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

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.

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

According to Laurea UAS's degree regulations, "All students are entitled to demonstrate their competence. The recognition and accreditation of prior competence is initiated by the students themselves. The competence is recognised and accredited by the teacher responsible for the studies or another person designated to the position.

The assessment is carried out according to the same assessment criteria and, as a rule, the same grading scale as that adopted for the corresponding study unit or module.

The student is entitled to apply for accreditation of prior competence regardless of where, how and when the competence has been acquired. The student may also seek accreditation of competence to be acquired on the job as part of their degree (work-based learning). The competence to be accredited must be in line with the learning outcomes of the degree programme’s curriculum. The student is responsible for demonstrating and verifying their competence and for providing sufficient information.

Students should apply for the accreditation of prior competence at the beginning of their studies, so they can progress in their studies without interruption. However, students are entitled to apply for accreditation of prior competence throughout their studies."

Important dates

Canvas will be opened a week before the first meeting. The last meeting will be held by the end of April.
Some additional dates may be scheduled for small group meetings.

Also see Laurea's degree regulations, section 18:

“Students must be present for the first contact teaching session, or they must notify the responsible teacher of their absence to confirm they intend to participate in studies, Alternatively, the teacher can specify a different manner for the student to confirm that they intend to participate in the studies. The completion of these measures can be required within a week of the studies having begun. The application of the aforementioned approach requires that the teacher notifies the students accepted to the study unit of the practice and that the practice is specifically mentioned in the study unit’s implementation plan.

If the student has a justified reason for not attending the first contact teaching session or for not notifying the teacher of their intention to be involved in studies in the manner required by the teacher, the student must contact the responsible teacher to agree on participation in the studies. Their registration for the study unit will be rejected, of the student does not notify the teacher of being absent from the first contact teaching session or the reason for their absence cannot be considered justified, Another student who is in line for the study unit can be selected in their place”.

Students workload

5 ECTS is approximately 135 hours of student`s work.

Content and scheduling

A detailed schedule will be given in Canvas.

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)

Further information for students

The project management part of the study unit is linked to work done on another study unit.

Grading scale

H-5

Evaluation methods and criteria

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

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.