ICT Project Management - Study guide

A student who has completed this course or acquired equivalent skills can:

- Understand various techniques and methods for defining and managing corporate IT development projects/IT projects and their implementation as disciplined and managed projects.

- Plan information systems development projects and participate in such projects.

- Work in the role of a junior-level project manager or in a project management team.

Mandatory requirements: (1) The orientation course – orientation to business driven ICT is completed. (2) Innovation and project working course is completed

Highly recommended prerequisites: (1) Student has done the work placement and has basic knowledge and/or experience of project work and the development process of business information systems.

Note that the Project management course offers a launch pad for other courses which are structured by means of project working. Moreover, participation on the project management championship - PMC - goes effortlessly and enable a student earn 3 credits (PMC is studified as a course, too).

The course is based on case material and exercises taken from real IT projects.

The course begins by focusing on key terms and concepts, followed by an introductory assignment that centers on the core of project management, which involves defining the scope and schedule for a simple IT project.

Learning is further divided into main themes related to the key phases of the project lifecycle, which are the initiation, planning, and execution of an IT project.

Theme 1 deals with project initiation by analyzing a real IT project, where the student(s) (individually or in teams) draw conclusions about the desired benefits for the case company based on the provided material. This assignment focuses on the initial activities before the actual planning and execution begin. Creating a business case is a short extension after the assignment.

Theme 2 includes a few key activities, and the next theme addresses risk, stakeholder, and communication management, which are activities that span the entire project lifecycle from initiation through planning and execution.

Theme 4: Change Management. Students will consider change management in a project context using various methods and tools.

Theme 5: Project Closure. Students will go through the process and tasks related to closing a project.

Theme 6: Why do IT projects fail and AI in project management? Understanding the causes of failures and challenges in IT projects, as well as the characteristics of successful IT projects and optimizing benefits. This theme covers the rationale behind failures, how to improve the success of IT projects, and benefits realization management. Additionally, it discusses how AI impacts project management and the opportunities it presents.

The human perspective in projects is exercised by means of minor project management assignments related to challenges faced by project team and manager. They are scheduled to be done in parallel of the actual themes as a collection of assignments of their own.

A student has a bounded understanding of the facts and knowledge of the subjects in question (Modules 1-6) and he/she is exercising the given tools and methods just passably. The output (essays) is just loosely if not at all bounded on the references.

The overall command of project management framework is modest and naming the uses of particular methods, tools and practices along the project lifecycle is uncertain and debatable.

A student has a fair understanding of the facts and knowledge of the subjects in question (Modules 1-6) and he/she is exercising the given tools and methods somewhat properly. The output (essays) is grounded tolerably on the references.

A student is able to bring his/her own thoughts and examples on top of the written essays.

The overall command of project management framework is in progress and some misunderstandings of the appropriate uses of particular methods, tools and practises may occur.

A student has an excellent understanding of the facts and knowledge of the subjects in question (Modules 1-6) and he/she is mastering the given/needed tools and methods in a profound way. The output (essays) is grounded comprehensively on the given references as well as own searches of appropriate references.

A student is able to bring his/her own thoughts and examples on top of the written essays and the quality of producing text is more like a synthesis on top of the source material and own observations.

He/she has a clear command about the project management framework, how and when to use particular tools and methods and practises in managing project.

Evaluation is based on (1) the assignments ; (2) activity on lessons ; (3) management exercises and (4) and learning key terms

When the implementation type of the course is contact, online or blended it is required that the student is present during those teaching hours that are marked in the study schedule. If you are absent more than 25 %, your grade will be lowered by one. If you are absent more than 50 %, the course is failed.

The course is online, with Moodle as the learning environment, online lessons, independent study, and online meetings for groups. Learning materials are available on Moodle. Online meetings include lectures, guidance, progress on group work, applied tasks, and possible guest lectures. Participation and activity in online meetings affect the grade.

The course includes a group assignment: Project management exercise.

The course progresses according to the weekly schedule. Course materials are generally available at the beginning of the course. Current company lectures and other materials are added to the course schedule.

This implementation is specifically aimed at students of Business Information Technology degree

Schwable K. (20xx). Information Technology Project Management (xx refer to changing edition,)

Jack T. Marchewka, J., T. (20xx). Information Technology Project Management.

PMBOK – Project management Body of Knowledge (definition of nine key areas in project management) - 2017 or the next edition 2022.

Plus plenty of articles and other books present on course Moodle pages.

The course includes possible guest lectures from various companies.

Pasila Campus

No exam applied in this course.

English

18.08.2025 - 10.10.2025

The course includes a learning assignment that covers the entire project lifecycle. Students will complete tasks such as: - Project plan with all phases - Project documentation - Various analyses - Communication plan - Final report

The course is an online course run in 8 weeks.

Online lessons are held twice a week. Every other session is an optional Q/A session related to assignments and course content.

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Application for recognition of prior learning or by choice, studifying one's working in company is considered by request.

Marianne Hannula, Ville Pennanen

15 - 60

Some points are awarded for project work and exercises.

When the course implementation type is contact, online, or blended, the student must be present during the teaching hours marked in the course schedule. If you are absent more than 25%, your grade will be lowered by one. If you are absent more than 50%, the course is failed.

ITBBA Business Information Technology

0.00 cr

5.00 cr

H-5