| Course title | Project Management |
| Course code | VadZM011 |
| Credit points (ECTS) | 5 |
| Total Hours in Course | 135 |
| Number of hours for lectures | 20 |
| Number of hours for seminars and practical classes | 20 |
| Number of hours for laboratory classes | 0 |
| Independent study hours | 95 |
| Date of course confirmation | 12/03/2025 |
| Responsible Unit | Institute of Social Sciences and Humanities |
| Course developers | |
| Ph.D., doc. Mairita Kalniņa |
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| Prior knowledge | |
| PolZM001, Public Administration SociM001, Organizational Behaviour SociM005, Organized Civil Society |
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| Course abstract | |
| The aim of the course is to provide students with the necessary knowledge, skills and competences on the content of the organisation, including the public sector project management process (design, planning, implementation, control and closure), globally recognised project management methodologies (Agile, Waterfall, etc.) and digital tools, as well as knowledge on the aspects of project documentation, ensuring compliance with project requirements set by legislation and regulations. Students acquire knowledge, skills and abilities in project management on the following aspects: the development planning system in the country in the context of EU funds, project management aspects in the public sector, project management principles and methods, project life cycle, project risk management, use of digital tools in project management and monitoring, project stakeholder identification and management. | |
| Learning outcomes and their assessment | |
| Knowledge.
In-depth knowledge and understanding of the nature of project management, its role in achieving the organisation’s strategic objectives, project life cycle model, terminology - class discussion, group work, control work. In-depth knowledge and understanding of the specifics of project management in the public sector and development planning in a country in the context of EU funds - class discussion, group work. Extended knowledge and skills in the application of project management methods - practical exercises, control work. Professional skills. Skills to independently initiate a project idea, define project objectives and argue the relevance of the problem - practical work, group work. Skills to use project management methods in a professional way - practical work, control work. Ability to develop project plans and project applications using project planning methods in a professional manner - practical work. Ability to identify project risks and determine methods for managing them - practical work, group work. Ability to identify the key stakeholders of a project and determine the nature and role of their involvement in the project - group work. Ability to use of digital tools to develop project plans - practical work. Soft skills. Ability to plan assigned work responsibly - group work, independent work. Ability to engage in teamwork, express and argue their thoughts on aspects of project requirements - group work, independent work. Competences. Ability to identify, formulate and analyse problem situations in a professionally way - practical work, group work, discussions. Ability to manage and analyse private and public sector projects in a methodologically approach, to work collaboratively in a group, to develop independent conclusions and proposals on the project management process - practical group work, discussions. |
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| Course Content(Calendar) | |
| Full-time study.
Lecture topics (20 h): 1.The essence of project management, its historical formation and its role in achieving the strategic objectives of the organisation (2 h). 2.Project life cycle and its phases (2 h). 3.Development planning in the context of EU funds (2 h). 4.Project management in the public sector (2 h). 5.Project problem and objective definition. The nature of project objectives, defining objectives (2 h). 6.Project idea, analysis of project alternatives. Methods to be used in the development of the project (1 h). 7.Identification and analysis of the project target group, stakeholders (2 h). 8.Project management methodologies and standards (3 h). 9.Project manager and his/her role in project team management (1 h). 10.Project risk management (2 h). 11.The role of communication in project management and the use of digital tools (2 h). Practical work/workshop topics (20 h): 1.Project management terminology, types of projects and their role in achieving the organisation's strategic objectives - discussion, group work (1h). 2.Project management life cycle model analysis - discussion, control work 1 (3h). 3.Content analysis of development planning documents (National Development Plan, Sustainable Development Strategy) - group work, discussion (2 h). 4.Development of the project idea and definition of objectives - practical work, group work (3h). 5.Definition of project requirements, development of project documentation (project application, documentation related to project implementation) - practical work (2 h). 6.Methods used in project planning (structure plan, logical structure matrix) (2h). 7.Drawing up a project risk matrix and determining the risk impact - group work, discussion (3h). 8.Project management standards and methodologies and their application in project management – control work 2 (3 h). 9.Identification of stakeholders and their level of involvement - group work (3h). Part-time distance learning: All topics specified for full-time studies are covered, but the number of contact hours is reduced to half of the number specified for full-time studies. |
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| Requirements for awarding credit points | |
| Exam. The final assessment is cumulative on the following topics and tasks:
1.The nature of project management, project life cycle, its phases, terminology (control work 1 - 20%); 2.Specifics of project management in the public sector and development planning in the country in the context of EU funds (1 discussion, group work - 10%); 3.Project management standards and methodologies and their use in project management (control work 2 - 20%); 4.Development of project application documentation (practical work - 10%); 5.Examination: theoretical knowledge on all topics of the course (40%). The study process in part-time distance learning is organised in accordance with Order of the Vice-Rector for Studies No. 2.4-8/54 on distance learning procedures at LBTU. Study courses are scheduled for each semester according to the study plan. Students acquire the topics covered in each course independently, using the materials prepared and uploaded by the lecturer in the e-studies environment (Moodle). Feedback on the learning of lecture and seminar topics is provided through self-assessment tests, discussion forums, and individual tasks, as well as during face-to-face or online consultations, lectures, and final examinations, according to the timetable. |
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| Description of the organization and tasks of students’ independent work | |
| Study of scientific literature, independent preparation for control tests, participation in discussions and group work, successful completion of practical work. | |
| Criteria for Evaluating Learning Outcomes | |
| Students must successfully complete two tasks (40%), prepare for the discussion (10%), complete a practical work (10%) and study the scientific literature for the exam (40%). | |
| Compulsory reading | |
| 1. Project Management Institute (2021). A Guide to the Project Management Body of Knowledge. PMBOK GUIDE 7th Edition. Project Management Institute.
