Project Design

Program Presentation

The current program focuses on an innovative concept: Designing Projects, meaning applying an integral and complete methodology that represents the designer’s creative process, contributes added value to the project, not only during its planning but for a superior level, designing/developing a project in its totality considering not only its academic requirements when it comes to the contents, but the professional requirements in a globalized world as well.

The specialization is structured as nine closely related practice exercises in a sequential manner, focusing on group studies with the idea of transmitting a project design as a team, which is how projects in life are developed.

Under the slogan learn by doing, the specialization counts with a team of experienced professors who are experts not only in academic topics, but in their professional lives as well, thus being professional certified academic consultants.

This professional contribution is reflected in the supervision that the IPMA/AGPA specialization maintains, an internationally recognized institution in the study, not only of the standards of Management, but in the more important professional competencies recognized at a global level.

The specialization’s methodology covers studying a problem from a real scenario, to the development of a project/solution emerging from the diagnostic and analysis of all possible options to address the original necessity.

Who is the programme for?

The proposed training methodology added to the clarity, breadth and didactics of the content design enables targeting the Project Design program to professionals with great responsibilities and high levels of discipline, with or without experience in this sector, who wish to broaden and consolidate their knowledge in the project area, to apply them in a responsible manner in the teaching field and the project research or professional field.

Diploma

Successfully completing the Program will award you with the Specialization in PROJECT DESIGN degree.

After the program has been successfully completed, the student will receive the degree as issued by the University where they are enrolled.

Professional certificate

Each student has the possibility of obtaining a professional certification as a Certified Project Management Associate (Level D) through the cooperation agreement between FUNIBER and the Argentina Project Management Association (Asociación de Gestión de Proyectos Argentina, AGPA) and the Argentina IPMA Certifying Body (Organismo Certificador IPMA Argentina, OCIA).

To apply for the Certification Level “D” of the IPMA (Project Management Associate.) (*), the student should be enrolled for the certification and have completed the Project Design Module. The certification consists of carrying out a test issued by the OCIA.

(*) Exclusive for student residents in America

For further information:

https://agpa.org.ar/ocia/

ocia@agpa.org.ar

Program Structure

The estimated duration for completing the Project Design program is 370 hours (37 credits)1.

With respects to the distribution of time:

  • Being a distance learning Program and not subject to in situ classes, there is no specific starting date, by which the student may complete the enrollment process at any time provided that there is available space.
  • The student has a maximum of one year to finish the Program. During this time, the student should have completed all the evaluations corresponding to the subjects and the Case Study and Resolution, or the Final Assignment in the case of the Specialization, Post grad or Expert.

The credit structure for the Project Design Program is stated as follows:

  CREDITSa DURATIONb HOURS
TOTAL 37 12 370
1st Part: Subjects 27 9 270
2nd Part: Subject Final Assignment 10 3 100

a. The equivalence in credits may vary according to the University that issues the Diploma. One (1) ECTS credit (European Credit Transfer System) corresponds to 10 + 15 hours. If students attending the program are enrolled in a University not belonging to the European Higher Education Area (EHEA), the relationship between credits and hours may vary.
b. Duration in months

Objectives

General objective

  • Train specialists capable of managing projects, no matter the features or size of these, while being capable of developing specific managerial models for each project presented to them.

Specific Objectives

  • Identify a conflict, determining its problems and the solution system, while learning to formulate a real, feasibly doable project that resolves the problem.
  • Learn to contextualize the theoretical framework of a problem.
  • Determine and differentiate the development stages of a project.
  • Understand how to develop project proposals adjusted to the project needs.

Career Opportunities

Some of the career opportunities of the Project Design Program are:

  • Project development departments in a company.
  • Managing Projects belonging to the government.
  • University Project Management areas.

Study Plan

The Project Design program is composed of 9 subjects, and in the case of a Specialization, Postgraduate or Expert program, of a Final Subject Assignment called the Final Specialization Assignment:

  • 1st PART: SUBJECTS

The subjects enable us to understand the knowledge and practice of a project design process.

