Teaching directory
Course 2023-2024

IT projects management [EINGM102]

  • 3 credits
  • 20h
  • 1st quarter
Language of instruction: French / Français

Learning outcomes

At the end of this course, the student should be able to:
  • Define the concept of IT project, its actors, its key elements
  • Define IT project management, its objectives, as well as the difficulties related to this activity
  • Distinguish the different schools of project management (Classic vs. Agile), and understand their respective philosophies
  • Provide conceptual and/or technical solutions to IT project management issues
  • Master quantitative approaches related to risk management, project planning or control
  • Address the problem of project management with a critical view, understand which tools are the most suitable, understand the strengths and weaknesses of the different theories seen during the lecture
  • Develop and maintain a project plan
  • Establish a resource management system and be able to make resource allocation decisions for different project alternatives
  • Know the different methodologies of project management
  • Understand and manage risks and human factors in a project

Objectives

Project management refers to the practice in an organization aimed at achieving a clearly defined objective (usually by means of a specification), ensuring that various constraints of time, resources and expected quality of the deliverable are met. The objective of the course is to provide the theoretical and practical tools to deal appropriately with each of these constraints.
 
Time constraints are processed using statistical tools (potential method, or PERT). These tools make it possible to establish a clear planning of the project, and to manage its critical tasks, its safety margins, or its deadlines. A probabilistic and/or simulation layer is typically added to these models in order to better manage the risks associated with working in a dynamic environment. Resource constraints are central, and addressed through tools such as the Gantt chart. Optimizing resource allocation is obviously the key issue in this part of the management process. Budgetary control aimed at ensuring the adequacy between planned/realized costs/budgets, investment decisions and cash flows are also an integral part of the financial management of the project. Quality constraints, for their part, are addressed through tools such as Kanban, Lean Manufacturing or the Agile approach, depending on the area of ​​application. This last point usually encompasses broader considerations of continuous improvement.
 
In addition, project management has a strong human component, and must therefore address the many theories on leadership and team management, on conflict and change management, as well as on the motivational aspects of work. in Group. All of these secondary skills generally contribute to the development of soft skills such as assertiveness, the ability to present results orally and in writing, time and priority management, or relationship skills with subordinates.

Content

Chapter 1 - Foundations of project management 
Chapter 2 - Traditional IT Project Management
Chapter 3 - Agile IT Project Management
Chapter 4 - Requirements and Quality in IT Projects
Chapter 5 - Breaking down and estimating an IT project
Chapter 6 - Scheduling and planning an IT project
Chapter 7 - Monitoring project budgets
Chapter 8 - Controlling IT project risks
Chapter 9 - The human dimension of project management

Teaching methods

The course is structured around two types of sessions:
 
  • "Ex-cathedra" sessions during which students are exposed to various theoretical notions related to IT project management. Each course is illustrated through different cases, and practical questions are also addressed.
  • The "guest" sessions during which personalities from the world of business transmit knowledge of the field and offer coaching on the realization of group work.

Evaluations

100% of the final mark - a three-hour closed-book exam covering theoretical and practical points such as those presented during the course.

Language of instruction

French / Français

Location for course

NAMUR

Organizer

Faculté des sciences économiques, sociales et de gestion
Rue de Bruxelles, 61
5000 NAMUR

Degree of Reference

Master's Degree