Veidlapa Nr. M-3 (8)

Course Description Status: Approved

Course Description Version: 26/27.R.3.00

Description Period: 2026./27 academic year rudens semestris

Study Course Accepted: -

Study Course Description

Introduction to Project Management

Main Study Course Information

Course Code
VPUPK_414
Branch of Science
Psychology
ECTS
3.00
Target Audience
Psychology
LQF
Level 6
Study Type And Form
Full-Time; Part-Time

Study Course Implementer

Course Supervisor
Daiga Katrīna Bitēna
Structure Unit Manager
Kristīne Mārtinsone
Structural Unit
Department of Psychology
Contacts

Riga, 16 Dzirciema Street, vppk@rsu.lv, +37167061587

About Study Course

Objective

Develop students’ understanding of the basic principles of project management and provide practical skills in the planning, implementation and evaluation of small projects in the field of psychology and social sciences.

Preliminary Knowledge

Basic academic skills in Psychology Studies; introduction to Psychology Science; Social Psychology; study in Psychology

Learning Outcomes

Knowledge

1.Able to identify and explain the fundamental principles of project management.

2.Able to compare different project management approaches and methods.

3.Understands the difference between research projects and practically-oriented social and business projects.

4.Has knowledge of the fundamentals of project financing options.

Skills

1.Able to develop a project idea and structure in the field of psychology.

2.Able to prepare and properly format project documentation.

3.Able to apply theoretical knowledge in practical project development.

Competences

1.Able to independently develop a project plan for a small-scale project idea in the field of psychology. Demonstrates the ability to present a project and justify its significance.

2.Demonstrates the ability to present a project and justify its significance.

Assessment

Individual work

Title
% from total grade
Grade
1.

Individual work
5.00% from total grade
Test

Independently initiates a project idea, taking project management methodology into account.
2.

Teamwork
5.00% from total grade
Test

Collaborates within a group to develop a project idea and description, and identifies a suitable public funding call for project submission.
3.

Teamwork
5.00% from total grade
Test

Collaborates within a group to develop a plan for the allocation of project tasks and the project timeline.
4.

Teamwork
5.00% from total grade
Test

Collaborates within a group during class to develop a project communication plan.

Examination

Title
% from total grade
Grade
1.

Examination
40.00% from total grade
10 points

Collaborates within a group to present the project idea plan developed during the course.
2.

Examination
40.00% from total grade
10 points

Independently completes a Lean Canvas worksheet for their group's project idea.

Contact with the instructor

daiga.bitena@gmail.com, daigakatrina.bitena@rsu.lv

Class Attendance

  • According to the RSU Study Regulations, attendance at the study course classes is mandatory. If a student has missed a class for a justified reason, they must complete and submit the mandatory make-up assignment within the specified deadline.
  • If the mandatory make-up assignment is not submitted within the specified deadline, or if the submitted make-up assignment is not credited, the student will be required to take an oral exam as an additional assessment. If the oral exam is failed, the student will not be admitted to the final assessment and/or the study course will not be credited.
  • To excuse a missed class, the student must submit an application through their MyRSU profile in accordance with the procedure set out in points 2.2, 2.17, or 2.18 of the RSU Study Regulations, and must contact the instructor by email to arrange the opportunity to make up the class. All missed classes must be made up. Supporting documents must be prepared, and contact with the instructor regarding the make-up class must be made no later than 2 weeks after returning to studies.
  • The student must attend no less than 75% of the study course classes. If more than 25% of the total classes are missed, the student will not be admitted to the final assessment of the study course and/or the course will not be credited.

Use of AI-based tools

The use of AI-based tools is supportable and ethical when students use them as study aids rather than as substitutes for the learning process.

The use of artificial intelligence as an aid is permitted for technical and formatting-related matters, such as creating a presentation background template, choosing color palettes, or formatting graphics.

Students may not use AI tools to generate text or write other independent assignments.

Assessment Criteria

For each completed study assignment, the student receives a grade as a percentage. The grade is calculated cumulatively. A total of 100% can be earned across all study assignments. Grades will be calculated according to the percentage ranges set out in the RSU Study Regulations:

  • 96%–100% – excellent (10)
  • 85%–95% – very good (9)
  • 75%–84% – good (8)
  • 70%–74% – above average (7)
  • 65%–69% – almost good (6)
  • 60%–64% – average (5)
  • 55%–59% – almost average (4)
  • 40%–54% – weak (3)
  • 20%–39% – very weak (2)
  • 0%–19% – very, very weak (1)

Attending Consultations

You have the option to sign up for consultations regarding topics, assignments, or the final exam covered in the course. Please contact the instructor at the email address listed above to agree on a date, time, and room.

Study Course Theme Plan

FULL-TIME
Part 1

  1. Lecture

Modality
Location
Contact hours
On site
Auditorium
2

Topics

Project concept, project management, project management methodologies.

  1. Lecture

Modality
Location
Contact hours
On site
Auditorium
2

Topics

Project concept, project management, project management methodologies.

  1. Lecture

Modality
Location
Contact hours
On site
Study room
2

Topics

Types of projects in psychology, their strategic planning, and securing funding.

