvaigzne ABC, 2009, 152 lpp.
8. Wysocki Robert K., Bentley C. Global Complex Project Management: An Integrated Adaptive Agile and PRINCE2 LEAN Framework for Achieving Success. Plantation, FL: J. Ross Publishing, 2016. 276 lpp.
9. Daley S. Project 2013 in Depth. U.S.: Que Corporation, 2013. 929 p.

10. Šilovs M. Loģiskās struktūras pieeja. Projektu plānošanas un vadības galvenais instruments. FoodTech Baltic, 2020. – 128 lpp.

Further reading

1. Malachowsky S. Project Team Leadership and Communication. Rochester, NY: Lintwood Press, 2018. – p.233
2. Martin D.P. Project Management Hacking. How to Manage Projects More Efficiently and Effictively in Less Time. Taylor & Francis, 2020, 97 p.

Periodicals and other sources

1. Project Management Journal, https://journals-sagepub-com.db.rsu.lv/doi/abs/10.1002/pmj.20053
2. Latvijas Nacionālā projektu vadīšanas asociācija (LNPVA), http://lnpva.lv/
3. Project Management Institute (PMI), https://www.pmi.org/

4. International Project Management Association (IPMA), https://www.ipma.world/

Notes

Restricted elective course (Part B) for the PTF academic Bachelor programme Food Quality and Innovations.
The course could be also delivered in English