Change and Project Management Methods (5cr)

Objectives (course unit)

In this course, the participants will gain basic understanding of change and project management by working on cases in small groups.

After completing the course, the participants will be able to:
- define an appropriate change management approach
- create a change management plan for organizational change
- use basic project management tools to implement change initiatives

Content (course unit)

• Change management case definition in small groups
• Strategy creation for the change case
• Organizational change models
• Different change management approaches
• Change management plan
• Project management basics

Assessment criteria, satisfactory (1-2) (course unit)

The student names and explains the core concepts of strategic planning, change management and project management. He/she uses basic strategic planning, change management and project management tools and is able to select the suitable ones. The student gives and receives feedback related to change- and project management methods, collaborates with others in change and project management situations and takes responsibility for their own work.

Assessment criteria, good (3-4) (course unit)

The student explains how to apply common strategic tools to position the need for change, compares different concepts of change management by using different change management literature and explain why and how to use methods related to project scope, schedule and resources. The student can apply strategic planning tools to define a strategic position, plan and implement credible organisational change initiatives in working life cases, and plan and manage the scope, schedule and resources in the change project. The student gives and and receives constructive feedback related to change and project management methods, develops collaborative actions in change- and project management situations. He/she can take responsibility for their own work and for collaborative work.  

Assessment criteria, excellent (5) (course unit)

The student analyses systematically the need for change by using appropriate change management tools and methods, uses additional and recent research to extend knowledge of change management. He/she uses additional and recent research to extend the knowledge of project management. The student applies strategic planning tools in a systematic manner to define a strategic position and choices. He/she justifies the credibility of plans for organisational change initiatives in working life cases and justifies the use of the project management methods used to manage the change project. The student uses feedback to grow professionally in the field of change- and project management. He/she develops creative and constructive working methods to solve change- and project management situations individually and collaboratively. The student commits himself/herself both for his/her own work and for developing the understanding of others related to change and  project management in practice and in theory.  

Location and time

Blended online and classroom learning depending on the COVID etc.
- Kick-off 10 Sep 2021
- Intermediate review 29 Oct 2021
- Presentations 9 Dec 2021

Online bi-weekly modules 10 Sept - 9 Dec 2021

Exam schedules

None

Assessment methods and criteria

General requirement is to participate in all learning activities throughout the course. Assessed partly by the small group and partly by the teacher. Contribution to the grade ±1 (= ± 0,25 for each module, default = 0)
Group task 2 will be first self-assessed by the small groups by using the given criteria, and then by the teacher. Weight 25%
Group task 4 will be first self-assessed by the small groups by using the rubric, and then by the teacher. Weight 25%
Individual tasks 3 and 5 will be assessed by the teacher as a part of general requirements, i.e. contribution to the grade ± 0,25 for each task, default = 0
Change management plan will be first self-assessed by the small groups by using the requirements and then by the opponent group. Confirmed or modified by the teacher. Weight 40% (plan) + 10% (presentation).

Assessment scale

0-5

Teaching methods

Blended online and classroom learning depending on the COVID etc.
- Interactive lecturing & group excercises
- Learning triggers by the teacher: Logical structure with weekly assignments, academic and practical litterature, teaching presence and feedback to the students
- Individual assignments: Information searching, reading, writing, reflecting and working on the cases
- Small group assignments: Collaborative knowledge construction, social peer support and elaboration of the cases by using video calls, discussion forums, asychronous video

Learning materials

- Topical academic papers on strategy and change management, mostly from Harvard Business Review
- Cameron E. & Green M. 2010. Making Sense of Change Management: A Complete Guide to the Models, Tools and Techniques of Organizational Change (Newer or older editions of the book are OK, as well)
- Artto K., Martinsuo M., Kujala J., 2011. Project business. Helsinki, Finland (also downloadable from http://pbgroup.aalto.fi/en/the_book_and_the_glossary/project_business_2011.pd f)

Student workload

135 hours: blended online and classroom learning depending on the COVID etc.

Content scheduling

Blended online and classroom learning depending on the COVID etc.
- Kick-off 10 Sep 2021
- Intermediate review 29 Oct 2021
- Presentations 9 Dec 2021

Online bi-weekly modules 10 Sept - 9 Dec 2021
- Module #1: Familiarizing with the cases and TAMK learning environment, and learning to work in the small groups
- Module #2: Creating the strategy for the case
- Module #3: Images of organization
- Module #4: Organisational change models
- Module #5: Project objectives
- Module #6: Creating the change plan

Completion alternatives

None

Practical training and working life cooperation

None

International connections

None

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

Failure to comply with the course requirements, i.e. the result from the evaluation matrix is zero

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

The result from the evaluation matrix is 1 or 2, and the student's performance complies with the criteria below:

Knowledge
The student names and explains the core concepts of change management and project management.
Skills
He/she uses basic change management and project management tools and is able to select the suitable ones.
Behaviour
The student gives and receives feedback related to change- and project management methods, collaborates with others in change and project management situations and takes responsibility for their own work

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

The result from the evaluation matrix is 3 or 4, and the student's performance complies with the criteria below:

Knowledge
The student explains how to apply common approaches of change and project management to working life cases.
Skills
The student can plan and implement credible organizational change initiatives in working life cases, and knows how to use common project management tools.
Behaviour
The student gives and receives constructive feedback related to change and project management methods, develops collaborative actions in change- and project management situations. He/she can take responsibility for their own work and for collaborative work.

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

The result from the evaluation matrix is 5, and the student's performance complies with the criteria below:

Knowledge
The student analyzes systematically the need for change, and uses appropriate change approaches and project management tools, and uses additional and recent research to extend knowledge of change and project management.
Skills
He/she justifies the credibility of plans for organizational change initiatives in working life cases and justifies the use of the project management methods used to manage the change project.
Behaviour
The student uses feedback to grow professionally in the field of change- and project management. He/she develops creative and constructive working methods to solve change- and project management situations individually and collaboratively. The student commits him/herself both for his/her own work and for developing the understanding of others related to change and project management in practice and in theory.