Managing Impactful Projects
Code
1459
Academic unit
null
Department
null
Credits
3,5
Teacher in charge
Afonso Reis
Teaching language
English
Objectives
Provide an experience of structuring, analysis and diagnosis, and problem solving which help in the pursuit of the organizations mission.
The following competences will be developed in the theoretical and practical classes:
i) Structuring, analysis and diagnosis, problem solving;
ii) Project management;
iii) Communication, presentation and project discussion, teamwork and client relations;
iv) Interpersonal skills such as time management and teamwork.
From a project based learning perspective, we intend to:
i) Strengthen knowledge and tools through its practical application in impactful projects;
ii) Develop an attitude and behaviour that are essential to professional life;
iii) Provide students with an experience that increases their self-knowledge in terms of skills and preferences, both professionally and personally;
iv) Instil an attitude to the students that represents the demands of the world of employment.
Prerequisites
N/A
Subject matter
| WHY MIP ?; Managing by principles; Introduction to project management; | Problem solving exercise. | |
| Practical case: Client Context tools: Social Challenge.Theory of Change, Business model canvas. | Problem solving exercise. | |
| This class is taught by accenture: Problem solving tools (SCQ Framework + Issue Tree + Minto Pyramid Principle); Scope and chronogram management. | Debate; Group Work - we recommend to focus on client context tools; Note Client Meeting 1 (we suggest a first presential meeting before class). | |
| Practical case: A practical project example. | Group Work: client context tools presentation; Status meeting 1 (extra class schedule - tbd). | |
| Practical case: A practical project example. | Group Work: work hypothesis presentation; Accenture Speaker will be available in class; Note Client Meeting 2 (we suggest a 2nd pre- scheduled meeting); Midterm report submission week. | |
| Free | Group work; Status meeting 2 (extra class schedule - tbd); Midterm presentation feedback. | |
| Free | Note Client Meeting 3 (we suggest a 3rd pre-scheduled meeting). | |
| Free | Group work; Accenture Speaker will be available in class for those with classes on Tuesdays; Status meeting 3 (extra class schedule - tbd) for Wednesday classes | |
| Free | Group work; Accenture Speaker will be available in class for those with classes on Wednesdays; Status meeting 3 (extra class schedule - tbd) for Tuesday classes | |
| Free | FINAL PRESENTATIONS: 17th May: presentation of Wednesday classes + 18th May: presentation of Tuesday classes. |
Project scope:
The carried-out projects should have an impact, helping the client organization to create more social value (eg. serve more beneficiaries with the same resources). It is expected that students make a difference in the organization through feasible projects that meet the needs of the organization. If, by any valid reason, it is not possible to execute the project, students should validate the key assumptions of their project or intervention before delivering the final product to the client. Students will have the opportunity to work on a wide range of topics depending on the needs of the organizations, the feasibility of the project and the potential for impact. The partner organizations can have such diverse backgrounds as: social organizations and companies, education or health.
Team creation and project allocation:
Teams will be created by the lecturers and can not be changed. Students have three possibilities regarding the projects and a decision must be consensual within the group:
1. Choose one organization and challenge from a list of partner organizations already established (released on February 27, 2018).
2. Identify an organization and corresponding challenge of your preference (subject to confirmation from the faculty, in particular regarding to the scope of the challenge and the time available to assist students).
3. Launch your own project and take the first steps of what could be an organization with social impact.
Note: In case of any situation in the group that compromises the individual evaluation of a member, this same member should immediately report this situation to the faculty, under penalty of being prejudiced in the use of the class, even failing due to the lack of knowledge on the part of the faculty about the situation that put his grade at risk.
Bibliography
Lectures and PowerPoint presentations of theoretical and practical classes (Available in Moodle);
Business Model Generation (Available in the Library);
The Pyramid Principle (Available in the Library);
Blue Ocean Strategy (Available in the Library).
Teaching method
This course will have theoretical and practical and classes, and follows a methodology of project based learning, case study and non-formal education. It is essential an active participation in theoretical and practical classes. Moodle is the main vehicle of communication between students and faculty and it is the sole responsibility of each student to keep up to date with what will be communicated there.
Theoretical classes:
Students will learn the tools needed to plan and execute their own project, and will be exposed to different types of social organizations and companies. Some theoretical classes will be given by guest speakers, Accenture or others. Students should take the chance to ask questions about the subject or their professional/personal interests.
Practical classes:
It is essential an active participation in all classes. During the first half of the semester, the goal is to strengthen the tools learned in the theoretical classes. Some of these classes will have guest speakers that, based on their professional experience, will guide students in the correct application and experimentation of the tools. During the second half of the semester, the practical classes will be available for students to work in teams. Feedback classes for the work of each team are also provided.
Status meeting:
Status meetings allow a close monitoring and support of each team. The semester will have three status meetings of 30min per team. It is mandatory the team enrolment for each status update through Doodle and to fill in the form to prepare the agenda for each status update meeting. The details on methods of submitting this information will be made available in Moodle at the appropriate time.
Evaluation method
The assessment of this course is based in 3 components with the following weight on the final grade:
(i) Participation: 20%
(ii) Intermediate Presentation of the project: 25%
(iii) Final Presentation and Report of the project: 55%
Whenever the course instructors may have any doubts about an element of assessment, students can be summoned for an oral review that can replace up to the entire assessment of the course.
There is a minimum grade in the final presentation to pass the course which is 9.
Detailed assessment
(i) Participation (20%):
a. Attendance (no entry will be allowed after 5 minutes from the start of class time);
b. Participation in both theoretical and practical class (the quantity and quality of the interventions will be valued);
c. Group performance in the 3 status updates (including mandatory delivery of answers to the forms and enrolment through Doodle both made available in Moodle at the appropriate time).
(ii) Intermediate Presentation (25%):
a. Presentation of client analysis and project proposal;
b. Client inputs The proposed recommendation in the presentation must be validated by the client;
c. Compliance with the form of delivery (see requirements bellow);
d. Peer evaluation 20% (individual);
e. Oral presentation (6 minutes presentation + 6 minutes for jury questions).
(iii) Final Presentation and Report (55%):
a. Oral presentation of project results;
b. Final report;
c. Client inputs The proposed recommendation in the presentation must be validated by the client;
d. Compliance with the form of delivery (see requirements bellow);
e. Peer evaluation 20% (individual);
f. Oral presentation (6 minutes presentation + 6 minutes for jury questions).