Programme

Fall 2024  I  8 ECTS credits

Course Description  

The course integrates project management principles within the broader context of strategic management, highlighting the critical link between strategic management and project planning. It delves into the concept of the project economy, examining the profound impact of projectification on society while elucidating the pivotal role of engineering principles in effective project management practices. The course explores professional project management associations globally, their distinct missions, characteristics, and fundamental bodies of knowledge. Building on the CDIO framework, the course offers a comprehensive understanding of its multifaceted approach to innovation and development. It thoroughly investigates the process of Conceiving innovative ideas based on opportunities or challenges, followed by a rigorous design phase focusing on defining and refining project concepts. It further emphasises the critical stages of Implementation and operation, shedding light on the practical realisation, testing, and seamless integration of project ideas into operational contexts, ensuring the delivery of tangible benefits to organisations and society.

Learning outcomes

Upon completion, students will have acquired the following knowledge, skills, and competencies:

Knowledge:

• Understand the nature and value of strategic planning.
• Recognise the emergence of the project economy.
• Comprehend the role of project management in society.
• Identify critical elements of projectified world.
• Differentiate between various strategic approaches.
• Gain insights into the essential view of strategic planning.
• Explore the concepts discussed in the provided readings.
• Grasp the significance of strategic thinking in organisations..
• Explain how project management contributes to successfully implementing an organisation’s strategy

Skills: 

• Analyse strategic planning processes.
• Apply project management principles to real-world scenarios.
• Evaluate project management associations and ethical codes.
• Assess the impact of project management on organisational capital.
• Critically examine the concept of strategic engineering.
• Demonstrate strategic agility through transformation mapping.
• Foster creativity and innovation through canvas exercises.
• Apply strategic conception and design thinking to business challenges.

Competences:

• Develop a strategic mindset for planning and decision-making.
• Apply project management knowledge to create value for organisations.
• Navigate the ethical and regulatory aspects of project management.
• Enhance stakeholder engagement and organisational capital understanding.
• Adapt to the principles of strategic engineering.
• Utilise transformation maps and project canvases effectively.
• Foster a culture of creativity and innovation in strategic planning.
• Demonstrate proficiency in strategic conception and design.

Fall 2024  I  8 ECTS credits

Course Description  

The course provides a comprehensive exploration of project management, focusing on balancing understanding project characteristics and implementing efficient execution strategies. It promotes a mindset of thoughtful consideration followed by swift action, underscoring the importance of grasping a project’s characteristics and adapting to changing circumstances. The topics covered include the historical foundations of project management, the principles of setting goals and project planning, stakeholder analysis, and assessing risks in complex and unpredictable environments. Furthermore, the course delves into critical aspects of time management, resource allocation, and cost control in the project planning process. Taking a holistic approach, it examines the broader consequences of neglecting essential project elements, drawing insights from past project failures. Finally, the course guides students through the development, presentation, implementation, and ongoing refinement of an effective project management plan, emphasising its pivotal role as a dynamic tool for executing projects successfully.

Learning outcomes: 

Upon completion, students will have acquired the following knowledge, skills, and competencies:

Knowledge: 

• Understand the broad content of ICB4, the individual competence baseline.
• Understand the broad content of the 7th edition of the APM Body of Knowledge.
• Explain the historical foundations of project management
• Explain a general systems view on a project as an organisational system and the typical problems that may occur in such systems and lead to project failures.

Skills: 

• Assess project environment, including uncertainty, complexity and stakeholders.
• Assess the project scope and define measurable project objectives.​
• Develop a project Work Breakdown Structure (WBS) and develop a Gantt chart and/or a network diagram as a graphical model of the project life cycle.
• Build up a project budget, and a cash flow profile and assess the cost of financing.
• Calculate the critical path and consider how this is influenced by the availability of project resources.
• Develop a plan for information management and communication in a project.​
• Design a project organisation and define roles in a project.

Competences: 

• Conduct relevant project analysis, including risk, stakeholders, etc.
• Use the outcome of project analysis to develop a holistic project management plan.

Fall 2024  I  8 ECTS credits

Course Description  

The course uniquely integrates psychological principles and ethical considerations into project, program, and portfolio (PPP) management. Designed to enhance leadership and management practices, it delves deeply into understanding how psychological aspects impact on leadership effectiveness in complex project environments. The course offers a comprehensive exploration of various leadership styles and behaviours and how they are influenced. A particular focus is on developing critical thinking and self-awareness, equipping students with the skills to navigate intricate project scenarios with integrity and moral soundness. Students will be encouraged to critically reflect, gaining insights into their personal life cycles, perceptions, values, and individual differences. This self-awareness is crucial in understanding and managing the diverse human elements present in project management. The course's broad spectrum also and also hints at how to managing workplace relations, effective communication strategies, adaptation, and enhance personal productivity and growth, and professional development. These elements are crucial in building and strategically leading successful projects, programmes and portfolios. Additionally, the course emphasises ethical decision-making in management grounded in moral theories. Overall, the course offers a holistic approach to PPP management, blending psychological insights with sound leadership practices. It is a resource for those aspiring to lead with empathy, effectiveness, and moral rigour in the challenging landscape of project management.

