Course Topics
Software Project Management is the backbone of successful tech innovation. Mastering it means gaining the power to turn ideas into impactful, real-world solutions. It’s not just about managing code — it's about leading teams, meeting deadlines, and delivering value. By studying this subject, students can position themselves as a leader ready to take on challenges and drive change. Don’t just build software — learn to guide its journey from vision to reality, embrace the challenge, and lead with purpose.

Teaching format
Frontal lectures and team projects.

Educational objectives
The course belongs to the type "attività formative caratterizzanti – informatica". The course intends to provide the students with an in-depth understanding of the unique characteristics of software and software projects, and equip them with adequate mentality and knowledge to manage software projects effectively. Knowledge and understanding: ¿ D1.18 - Understand the interdisciplinary approach to IT projects that takes into account technical foundations, business needs, social and dynamic aspects and the regulatory framework. Applying knowledge and understanding: ¿ D2.3 - Ability to analyse business problems and to develop proposals for solutions with the help of IT tools. ¿ D2.4 - Ability to formalise and to analyse procedures and operational processes, to recognise and use optimisation potentials. ¿ D2.5 - Selective skills for the introduction, adaptation and maintenance of standard operating software and other IT solutions. ¿ D2.10 - IT infrastructure and project management capabilities. ¿ D2.18 - Know how to communicate with the client in written and oral form on a professional level in English, Italian and German. Making judgements ¿ D3.2 - Be able to work independently according to your level of knowledge and understanding, also taking responsibility for development projects or IT consulting. Communication skills ¿ D4.4 - Ability to structure and prepare technical documentation. ¿ D4.5 - Ability to collaborate in interdisciplinary teams to achieve IT objectives. Learning skills ¿ D5.2 - Learning ability to carry out strategic and IT project activities in corporate communities, also distributed. ¿ D5.3 - Ability to follow rapid technological developments and to learn about innovative aspects of the latest generation of information technology and systems.

Assessment
Exam type for regularly attending students: • Project work (50% of the final mark): a good demonstration of applying various software project management concepts and techniques taught in the course (team score); • Written exam (50% of the final mark): to test the understanding of theories and knowledge application skills, and verification of project results (individual score). Note: Positive project result is necessary to attend the written exam. Both parts of the results must be positive to pass the exam. In case of a positive mark, the project will count for all 3 regular exam sessions. Exam type for non-attending students: • Written report on a piece of research related to software project management (agreed upon with the lecturer at the beginning of the course) (70% of the final mark); • Oral exam to test the understanding of theories and verification of written report (30% of the final mark). Note: Positive written result is necessary to attend the oral exam. Both parts of the results must be positive to pass the exam. In case of a positive mark, the written result will count for all 3 regular exam sessions.

Evaluation criteria
For regularly attending students: Evaluation criteria for project work: • effective application of software project management concepts and techniques • good teamwork • good quality of project output Evaluation criteria for written exam: • ability to elaborate, summarize, evaluate, and make connections between various topics • clarity of answers For non-attending students: Evaluation criteria for written report: • good understanding of the literature • clarity of the study method • convincing research results Evaluation criteria for oral exam: • ability to elaborate, summarize, evaluate, and make connections between various topics • clarity of answers

Required readings

Highsmith, Jim. Agile Project Managment: creating innovative products, 2004

 

Subject Librarian: David Gebhardi, David.Gebhardi@unibz.it

Supplementary readings

Henry, Joel. Software Project Management : A Real-World Guide to Success, 2004

Further information
Software used: Based on types of projects, decided by project teams