Course code VadZ5001
Credit points 3
Project Management
Total Hours in Course81
Number of hours for lectures12
Number of hours for seminars and practical classes12
Independent study hours57
Date of course confirmation19.02.2019
Responsible UnitInstitute of Business and Management Science
Course developer
Ināra Jurgena
Dr. oec.
Prior knowledge
Ekon5139, Economic Resources
VadZ5055, Business Planning and Controlling
Course abstract
Master students build up knowledge of and skills and competences in developing and managing projects with regard to the following aspects: project management principles and methods, the project life cycle, project plans, project organisation as well as the application of computerised project management tools in planning, managing and controlling projects.
Learning outcomes and their assessment
Students will be able to:
- Demonstrate an in-depth knowledge and understanding of the substance and terminology of project plans - discussions in classes, a test;
- Demonstrate an in-depth knowledge and understanding of how to plan project activities in enterprises and organisations - practical assignments;
- Demonstrate an extended knowledge and understanding of how to apply project management methods in enterprises - practical assignments;
- Independently generate a project idea and reasonably substantiate the urgency of the problem - practical assignments, group work;
- Professionally draw up project plans by employing project management methods - practical assignments, group work, a test;
- Responsibly plan the completion of the assignments given - group work, independent work;
- Engage in teamwork on drawing up project plans, express and argue their own opinions on project plan elements - group work, independent work;
- Present the project plans designed – presentation;
- Professionally identify, define, substantiate and analyse a problem situation - practical assignments, group work;
- Find, plan and develop a solution to a problem by employing project management methods - practical assignments, group work;
- Use the application MS Project in designing and implementing project plans - practical assignments, a test.
Course Content(Calendar)
1. Historical aspects of project management, terminology. (lecture 1 hour)
2. Project categories. (lecture 1 hour)
3. Project organization. (lecture 1 hour)
4. Development of a project charter. (lecture 1 hour, practical - 1 hour)
5. Project planning methodology (“waterfall”, Agile etc.) (lecture 2 hours, practical - 3 hours)
6. Project monitoring. Project completion. (lecture 1 hour)
7. Risks in project management. (lecture 1 hour, practical - 1 hour)
8. Project portfolio as a tool for strategic management of the company. (lecture 1 hour)
9. Standards in project management. (lecture 1 hour)
10. Use of information technologies in project management. (lecture 2 hours, practical - 5 hours)
Test: Execution of tasks in MS Project program (practical - 1 hour)
Presentations (practical - 1 hour)
Requirements for awarding credit points
A "passed" rating can be obtained by obtaining at least 50 points out of 100.
The evaluation consist of:
25 points for the test - test on all topics of the study course;
-25 points for the practical work - problem situation analysis;
-25 points for the practical work - project Life cycle, Work Breakdown Structure, Network diagram;
-25 points for the practical work - project plans using MS Project.
Practical tasks must be submitted only within the time set for them.
Description of the organization and tasks of students’ independent work
The student must independently prepare for the test.
Criteria for Evaluating Learning Outcomes
Study course assessment is a formal test, evaluation "passed" consisting of a cumulative results from study course assessments.
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. Carstens D. S., Richardson G. L. Project Management Tools and Techniques. CRC Press, 2020.
5. Wysocki R.K. Effective Project Management: Traditional, Agile, Extreme. Wiley, 2021, 770 p.
6. Šilovs M. Loģiskās struktūras pieeja. Projektu plānošanas un vadības galvenais instruments. FoodTech Baltic, 2020. - 128 lpp.
7. Lester A. Project Management, Planning and Control. 8th Ed., Elsevier, 2021, 696 p.
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 Effectively 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
Elective study course for the ESAF professional master programme Business Management.
The course could be also delivered in English.