POLITECNICO DI MILANO GRADUATE SCHOOL OF BUSINESS MSPME MASTER IN STRATEGIC PROJECT MANAGEMENT Courses Description A JOINT PROGRAM WITH POLITECNICO DI MILANO SCHOOL OF MANAGEMENT
FIRST SEMESTER (MIP POLITECNICO DI MILANO) Project Management I The aim of this course is to introduce the students to Project Management. They will discuss topics such as project definition, typologies, project life cycle and work breakdown structures. While doing so, students will delve in particular into the Engineering & Contracting sector and they will learn to use tools for project scheduling such as Gantt diagrams, the Critical Path Method and priority diagrams. Furthermore, they will deal with project control, progress measurement (time and costs), the S curve, mitigation plans and gap analyses. Project Risk Analysis and Management The purpose of the Project Risk Analysis and Management course is to provide the students with basic knowledge about concepts, methods and techniques relevant for the execution of an effective analysis and the management of project risks, both from a qualitative and quantitative point of view. The focus is on the main processes involved: project risk management planning, risk identification, risk assessment, risk quantification, risk response planning, risk monitoring and control. 2
Project Procurement This course is particularly focusing on Supply Chain Management. The acquisition of goods and services as well as the Supply Chain Management in the order process will be presented. Students will learn how to plan strategically a purchase, how to select suppliers, how to rate vendors and how to deal with risk management during the acquisition of goods and services. Project Management II The course consists of a series of monographic seminars that aim at providing an in-depth study of the subjects faced in the other courses attended at MIP Politecnico di Milano, through the contribution of guest professors coming from other universities or other international institutions. Management Accounting and Control In this course, students will learn how to introduce the basic elements of management control systems and how to use available accounting techniques within organizations as well as their advantages and criticalities. They will also study control architecture and discuss major decisions in designing the overall system and their implications on management activities. Furthermore, they will be introduced to the main trends relating to management control systems. Finance The main objective of the Finance course is to develop methods and approaches as well as to provide tools and operational solutions for the main financial evaluations within the contexts of business and financial markets. In particular, the course presents typical decisional areas of strategy and financial management such as the capital structure, financial instruments, cash flow and cost of capital estimation and company valuation. Business Statistics The purpose of the course is to provide an introduction to Business Statistics and its role in understanding economic phenomena and in decision making. The illustration of the techniques in Excel and the application to cases will be an important part of the teaching. 3
SECOND SEMESTER (HERIOT-WATT) Strategic Project Management This core course investigates the linkages between business strategy, implementation and project management. In particular, it seeks to establish how organizations align projects with the organizational strategy. Emerging practices of alignment are discussed, including portfolio management and programme management. Research Philosophy and Practice Research Philosophy and Practice develops research skills in business research methods which are essential for the student s master thesis and for a career in business research. It is designed to help students prepare for the dissertation by giving them an opportunity to learn about approaches to research and how to use them. Systems Thinking and Analysis The objective of this course is to introduce the participants to the theories and principles behind systems thinking, modelling and analysis. The module will also introduce the participants to the methods, tools and techniques for modelling, analyzing, improving and designing technical and social systems in a variety of organizations, ranging from the industrial, commercial and public sector. Human Resource Management The aim of this course is for students to develop an understanding of current issues in Human Resource Management (HRM) and to examine and develop approaches to the management of these key issues. It is designed to develop practical skills and for students to apply critical thinking to the management of HRM issues within contemporary business contexts. 4
THIRD SEMESTER (UMEÅ UNIVERSITY) Perspectives on Management and Strategy This module highlights key challenges facing contemporary firms in a globalized world. The students will gain an interdisciplinary understanding of the business context and the intertwined nature of its events and processes. Alternative theoretical perspectives on strategy will be presented to provide a comprehensive platform for the forthcoming core courses. Students will practice to think strategically from both an internal and external perspective. The module integrates theoretical insights with practical applications in a learning environment characterized by active participation, both individually and in groups. Throughout the module the students are encouraged to develop their own strategic approaches. Strategic Project Management Decision Making The module will explore and integrate different perspectives on strategy and decision-making in strategic project management. Strategic project management will be examined from an applied perspective through a series of case assignments covering major areas of interest for the strategic project manager. 5
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