Project Design introduces work methodologies to efficiently generate and manage the assessment of said design and the knowledge generated during its creation.

The corresponding subjects and hours comprising the first part are shown in the following table:

1st PART: SUBJECTS
# SUBJECTS HOURS
1 Introduction to projects 20
2 Design of Project Systems 30
3 Analysis of Service Provisions 30
4 Functional Analysis in a Project. 30
5 Project Ergonomics 30
6 Project Safety and Reliability 30
7 The Environment in the Project 30
8 Project Specifications 30
9 Draft Preparation 40
TOTAL 270

These subjects have a sequence and order that must be respected from the start, as an exercise will be carried out in each that enables the student to rapidly see how theoretical knowledge is placed into practice.

  • 2nd PART: FINAL SPECIALIZATION ASSIGNMENT

In the case of Specialization, Postgraduate or Expert, the final phase of the Program will be focused on the development of the Final Specialization Assignment, which will be a monograph on the project's development.

The Final Specialization Assignment must be an original contribution to the field of projects with a strong component for specific possible application. It is of the utmost importance to understand that the proposals from this field of projects must be capable of taking fruition in real life.

2nd PART: Final Specialization Assignment
# SUBJECTS HOURS
1 Final Specialization Assignment 100
TOTAL 100

Description of the Subjects

This program is structured in the basis of exercises that the student must carry out in a sequential manner while answering a unique initial idea. These exercises are completed at the end of each unit's lecture and submitted for correction to the academic consultant. Approval of each exercise is not a condition for carrying out the following exercise, that is, the student may find themselves correcting two or more exercises at the same time.

1st PART : SUBJECTS

  1. INTRODUCTION TO PROJECTS

    This subject introduces us to the general concept of a Project within a theoretical framework, such as: project phases, project systems, collaborative work and knowledge management for the success of a project, and project design. This is to establish a knowledge base leading to the development of the following subjects.

    GENERAL AND THEORETICAL INTRODUCTION
    PROJECT PHASES
    PROJECT SYSTEM
    COLLABORATIVE WORK AND KNOWLEDGE MANAGEMENT FOR PROJECT SUCCESS
  2. DESIGN OF PROJECT SYSTEMS

    The subject provides concepts related to identifying the project scenario, the factors that restrict its solution, establishing the Technical Problem, formulating the objectives, the criteria with which the success of the project will be evaluated, as well as identifying and analyzing the people and things involved in solving the problem, understood as fundamental pieces in the three key ideas of people - artificial systems - environment.

    PROJECT SCENARIO
    TECHNICAL PROBLEM
    PEOPLE AND THINGS INVOLVED IN THE PROBLEM RESOLUTION
  3. ANALYSIS OF SERVICE PROVISIONS

    This topic develops, studies and determines the conditions of supply and provision between the customer needs and what science and engineering would provide as a solution, requiring us to define the "desired" service we wish the resulting project to obtain.

    ANALYSIS OF SUPPLY AND PROVISION
    DESIRED SERVICE AND PERFORMANCE CONDITIONS
  4. FUNCTIONAL ANALYSIS IN A PROJECT

    This subject intends to determine the technical and service functions to be provided by the project that we are designing through "conceptual tools", such as the service function tree, proposal of the project system, and the analysis of value and quality in the design phase.

    SERVICE FUNCTION TREE
    PROJECT SYSTEM PROPOSAL
    ANALYSIS OF VALUE AND QUALITY IN THE DESIGN PHASE
  5. PROJECT ERGONOMICS

    This subject provides an understanding of people’s role toward the solution of a project and their relationship with other people and machines, for which a classification of users, security measures, etc. is established.

    THE WELLNESS STATE OF THE SYSTEM OF USERS AND ITS LIMITATIONS
    ERGONOMICS AND SYSTEM SECURITY
  6. PROJECT SAFETY AND RELIABILITY

    The present subject includes topics related to understanding the security and viability aspects in a project solution, contemplating its stages of life, its life cycle at the system level and its components, including people, machines and their relations.

