Projects differ in two respects: complexity (magnitude of the effort, number of groups and organizations that need to be coordinated, and diversity in skills or expertise needed) and uncertainty (predictability of the final outcome in terms of time, cost and technical performance). Many concepts, models, methods and techniques have been developed and applied to manage projects with respect to the main elements of these dimensions. In addition, most projects need to be managed simultaneously and in connection to each other.

The ability to make a sound contribution to project management presupposes in-depth knowledge and understanding of the theoretical and empirical bases of both aspects of project management. In this course, students will be challenged to examine the appropriateness, usefulness and academic status of project management principles and methods that are generally applied in the field of process and product innovation.

In this course, we deal with a variety of projects, ranging from quite predictable one-of-a-kind engineer to order projects, to incremental product innovation projects and radical product innovation projects. Uncertainty may exist at various levels. First it may be uncertain what processes need to be carried out to complete the project. Second it may be uncertain whether a given process leads to a certain desired outcome. Third, it may be uncertain how much resource and time is needed to perform the process.

In the course we discuss management concepts for projects with uncertainty in process execution. Furthermore we discuss the methods and techniques to control projects with uncertainty in processes such as: overlapping of development tasks early stage solution testing, design iterations and prototyping, and frequent review meetings.

Empirical research regarding the results obtained with the use of these techniques for the control of various types of projects is also discussed.

Learning outcome

After taking the course students are able to:
- understand the theoretical and empirical basis of project management;
- understand contemporary approaches to the management of projects;
- unravel the complex relationships within a project’s constraints and within an multi-project organization;
- know the drivers of project success, and especially how to control, organize and evaluate for project success.

Examination
The course evaluation will be based on:
50 % - classroom contribution (oral, individual)
50 % - Written assignment (written report, group)

This is a course with continuous assessment (several exam elements) and one final exam code. Each exam element will be graded using points on a scale (e.g. 0-100). The elements will be weighted together according to the information in the course description in order to calculate the final letter grade for the course.

Specific information regarding student evaluation beyond the information given in the course description will be provided in class. This information may be relevant for requirements for term papers or other hand-ins, and/or where class participation can be one of several elements of the overall evaluation


Examination code(s)
GRA 81701 - Continuous assessment; accounts for 100 % to pass the course GRA 8170, 2 ECTS credits

The course is a part of a full Executive Master of Business Administration Program and all evaluations must be passed to obtain a certificate for the degree.

Examination support materials



Re-sit examination
Re-takes are only possible at the next time a course will be held. When course evaluation consists of class participation or continuous assessment, the whole course must be re-evaluated when a student wants to retake a exam. Retake examinations entail an extra examination fee.

Additional information