MGMT-260: Project Management

MGMT-260: Project Management

Course Description and Prerequisites

As an overview of project management, students are introduced to a practical methodology for completing projects faster and with fewer problems.  They learn about processes used in professional projects, including skills needed to define a project’s scope/charter, develop a work breakdown structure and task plan, and schedule and control the work.  Students also gain an understanding of time lines, team dynamics, metrics and communications.  Finally, they will investigate possible ethical and global issues arising in projects.

Project Management is one of the world’s most in-demand skill sets.  It is used by corporations of all types, governments, and non-profit organizations to complete a project in the most effective and efficient manner.  Students, who master this, will gain the skills that they can immediately use in their personal lives, as well as in their current jobs that will lead to career advancement.

This course is designed to introduce the student to a systematic process for developing, planning, organizing and controlling projects.  It will present a practical methodology for completing projects more quickly with fewer problems, as well as a solid understanding of the processes used in professional project management.  The course will introduce the skills needed to define a project’s scope, specifications and assumptions, to develop a work breakdown structure and task plan, and to schedule and control work.

Student work will consist of weekly readings, additional selected readings, research, discussion, assignments, and an individual course-long personal project.  As a student, you will be encouraged to apply the Project Management techniques learned to solve existing business, academic or personal projects.

Student Centered Learning Outcomes

The course is designed so that students will meet the following learning objectives:

1. Understand the Project Management Processes.
2. Be able to use a Project Management Planning methodology for more successful project completions.
3. Use written communication to solve problems, contribute to activities and solicit feedback.
4. Contribute to discussion activities.
5. Use computer applications to organize aspects of a project.
6. Successfully complete a personal course-long project.
7. Perform critical analysis of business issues.
8. Demonstrate an understanding of the project management processes within an organizational context.
9. Exhibit professional work behaviors.
10. Communicate through written, visual and diagrammatic representation.
11. Develop project plans in MS Excel or other related software.

Apply the learned concepts to real world projects.

Textbook(s) and Technology Requirements

Required Text
Idiot’s Guides Project Management (Sixth Edition, 2015)  ISBN# 9781615644421

It can be purchased from the Champlain College bookstore (Links to an external site.).

Other Supplementary Readings
Selected Articles and Book Chapters from PM Network and other sources.

Software

A basic use and understanding of the following computer software programs is required:

• Microsoft Excel:  Available at the computer lab
• Microsoft Word:  Available at the computer lab
• Canvas:  Online access

Topic Outline

• Week 1:  Overview, The Power of Project Management
• Week 2:  Project Definition, The Business Case
• Week 3:  Project Planning, The Critical Path
• Week 4:  Project Teams, Team Dynamics
• Week 5:  Budgeting, Resources
• Week 6:  Change and Fine Tuning Elements
• Week 7:  Tracking, Control & Closure, Common Project Problems

Methods of Assessment

Description of Methods of Assessment

For a detailed description of the course work required and when each is due, you are asked to refer to each “Week” in the “Modules”, as well as the “Course Outline & Work Schedule” in the “Course Overview” section of the “modules”.  Your name must be listed within all of your work — not just in the file name.

1. Independent research, development and presentation of a course-long individual project.
2. Series of experiential assignments designed around project management’s development, its methods and processes.
3. Series of practical hands-on experiential assignments designed to develop an understanding project management reporting and structured monitoring.
4. Weekly discussions focusing on an activity or business project issue.

Reading and Preparation: Thorough reading and understanding of the assigned readings/lectures, textbook chapters, and discussion readings are required during the class week for which they are assigned.  Students are required to read all discussion section reading materials, all supplemental readings, all readings/lectures, and all text chapters as required/defined.  It is suggested that you complete all reading BEFORE making any discussion posting, as well as BEFORE you attempt to do any assignment.

Assignments:

Students are required to submit all assignments via each “Assignment” Submit button established in Canvas as directed, on or before the due date and time per the required/defined file formats.

Use APA formatting for all work. Click on either www.apa.org (Links to an external site.) or https://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/560/01/ (Links to an external site.) for more help with APA.

Discussions/Written Work:

All written work and discussion postings must be delivered on time, in a professional manner, written in a clear and logical format, and spell-checked with proper grammar used.

There will be weekly discussion topics for the class to address. Students are required to post/discuss with the class, their original thoughts and/or findings as defined in each “Week’s” “Discussion” section (posting to each ‘Discussion Section’ as defined).  It is expected that you will also provide comments to your fellow students’ postings for discussion.

One original posting of quality content is required for each section.  In addition, a minimum of two quality response postings (response to any fellow classmate’s original posting) are required for each activity (not to each student’s original posting). Thus for each discussion, you should have at least one original posting and two response postings — the minimum requirement.  The more responses of quality content, the better the grade.

Late postings (those after the weekly Wednesday deadline) will receive point deductions. If a student does not respond to classmates’ posts, the maximum score will be 60 points.

Your postings must be timely, relevant, helpful, and well-researched.  Grading will be based on these four factors.  Students should refer to the “Insight & Guidelines for Weekly Discussion Section Postings” file in the “Course Overview” section for a more in-depth understanding of what is expected.

Your original post should be done sometime between Monday and Wednesday, thereby leaving time later in the week for fellow students to read and comment on what you posted.  Original postings made later than Wednesday, leaves little time for other students to make comment postings to your original post before the class week ends.  In addition, your response postings should be done anytime between Monday and Sunday.

Class Participation/Discussion:

Class contribution is critical. The class is structured to allow for STUDENT INPUT in all assignments and discussions, and as such is arranged to facilitate dialogue and the synthesis of material.  You are encouraged to contribute to the class in a variety of ways that include logging on several times per week, discussion, giving feedback to other students, questions, providing and sharing outside materials and personal experience, or providing feedback to the instructor.

Think of the class week as a business meeting, which you are required to attend.  As a vital member of the company, the meeting will not be a total success unless you are present and participating in the meeting.  Not participating in discussions means that you are not fulfilling your responsibility to the team and are failing to learn what you need to know to perform your job effectively.  Therefore:

1. You will be graded on the content, quality and frequency of your participation.
2. Keep in mind that it will be difficult to maintain a high, class participation grade and/or discussion grade, if you do not attend class/sign in frequently.

Course-Long Project :

During the semester, you will be working on a course-long individual project.  Grading will be based on the quality of your work throughout the course.

Each segment of the project must be delivered on time, in a professional manner, and in a clear and logical format.

Each student will determine his/her own individual project – real or simulated – to be used throughout the course in order to apply the concepts learned each week.

After each section of material is presented, students are expected to work on, apply, and enhance their projects with the material learned.

The project is divided into separate “chunks” which are to be submitted throughout the course.  These include the following:

1. Explore, discuss and select a topic (as part of week 1 discussion)
2. Project Charter in MS Word or PDF (goal, objectives & deliverables)
3. WBS in MS Excel or PDF
4. Task Plan in MS Excel or PDF 
5. Gantt Chart in MS Excel or PDF
6. Identify the Critical Path and Unexpected Change
7. Final Fine-Tune of Entire Project Plan

At the end of the course, students will submit a final revised and fine-tuned individual project file.

Projects will be graded based upon the following criteria:

1. How well the Project topic was defined and plan developed.
2. Application and incorporation of all concepts and lessons learned.
3. Evaluation of all submitted segments.
4. Evidence of application of topic to real world projects.