Veidlapa Nr. M-3 (8)

Course Description Status: Approved

Course Description Version: 25/26.P.2.00

Description Period: 2025./26 academic year pavasara semestris

Study Course Accepted: -

Study Course Description

Project Management

Main Study Course Information

Course Code
SZF_137
Branch of Science
Media and communications
ECTS
6.00
Target Audience
Communication Science
LQF
Level 6
Study Type And Form
Full-Time

Study Course Implementer

Course Supervisor
Jekaterina Pankova
Structure Unit Manager
Ieva Puzo
Structural Unit
Faculty of Social Sciences
Contacts

Dzirciema street 16, Rīga, szf@rsu.lv

About Study Course

Objective

To enhance knowledge and facilitate the acquisition of project management skills, based on Prince2 and Agile methodologies, as well as the work practices of international companies in applying these methods. It aims to develop and implement new products, services, or solutions that meet the company's needs and specified requirements.

Preliminary Knowledge

Not required.

Learning Outcomes

Knowledge

1.Students will acquire the following knowledge as a result of the course: 1. They will be able to define the essence of the PRINCE2 and Agile project management methodologies and compare their main differences. 2. They will be able to describe the stages of the project life cycle and their objectives within the PRINCE2 and Agile methodologies. 3. They will be able to identify and characterize the roles and responsibilities of team members in the PRINCE2 and Agile methodologies. 4. They will be able to describe how to develop a high-level project plan and a stage plan, as well as explain the principles of risk assessment and quality management within PRINCE2. 5. They will be able to explain how to develop a project vision, create a product backlog, assess the team’s capacity, and develop a release plan within Agile.

Skills

1.Upon completion of the course, students will have acquired the following skills: 1. They will be able to evaluate and adapt project management approaches (PRINCE2 or Agile) according to the specific needs of a company or project. 2. They will be able to plan and structure the stages of project development and implementation in accordance with the requirements of the respective methodology. 3. They will be able to prepare project documentation in accordance with PRINCE2 or Agile requirements (for example, a project vision, a high-level project plan, a product backlog, a release plan, etc.). 4. They will be able to apply risk management, quality control, and monitoring methods during project implementation. 5. They will be able to plan the project team, communicate and collaborate with stakeholders, and promote effective teamwork.

Competences

1.Upon completion of the course, students will have developed the following competences: 1. They will be able to integrate theoretical knowledge with practical solutions and make well-founded decisions regarding the selection and application of the most appropriate project management approach (PRINCE2 or Agile), in accordance with the needs and strategic objectives of a company or organisation. 2. They will be able to develop a project from the initial idea to the implementation plan, as well as formulate and structure business requirements in accordance with project needs. 3. They will be able to plan the course of project development and implementation, identify risks and quality deficiencies within the project, and make the necessary improvements to achieve the project objective. 4. They will be able to work effectively in a project team, collaborating with various stakeholders and adapting to changing circumstances. 5. They will be able to discuss the most appropriate solutions for achieving the project objective, identify challenges within the project team, and facilitate the implementation of improvements.

Assessment

Individual work

Title
% from total grade
Grade
1.

Individual work
-
-
Studying video lectures, understanding lecture topics through required course literature, and completing knowledge assessments. In order to evaluate the quality of the study course as a whole, the student must fill out the study course evaluation questionnaire on the Student Portal.

Examination

Title
% from total grade
Grade
1.

Examination
-
10 points

1. Two knowledge assessment tests (with a minimum passing grade of 4) account for 20% of the overall course grade.

2. Two practical assignments (projects), prepared and submitted in accordance with the specified requirements, account for 40% of the overall course grade (20% each).

Assessment criteria for the practical assignments:

  • Accuracy of task completion and compliance with the methodological requirements – 40%
  • Logical coherence of the content, structure, and interrelationship of elements – 20%
  • Ability to apply theoretical knowledge in practice – 20%
  • Presentation, language quality, and compliance with formal requirements – 10%
  • Adherence to submission deadlines – 10%

Assignment length: each practical assignment must be 5–7 pages in length (approximately 2,000–3,000 words).

3.The final examination (with a minimum passing grade of 4) accounts for 40% of the overall course grade.

