This course provides students with a comprehensive understanding of project management methodologies, techniques, and tools, complemented by real-world case studies, exercises, and projects. The course is designed to cultivate students' capabilities, enabling them to confront and overcome challenges encountered in practical project settings effectively.
Nowadays, organisations rely on projects to develop new products and services, increase sales, and deliver innovation. Projects are temporary organisational forms. The effective development of projects is a critical success factor for any organisation, regardless of the sector or industry. Project management is a well-established body of knowledge comprising methodologies, tools, and techniques to improve project performance.
Therefore, the basics of project management methodologies equip students with tools and techniques to apply them directly in organisations, thereby contributing to business success.
The course approach integrates:
· Basic principles of project management establish a common framework applicable to any project in any sector. The subject content focuses on three main project objectives – Scope, Time, and Cost –, which are the key issues of any project.Also, risk and Stakeholders are involved.
· Basic concepts of agile project management provide an alternative framework for managing projects.
· Real case experiences in the form of workshops, class activities, and team management.
· Development of a hybrid project plan that utilises, combines, and applies both agile and waterfall management techniques. Students will learn to work in teams, which requires a high demand for group work, coordination, and cooperation. This will be a key aspect in their group work.
N/A
• Provides a descriptive overview of the current state of the art in project management and its integration into the various organisational structures found within a company.
• Understands the project knowledge areas (scope, cost, and time), as well as the tools that facilitate project management.
• Develops skills in using software tools for project planning and monitoring.
• Learns how to prevent and manage project risks and implement contingency plans.
• Understands how to control project deviations and analyse trends to manage scheduling and budgeting.
• Understands how to design a system for implementing changes.
• Understands how to control and manage project quality.
• Understands how to properly close a project.
1. Introduction to project management
1. 1 The introduction to projects and project management.
1. 2 Strategic project management.
1. 3 Project Initiating (Project Charter-predictive & Inception-agile).
1. 4 Use of CANVAS Project Charter format
2. Scope planning.
2.1 Scope management
2.2 Project planning-Project management plan
2.3 Scope management plan (from requirements gathering to WBS, predictive)
3. Time planning. ProjectLibre (I)
3.1 ProjectLibre workshop 1: Project planning-Schedule management plan. From WBS to Gantt
4. ProjectLibre (II)
4.1 ProjectLibre workshop 2: Introduce macro-micro connection with Scrum
4.2 Workshop on MS Project
5. SCRUM and HYBRIDIZATION
5.1 Description of SCRUM.
5.2 Hybridisation and examples
6. Project planning-Risk management plan (predictive)
6.1 Project planning-Risk management plan (predictive)
7. Costs Management Plan
7.1 Costs Management Plan
8. MIDTERM EXAM
9. What is the daily routine of a data-driven project consulting/services department/BIDA
10. Team, Resources and Stakeholders management plan (PMI):
10.1 Project planning- Resources, Stakeholders management plan (PMI)
10.2 Team management (management 3.0)
11. Real-life examples of BIDA projects: Use of AI, dashboarding, machine learning, reporting…
12. Execution-monitoring and controlling (predictive & agile): Execution-monitoring and controlling (predictive & agile)
13. How to use data (metrics and indicators)
13.1 How to use data (metrics and indicators from project monitoring for decision taking - Examples from real cases and work on a case study
13.2 EVM
14. Cybersecurity
14.1 Cybersecurity (data analysis and cybersecurity projects management)-
15. Closing and lessons learned
15.1 Closing (lessons learned, predictive, Real cases, & Retrospective workshop-Agile)
16. FINAL EXAM
The methodology combines theoretical classes, individual exercises, and workshops with simulated scenarios, in which students will employ a learning-by-doing approach. This course aims to enhance understanding of project management and develop managerial skills. A hands-on approach is crucial throughout the course, incorporating in-class and out-of-class readings, teamwork activities, exercises, and individual and group assignment tasks. The methodologies adopted during the sessions are:
· MD0 Magistral class.
· MD6 Learning based on projects.
· MD7 Flipped classroom
· MD12 Grow through experiences
· MD13 Case study
The sessions are structured as follows:
· Magistral class (1 hour): After the introduction to the session topic, the professor teaches the main content of the class for 60 minutes. The objective is to build the knowledge together, students and professor, leveraging the professor's guidance. Exercises and problems are primary tools for explaining theoretical concepts and engaging the classroom.
· Casestudysolution(0.5 hours): Every 3-4 sessions, the students have approximately 30 minutestosolvethecasestudy.It is important to foster high engagement between students and professors to address questions and doubts and foster synergy.
· Group assignment (1.5 hours): Students have approximately 1 to 1.5 hours to work as a team on their group assignment activities.
20% Individual assignments.
10%ClassParticipation(attitudeandeffort).
40%Groupassignment
40%Tests.Highly significant
The following will be valued:
The correct application of project management methodologies, techniques, and tools in Business Intelligence and Data Analytics contexts.
The ability to plan, organize, and monitor projects considering scope, time, cost, quality, and risks.
The conceptual understanding of the fundamentals of project management and predictive and agile approaches.
The ability to analyze organizational problems and propose structured solutions through data-driven projects.
The appropriate identification and management of project stakeholders, risks, resources, and requirements.
The ability to work collaboratively and participate effectively in team activities and dynamics.
The correct preparation of project documentation, including schedules, plans, reports, and executive presentations.
The ability to interpret project metrics and performance indicators to support decision-making.
Clarity, coherence, and professionalism in the presentation of reports, deliverables, and oral presentations.
The ability to apply critical thinking and decision-making in real or simulated project management scenarios.
Project Management Institute Inc, PMBOK Guide (6th Edition). A Guide to the Project Management Body of Knowledge,
Harold R. Kerzner; Wiley (2013). Project Management: a systems approach to planning, scheduling and controlling; ISBN: 978-1118022276
Harold R. Kerzner; John Wiley & Sons Inc (2017). Project Management: Case Studies, ISBN: 978-1119385974
Barker, Stephen & Cole, Rob; Pearson (2009). Brilliant Project Management; ISBN: 978-0273722328
Richman, Larry; Amacom Books (2006). Project Management Step-by-Step; ISBN: 978-0814473870
Project Management Institute; Project Management Institute Inc. (2011). Practice Standard for Project Estimating; ISBN: 978-1935589129
Berkun, Scott; O'Reilly Media (2008). Making Things Happen: Mastering Project Management; ISBN: 978-0596517717
Portny, Stanley E.; Wiley (2013). Project Management for Dummies; ISBN: 978-1118497234
McConnell, Steve; Microsoft Press (1997). Software Project Survival Guide; ISBN: 978-1572316218
Garton, Colleen & McCulloch, Erika; MC Press (2012). Fundamentals of Technology Project Management; ISBN: 978-1583473399
Portny, Stanley E.; Wiley (2013). Project Management for Dummies; ISBN: 978-1118497234.