- Docente: Giuseppe Gherardi
- Credits: 3
- SSD: SECS-P/08
- Language: English
- Teaching Mode: Traditional lectures
- Campus: Bologna
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Corso:
Second cycle degree programme (LM) in
International Management (cod. 5891)
Also valid for Second cycle degree programme (LM) in Business Administration (cod. 0897)
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from Apr 09, 2025 to May 22, 2025
Learning outcomes
"The students understand contemporary issues in one of the most critical of all management activities: the planning and management of projects of any size. By the end of the course, the students are able to: - Describe the skills needed in today's dynamic environment to successfully define, plan and manage projects; - Schedule and allocate resources to a project, and to conduct a cost analysis; - Understand the concept of the Means-Ends Chain and the Hierarchy of Objectives; - Develop the work breakdown structure (WBS), and the various techniques in the Critical Path Method (CPM). "
Course contents
This course offers a comprehensive overview of key principles and tools for effective project planning and management across various contexts. Students will explore the skills required to define, plan, and execute projects in today’s fast-paced and complex business environment. Emphasis will be placed on resource scheduling, cost analysis, and the application of project management methodologies such as the Work Breakdown Structure (WBS), the Critical Path Method (CPM), the Gantt. The course also introduces students to the Economic Evaluation and the Risk Management in project management, equipping them with a structured approach to align project tasks with strategic goals.
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Introduction to Project Management and Business organization development
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The project: definitions and characteristics
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Conditions to manage a good project
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The project setting, the project life cycle, the project plan
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The WBS, the responsibility matrix
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The project plan waterfall techniques: PERT/CPM/GANTT,
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Project Budget and Time-Cost Trade Off Analysis
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The risk management
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The project execution and control
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Project plan non-waterfall technique, the AGILE method
Readings/Bibliography
Required Readings:
Professor’s slides
Supplementary Readings (Optional):
R. D. Archibald, "Managing High-Technology Programs and Projects" – Wiley, 2003
Jitesh J. Thakkar, "Project Management Strategic and Operational Planning" – Springer, 2022
A. Nieto-Rodriguez, "Project Management Handbook" – Harward Business Review, 2021
Alex Campbell, "Agile Guide" - Independently Published, 2021
Baglieri E., Biffi A. et alii, “Organizzare e gestire progetti” – ETAS, Milano, 1999
Hubert Jaoui, “La creatività: istruzioni per l’uso” – Franco Angeli
D. Goleman, “Intelligenza Emotiva” – Bur
M. Morrel, S. Capparell “La Via di Shackleton – la dimensione umana della leadership: come costruire una squadra vincente con passiona, humor e intelligenza” - Sonzogno Editore
D. Goleman, R. E. Boyatzis, A. McKee "Essere leader" – Bur
R. E. Boyatzis, A. McKee, "La leadership risonante" – Etas
Teaching methods
The main instructional approaches used in the course are:
- Lectures
- Team Work
- Case Studies
- Guest Speakers
Assessment methods
Though not compulsory, class attendance and participation in team-work assignments is strongly encouraged.
Course evaluation will be different depending on the non-compulsory participation in team-work assignment, as detailed in the following:
Students participating in team-work assignments:
Component Weight (%)
Final Exam 75
Group Project 25
Students who do not participate in team-work assignments:
Component Weight (%)
Final Exam 100
Group Project -
Exam and group project structure:
The final exam is a written exam where students have to answer a theoretical question (30') and - for who didn't attend the teamwork, to solve an exercise on the course topics (60'). To each part a given maximum number of points is associated, and to get it the student has to solve correctly the exercise and all the steps must be justified. The theoretical maximum number of points achievable in case of a perfect exam is 32.
The evaluation of the answer of the exam depends on the correctness, completeness and rigor of the answer.
The evaluation of the group projects depends on the completeness of the report and the rightness and completeness of the answers provided during an individual oral examination.
Exam policy:
Possibility to reject the Team Work grade: yes, in that case the student will take the entire final exam.
Possibility to reject the final exam grade: yes, the student will keep the Team Work grade.
There are no limitations on how many times the student can reject the grade.
Grade registration: automatic, one week after grades will be published.
Grading scale:
< 18: failed
18-23: sufficient
24-27: good
28-30: very good
30 e lode: outstanding
Other information
Erasmus: at most 20 Erasmus and Overseas students, and 10 UADE students, selected in chronological order, will be admitted to the course and the exam.
Students with disability or specific learning disabilities (DSA) are required to make their condition known to find the best possibile accommodation to their needs.
Teaching tools
Tools, platforms, or resources used during the course:
- Learning platform: Virtuale (virtuale.unibo.it) or personal professor webasite (www.giuseppegherardi.weebly.com ) contains the slides and the team-work assignments
- Presentation software: PowerPoint
- Communication tools: Email; Teams; Forum on Virtuale
Links to further information
http://giuseppegherardi.weebly.com
Office hours
See the website of Giuseppe Gherardi
SDGs
This teaching activity contributes to the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals of the UN 2030 Agenda.