Master in Project Design, Management and Administration

Program Overview

The Master's in Project Design, Management, and Administration program prepares professionals to excel in project-related roles. Blending virtual learning with practical project work, it emphasizes strategic project design, robust planning, and problem-solving skills. The program aligns with international standards, enabling students to pursue certifications and present their projects for potential funding. It empowers graduates to lead successful projects in various industries and assume leadership positions in project management.

Program Outline

Degree Overview:

The Master in Project Design, Management and Administration is designed to meet the professional demands of a globalized, multicultural world. It emphasizes strategic project design as crucial for success, alongside robust planning and problem-solving skills. The program's philosophy is centered around the principle: "...We only learn by doing...". The curriculum is structured into three interconnected areas: project design, project management, and project administration. It utilizes a dual pedagogical approach: a theoretical virtual campus for individual study and a practical, group-based component involving real-world project application. Students complete a draft project, which serves as a foundation for their final master's thesis. The program aligns with academic standards of participating universities and professional competencies established by organizations like IPMA, enabling students to pursue internationally recognized certifications. The program is aimed at university-trained professionals from all fields who wish to participate in project teams, teaching, research, or executive/advisory roles within projects. Successful completion leads to a Master's Degree in Project Design and Administration, issued by the enrolled university. Students in America may also obtain a Certified Project Management Associate (Level D) certification through an agreement with AGPA and OCIA, pending completion of the Project Design module and a certification exam.

Objectives:

• General Objective: To train professionals in creative, executive, and managerial thinking for project design, management, and administration.
• Specific Objectives:
• To determine and analyze the Project Manager's activities and responsibilities, proposing tools for each project life cycle phase.
• To interpret international standards related to project management, facilitating certification with organizations like IPMA, AEIPRO, and PMI.
• To understand and manage the creation, generation, formulation, and dissemination of knowledge in collaborative tasks, leading to viable and sustainable solutions.

Outline:

The Master's program is structured into four parts, totaling 90 credits (credit equivalence may vary depending on the university):

1st Part: Design (27 Credits)

This part introduces work methodologies for generating and managing design evaluation and knowledge creation. Modules include:

• Introduction to Projects (2 credits): Covers general project concepts, phases, systems, collaborative work, and knowledge management.
• Design of Project Systems (3 credits): Focuses on identifying project scenarios, constraints, objectives, success criteria, and involved parties.
• Analysis of Service Provisions (3 credits): Examines supply and provision conditions between customer needs and potential solutions.
• Functional Analysis in a Project (3 credits): Determines technical and service functions to be satisfied by the project using tools like service function trees and value/quality analysis.
• Project Ergonomics (3 credits): Addresses the role of people in project solutions, user classification, and safety measures.
• Project Safety and Reliability (3 credits): Covers security, viability, life cycle aspects, and risk management.
• The Environment in the Project (3 credits): Explores sustainability, eco-design, environmental impact, and life cycle analysis.
• Project Specifications (3 credits): Details the operation, specifics, and constitution of the project solution.
• Draft Preparation (4 credits): Focuses on specification tools, documentation, and project proposal preparation.

2nd Part: Management (25 Credits)

This part develops all aspects of project management, providing a comprehensive vision of manageable topics and available tools. It aligns with IPMA, AEIPRO, and PMI standards. Modules include:

• Introduction to Project Management (1 credit): Covers general concepts, project types, phases, and life cycles.
• Project Planning and Management (4 credits): Addresses project integration, scope, planning, programming, and time management techniques.
• Computer Tools for Project Management (3 credits): Presents computer-aided project management tools and software.
• Project Monitoring and Control (3 credits): Focuses on project control fundamentals, resource management, and progress assessment.
• Project Evaluation (3 credits): Covers financial engineering, economic tools, and risk analysis.
• Trust Management: Risk and Quality (3 credits): Addresses quality planning, assurance, control, and risk management.
• Human Resources Strategic Management (3 credits): Provides an overview of HR management in the 21st century.
• ISO 45001 (3 credits): Covers occupational risk prevention management according to ISO 45001:2018.
• Project Communication (2 credits): Deals with internal and external project communication strategies.

3rd Part: Administration (28 Credits)

This part addresses the administrator's role in project management, covering various project stages and strategic aspects. Modules include:

• Virtual Collaborative Work Environments (2 credits): Covers collaborative work technologies and team management.
• Management Without Distance (2 credits): Addresses off-shore project management and distance collaboration tools.
• Public Speaking Techniques (2 credits): Focuses on communication strategies for project promotion.
• Business Administration and Management (4 credits): Introduces business management concepts and techniques.
• Strategic Management and Planning (4 credits): Covers strategic thinking, planning models, and change management.
• Negotiation and Conflict Resolution Techniques (3 credits): Provides skills for conflict resolution.
• Management Techniques for Teams (3 credits): Presents team management techniques and tools.
• Knowledge Management and Organizational Learning (3 credits): Analyzes knowledge management in organizations.
• e-Business and its Integration in Corporate Management Systems (5 credits): Covers e-business integration from organizational and technological perspectives.

4th Part: Master's Final Project or Degree Thesis (10 Credits)

This part involves the development of a comprehensive international cooperation project, building upon previous work. The project should demonstrate a complete project development process and potential for execution.

Teaching:

The program uses a blended learning approach combining theoretical virtual campus learning with practical, group-based project work. The teaching staff includes numerous Doctors and specialists in various fields related to project management, including project engineering, architecture, economics, and human resources. A list of faculty members and their credentials is provided in the text.

Careers:

Potential career paths include:

• Program manager
• Operations manager
• Project consultant
• Project manager for technological innovation and knowledge
• Researcher in project science

Other:

The program offers FUNIBER Training Scholarships. Students can present their projects to FIDBAN (International Entrepreneurs and Investors Network) for potential funding after academic approval of their preliminary draft. The program duration is 12-24 months, depending on student dedication. The program content is subject to minor modifications based on updates and improvements.