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)

Employer connections

Project collaboration.

Exam schedules

See the course schedule in Pakki.

According to the degree regulations (section 18) “students must be present in the first contact session or notify their teacher in charge if they cannot attend. If they fail to notify the teacher of their absence in the first contact session, their enrollment will be rejected. Another student in the queue may be enrolled in the study unit in the place of the absent student.” (Laurea degree regulations) In the case of online studies the lecturer can also specify some other way than participation on an online meeting what is required from the student so that he/she verifies his/her attendance on the study unit (Decision by the vice president, education 7/2019).

International connections

The study unit is suitable for exchange students.

Completion alternatives

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, 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 student is responsible for demonstrating and verifying their competence and for providing sufficient information.

Student workload

This study unit is worth 5 ECTS, which is about 135 hours of work.

Content 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
- 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)

Evaluation scale

H-5