Project Management in Research and Development Projects
Projektledning i forsknings- och utvecklingsprojekt

GEM012F, 5 credits

Valid from: Spring 2015
Decided by: FN1/Anders Gustafsson, FN2/Eva Nordberg Karlsson, FN3/Per Tunestål
Date of establishment: 2015-05-02

General Information

Division: Doctoral Research Training
Course type: Third-cycle course
Teaching language: English

Aim

The course aims to equip participants with skills and tools for creating added value through creativity and innovation in their research and development (R&D) projects. Additionally, the ambition is to enhance the knowledge on optimising results in R&D projects through the use of structured processes from the project management field and other complementary disciplines.

Goals

Knowledge and Understanding

For a passing grade the doctoral student must

• demonstrate knowledge of how to plan, organise, implement and control R&D projects
• exhibit fundamental understanding of how to effectively manage R&D projects so that objectives and key success criteria are established and efficiently achieved
• exhibit familiarity with innovation strategy and how it is executed by the new product portfolio
• demonstrate the ability to identify the best method to manage R&D projects in terms of resources, cost, time and stakeholders
• exhibit the ability to categorise activities, link them together, and assess progress along a defined course of actions
• demonstrate knowledge of project responsibilities and accountability
• demonstrate the ability to manage project risk and uncertainties
• demonstrate understanding of leadership styles for R&D projects.

Competences and Skills

For a passing grade the doctoral student must demonstrate aptitude to appreciate tools and techniques for setting up and managing projects.

Judgement and Approach

For a passing grade the doctoral student must establish awareness of projects as a method of work and innovation strategy.

Course Contents

The course deals with key project methods focusing on the following: R&D project success criteria; clear definition of project specifications; planning methods and techniques for R&D programmes; estimating R&D costs; obtaining and allocating resources; R&D organisation, addressing uncertainties in R&D projects; leadership styles for R&D projects; communication in R&D projects.

Course Literature

Wingate, L.: Project Management for Research and Development: Guiding Innovation for Positive R&D Outcomes (Best Practices and Advances in Program Management Series). Auerbach Publications, 2014. ISBN 9781466596290.

Instruction Details

Types of instruction: Lectures, seminars, exercises. The course consists of lectures, seminars, group work, individual reflection and literature surveys. Active participation in course activities and group work is a requirement. Individual: After each session, the students shall write a reflection on what they have learned and relate it to their own research project. Group work: Active participation, reflection and presentation of weekly case studies/exercises.

Examination Details

Examination format: Miscellaneous. For a Pass on the course, participants must attend 80 % of the scheduled course activities and participate actively in seminars and presentations.
Grading scale: Failed, pass
Examiner:

Admission Details

Admission requirements: To be admitted to the course, applicants have to be admitted to a PhD programme at LTH.
Selection criteria: Priority is given to 1) students who have previously applied to the course and were eligible at the time, 2) students who are closest to finishing their PhD programmes.

Further Information

Project Management in R&D Projects is an elective faculty-wide third-cycle (PhD) course at the Faculty of Engineering. The course is intended for both future project managers and project participants.

Course Occasion Information

Contact and Other Information

Course coordinators:
Web page: http://www.student.lth.se/english/phd-students/courses/faculty-wide-phd-courses/