Objectives and competences
- to deepen the understanding of the role of projects as instruments for the implementation of organizational strategies,
- to develop an understanding of the relationship between projects, competitiveness and the long-term performance of organizations,
- to develop the ability for strategic thinking about projects and project portfolios,
- to develop the ability to integrate project management with strategic management and other management disciplines,
- to develop an understanding of the role of projects in organizational transformations and crisis management,
- to develop an understanding of the importance of sustainability, corporate social responsibility and ESG aspects in project-oriented management,
- to develop the ability to critically analyse strategic decisions related to projects,
- to develop the ability to apply modern approaches, digital technologies and artificial intelligence in the strategic management of projects,
- to develop the ability for independent analytical thinking and evidence-based decision-making in complex project environments.
Content (Syllabus outline)
- the role of projects in the implementation of organizational strategies and the relationship between strategy, projects and long-term organizational competitiveness,
- the project-oriented approach as a mechanism for strategy execution and the role of projects in organizational transformations (digital transformation, business model changes, reorganizations),
- projects as tools for the prevention and management of business and strategic crises and for strengthening organizational resilience,
- strategic management of project portfolios and the alignment of projects with the strategic priorities of the organization,
- the role of projects in value creation and achieving competitive advantage (dynamic capabilities, resource-based view),
- sustainability, ethical and ESG aspects of project-oriented management and projects as instruments for implementing sustainability strategies,
- strategic stakeholder management and the role of leadership and strategic project leadership in strategy implementation,
- the role of digitalization, data analytics and artificial intelligence in strategic project decision-making,
- projects in innovation and business ecosystems and strategic partnerships between organizations,
- analysis of project-oriented strategic management cases from practice and the preparation of a strategic project concept or project portfolio analysis based on a real-life example.
Students taking the course in the scope of 6 ECTS attend the course with a reduced number of lecture hours and a lower amount of independent work. For the project work and other continuous assessment tasks, a narrower scope and lower analytical complexity are expected.
Learning and teaching methods
- classical and interactive lectures,
- AV presentations and the use of digital learning tools,
- analysis of contemporary case studies (case-based learning) and real-life business cases,
- problem-based and project-based learning,
- work in a computer lab and the use of digital tools supporting project management,
- active group work and discussions on strategic project challenges,
- presentations of project or strategic solutions,
- guest lectures by industry experts.
Intended learning outcomes - knowledge and understanding
Students in this course:
1. Understand the role of projects in shaping the future of organizations. (PILO 2a)
2. Integrate and apply theories, models, and tools of strategic and project management in specific situations. (PILO 2a, 3a)
3. Develop and defend solutions for managing strategic crises in organizations, considering digital and AI-supported methods. (PILO 3b, 3a)
4. Demonstrate teamwork skills for collaborative problem-solving in the context of a strategic project portfolio. (PILO 3c)
5. Identify and diagnose moral dilemmas and make ethically responsible decisions in the context of strategic project management. (PILO 4a)
6. Analyze and develop sustainable practices in managing strategic projects, in accordance with the concept of sustainable development. (PILO 4b)
7. Utilize internationally relevant knowledge to assess and implement strategic projects across various sectors. (PILO 2b)
8. Execute strategic projects considering ethical and professional perspectives, proposing responsible solutions. (PILO 4c)
9. Develop strategies for ensuring and optimizing resource utilization in the execution of a strategic project portfolio, integrating projects into annual business plans of organizations. (PILO 3a, 4b)
The PILO label (i.e., Programme Intended Learning Outcomes) defines the contribution of each listed intended learning outcome of a course towards achieving the general and/or subject-specific competencies or learning outcomes acquired through the programme.
Intended learning outcomes - transferable/key skills and other attributes
Students in this course:
1. Understand the role of projects in shaping the future of organizations. (PILO 2a)
2. Integrate and apply theories, models, and tools of strategic and project management in specific situations. (PILO 2a, 3a)
3. Develop and defend solutions for managing strategic crises in organizations, considering digital and AI-supported methods. (PILO 3b, 3a)
4. Demonstrate teamwork skills for collaborative problem-solving in the context of a strategic project portfolio. (PILO 3c)
5. Identify and diagnose moral dilemmas and make ethically responsible decisions in the context of strategic project management. (PILO 4a)
6. Analyze and develop sustainable practices in managing strategic projects, in accordance with the concept of sustainable development. (PILO 4b)
7. Utilize internationally relevant knowledge to assess and implement strategic projects across various sectors. (PILO 2b)
8. Execute strategic projects considering ethical and professional perspectives, proposing responsible solutions. (PILO 4c)
9. Develop strategies for ensuring and optimizing resource utilization in the execution of a strategic project portfolio, integrating projects into annual business plans of organizations. (PILO 3a, 4b)
The PILO label (i.e., Programme Intended Learning Outcomes) defines the contribution of each listed intended learning outcome of a course towards achieving the general and/or subject-specific competencies or learning outcomes acquired through the programme.
Readings
Obvezna študijska literature (Compulsory textbooks):
1. Hauc, Anton: Projektni management, Ljubljana, GV Založba, 2007.
2. Izbrani članki iz revij International Journal of Project Management, International Journal of Managing Projects in Business ter International Journal of Project Organization and Management
Dodatna študijska literature (Additonal textbooks):
• Terry Schmidt (2021). Strategic Project Management Made Simple: Solution Tools for Leaders and Teams. Second Edition, Wiley.
• Gina Abudi (2017). Implementing Positive Organizational Change: A Strategic Project Management Approach. J. Ross Publishing
• Mihaly Görög (2013). Strategic-Oriented Implementation of Projects. 1st Edition, Project Management Institute.
Additional information on implementation and assessment - Written exam 50 %
- Project 30 %
- Oral presentation 10 %
- In-class participation 10 %
