Project management is a term used to describe the application of processes, methods, skills, knowledge and experience to achieve specific project objectives according to the project criteria within agreed upon parameters. Project management has final deliverables that are constrained to a finite budget and timescale.
A key factor that distinguishes project management from just 'management' is that it has this final deliverable and a finite timespan, unlike management which is an ongoing process. Because of this a project professional needs a wide range of skills; often technical skills, and certainly people management skills and good business awareness.
Public Affairs is used to describe an organisation’s relationship with stakeholders. These are individuals or groups with an interest in the organisation's affairs, such as politicians, civil servants, customers and local communities, clients, shareholders, trade associations, think tanks, business groups, charities, unions and the media. Public affairs practitioners engage stakeholders in order to explain organisational policies and views on public policy issues, assisting policy makers and legislators in amending or laying down better policy and legislation. They provide statistical and factual information and lobby on issues which could impact upon the organisation's ability to operate successfully.
This is how project managers and public affairs professionals describe their work. The International Project Management & Stakeholder Engagement (IPASM) exchange programme lets you step into this exciting world.
After completing this programme, you are aware of how to lead and manage a project from the start until its delivery. You will also be able to develop concepts, design and build prototypes of products for real clients of different nature. You will be aware of the interaction between international business, governments and civil society, you know how to take their interests into consideration in your decision-making on the corporate level to assure a successful, competitive and sustainable international business strategy on the long term, and you can apply lobby and advocacy strategies to influence international policy makers and legislators to implement international policy and legislation that supports your international business strategy.
Learning objectives
After completing this minor successfully, you are able to:
- Create a stakeholder engagement policy to develop a sustainable company strategy and assure a good business reputation.
- Solve the ethical dilemmas of international businesses to show your moral compass as responsible corporate citizens.
- Synthesize the competing interests of international governments, civil society and business in the business proposition to guarantee the company's international license to operate.
- Analyse the potential risks/impacts of a proposed business strategy on the different stakeholders (international governments, civil society and business) in order to implement a successful and competitive business strategy.
- Apply project management, lobby and advocacy strategies in order to influence key stakeholders during the process of developing a product for a client.
- Apply project management, lobby and advocacy strategies in order to develop the competences of development skills, creativity, problem-solving abilities, innovation, interdisciplinary collaboration and reflecting as a professional.
This programme is part of the Bachelor of International Business at the Academy for Business and Entrepreneurship in Breda.