Utbildningsinfo
IN ENGLISH
Malmö universitet
Course syllabus autumn 2014
Course syllabus autumn 2014
Title
Project Management and Sustainability
Swedish title
Projektledning och hållbarhet
Course code
OL643E
Credits
15 credits
Grading scale
UA / Excellent (A), Very Good (B), Good (C), Satisfactory (D), Pass (E) or Fail (U)
Language of instruction
English
Decision-making body
Faculty of Culture and Society
Syllabus approval date
2014-02-11
Syllabus valid from
2014-09-01
Entry requirements
Students must have passed at least 2,5 credits from the course OL641E - Organising and Leading Sustainable Organisations.
Level
Advanced level
Main field
Leadership and Organization
Progression level
A1F
Progression level in relation to degree requirements
The course is included in the main area Leadership and Organisation at advanced level of 91-120 credits.
Course objectives
The aim of the course ”Project Management and Sustainability” is twofold. First, the purpose is to provide students with knowledge and understanding about project as a form of organising sustainability. The course develops students’ abilities to analyse and critically reflect on the project management and project management processes in the context of sustainability. Second, this course provides students with models and techniques in planning, implementing, communicating and evaluating projects in the context as well as in the lens of sustainability. The course is intended for students to design their sustainable project in the context of sustainability.
Course contents
This course is based on two modules:
The module Project Management in Practice and Research provides students with the knowledge about project management from a practical and research perspective. It insists on the context of sustainability both in terms of sustainable processes in the management of the project and in terms of outcomes for the project. This module is based on lectures and discussions about project management’s models, tools and techniques and their relationships to sustainability. This module is also based on two comprehensive cases about project management, project and sustainability. The sustainability of the processes and outcomes is analysed in each case.
The module Sustainable project for sustainability is based on an independent work where students in groups (between 2 and 4 students) must identify a “sustainable problem” and must design a sustainable project to answer this problem. Students have to provide a project plan using relevant models, tools and techniques. Student must collect and analyse both quantitative and qualitative data in the relevant part(s) of their project. Students must report their project plan into a written report as well as during an oral presentation. The final seminar is an occasion to critically analyse and review other groups’ projects. Supervision is provided under the course period. Supervision is not provided outside the course period and not provided in the case that a failed project must be re-written and resubmitted.
Learning outcomes
Knowledge and understanding
After a successful completion of this course the student will be able to:
  • 1- define project and project management as empirical phenomena and research field.
  • 2- define, interpret and exemplify the challenges in project management both in regards to the outcomes of projects in regards to their sustainability and to the sustainability of the projects itself (process).
  • 3- identify and describe the characteristics of projects as a form of organisation in the lens of organisation and leadership especially in regards to manage stakeholders for sustainability.
  • 4-name and describe a number of different models and techniques in project management for broad stakeholder involvement.
  • 5- discuss the extent to which project management tools and techniques are essential to create and sustain a coalition of diverse stakeholders.
Skills and competencies
After a successful completion of this course the student will be able to:
  • 6- assess different approaches to project management and select the relevant approach to answer an identified problem.
  • 7- identify and assess ethical issues in balancing the interests of different stakeholders with an end toward sustainability.
  • 8- use project management models and techniques involving qualitative and quantitative data collection and qualitative and quantitative data analysis to prepare, deliver and present a project plan in regards to sustainability.
  • 9- evaluate the sustainability of the processes and outcomes of a project.
Judgement and approach
After a successful completion of this course the student will be able to:
  • 10- argue for an approach to project management relevant to an identified sustainable issue based on his/her critical evaluation and synthesis of the current research on project management.
  • 11- develop and generate new thinking on how to conduct projects for sustainability based on a developed and critical understanding of project management and its implications for sustainability.
  • 12- develop sustainable projects including a diverse range of stakeholders sharing one common objective, i.e. sustainability.
Learning activities
Learning activities vary between module 1 and module 2:
The module Project Management in Practice and Research is based on:
  • A lecture series including discussion. The lecture series is developed to support learning in regards to the learning outcomes 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 and 7 stated above.
