Introduction to Geo-information Project Management
The course emphasizes on (GI-) project management. However, not the geo-information itself is being assessed, but rather the organizational set-up in project-like environments. The course relates to Module 3, although in this case geo-information is project based, and not embedded in an organization. The course assesses the academic approach of project management.
Themes 
- Characteristics and organisational context of (GI related) projects
- Scientific context of project management – Project management methodologies
- Tools and techniques supporting the management of a project
- Management models, roles and skills
- Staffing and return of investment of GI related projects
- Development, presentation and evaluation of GI related project proposals
- Academic writing
Course objectives
The student will be able to:
- Describe and position projects and project management within an organisational and a scientific setting
- Acquire and apply key project management knowledge and skills necessary to initiate, plan, control and direct a GI related project
- Identify, specify, organize and evaluate key project management aspects and elements contributing to a valid GI related project proposal based on prior given requirements and constraints
- Demonstrate his/her ability to write an academic paper within the project management domain according to prescribed writing guidelines
Content
The course is split in the following three parts:
Contact period Enschede:
- Introduction to project management; organisational context; scientific context; project management methodologies; supporting tools and techniques (workshop); management models, roles and skills; staffing and return on investment; academic writing
Distance period:
- Writing of an academic paper on project management topic (in groups of two, with distant supervision)
- Case study on developing a comprehensive proposal for a GI related project (group work and individual tasks with distant supervision)
Contact period Utrecht:
- Feedback and assessment of distant tasks
- Peer review and presentation of project proposals
- Examination based on a compulsory list of literature and lecture notes
Type of education
M4 focus on Project Management
- Lectures
- Distance learning
- Academic reviewing
- Literature research
- Individual assignments
- Case study
- Supervisor discussions
- Presentation
- Evaluation
Assessment
- Individual exam (written, closed book) based on a compulsory list of literature and lecture notes
- Assignment in groups of two on writing an academic paper
- Group assignment on writing an initial project plan
- Group assignment on writing a final project proposal incl. process report
- Individual assignment on reviewing literature within a given project management knowledge area incl. peer review
- Group assignment on presentation and peer review of final project proposals
Literature
Jack R. Meredith, Samuel J. Mantel, Jr., Scott M. Shafer, Margaret M. Sutton. Wiley E-Text. Project Management in Practice, 5th Edition, 336 pages.
ISBN : 978-1-118-80054-6
October 2013, ©2014
Entry requirements
Letter of acceptance of the master programme Geographical Information Management and Applications.