IRI37509 Research Project with Project Management (Spring 2009)

The main project must have content in accordance with the study plan for the programme, and should be in line with HiØs and the Faculty's areas of emphasis and research and development (FoU) work. Project management is taught in the spring semester and there is guidance for the project work.

The project management part includes project models, project defining, project phases, project planning, project breakdown, and project management. Network planning, progress planning and follow-up. The computer software MS-Project. Cost estimation, contracts and forms of tender (bid).

Economic conditions related to the project must be clarified before project start, including the assessment of possible external financing and rights attached to the final product. Before start, the main project assignment and the cooperating business must be approved by the person responsible for the programme.

The assignment involves solving a concrete, real and interdisciplinary problem, preferably in cooperation with local businesses or institutions. The work will be organized as a project with employer, management group, project leader and work group. The groups work independently under supervision. It is expected that students work with both sufficient project volume (corresponding to 20 ECTS in work load) and time horizon (4 months part-time, i.e. October-February, plus 3 months full time, i.e. March-May).

The main project will be carried out as problem based learning with a high degree of independent work. There will be guidance in groups and joint gatherings.

Hovedprosjektet gjennomføres som problembasert læring med høy grad av selvstendig arbeid, veiledes gruppevis og i fellessamlinger. 

Prosjektledelse undervises i høstsemesteret og veiledes i prosjektarbeidet.

Undervisningen kan delvis foregå på engelsk.

The following work requirements must be accepted before the student can appear for the exam:

• Five obligatory exercises in project management which document the project process. 
• Pre-project/midterm report must be handed in following more particular guidelines and deadlines.
• Meetings with supervisor/employer must be carried out.

Final assessment consists of two exams:

Exam part 1/ Project management (counts 20% of the total mark in the subject).

An individual three-hour written exam.

Permitted aids: All written and printed material.

Exam part 2 Main project (counts 80 % of the total mark in the subject)

The main project consists of the following exam components:

a) Main project report (counts 25% out of exam part 2)

Consultant report/project report which is based on the pre-project report and interim report.
The report should be handed in four printed copies and is also to be delivered as a pdf-format optimized for being presented on a screen.

b) Professional result (counts 35% of exam part 2)

A written description, alternatively models or others things dependent on the special project.

c) The project process with documentation (counts 15% of part exam 2)

Contains documented work achievement and project documents related to the process, i.e. plan tools and notices/minutes.

d) EXPO-exhibition and oral presentation (counts 25 % of part exam 2)

Arranged exhibition and a speech of about 15-20 minutes, plus servicing the stand during EXPO. All group members contribute to the exhibition.

The subject will be assessed with the letter marks A - F, where F is failure. The marks can be differentiated among the members of the project group. Both part exams must be passed in order to pass the subject.

With failure to pass part exam 1/Project management, a new part exam can be taken next time this is arranged. With failure to pass part exam 2 Main project, a del part exam can be taken next study year, or possibly in the re-sit period after application.

Project handbook with instructions for project work at the IR faculty.

Prosjektarbeid, Universitetsforlaget, Westhagen, Harald et al.  

The students should themselves seek relevant literature and refer to it in the report.