  • Casework in pair/group and discussion. The casework and the associated compulsory case seminars are developed to support learning in regards to the learning outcomes 5, 3, 6, 7, 9, 11 and 12 stated above.
  • Self-studies
The module Sustainable project for sustainability is based on:
  • An independent work associated with supervision. The independent work and supervision are developed to support learning in regards to the learning outcomes 6, 7, 9, 10, 11 and 12 stated above.
  • A final seminar when students present their project and discuss other groups’ project. The final seminar is developed to support learning in regards to the learning outcomes 10 and 11 stated above.
Assessment
The course is assessed through six examinations as follows:
  • One individual essay; 5 credits; graded with the A-U scale. The essay assesses the learning outcomes 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 and 7 stated above. The essay is first evaluated on the A-U scale following guidelines in line with learning objectives. The grade is then translated into points as follows: A (Excellent)=66; B (Very good) =59; C (Good) =53; D (Satisfactory) =45; E (Pass)=42; U (Fail)=0.
  • Two case-based reports in group; 2 credits (1 credit each); graded with the A-U scale. Both case-based reports assess the learning outcomes 5, 3, 6, 7 and 9 stated above. Each case is first evaluated on the A-U scale following guidelines in line with learning objectives. The grade for each is then translated into points as follows: A (Excellent)=14; B (Very good) =11; C (Good) =9; D (Satisfactory) =8; E (Pass)=7; U (Fail)=0.
  • Individual active participation at the case seminars; 0,5 credit; graded “Pass” or “Fail”. The active participation at case seminars assesses the learning outcomes 5, 11 and 12 stated above. The grade “Pass” is translated into 6 points and the grade “Fail” into 0 point. If the student obtain the grade “Fail”, his/her active participation is re-examined with one overall written work covering the missing discussion and/or activities done in class.
  • One project-plan report in group; 6 credits; graded with the A-U scale. The project-plan report assesses the learning outcomes 6, 7, 8, 9, 10 and 12 stated above. The project-plan report is first evaluated on the A-U scale following guidelines in line with learning objectives. The grade is then translated into points as follows: A (Excellent)=80; B (Very good) =70; C (Good) =56; D (Satisfactory) =50; E (Pass)=48; U (Fail)=0.
  • A final seminar for project presentation and discussion; 1,5 credits; graded with the A-U scale. The final seminar assesses the learning outcomes 10 and 11 stated above. The final seminar is first evaluated on the A-U scale following guidelines in line with learning objectives. The grade is then translated into points as follows: A (Excellent)=20; B (Very good) =18; C (Good) =15; D (Satisfactory) =13; E (Pass)=12; U (Fail)=0.
To pass the course:
The student must obtain the grade A, B, C, D or E at the individual essay, at both case-based reports, at the project-plan report and at the final seminar. The student must also obtain the grade “Pass” for the individual active participation at case seminars.
The six examinations above and their translation into points are added to reach a total amount of points. The compilation of the grade over the entire course then respects the following scale:
  • 180-200 = A (Excellent)
  • 160-179 = B (Very good)
  • 140-159 = C (Good)
  • 126-139 =D (Satisfactory)
  • 120-125 = E (Pass)
  • 0-119 = U (Fail)
Course literature and other study material
  • Cobb, A. T. (2012). Leading Project Teams. (2nd ed.). Los Angeles: Sage Publications.
  • Silvius. G., Schipper, R., Planko, J., Van Den Brink, J. & Kohler, A. (2012). Sustainability in Project Management. Surrey: Ashgate Publishing Limited.
Other scientific publications and case
A reading list with current research is provided at the beginning of the course. Case may have to be bought via Harvard Business School Publishing
Course evaluation
All students are given, at the end of the course, the opportunity to comment on the course in writing. A summary of the results of the evaluation as well as responds from the course coordinator will be discussed with students / course representatives during a course evaluation meeting / Programme Council.