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Project Management

Course developer

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

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.

Acquisition of the study course in distance learning is organized in accordance with the order of the Vice-Rector for Studies “On the procedure of e-studies at LLU”, a study course acquisition schedule is created for each semester. Students acquire the topics included in the study course independently, using the materials created and inserted by the lecturer in the e-learning environment Moodle. Feedback on the acquisition of topics in lectures and seminars in distance learning is organized in the form of self-examination tests, discussion forums and individual assignments, as well as face-to-face or online consultations, lectures and final examinations according to the schedule.

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) - Fifth Edition, Project Management Institute, 2013, 589pages, ISBN13: 9781935589679
2. Carstens D. S., Richardson G. L. Project management Tools and Techniques. Boca Raton, FL: CRC Press John, 2020. – p. 446
3. Larson E.W., Clifford F.G. Project Management: the Managerial Process. Seventh edition. – NY: McGrow-Hill Education, 2017. – p. 659.
4. Levin G., Wyzalek J. (eds) Portfolio Management: A Strategic Approach. – Boca Raton, FL: CRC Press John, 2015. – p. 360. (e-grāmata)
5. Moustafaev J. Project Portfolio Management in Theory and Practice: Thirty Case Studies from around the World. – Boca Raton, FL: CRC Press John, 2017. – p. 315. (e-grāmata)
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 lpp.

Further reading

1. Malachowsky S. Project Team Leadership and Communication. Rochester, NY: Lintwood Press, 2018. – p.233
2. Forands I. Projekta menedžments. Rīga, 2006. 258 lpp.
3. Hanss D. Litke, Kunova I. Projektu vadība. Rīga: Denova, 2003, 125 lpp.
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.

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.