• Select and explain key terms, definitions, concepts, theories and models covered in the course that are relevant to a specific case setting
• Apply the selected key terms, definitions, concepts, theories and models to analyse project management in the specific case setting.
• Present a clear and coherent argument for your choice of relevant theories and models and follow academic conventions in the written presentation
• Identify and discuss practical implications and limitations of applying specific theories, models, and concepts from the course.
• Demonstrate the ability to reflect on own activities, interactions and related learnings throughout the course and argue for their substantiveness and relevance for producing the exam assignment.

The context and conditions of contemporary IT software and systems are complex and constantly changing. While the traditional large scale (in house or vendor based) monolithic projects are still carried out, today's software and systems development range from small phone apps to large complex inter-organizational systems, and from embedded software to standard products. Projects may involve several teams and vendors from different continents. At the same time, development paradigms, principles, and practices have evolved from the traditional waterfall over current explorations into continuous delivery and deployment.

Development and management technologies and tools are evolving at a similar pace. In this dynamic context, project participants need to navigate multiple dilemmas.

The course supports students in learning how to understand and manage today's complex and diverse IT projects. Building on the students' knowledge about basic project management concepts, techniques and challenges, the course will discuss current project management dilemmas. The aim of the course is to improve the students' ability to become reflective project managers in multiple contexts and settings.

Examples of dilemmas covered in the course

- The predictive vs adaptive planning dilemma

- The success dilemma

- The sourcing dilemma

- The escalation / de-escalation dilemma

- Process vs people dilemma

The literature can be changed before the semester starts. Students are advised to find the final literature in the teaching plan.

The course readings consist of selected research papers.

Example articles:

Babb, JJ, Hoda, R. and Nørbjerg, J. (2014). XP in a Small Software Development Business. Adapting to Local Constraints. 5th Scandinavian Conference on Information Systems, SCIS 2014, TH Commissio, J. Nørbjerg and J. Pries-Heje, Ringsted, Denmark, Springer.

Conboy, K. (2009). Agility from First Principles: Reconstruction of the Concept of Agility in Information Systems Development. Information Systems Research (20: 3): 329-354.

Dennehy, D. and Conboy, K. (2016). Going with the flow: An activity theory analysis of flow techniques in software development. Journal of Systems and Software.

Fitzgerald, B. and Stol, K.-J. (2015). Continuous software engineering: A roadmap and agenda. Journal of Systems and Software.

Hertzum, M., Bansler, JP, Port, EC and Simonsen, J. (2012). Pilot Implementation: Learning from Field Tests in IS Development. Communications of the AIS (30:20): 313-328.

Kautz, K., Madsen, S. and Nørbjerg, J. (2007). Persistent problems and practices in information systems development. Information Systems Journal (17): 217-239.

Linberg, KR (1999). Software developer perceptions about software project failure: a case study. The Journal of Systems and Software (49): 177-192.

Lohan, G., Conboy, K. and Lang, M. (2011). Examining Customer Focus in IT Project Management. Scandinavian Journal of Information Systems (23: 2): 29-58.

Lyytine, K., Rose, G. and Yoo, Y. (2010). Learning routines and disruptive technological change: Hyper-learning in seven software development organizations during internet adoption. Information Technology & People (23: 2): 165-192.

Olsson, HH, Ó Conchúir, E., Ågerfalk, PJ and Fitzgerald, B. (2008). Two-Stage Offshoring: An Investigation of the Irish Bridge. MIS Quarterly (32: 2): 257-279.

Persson, JS, Nørbjerg, J. and Nielsen, PA (2016). Improving ISD Agility in Fast-moving Software organizations. Twenty-Fourth European Conference on Information Systems (ECIS), Istanbul, Turkey.

Pries-Heje, J., Nørbjerg, J., Aaen, I. and Ellisberg, T. (2008). The Road to High Maturity. Software Processes and Knowledge, PA Nielsen and K. Kautz. Aalborg, Software Innovation Publisher: 165-194.

Schneider, C. and Sarker, S. (2005). A Case of Information Systems Pre-Implementation Failure: Pitfalls of Overlooking the Key Stakeholders' Interests. Journal of Cases on Information Technology (7: 2): 50-66.