VCR6000 Critical Reflection on and practice of Organizational Change Course description

The objective of the course is to give knowledge about organizational change and project management. Students will learn to apply techniques and problem solving methods of relevance for development and efficiency and for project management in private and public organisations.

The course will focus on knowledge of change and innovation in general and of efficient management of projects in particular.

No prerequisites

Knowledge

The student has knowledge of

• critical reflection
• power issues on individual, relational, organizational and political levels
• cultural boundaries on project management
• organisational understanding and matrix structure
• methods and techniques for problem solving
• project phases and cycles
• team structures and team development (relations and tasks)
• principles for success as a project manager

Skills

The student can

• apply critical reflection method on own practice
• appreciate project specifications
• reflect on efficiency and effectiveness
• develop WBS (Work Breakdown Structure)
• draw Gantt charts
• draw CPM (Critical Path Method)
• undertake Risk analysis
• initiate the change process
• contribute to team building
• consider the difference between teams and groups

General competence to

• Applying critical reflection as an ongoing process on own work within the organization related to change within the organization
• Communicate material for organizational change and project management
• Communicate awareness of participation and involvement

There will be six full days meeting of instruction and training. The course alternates between lectures and case studies, group presentations and written assignments.

In the beginning of the course, each student has to bring a case from her or his experience from placement or workplace.

An in-group term paper, 3 to 5 students in each group. The assignment demands an in-depth analysis of a case, 8 - 10 pages. The paper will be peer-reviewed by another group of students. Accepted/not accepted. If the paper is not accepted, it must be improveed according to peer-reviewed comments within one week. Internal evaluator must approve the new version in order for the student to sit for final exam.

The student`s learning outcome will be assessed on the basis of an individual four-hours written school examination.

Students have the right to submit an appeal, whereupon examinations will be re-evaluated by two new examiners (one internal and the other external). Note that when appealing, students risk receiving a lower grade than the grade awarded for the initial examination.

The following documents regulate examinations at HiOA:

• the Act Relating to Universities and University Colleges
• Regulations Relating to Studies and Examinations at HiOA

It is the responsibility of students to familiarise themselves with these rules and regulations.

No materials or equipment allowed

Students are awarded grades on a descending scale from A to E for pass an F for fail.

The written examination is assessed by an internal and an external examiner.