Course syllabus for Operations improvement project

Course syllabus adopted 2025-02-20 by Head of Programme (or corresponding).

Overview

  • Swedish nameProjekt i verksamhetsutveckling
  • CodeTEK165
  • Credits15 Credits
  • OwnerMPQOM
  • Education cycleSecond-cycle
  • Main field of studyIndustrial Engineering and Management
  • DepartmentTECHNOLOGY MANAGEMENT AND ECONOMICS
  • GradingTH - Pass with distinction (5), Pass with credit (4), Pass (3), Fail

Course round 1

  • Teaching language English
  • Application code 36119
  • Maximum participants50
  • Minimum participants10
  • Open for exchange studentsNo
  • Only students with the course round in the programme overview.

Credit distribution

0107 Project 7.5 c
Grading: UG
7.5 c
0207 Project 7.5 c
Grading: TH
7.5 c

In programmes

Examiner

Eligibility

General entry requirements for Master's level (second cycle)
Applicants enrolled in a programme at Chalmers where the course is included in the study programme are exempted from fulfilling the requirements above.

Specific entry requirements

English 6 (or by other approved means with the equivalent proficiency level)
Applicants enrolled in a programme at Chalmers where the course is included in the study programme are exempted from fulfilling the requirements above.

Course specific prerequisites

Prospective students need to be registered on the Master s Programme in Quality and Operations Management.

Aim

The main aim of this course is to allow the participants to apply the knowledge gained of Operations Management to a practical project. Students will work with an actual problem inside a company. The project will allow for the integration of several subject areas: - Students will be able to apply the knowledge gained in other parts of the program - Aspects of project management will be practiced. - The project will force students to learn to work in a team. - Change management will be an integral part of the project, accomplishing real changes in a company.

Learning outcomes (after completion of the course the student should be able to)

- understand what is needed to work with practical projects in the field of Operations Management

apply knowledge to identify, formulate and solve complex problems

- apply knowledge to improve organizational processes, through selected scientific and analytical approaches

- apply quantitative as well as qualitative tools to improve organizational processes

- plan, manage and accomplish an improvement project inside a company

- ability to communicate their results and conclusions

- understand challenges related to organizational change when managing an operations improvement project in a company

- take into account different ethical aspects in an change projects

Content

The basic pedagogical philosophy of this course is to deepen the student knowledge of operations management and development by working with a real problem in a company. 

The major part of this course is to work on the company project. To support this work, the course also includes a number of lectures and seminars with the purpose to present and discuss central issues for accomplishing organizational change projects. Topics to be discussed in the classes are project planning, project management, team work and change management. 

Organisation

The major part of this course is the company project, which will be done in teams of 4-6 students. During the project work it will be possible to have regular meetings with a tutor at Chalmers. There will also be some activities in which all different teams will meet, e.g. presentation of planning reports, project meeting, and final presentation of the projects. In addition, there will be some lectures and literature seminars aiming to help the teams in the project accomplishment.

Literature

Svenningsson, S. and Sörgärde, N. (2023) Managing change in organizations, Sage.

 

Pinto, J.K. (2020), Project Management: Achieving Competitive Advantage, Pearson. E-book available in Chalmers Library E-book Collection.

 

Course literature from the courses TEK146, TEK150 and TEK161.

 

Additional literature applicable for your project work.

Examination including compulsory elements

The examination is based on different parts, the team-based project work, a complete project diary, active participation in literature seminars, and an individual reflection assignment. Attendance on mandatory lectures, literature seminars, project meetings, presentations of planning reports and final reports is needed to pass the course. The written report and the individual reflection assignment will be evaluated and scored, the other elements is graded pass or fail.

The course examiner may assess individual students in other ways than what is stated above if there are special reasons for doing so, for example if a student has a decision from Chalmers about disability study support.