Task: To write about personal experience, write about an internship at a company, personnel work
[Facepalm] Although I don't have this experience, just write about it.
Word count: 1900
It is recommended to write a summary of the course knowledge in the first few paragraphs
These are the questions to answer
You will be tasked with a reflective summary on how the case study assignment has shaped
your
understanding of the specific topic and your skills at managing strategic projects. The purpose is not
to provide facts of the theory, more what have you learned and how has this changed your
perspective.
Working individually, begin the summary with a paragraph that places the learning in context.
Discuss
your background and your previous role and project management experience. You should
then
consider the following in your reflection:
Why or how did you select the research area?
Why and how did you select the case?
Reflect on your previous understanding of project management. Has it changed as result of doing
the assignment? How has the assignment increased your understanding of strategic projects?
Was there any particular aspects of the assignment of the course that will help you in your future
career? How?
What is your strategy for developing your project management knowledge?
A good reflective summary may have several paragraphs that explain your preconceived ideas about
the subject. Doing so helps you portray yourself as a learner who is going through a process. Discuss
any false beliefs or confusion you had about the subject before engaging in the task. If you had
doubts
that the assignment was going to be worthwhile, explain those feelings. End with a
statement on
whether the participation in the assignment was helpful and why.
The course objectives are:
On completion of this course students will be able to:
Distinguish between a strategic project and an operational project
Examine the concept of project success
Differentiate between the management of projects, programmes and portfolios
Examine varied approaches to selecting and prioritising projects for an organization’s project
portfolio
Develop knowledge to manage related projects as a programme
Examine how to manage and realise project benefits
Examine appropriate governance structures for the efficient management of programmes
Examine varied approaches to measuring project and programme maturity
Through this, you will be able to:
Undertake independent reading and evaluation of a range of academic and practitioner literature
Research, analyse and formally present case study examples of how organisations have
successfully implemented strategy through projects.
To work independently and in teams to critically analyse organisational projects and make
recommendations accordingly.
Reflect on current learning and future aspirations.
Course References
Most of the readings for this course will be from appropriate journal articles. These will be listed at
the start and end every session. Journals include:
International Journal of Project Management
Project Management Journal
International Journal of Managing Projects in Business
Strategic Management Journal,
Long Term Planning,
For further background, those seeking additional sources might find the following books useful:
Morris, P.G. & Pinto, J.K. (2007) The Wiley Guide to Project, Programme & Portfolio
Management. John Wiley & Sons. NJ.
Thiry, M (2010) Program Management Gower Publications. Aldershot
Reiss, G., Anthony, M., Chapman, J., Pyne, A., Rayner, P., (2006) The Gower Handbook of
Programme Management. Gower Publications. Aldershot
Cleland, D. I., & Ireland, L. R. (2006) Project Management: Strategic design and
implementation. McGraw-Hill, Inc. NY.
Dye, L.D. and Pennypacker, J.S. (eds.) (1999). Project Portfolio Management: Selecting and
prioritizing projects for competitive advantage Centre for Business Practices, West Chester,
PA.
Mintzberg, H., Ahlstrand, B. and Lampel, J. (1998). Strategy Safari: A guided tour through the
wilds of strategic management, Free Press, New York.