Study Course Theme Plan

FULL-TIME
Part 1

  1. Lecture

Modality
Location
Contact hours
On site
Other
2

Topics

Fundamentals of the PRINCE2 Methodology: The Project and Its Characteristics

  1. Lecture

Modality
Location
Contact hours
On site
Other
2

Topics

Project Participants, Stakeholders, and Communication in the Project

  1. Lecture

Modality
Location
Contact hours
On site
Other
2

Topics

Project Management Phases within the PRINCE2 Framework

  1. Lecture

Modality
Location
Contact hours
On site
Other
2

Topics

Quality and Risk Management in the PRINCE2 Methodology

  1. Lecture

Modality
Location
Contact hours
On site
Other
2

Topics

Types of Project Plans and Planning within the PRINCE2 Framework

  1. Lecture

Modality
Location
Contact hours
On site
Other
2

Topics

Product-Based Planning: Principles and Practical Application

  1. Class/Seminar

Modality
Location
Contact hours
On site
Auditorium
2

Topics

Practical Session: From Idea to Project Plan within the PRINCE2 Framework

  1. Class/Seminar

Modality
Location
Contact hours
On site
Auditorium
2

Topics

Practical Session: From Idea to Project Plan within the PRINCE2 Framework

  1. Class/Seminar

Modality
Location
Contact hours
On site
Auditorium
2

Topics

Practical Session: From Idea to Project Plan within the PRINCE2 Framework

  1. Class/Seminar

Modality
Location
Contact hours
On site
Auditorium
2

Topics

Practical Session: From Idea to Project Plan within the PRINCE2 Framework

  1. Class/Seminar

Modality
Location
Contact hours
On site
Auditorium
2

Topics

Practical Session: From Idea to Project Plan within the PRINCE2 Framework

  1. Class/Seminar

Modality
Location
Contact hours
On site
Auditorium
2

Topics

Practical Session: From Idea to Project Plan within the PRINCE2 Framework

  1. Class/Seminar

Modality
Location
Contact hours
On site
Auditorium
2

Topics

Practical Session: From Idea to Project Plan within the PRINCE2 Framework

  1. Class/Seminar

Modality
Location
Contact hours
On site
Study room
2

Topics

Practical Session: From Idea to Project Plan within the PRINCE2 Framework

  1. Class/Seminar

Modality
Location
Contact hours
On site
Study room
2

Topics

Practical Session: From Idea to Project Plan within the PRINCE2 Framework

  1. Class/Seminar

Modality
Location
Contact hours
On site
Study room
2

Topics

Practical Session: From Idea to Project Plan within the PRINCE2 Framework

  1. Lecture

Modality
Location
Contact hours
On site
Other
2

Topics

Types of Project Plans and Planning within the PRINCE2 Framework

  1. Lecture

Modality
Location
Contact hours
On site
Study room
2

Topics

Agile Project Management: Creating Customer Value Through Lean

  1. Lecture

Modality
Location
Contact hours
On site
Study room
2

Topics

Mastering the Agile Approach: Values, Principles, Types of Waste, and Team Performance

  1. Lecture

Modality
Location
Contact hours
On site
Study room
2

Topics

Agile Life Cycle and Steps of Planning

  1. Lecture

Modality
Location
Contact hours
On site
Study room
2

Topics

Mastering Scrum: Meetings, Artifacts, and Team Focus

  1. Lecture

Modality
Location
Contact hours
On site
Study room
2

Topics

Building Strong Teams with Scrum: Principles, Values, and Roles

  1. Class/Seminar

Modality
Location
Contact hours
On site
Study room
2

Topics

Practical Session: From Idea to Release Plan within the Agile Framework

  1. Class/Seminar

Modality
Location
Contact hours
On site
Study room
2

Topics

Practical Session: From Idea to Release Plan within the Agile Framework

  1. Class/Seminar

Modality
Location
Contact hours
On site
Study room
2

Topics

Practical Session: From Idea to Release Plan within the Agile Framework

  1. Class/Seminar

Modality
Location
Contact hours
On site
Study room
2

Topics

Practical Session: From Idea to Release Plan within the Agile Framework

  1. Class/Seminar

Modality
Location
Contact hours
On site
Study room
2

Topics

Practical Session: From Idea to Release Plan within the Agile Framework

  1. Class/Seminar

Modality
Location
Contact hours
On site
Study room
2

Topics

Practical Session: From Idea to Release Plan within the Agile Framework

  1. Class/Seminar

Modality
Location
Contact hours
On site
Study room
2

Topics

Practical Session: From Idea to Release Plan within the Agile Framework

  1. Class/Seminar

Modality
Location
Contact hours
On site
Study room
2

Topics

Practical Session: From Idea to Release Plan within the Agile Framework

  1. Class/Seminar

Modality
Location
Contact hours
On site
Study room
2

Topics

Practical Session: From Idea to Release Plan within the Agile Framework

  1. Class/Seminar

Modality
Location
Contact hours
On site
Study room
2

Topics

Practical Session: From Idea to Release Plan within the Agile Framework
Total ECTS (Creditpoints):
6.00
Contact hours:
64 Academic Hours
Final Examination:
Exam (Written)

Bibliography

Required Reading

1.

Agile practice guide (english). Project Management Institute. 2017.

2.

Puckett, S., & Neubauer, R. M. Agile leadership : Leadership competencies for the agile transformation. BusinessVillage. 2020.

3.

Layton, Mark C., Ostermiller, Steven J., and Kynaston, Dean J.. Agile Project Management for Dummies. Newark: John Wiley & Sons, Incorporated, 2020. Accessed March 10, 2026.

4.

Tuttle, Susan. PRINCE2 in Action : Project Management in Real Terms. Ely: IT Governance Ltd, 2018.

5.

Bentley, C. The concise prince2: A pocket guide. IT Governance Ltd. 2013.

Additional Reading

1.

Dillon, Tom. Agile Resilience : The Psychology of Developing Resilience in the Workplace. Oxford: Taylor & Francis Group, 2022.

2.

Derby, Esther, Larsen, Diana, and Horowitz, David. Agile Retrospectives, Second Edition : A Practical Guide for Catalyzing Team Learning and Improvement. La Vergne: Pragmatic Programmers, LLC, The, 2024.

3.

Stettina, Christoph J., Garbajosa, Juan, and Kruchten, Philippe, eds. Agile Processes in Software Engineering and Extreme Programming : 24th International Conference on Agile Software Development, XP 2023, Amsterdam, the Netherlands, June 13-16, 2023, Proceedings. Cham: Springer, 2023.

4.

Cooke, Jamie Lynn. The PRINCE2 Agile® Practical Implementation Guide - Step-By-step Advice for Every Project Type. Ely: IT Governance Ltd, 2021.