The objective of this course is to discuss project management (PM) methodologies and tools particularly suites for architecture and construction projects.
Specific focus on:
• Defining "project" work and its defining characteristics
• Basic PM techniques such as WBS, OBS, Gantt, PERT, CPM, project control
• Basic techniques for economic and financial project control
• Use of Microsoft Project software
• Principles of budgeting, accounting and invoice management
• Principles of economic and financial project sustainability and profitability

The course is held in Italian.

On completion of the subject students should be able to address and manage a generic project work, particularly one in the construction sector. They will be able to manage a complex business case that involves technical, organizational, procedural, legal, economic and financial aspects of the project. Student must be able to:
• Define and structure a WBS for a given project
• Plan, program and schedule all necessary activities
• Organize and manage teams involved in the project
• Manage relations and effectively communicate with colleagues, peers, client and suppliers
• Prepare a business proposal

Students should preferably be already familiar with office automation software (Word Processor, Spreadsheet like MS Word and MS Excel).

• History of project management (1h)
• Definition of project (2h)
• Project life cycle (3h)
• Project Management Processes (3h)
• Planning (3h)
• Organization (3h)
• Financial planning (3h)
• Risk and Quality management (2h)
• Operations (3h)
• Closing (3h)
• Construction process: phases, players and procedures (1h)
• Effective communication & soft skills (3h)

Students will work in groups of 4-5 members. Each group will work on its own project, carrying out a simulation of a real-world technical and economic project proposal for a hypothetical client. Each team member will be able to confirm the evaluation of the group (up to 27/30) or sustain a short exam consisting of 5-6 brief questions to improve group grade. Students who do not participate in the group work will need to sustain a full exam.

• Daniela Allodi (2008), Project management per l'architettura. Definizione degli obiettivi, programmazione, esecuzione, controllo, attori e dinamiche, FrancoAngeli
• Cantamessa M.; Cobos E.; Rafele C. (2007), Il Project management. Un approccio sistemico alla gestione dei progetti, Isedi
• Handouts will be available on website

Evaluation will be based upon the following criteria:

• Full exam: 6 questions and / or problems, 1,5h duration.
• Project work: max grade 27/30.
• Short exam (only for students who have participated in group work): 5-6 brief questions, 20min duration.


• Accuracy and completeness of answers will be confronted with formal definitions presented during class.
• Solutions to problems will be evaluated considering both methodological approach and execution accuracy.
• For project work, clarity, completeness and presentation of the document will be taken into account to form final grade. Design and artistic choices of the case study will not affect the evaluation.