​​Learning Outcomes:

Upon completion, students will have acquired the following knowledge, skills, and competencies:

Knowledge:

• Critically understand various psychological theories and their applications to leadership. 
• Analyse behaviours and skills essential for effective leadership.
• Evaluate how environment and situations may influence leadership styles.
• Understand the structure and significance of a project vision.
• Assess methods to address challenges within project environments.
• Grasp the critical role of psychology in project management and leadership.
• Comprehend ethical and moral theories in management.
• Understand the importance of self-understanding and management in leadership.

Skills:

• Critically evaluate various leadership styles in different scenarios.
• Analyse and apply practical interpersonal skills in leadership.
• Adapt leadership styles to suit specific project environments.
• Develop and articulate clear project visions.
• Tackle challenges in project environments using appropriate methods.
• Apply psychological principles in project management effectively.
• Communicate and manage workplace relations skillfully.
• Apply ethical reasoning and integrity in managerial decisions.

Competences:

• Lead PPP projects using a variety of leadership styles effectively.
• Demonstrate sensitivity and adaptability in leadership roles.
• Craft and communicate compelling project visions.
• Address project challenges with strategic and ethical approaches.
• Utilise psychological insights for personal growth and professional development.
• Make ethically sound decisions in complex managerial situations.
• Engage in effective communication and relationship management.
• Independently apply moral theories to real-world management scenarios.

Fall 2024  I  2 ECTS credits

Course Description: 

This comprehensive course is designed for individuals aspiring to excel in project leadership by integrating professional coaching principles. It is ideal for aspiring project leaders looking to enhance their skills and apply coaching principles effectively in diverse project settings. It begins with a focus on coaching ethics, covering key aspects like maintaining integrity and confidentiality. The course then to progresses to developing a coaching mindset, highlighting the importance of openness and adaptability. A significant portion of the course is dedicated to establishing trust and clarity in coaching relationships and cultivating a supportive environment that fosters personal growth and professional development. Active listening skills, a crucial component for effective client support, are another focal point of the course. The curriculum also explores team coaching, emphasising the need for presence and responsiveness. Participants are then guided through how coaching links to adaptation and change by using tools that evoke awareness and offers guidance in translating insights into actionable steps. These knowledges and skills are turne into activities like peer coaching and portfolio assignments that are designed to ensuring a comprehensive understanding of project coaching. The course concludes with a workshop where participants will apply the coaching principles they have learned in a practical setting. 

Learning Outcomes: 

Upon completion, students will have acquired the following knowledge, skills, and competencies:

Knowledge:

• Understanding how to apply ethics in coaching scenarios.
• Knowledge of the differences and boundaries between coaching, consulting, therapy, and other support professions.
• Insight into the impact of a client's identity, environment, experiences, values, and beliefs on the coaching process.
• Awareness of the principles and practices of establishing trust and intimacy in the client-coach relationship.
• Comprehensive understanding of the techniques and strategies for effective communication within coaching sessions.
• Familiarity with methods for cultivating client awareness and facilitating learning and insight.
• Knowledge of various approaches for facilitating client growth and promoting client autonomy.
• Understanding of adaptive leadership and change management in the context of project coaching.

Skills:

• Ability to apply ethical practices and standards consistently in coaching.
• Skill in creating clear agreements and establishing trust with clients and stakeholders.
• Proficiency in actively listening and effectively responding to client needs and communication.
• Competence in maintaining presence and being fully conscious and responsive during coaching sessions.
• Ability to evoke awareness in clients using appropriate coaching tools and techniques.
• Skills in facilitating client insight and learning for personal and professional growth.
• Proficiency in designing goals and action plans in collaboration with clients.
• Skill in empowering clients to transform learning into action and promote autonomy.

Competences:

• Competence in maintaining confidentiality and personal integrity in client interactions.
• Ability to adapt coaching style to respect clients' diverse identities and backgrounds.
• Proficiency in managing emotions and staying present and focused during sessions.
• Competence in developing and maintaining client-coach compatibility and effective communication.
• Ability to manage time and focus effectively within coaching sessions.
• Skill in identifying and addressing client needs and facilitating client-driven outcomes.
• Competence in integrating new awareness and learning into clients' worldviews and behaviours.
• Ability to support clients through transitions, cultivating resilience and adaptability in project teams.