Project Management: Methods, Tools and Applications

Not applicable

In this course, students will examine how to develop and carry out an integrated project plan, including the processes, methods, tools and techniques, and results. A project charter will be created, requirements will be determined, and the project scope will be defined, created, and managed. Upon completion of this course, students will learn about the job of a project manager as well as the core ideas and skills required to manage and handle change in a project successfully. Additionally, students will learn various available project management methodologies that are useful for managing a project efficiently. The course consisted of both individual work and group work. In the individual work, the goal is to familiarize students with the bodies of knowledge in project management to comprehend the purpose, relevance, and importance of its role in delivering successful projects. In group work, students will interact with each other in teams which will help them to improve their both oral and written English communication skills. Through working on group projects, they will be trained in both theoretical and practical knowledge of managing projects that will also offer an opportunity for interpersonal skill development. Moreover, this course will promote critical and analytical thinking further to support students to up-skills and re-skill their knowledge and expertise in technology, business, and organizational abilities. This course will consist of five themes such as (i) Basics of projects and project management, (ii) Project management methods, (iii) Project planning, scheduling and monitoring, (iv) Managing costs and quality in projects, and (v) Project management tools & applications.

In a summary the students will learn:

• to develop and carry out an integrated project plan, including the processes, methods, tools and techniques, and results.
• to know about the job of a project manager as well as the core ideas and skills required to manage and handle change in a project successfully.
• to know various available project management methodologies that are useful for managing a project efficiently.
• to promote critical and analytical thinking further to support students to up-skills and re-skill their knowledge and expertise in technology, business, and organizational abilities.

Additionally, the course develops:

• analytical and critical thinking skills (knowledge assessment and interpretation),
• communication skill: oral, written, presentation skills (group presentation and report), and
• digital skills (management of various software and data analysis tools).

Study materials and literature:
• Lecture slides
• Scientific articles (provided by the teacher)
• Relevant videos (provided by the teacher)
• Recommended books:
a) APM Body of Knowledge. (7th Ed.). Murray Webster, R., and Dalcher, D. (Eds). Princes Risborough, UK: Association for Project Management, 2019.
b) A Guide to the Project Management Body of Knowledge (PMBOK Guide), 7th edition. Newtown Square: Project Management Institute, 2021.
c) Martinelli, R. J., & Milosevic, D. Z. (2016). Project management toolbox: tools and techniques for the practising project manager, 2nd edition. Hoboken, NJ: John Wiley & Sons.

Language of instructions and completion:
• English
Responsible teachers:
• Ahm Shamsuzzoha, Assistant Professor (Tenure track), Industrial Systems Analytics
• Duong Dang, Assistant Professor, Information Systems
Responsible organizations:
• Industrial Management, School of Technology and Innovations, University of Vaasa
• Information Systems, School of Technology and Innovations, University of Vaasa
Further information:
• Graduate-level students can take this course
• Moodle contains detailed information about the course
• The content of the course will be regularly updated based on feedback
• Open to School of Technology and Innovations disciplines

Five places have been reserved for Open University students for this implementation.