2. Project Management Institute (2017). Agile Practice Guide. Project Management Institute. 3. Wright C. (2022). Agile Project Management, Assurance and Auditing: A Practical Guide for Auditors, Reviewers and Project Teams. eBook. Pieejams LBTU EBSCOhost datubāzē: https://research-ebsco-com.ezproxy.llu.lv/linkprocessor/plink?id=b0c4f847-8096-36f9-a42c-21dd2b3c6b31 4. Hillson D., Simon P. (2020). Practical Project Risk Management: The Atom Methodology. Third Edition. Oakland: Berrett-Koehler, 288 p. 5. Verzuh E. The Portable MBA in Project Management. John Wiley& Sons. [b.g.].436 p. 6. Hickson R.J., Owen T. L. (2022). Project Management for Mining: Handbook for Delivering Project Success. eBook. Pieejams: LBTU EBSCOhost datubāzē: https://research-ebsco-com.ezproxy.llu.lv/linkprocessor/plink?id=27e38223-4c70-351a-8921-dbcc16a08d39 7. Geipele I., Tambovceva T. (2004). Projektu vadīšana. Rīga: Apgāds Valters un Rapa. 190. lpp. 8. Larson E.W. (2017). Project management : the managerial process. New York : McGraw-Hill Education, ISBN 9781259666094. Pieejams LBTU FB. 9. Eskerod P., Jepsen A.L. (2013). Project Stakeholder Management. Burlington, VT : Routledge. eBook. Pieejams: LBTU EBSCOhost datubāzē:https://research-ebscocom.ezproxy.llu.lv/linkprocessor/plink?id=f0084a00-7845-3a4b-8298-cbd03942a2b0 10. Project Management Institute. (2024). The Risk Management in Portfolios, Programs, and Projects: A Practice Guide. Project Management Institute, 160 p. 11. Burke R. (2013). Project management: planning and control techniques. Chichester, West Sussex: John Wiley & Sons 12. Kassel D.S. (2016). Managing Public Sector Projects: A Strategic Framework for Success in an Era of Downsized Government, Second Edition. Routledge. |
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| Further reading | |
| 1. Williams T.M., Samset K., Volden G.H. The Front-end of Large Public Projects: Paradoxes and Ways Ahead. Routledge. eBook. Pieejams LBTU EBSCOhost datubāzē: https://research-ebsco-com.ezproxy.llu.lv/linkprocessor/plink?id=57557fb6-1eee-35d8-b45f-e54ea8a37596
2. Projektu vadīšanas nacionālās kompetences vadlīnijas (NCB). Latvijas Nacionālā projektu vadīšanas asociācija, Rīga, 2011. 3. Kassel D.S. (2016). Managing Public Sector Projects: A Strategic Framework for Success in an Era of Downsized Government, 2nd ed. |
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| Periodicals and other sources | |
| 1.https://www.pmi.org/
2.https://americanacademyofprojectmanagement.com/ 3.https://lnpva.lv/ 4.https://ec.europa.eu/regional_policy/home_en 5.https://www.esfondi.lv/ 6.https://www.apm.org.uk/ |
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| Notes | |
| Restricted elective course in the academic master’s study programme “Sociology of organizations and public administration”. | |