  1. Class/Seminar

Modality
Location
Contact hours
On site
Auditorium
2

Topics

Types of projects in psychology, their strategic planning, and securing funding.

  1. Lecture

Modality
Location
Contact hours
On site
Auditorium
2

Topics

Development and preparation of a project idea in accordance with the requirements of the public tender.

  1. Class/Seminar

Modality
Location
Contact hours
On site
Auditorium
2

Topics

Development and preparation of a project idea in accordance with the requirements of the public tender.

  1. Lecture

Modality
Location
Contact hours
On site
Auditorium
2

Topics

Project planning and setting objectives.

  1. Lecture

Modality
Location
Contact hours
On site
Auditorium
2

Topics

Project planning and setting objectives.

  1. Lecture

Modality
Location
Contact hours
On site
Auditorium
2

Topics

Resource (work force, cost, time) planning.

  1. Class/Seminar

Modality
Location
Contact hours
On site
Auditorium
2

Topics

Resource (work force, cost, time) planning.

  1. Class/Seminar

Modality
Location
Contact hours
On site
Auditorium
2

Topics

Resource (work force, cost, time) planning.

  1. Lecture

Modality
Location
Contact hours
On site
Study room
2

Topics

Project goals, job allocation, timeline, and cost planning.

  1. Lecture

Modality
Location
Contact hours
On site
Study room
2

Topics

Project communication.

  1. Class/Seminar

Modality
Location
Contact hours
On site
Study room
2

Topics

Evaluation of project results.

  1. Class/Seminar

Modality
Location
Contact hours
On site
Study room
2

Topics

Development of a project communication plan and evaluation plan for results.

  1. Test

Modality
Location
Contact hours
On site
Study room
2

Topics

Project presentation.
Total ECTS (Creditpoints):
3.00
Contact hours:
30 Academic Hours
Final Examination:
Exam
PART-TIME
Part 1

  1. Lecture

Modality
Location
Contact hours
On site
Study room
2

Topics

Project concept, project management, project management methodologies.

  1. Lecture

Modality
Location
Contact hours
On site
Study room
2

Topics

Project concept, project management, project management methodologies.

  1. Class/Seminar

Modality
Location
Contact hours
On site
Study room
2

Topics

Types of projects in psychology, their strategic planning, and securing funding.

  1. Lecture

Modality
Location
Contact hours
On site
Study room
2

Topics

Development and preparation of a project idea in accordance with the requirements of the public tender.

  1. Class/Seminar

Modality
Location
Contact hours
On site
Study room
2

Topics

Development and preparation of a project idea in accordance with the requirements of the public tender.

  1. Class/Seminar

Modality
Location
Contact hours
On site
Study room
2

Topics

Project planning and setting objectives.

  1. Lecture

Modality
Location
Contact hours
On site
Study room
2

Topics

Resource (work force, cost, time) planning.

  1. Class/Seminar

Modality
Location
Contact hours
On site
Study room
2

Topics

Resource (work force, cost, time) planning.
Project goals, job allocation, timeline, and cost planning.

  1. Lecture

Modality
Location
Contact hours
On site
Study room
2

Topics

Project goals, job allocation, timeline, and cost planning.

  1. Lecture

Modality
Location
Contact hours
On site
Study room
2

Topics

Project communication.

  1. Class/Seminar

Modality
Location
Contact hours
On site
Study room
2

Topics

Evaluation of project results.
Development of a project communication plan and evaluation plan for results.

  1. Class/Seminar

Modality
Location
Contact hours
On site
Study room
2

Topics

Evaluation of project results.

  1. Test

Modality
Location
Contact hours
On site
Study room
2

Topics

Project presentation.
Total ECTS (Creditpoints):
3.00
Contact hours:
24 Academic Hours
Final Examination:
Exam

Bibliography

Required Reading

1.

Clegg, S. R., Skyttermoen, T., & Vaagaasar, A. L. (2025). Project Management: Creating Sustainable Value (2. izd.). SAGE. 528 lpp.

2.

Liang, Z., Thiessen, V., & Dwyer, J. (2025). Project Management in Health and Community Services: A Contemporary Guide to Practice (4. izd.). Routledge.

3.

Woods, J. M., Marshall, R. S., & Schlesiger, L. (2023). Delivering Value with Project Management. University of North Georgia Press.

Additional Reading

1.

Gulbe, Z. (Sast.). (2026). Privātprakse palīdzošajās profesijās: tiesiskais ietvars, digitālā komunikācijaun profesionālā ētika. RSU Izdevniecības un poligrāfijas nodaļa.

2.

Ochoa Pacheco P, Coello-Montecel D, Tello M, Lasio V, Armijos A (2023) How do project managers’ competencies impact project success? A systematic literature review. PLOS ONE 18(12): e0295417.

3.

Paprica, P. A. (2024). Research Project Management and Leadership: A Handbook for Everyone. University of Toronto Press.

4.

Project Management QuickStart Guide: The Simplified Beginner’s Guide to Precise Planning, Strategic Resource Management, and Delivering World Class Results Paperback – May 29, 2022.