Project portfolio management

Max amount of FITech students: 30 adult learners

This course teaches the students project portfolio management from multiple points of view. Students learn what is a portfolio, a program and a project.

For example the following topics are part of the course:

• strategy execution via portfolios
• project portfolio management methodology and process
• project evaluation methods (quantitative and qualitative)
• risk management approaches
• role of PMO in portfolio management.
• portfolio leadership and management of resources

Learning outcomes

After completing the course, the student

• has a holistic understanding of project portfolio management
• will understand what are project portfolios and their role in today’s industry
• will learn how project portfolio management creates value for the company
• will learn practical methods and techniques to design, build and control project portfolios
• will also learn approaches to handle uncertainty and risks as unavoidable elements in project portfolio management.

The course develops critical and analytical thinking as well as organisational operation skills.

Course material

Scientific articles and material provided by the teacher. Book: Kodukula, P., Organizational Project Portfolio Management: A Practitioner’s Guide, J. Ross Publishing, 2014, 328 p., ISBN-10: 1932159428, ISBN-13: 978-1932159424.

Teaching methods

This is an online course. The Zoom meetings have a fixed schedule.

• The course kick-off session has compulsory online attendance.
• All lectures will be available as recordings.
• The teamwork presentation will take place on fixed dates communicated by the teacher during kick-off lecture.

Completion methods

• 5 quizzes for participants joining live (or alternately research paper reviews, submission within given deadlines)
• Team assignment and presentation
• Final exam in an EXAM room (in any Finnish University)

The course completion requires scoring minimum 50 points out of total 100. Teacher may also provide bonus-point quiz and assignments to help student’s learning.

More information in the University of Vaasa study guide.

You can get a digital badge after completing this course.

value creation, uncertainty, risk, resource management