    SECURITY, RISK AND RELIABILITY
    INDUSTRIAL, ORGANIZATIONAL AND REGULATORY SAFETY
    SAFETY RULES AND STANDARDS
    TYPES OF RISK, CLASSIFICATION AND THE CREATION OF PROCEDURES
    RELIABILITY AND CONFIDENCE
  7. THE ENVIRONMENT IN A PROJECT

    By means of the project’s study on sustainability, eco-design, environmental impact and life cycle analysis, which are topics addressed in this subject, the student will come to understand the environment of a project solution in its stages of life, and its life cycle, at the system level and its components.

    PROJECT SUSTAINABILITY
    ECODESIGN
    ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT
    LIFE CYCLE ANALYSIS
  8. PROJECT SPECIFICATIONS

    This subject will teach the student to detail, specify and explain the operation, specifics and constitution of the potential solution provided by a project.

    SUPPLY RELIABILITY
    FAULT TREE ANALYSIS
    SPECIFICATIONS FOR A PROJECT EXECUTION
  9. DRAFT PREPARATION

    This subject, through topics such as specification tools, documentation, preparation of the project proposal, will help the student understand the importance of management as a subsequent step to design, becoming capable of creating a viable and sustainable management proposal.

    SPECIFICATION TOOLS
    DOCUMENTATION
    DEVELOPMENT OF PROJECT PROPOSAL

2nd PART : FINAL SPECIALIZATION ASSIGNMENT

In the case of Specialization, Postgraduate or Expert, the final phase of the Program will be focused on the development of the Specialization Final Assignment, which will be a monograph on the project's development.

The Final Specialization Assignment must be an original contribution to the field of projects with a strong component for specific possible application. It is of the utmost importance to understand that the proposals from this field of projects must be capable of taking fruition in real life.

Note: The subject content may be subjected to slight modifications due to updates and improvements.

Management

  • Dr. Roberto M. Álvarez. Doctor by the Polytechnic University of Catalonia in Project Engineering: Environment, Safety, Quality and Communication. Master from the Polytechnic University of Milan in Project Management and Design, Architect by the University of Buenos Aires, UBA. Developer of the first incubation project models for young professionals. President of AGP IPMA (International Project Management Association) Argentina.
  • Dr. Luis Dzul López. Doctor in Project Engineering: Environment, Quality and Safety. Civil Engineer. Expert in international cooperation projects. Professor at the International Iberoamerican University.
  • Dr. Eduardo Garcia Villena. Doctor in Project Engineering: Environment, Quality and Safety. Master in Engineering and Environmental Technology. Industrial Engineer.

