ME2017 Project Management: Leading Project-based Operations 6.0 credits
Projects as a form of work organisation is becoming increasingly usual in all sectors of society, and project management thus become a usual work task for an increasing number of employees in companies and authorities. Most of the university students of today will in just a few years after graduation become involved in leading positions in project-based work. Many of the major employers of engineers are introducing project-based structures, even in the daily ongoing operations. Swedish industry are therefore becoming increasingly dependent upon its ability to organize project-based operations effectively – to develop its project competence.
In this advanced course, we focus on the implications of management and control in multi-project settings, i.e. operations where several projects are executed simultaneously. While this kind of settings have become increasingly usual during the past two decades, the development of theories and models for managing them has not unfolded that fast. Compared to the theoretical body of knowledge regarding management of single projects, multi-project management is still a field in development. During the course, we will therefore examine the current research literature within the field, and relate it to practical experiences from different industrial settings. A part of the work in the course will also be to develop and formulate own ideas and reflections on multi-project management as a field of research and practice.
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Application
For course offering
Spring 2025 Start 17 Mar 2025 programme students
Application code
60466
Content and learning outcomes
Course disposition
See the course syllabus.
Course contents
The general aim of this course is to give specialised theoretical and applied knowledge and understanding of the field of project management. This course consequently intends to give the students research-based expertise in management of project-based organisations and activities.
This imply that questions about how to organise and lead project intensive activities are in focus. For example, topics that are discussed are PPM processes for project selection, prioritisation, resource allocation, organisation of project offices and programme management and how the inherent flexibility and opportunity for iteration of the agile working methods can influence. Furthermore, the course also prepares for human resource management in projects when evaluation and learning issues are discussed.
Intended learning outcomes
On completion of the course, the students should be able to:
- Describe and analyse challenges that often arise in a project-based organisation and suggest how these can be handled by means of research-based literature
- Describe, analyse and suggest how, and with which aim, a project offices can and should be placed in the organisational structure, depending on the types of activities that are organised by means of projects
- Account for, and be able to apply methods and models for programme management and project portfolio management
- Describe and analyse how introduction of agile working methods in project-based activities influences the project portfolio management
- Categorise and summarise the challenges from both an organisational and an individual perspective, regarding learning, experience feedback and communication in project-based activities
Literature and preparations
Specific prerequisites
ME2015/ME2016 Project Management:: Leadership and Control completed
Documented knowledge in English B or the equivalent.
Recommended prerequisites
None in addition to the specific prerequisites
Equipment
None
Literature
Course literature will be announced at the start of the course.
Examination and completion
If the course is discontinued, students may request to be examined during the following two academic years.
Grading scale
Examination
- INL1 - Assignments, 2.0 credits, grading scale: P, F
- SEM2 - Seminar, 1.0 credits, grading scale: P, F
- TENA - Examination, 3.0 credits, grading scale: A, B, C, D, E, FX, F
Based on recommendation from KTH’s coordinator for disabilities, the examiner will decide how to adapt an examination for students with documented disability.
The examiner may apply another examination format when re-examining individual students.
Other requirements for final grade
Compulsory attendance on all scheduled teaching components
Opportunity to complete the requirements via supplementary examination
See the course syllabus.
Opportunity to raise an approved grade via renewed examination
Decided by the examiner
Examiner
Ethical approach
- All members of a group are responsible for the group's work.
- In any assessment, every student shall honestly disclose any help received and sources used.
- In an oral assessment, every student shall be able to present and answer questions about the entire assignment and solution.
Further information
Course room in Canvas
Offered by
Main field of study
Education cycle
Add-on studies
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