Project management and Business Information Systems

The course will provide students with a basic understanding of the main principles of planning, implementing, following up and leading IT-projects, with a special focus on projects that aim to acquire new business information systems.

The course provides a general introduction to what business information systems are and how such systems can help optimize the business processes in an organization. Furthermore, the focus is on how projects for the introduction of business information systems are run. We look at such projects both through the eyes of the acquiring company (implementation projects) and the eyes of the supplying company (development projects).

The course covers:

• what characterizes different IT-projects
• typical project implementation models
• project management
• project planning
• project breakdown structures
• project implementation
• project reporting
• factors that are crucial for the project's success
• risk analysis
• stakeholder analysis
• project documentation and agreements
• business processes and business information systems.

Combined with practical project experience and the course's learning activities, this will provide sufficient theoretical basis and skills for the candidate to participate in IT projects where business systems are implemented and eventually fill the role of project manager.

Knowledge

Candidates:

• can describe what characterizes different IT-projects
• can explain typical project implementation models for IT-projects
• can explain the implementation and project management of IT-projects according to different project implementation models
• can account for the project manager role in regard to responsibilities and authority in IT-projects
• can describe what business information systems are and what they are used for
• can explain how to manage, sell and deliver business information systems

Skills

Candidates:

• can define project organizations for different types of IT-projects
• can prepare plans for different types of IT-projects
• can describe and optimize business processes where IT-systems are a natural part
• can carry out processes for the acquisition and implementation of business information systems

General competence

Candidates:

• is aware of how business systems can affect employees in an organization
• is aware of the importance of maintaining good relations with all stakeholders
• can argue for specific choices and solutions in connection with IT projects
• can assess IT-projects in a sustainability context
• is aware of the importance of IT-projects complying with laws, regulations and agreements

Lectures, individual and group exercises, including both written assignments and presentations.