Teaching staff and Authors

  • Dr. Izol Marez. Doctor in Architecture. Professor at the International Iberoamerican University.
  • Dr. Alberto Vera. Doctor in Economic and Geographical Development and Integration. Architect. Full Professor in the Urban Environment Management program, National University of Lanús, Argentina.
  • Dr. Martha Velasco. Doctor in Technological Innovation Projects, Project Management Specialist, Master’s Degree in Management Science and Industrial Engineer. Researcher in Sustainable Development and Social Commitment. Professor at the International Iberoamerican University.
  • Dr. Miguel Ángel López Flores. Doctor in Project Engineering: Environment, Quality and Safety. Research Professor from the National Polytechnic Institute of Mexico.
  • Dr. Arturo Ortega. Doctor in Electrical Engineering. Telecommunications Engineer. Director of R&D in FUNIBER.
  • Dr. Benjamín Otto Ortega Morales. Doctor in science and specialized in microbiology. Researcher and Professor at the Autonomous University of Campeche.
  • Dr. Fermín Ferriol Sánchez. Doctor in Education Sciences from the University of La Habana. Professor at the International Iberoamerican University.
  • Dr. Antonio Eduardo Fuenzalida. Doctor in Exercise Sciences. Prof. at the University Santo Tomas. Santiago, Chile
  • Dr. Eduardo García Villena. Doctor in Project Engineering: Environment, Quality and Safety. Industrial Engineer.
  • Dr. Brenda Bravo. Doctor in Project Engineering: Environment, Quality and Safety. Professor at the Metropolitan University of Mexico.
  • Dr. Víctor Jiménez. Doctor in Project Engineering: Environment, Quality and Safety. Professor at the Metropolitan University of Mexico.
  • Dr. Héctor Solano. Doctor in Project Engineering: Environment, Quality and Safety. Professor at the International Iberoamerican University.
  • Dr. Izel Márez. Doctor in Project Engineering. Master's Degree in Environmental Management and Audits
  • Dr. Roberto M. Álvarez. Doctor in Project Engineering: Environment, Quality and Safety. Master in Project Management and Design, by the Polytechnic University of Milan, Italy. Professor at the University of Buenos Aires, Argentina. Director of the Iberoamerican University Foundation (FUNIBER) Argentina.
  • Dr. Luis Dzul López. Doctor in Project Engineering: Environment, Quality and Safety. Expert in international cooperation project designs. Professor at the International Iberoamerican University.
  • Dr. Santos Gracia Villar. Doctor in Project Engineering: Industrial Engineer. Specialist in International Cooperation Projects.
  • Dr. Olga Capó Iturrieta. Doctor in Project Engineering: Environment, Quality and Safety. Civil and Industrial Engineering. Responsible for the Area of Projects at the Agricultural Research Institute (INIA, Instituto de Investigaciones Agropecuarias), Chile.
  • Dr. José Rodríguez. Doctor in Civil Engineering. Civil Engineer. Responsible for the Environmental Management Area of FUNIBER Peru.
  • Dr. Lázaro Cremades. Doctor in Chemical Engineering. Professor in Project Engineering by the Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya.
  • Dr. Margarita González. Doctor in Chemical Engineering. Professor in Project Engineering by the Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya.
  • Dr. José Cortizo Álvarez. Full Professor of the Geography and Geology Department at the University of Leon, Spain.
  • Dr. Manuel Castejón Limas. Full Professor of the Aerospace, IT and Mechanical Engineering Department at the University of Leon, Spain.
  • Dr (c). Gregorio Urriola. Professor in the Universidad de las Américas de Panamá. Expert in International Cooperation.
  • Dr (c). Lina Pulgarín Osorio. Bachelor in Environmental Engineering. Master in Integrated Management: Quality, Prevention and the Environment.
  • Dr (c). Diego Kurtz. Master in Engineering and Knowledge Management.
  • Dr (c). Marcelino Diez. Specialist and Master in Project Management. Certified by the Project Management Institute (PMI) as a Professional Project Manager.
  • Dr (c). Nelson Yepes. Industrial Engineer. Specialist in Financial Engineering and Master in Project Design, Management and Administration.
  • Dr. Silvana Marín Garat: Economist. Master in Sustainable Development. Professional Experience in foreign business project development and foreign trade consulting.
  • Dr. Pablo Urquizó: Computer Engineering. Master in ICT Strategic Management. Experience as Director and Consultant of Information and Communication Technology, Systems Design and Webmaster.
  • Dr. Santiago Brie: Doctor in Projects from the Iberoamerican International University (in process). Master’s Degree in Project Design, Management and Administration, University of Leon, Spain. Bachelor’s in Urban Environmental Management from the National University of Lanús, Argentina. Professor at the International Iberoamerican University.
  • Dr (c). Jhonny Espinosa Bryson: Mechanical Engineer and Master in Project Design, Management and Administration. Consultant in Strategic Project Management.

FUNIBER Training Scholarships

The Iberoamerican University Foundation (FUNIBER) allocates periodically an extraordinary economic item for FUNIBER Training Scholarships.

To apply, please fill out the information request form that appears in the web of FUNIBER or contact directly the Foundation’s headquarters in your country that will inform you if you need to provide some additional information.

Once the documentation is received, the Evaluation Committee will determine your application's eligibility for the FUNIBER Training Scholarship.