Strategic Thinking in Project Management (5 cr)

Objectives (course unit)

This course introduces the fundamentals of effective project management and how to connect them to the corporate strategy. Projects are here considered as tools to enable strategic change and business transformation. When the student has passed this course he/she will know and understand the following:
- core concepts of strategic management
- classical & contemporary tools for strategic management
- strategy creation in traditional and lean organizations
- how the strategic framework is connected to the project portfolio
- how to implement strategic change by using projects
*
When the student has completed the course he/she can:
- choose appropriate strategic approaches for his/her business
- use strategic tools to analyze strategic position of his/her business
- analyze the strategic choices of his/her business
- create connection between the strategy and operations
- make use of BSC or Delta models
- create strategic plans by using business models
- design projects to implement the strategy and change programs
*
When the student has passed this course he/she will be:
- a specialist to contribute to strategic planning in global environment
- a specialist who can bridge the strategy and operations
- a specialist who can implement strategic change by using projects

Content (course unit)

This course introduces the fundamentals of effective project management in the strategic framework of organizations. Projects are here considered as tools to enable strategic change and organizational development. During the course we will also discuss how to use strategic framework for selecting project to the portfolio.
The course will consist of the following modules (module does not mean a contact teaching session 1:1):
• The kick-off meeting
• Why strategic thinking is important?
• Core concepts of strategic management
• Classical & contemporary tools for strategic management
• Strategy creation in traditional and lean organizations
• How the strategic framework is connected to the project portfolio?
• How to implement strategic change by using projects?
• Closing the course and reflection of the lessons learnt.
During the course we’ll use participatory methodologies including:
• Contact teaching: interactive lessons, group work, and presentations
• Individual assignments and collaborative learning in between the contact teaching sessions
• Exploration of real cases: scouting and processing
• Tools: classroom facilities, Tabula, own computers and mobiles, the Internet
• Resources: selected books and articles, materials prepared by the teacher, the Internet

Exam schedules

None

Evaluation methods and criteria

Individual assignments 50%
Group assignments 50%

Teaching methods

Connectivist learning philosophy, contact teaching, collaborative work, individual work, digital learning tools, classroom exercises

Learning materials

Artto K., Martinsuo M., Kujala J. 2011. Project business.
HBR atricles and other materials selected by the teacher, specified in Tabula

Student workload

135 hours altogether:
- contact teaching & virtual learning (1/3),
- individual work (1/3)
- project work (1/3).

Content scheduling

1st and 2nd periods 2016

Completion alternatives

None

Practical training and working life cooperation

None

International connections

None

Further information

None

Assessment criteria - fail (0) (Not in use, Look at the Assessment criteria above)

Fails to complete any of the required assignments.

Assessment criteria - satisfactory (1-2) (Not in use, Look at the Assessment criteria above)

Participates all 3 contact teachings or compensates absense.
Individual assignments evaluated at basic level by the teacher.
Group work evaluated at basic level by the group and teacher.

Assessment criteria - good (3-4) (Not in use, Look at the Assessment criteria above)

Participates all 3 contact teachings or compensates absense.
Individual assignments evaluated at good level by the teacher.
Group work evaluated at good level by the group and teacher.

Assessment criteria - excellent (5) (Not in use, Look at the Assessment criteria above)

Participates all 3 contact teachings or compensates absense.
Individual assignments evaluated at excellent level by the teacher.
Group work evaluated at excellent level by the group and teacher.