Project Management and Communication (5 cr)

Learning outcomes

The student is able to
- plan and report on the progress of a project, taking different elements of project management into consideration and using basic project management tools
- write text that is based on research results, using and referencing reliable sources of their field
- communicate in a goal-oriented way, taking the target audience and need into consideration
- utilise IT tools in project management and communication

Materials

Learning materials are provided in Canvas. Also the following works will be consulted:
Bailey, S. 2011. Academic writing: a handbook for international students. 3rd edition. London: Routledge.
Dawson, C. 2009. Projects in computing and information systems. 2nd edition. Harlow: Addison-Wesley.
Lock, D. 2013. Naked Project Management: the bare facts. Gower.
Ojasalo, K., Moilanen, T. & Ritalahti, J. 2009. Research-oriented approach. Partially translated from: Kehittämistyön menetelmät – Uudenlaista osaamista liiketoimintaan. Helsinki: WSOY.

Teaching methods

During the study unit students will familiarise themselves with the basic principles of project management and receive guidance on communication requirements and tools for carrying out academic and project-related work.
The study unit contains work on the following topic areas:
- Research and development in academic projects
- Project planning, scheduling and risk management
- Teamwork and collaboration
- ICT tools for project management and documentation
- Preparing project-related communications (project plan, project report and presentation)
- Academic writing (referencing, style and tone, structure and organisation)

Exam schedules

The exam dates are offered during the contact sessions.
- Project management exam
- Office exam
See Canvas for more details.

Completion alternatives

Contact the lecturer in charge if you feel you are entitled to get recognition for previously acquired competence in the areas outlined in the study objectives.

Student workload

5 credits = 135 hours of student`s work.

Assessment criteria, approved/failed

The evaluation is based on the office and project management exam, related assignments and an academic essay. A detailed description of the assessment criteria is given in Canvas.

Content scheduling

A more detailed schedule is published in Canvas. The following areas are covered during online meetings with supplementary material provided in the workspace.
1. Project management overview. Research and development projects. PM methodologies.
2. Source referencing and academic style. The structure of project documentation and academic reports.
3. Using MS Office tools: Word and Excel
4. Project processes. Tools used in initiation and planning.
5. Collaboration and teamwork on projects.
6. Feedback sessions on the writing task.

Evaluation scale

H-5