In this module we will look at the foundational ideas that guide our thinking in the strategic management of projects today. The module explores and discusses the concepts of professionalism, critical thinking, front-end of projects and luck. We will share experiences, and you will reflect on how you have been managing your projects in your industry up to this point in time in your career. Has this been the best possible way? Are there other ways that you can manage projects and engage with strategy in your industry? At the time of climate change, social injustices, poverty and the pandemic, and following the financial crisis, the strategic management of projects is crucial. The field needs highly qualified, reflective and experienced professionals to strategically manage projects more than ever before. This module will help you discover how you can manage projects strategically and help build a better world and future for the communities that you are a part of.

Aims:

To understand what it means to be a strategist and what is your role and responsibility in the management of projects
	To understand the value of philosophy and critical thinking in shaping the future of the strategic management of projects
	To understand what professionalism means in project management and what are the key barriers in being a professional project manager today.
Issues that the module will tackle:

Introduce professionalism, critical thinking and philosophy, and luck in the strategic management, the front-end, of projects.
Learning outcomes:

a) Critically evaluate what it means to be a professional, why professionalism is important.

b) Understand what is a philosophy and how critical thinking can help you make difficult decisions in strategically managing projects and in life generally.

c) Critically evaluate the work of Professor Peter Morris and how it shapes the future of the strategic management of projects.

d) Critically evaluate the importance of luck in strategically managing projects, and the boundaries of the control of the strategic manager of projects.