Study Guide

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

Teaching methods

The course is implemented through online class meetings supplemented by tests, homework tasks, readings and an essay. A part of the course is assessed individually, and some assignments are done through teamwork.

Students receive feedback on their essay and also give face-to-face and online peer feedback on these.

Learning materials and recommended literature

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.
• Snyder, C. 2013. A user's manual to the PMBOK guide. Hoboken, NJ: Wiley.

Alternative completion methods of implementation

Contact the lecturer if you feel that you have achieved the course objectives through informal or other means.

Important dates

See Canvas for more details.

Students workload

5 ECTS = 135 hours of work
A combination of contact lessons and independent study.

Content and scheduling

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
• An introduction to project management methodologies and especially the PMBOK framework.
• Teamwork and collaboration on projects.
• ICT and project management tools and documentation.
• Preparing project-related communications (project charter/plan, project report and presentation)
• Academic writing (referencing, style and tone, structure and organisation)

All meeting and assignment dates are published on the Canvas learning platform.

Grading scale

H-5

Evaluation methods and criteria

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.

Evaluation criteria, fail (0)

Parts of the course are incomplete or not completed to the required standard.

Evaluation criteria, satisfactory (1-2)

All the assignments and exams of the study unit are passed.

The student is able to produce academic and project-related communications which are understandable, though clarity and/or detail may be lacking. The style and formatting used in written documentation is correct in part. The content demonstrates a level of reflection and understanding, though some areas require more attention. Source materials are integrated into the text to some extent.

Evaluation criteria, good (3-4)

All the assignments and exams of the study unit are passed.

The student is able to produce academic and project-related communications which are fairly structured and clear. The style and formatting used in written documentation is mostly correct. The content demonstrates a good level of reflection and understanding. Source materials are integrated into the text.

Evaluation criteria, excellent (5)

All the assignments and exams of the study unit are passed.

The student is able to produce academic and project-related communications which are well-structured, clear and concise, and which uses the appropriate style and format. The content demonstrates an excellent level of reflection and understanding. Source materials are well integrated into the text.