Examination arrangement

Course content

The course contains two key elements: The management of programmes of projects and management of project portfolios. Particular focus will be given to the role of strategy and governance of multiple projects for achieving sustainable development goals through projects in organisations and policies.

Learning outcome

This is a Y1 mandatory course of the Master of Science in Project Management (MSPROMAN).

Key learning objectives are:

1. Programme management - Developing a strategic view on projects and groups of projects. (lineages, programmes, portfolios).
   1. Conceptual frameworks on project value, capabilities, identity, and discussion of key strategic roles within projects (client, owner, delivery network etc).
   2. Understanding of various arrangements in multi-project settings (lineages, programmes, portfolios) both within one organisation (project-based organisation) and across multiple organisations (project network).
2. Portfolio management - Developing a systems-level view on a group of projects and programmes from an organisational or public-sector governance angle.
   1. Project selection, impact evaluation and benefits realisation considerations at the systems level.
   2. Development, selection, governance and steering of portfolios of projects across different types.
3. Relevance of sustainability transitions and UN SDG agenda for project programmes and portfolios in organisations and governments.
   1. Organisations
   2. Governments
   3. Project professions

Students will acquire skills of:

• Applying key ideas and concepts from the literature on a variety of real-life settings of projects and portfolios.
• Key project skills: collaborative group work, progress reporting, ad-hoc research challenges and reviews of extensive literature.

Learning methods and activities

Lectures, case studies, study groups, presentations, individual work.

Further on evaluation

Assessment will be based on a portfolio of activities:

1. Group work assignment (students working in study groups on a topic agreed with the course instructor(s). This segment will comprise 40% of the final mark.
2. Individual final paper: A brief to develop an approach to tackle challenges in managing a project in an organisation. To maximise the learning value of the course for students, the final paper will involve students choosing the organisational setting that they will address in their report and then applying insights, concepts and ideas from the course on that setting. The final paper will comprise several individual submissions (roughly every other week of the course) and are part of the learning process. Each submission will address a dedicated theme and students will obtain formative feedback that will help guide their progress towards the final paper. This segment of the portfolio will comprise 60% of the final mark.

Guidance will be given on both segments of the portfolio assessment.

All parts must be re-taken if the student wishes to improve the grade in the subject.

Specific conditions

Recommended previous knowledge

Course TIØ5200 Project Organizations or similar background. The course is meant for students following the Master of Science in Project Management (MSPROMAN) and related programmes.

Course materials

Will be announced later.