Examination arrangement

Course content

In public and private businesses, it is now common to organize value creation, improvements and the organizations needs, strategically in projects. Project management and project leadership are therefore attractive knowledge. For many years, project management has included two schools, both of which are equally important for the success of the project: Those who emphasize leadership and collaboration, and those who are concerned with methods, techniques and control. Project leadership and collaboration are the focus of this course. Partnering, relationship management, proactive interaction and the role of the project manager are professional topics that are addressed. In particular, how the project manager creates direction and a culture to perform in interaction between organizations and people. It is an important task for the project manager to ensure that the project organization does the best possible job in realizing the projects goals. We see that many projects have an inherent potential for conflict, and especially where many organizations and contracts are involved. Relationship management as a subject area can contribute to greatly reducing conflicts and lawsuits in larger projects. International research into what we humans do when we create relationships and achieve results are important topics that are addressed (relational intelligence and business mindset). Organizations that introduce relationship-based leadership can reduce conflicts in the project and the organization. It is also a requirement that projects are sustainable. Here both the project manager, the base organization, municipalities, county councils and various collaborating partners have an important role in ensuring this. Among other things, it requires a concept development plan, a business plan, project selection and planning where sustainable development and innovation are central. Examples are given from international research from the health sector, the oil and energy sector and the tourism industry where innovation has been implemented to contribute to sustainable projects and a sustainable future. Practical group work will be from defense projects, road projects, health projects, the tourism sector, municipal projects, the oil and energy sector, sport event projects and construction projects.

Learning outcome

KNOWLEDGE

After completing the course:

• the student has knowledge of the international state-of-the art in sustainability in projects, project leadership and relationship management, success factors and challenges in projects.
• the student has in-depth knowledge of strategic relationship management in projects, and behavior, attitudes and techniques that can be applied to promote interaction between organizations and people (interaction models and relationship models)
• the student has in-depth knowledge of organizational collaboration with actors inside and outside of the project.
• the student has advanced knowledge of relationship management and communication that can help build trust.
• the student has knowledge of how the media can influence the project.

Skills

After completing the course

• the student can apply international state-of-the-art research from sustainability in projects, project leadership and relationship management practically in a work situation.
• the student can map and influence the projects stakeholders who have an impact, interest and can influence the project outcome
• the student can practically use interaction models and the relationship development process in their own projects.

General competence

After completing the course

• the student can participate in professionally based discussions about sustainability, project leadership and relationship management
• the student can communicate her/ his own academic assessments in the area
• the student can apply her/his knowledge and skills to manage complex projects with many stakeholders involved.

Learning methods and activities

The course will be carried out over four lecture days with a high degree of involvement by the students. Discussions and group work with practical issues from both public and private business will be important for the learning outcome. It is desirable that the students bring their own practical examples into the discussions. Between the lecture days, reading and using of the syllabus will be applied into real case problems.

Further on evaluation

The exam is a project assignment (case description) with a real problem in a project organization. The students can work in groups of maximum 3 students per group on the exam (recommended not to deliver alone). You have approximately 10 days to work on the assignment and deliver your answers.

Recommended previous knowledge

None. The course Practical project management is recommended but not a requirement.

Required previous knowledge

None, but would recommend the course Practical project management.

Course materials

Mandatory reading material (selected chapters in these books):

Aarseth et al Project Leadership challenges, www.fagbokforlaget.no

Aarseth Project management - a new mindset for success in projects, www.fagbokforlaget.no

Aarseth et al Lederskap i prosjekter (Norwegian book), www.fagbokforlaget.no

Journal papers.

Credit reductions