The course aims to develop the ability to estimate the resources needed to complete projects (about cultural events and cultural organizations), to assess how much these resources will cost, and to develop budgets. Another essential skill to be developed is the ability to monitor a project in terms of time, costs, and activities.

-    Understand How Organizations Use Budgets
-    Understand How Organizations Track and Report Money
-    Appreciate How Budgeting Relates to Time
-    Understand Budget Forecasting
-    Estimate Project Costs
-    Evaluate Project Benefits
-    Analyze the Break-Even Point
-    Consider the Present Value of Money
-    Make Decisions Using Facts
-    Use Budgets and Earned Value Analysis for Control
 

Knowledge and understanding: At the end of the course, the student should have acquired a good command of the budgeting process in terms of estimation of resources needed to accomplish the project, break-even analysis, making decisions, and earned-value analysis for control.

Knowledge and understanding applied: At the end of the course, the student should have acquired a good ability to use budgeting skills in situations similar to those presented in class. In particular, he/she should be able to apply the knowledge acquired in contexts slightly different from those studied and be able to use the knowledge acquired to solve problems that may appear new autonomously. Examples of these applications are given in the classroom during lectures and exercises.

The autonomy of judgment: At the end of the course, the student should have acquired a good ability to analyse issues and problems of the budgeting process in relation to projects, the ability to critically evaluate proposed solutions, and the ability to interpret similar issues correctly.

Communication skills: At the end of the course, the student should have acquired a good ability to communicate clearly and effectively, thanks to a good command of the specific lexicon, his/her affirmations and considerations regarding the cost budgeting process. The way of working will be demonstrated in the classroom during lessons, exercises, and meetings with experts.

Ability to learn: At the end of the course, the student should have acquired a good ability to study the subject independently, to read and understand project budgets, and to search for helpful information to deepen their knowledge of the topics covered.

The teaching material prepared by the lecturer in addition to recommended textbooks (such as for instance slides, lecture notes, exercises, bibliography) and communications from the lecturer specific to the course can be found inside the Moodle platform › blended.uniurb.it

Seminars are held by skilled professionals and experts.

Teaching

The course has different teaching methods:

• frontal lessons;

• testimonials from expert consultants on the subject;

• exercises;

• individual and classroom jobs;

• class discussions.

Innovative teaching methods

Problem-based learning, learning by doing, and debate.

Attendance

There is no obligation to attend. However, attendance is recommended.

Course books

Wesley E. Donahue, 2023, Developing project costs and budgets. A competency-based approach that integrates financial management and budgeting with management controls and resource management, Centrestar Learning, USA.

Assessment

The expected learning outcomes will be assessed through a written test containing 3 open questions, 5 multiple-choice questions, and 2 exercises.

The assessment criteria are the level of mastery of the knowledge, the degree of articulation of the answer, and the adequacy of the explanation. Each criterion is evaluated based on a four-level scale with an equal weight assigned to each criterion.

The evaluation of the performance of each exercise is primarily concerned with the correctness of the process by which it has been carried out.

Disability and Specific Learning Disorders (SLD)

Students who have registered their disability certification or SLD certification with the Inclusion and Right to Study Office can request to use conceptual maps (for keywords) during exams.

To this end, it is necessary to send the maps, two weeks before the exam date, to the course instructor, who will verify their compliance with the university guidelines and may request modifications.

Teaching

Individual study of the specified textbooks and materials on the Moodle platform.

Course books

Wesley E. Donahue, 2023, Developing project costs and budgets. A competency-based approach that integrates financial management and budgeting with management controls and resource management, Centrestar Learning, USA.

Assessment

The expected learning outcomes will be assessed through a written test containing 3 open questions, 5 multiple-choice questions, and 2 exercises.

The assessment criteria are the level of mastery of the knowledge, the degree of articulation of the answer, and the adequacy of the explanation. Each criterion is evaluated based on a four-level scale with an equal weight assigned to each criterion.

The evaluation of the performance of each exercise is primarily concerned with the correctness of the process by which it has been carried out.

Disability and Specific Learning Disorders (SLD)

Students who have registered their disability certification or SLD certification with the Inclusion and Right to Study Office can request to use conceptual maps (for keywords) during exams.

To this end, it is necessary to send the maps, two weeks before the exam date, to the course instructor, who will verify their compliance with the university guidelines and may request modifications.