Technology-based Projects and Organisations, 6 credits

Main field of study

Course level

Advancement level

Course offered for

• Mechanical Engineering, M Sc in Engineering

Entry requirements

Note: Admission requirements for non-programme students usually also include admission requirements for the programme and threshold requirements for progression within the programme, or corresponding.

Prerequisites

Three years of completed university studies with an engineering major, basic knowledge of Industrial economics 

Intended learning outcomes

After the course the student should:

• have gained a broad knowledge about, and be able to explain, discuss and analyse the role of projects in technology-based organisations.
• be able to explain, discuss and analyse organisational concepts such as organisation structure and culture
• be able to explain, discuss and analyse tools and methods for project management
• be able to explain, discuss and analyse the project managers’ and other managers’ role in technology-based organisations.
• be able to explain, discuss and analyse the project’s and organisation’s role in a larger context of inter- and intra-organisational relations 

Course content

Projects and project management have become more and more important for today’s organisations. Organisations that succeed in designing effective project management systems can create competitive advantages. This course focuses on project and organisational aspects in technology-based organisations. In this type of organisations, managers experience challenges related to fast and dynamic developments of new technology, an increased complexity of technological systems that build on several technological bases, an increased need for collaboration between organisations and uncertainties that are inherent to technology-based projects. The course uses concepts from organisational theory such as structure and culture, and project management tools and methods to provide students with an understanding for how technology-based organisations and projects can be managed. The course also covers how project managers and other managers can lead people in such organisations and how inter-organisational relations can be managed. 

Teaching and working methods

The course builds on lectures and seminars. The lectures provide an overview of important theories and concepts in the field of technology-based projects and organisations. Most of the lectures build on so-called short cases, i.e. short descriptions of real-life situations that are used to explain and discuss the theoretical models. The seminars include practical exercises and student-led presentations of certain topics.
The course runs during the entire spring semester.

Examination

Grades

Department

Director of Studies or equivalent

Examiner

Education components