Project Seminar

2018/2019

Academic Year

ENG

Instruction in English

2

ECTS credits

Delivered at:

Department of Political Science and International Affairs

Course type:

Compulsory course

When:

2 year, 2, 3 module

Instructor

Ageeva, Vera

Course Syllabus

Abstract

Successful project managers skillfully manage their resources, schedules, risks, and scope to produce a desired outcome. In this course, students explore project management with a practical, hands-on approach through case studies and class exercises. A key and often overlooked challenge for project managers is the ability to manage without influence—to gain the support of stakeholders and access to resources not directly under their control. Special attention is given to critical success factors required to overcome resistance to change. We will review causes of project failure and how to mitigate risks through proper planning in the early phases of a new initiative.

Learning Objectives

• This course guides students through fundamental project management concepts and behavioral skills needed to success-fully launch, lead, and realize benefits from projects in profit and nonprofit organizations.

Expected Learning Outcomes

• Able to outline the need for resources and plan their use for solving professional problems
• Student is capable of taking part in information dissemination through various media and information channels (both mass and individual), as well as in information campaigns
• Student is capable of allocating tasks among project participants as part of planning the political projects; student is also capable of processing the respective paperwork, including the performance specifications for each participant
• Student is capable of participating in organization and implementation of political campaigns in accordance with the goals set by the management of the campaign / the client
• Student is capable of participating in organizing and implementing various management processes, and of achieving the goals set by his/her superiors

Course Contents

• Block 1. Project Management. Introduction. Project definition, characteristics, life cycle
• Block 1. PM superstructure. Initiation strategy.
• Block 1. Planning. Controlling. Project scope management.
• Block 1. Project communication management. Risk management.
• Block 1. Cross-cultural challenges. Social media & Project management. Ethics.
• Block 2. Projects’ design examples
• Block 3. Projects’ reports & analysis

Assessment Elements

• In-class participation
• Exam
  Exam will consist of 2 parts: theory and practice of project management. Theory part: one question from project management theory (Block 1). Practice part: presentation of project design. Exam will be assessed on 10-0 scale.
• Projects’ design
  50 points is maximum
• Projects’ reports & analysis
  50 points is maximum

Interim Assessment

• Interim assessment (3 module)
  Course formula is cumulative grade*0,65 + exam*0,35

Bibliography

Recommended Core Bibliography

• Project Management Institute. (2017). A Guide to the Project Management Body of Knowledge (PMBOK® Guide)–Sixth Edition (Vol. Sixth edition). Newtown Square, PA: Project Management Institute. Retrieved from http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&site=eds-live&db=edsebk&AN=1595320

Recommended Additional Bibliography

• Richardson, G. L. (2015). Project Management Theory and Practice (Vol. Second edition). Boca Raton, FL: Auerbach Publications. Retrieved from http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&site=eds-live&db=edsebk&AN=1910541