Project Management

CATALOG DESCRIPTION: Project management as an interdisciplinary and cross-functional activity in an organization. Emphasis on the relationship of projects to the management of change and to the approaches and roles required to achieve successful project implementation.

RATIONALE: Projects represent an increasing percentage of the activities of most organizations. Nearly every organization is involved in some sort of project, such as construction, engineering, manufacturing, technology development, or telecommunications. This course will help students acquire understanding of the project management process and tools and the stages involved in project management. Through discussions of cases, students will be able to recognize critical factors in effective project management and avoid the causes of project failure.

LEARNING OUTCOMES: As a result of taking this course, the student should be able to:

1. Explain project management as a cross-functional activity in an organizational setting, and analyze the interpersonal skills required of a project manager.

2. Examine issues arising in every stage of the project life cycle causing projects to fail and recommend actions to help avoid project failure.

3. Assess the contribution of key project planning components and project management tools to successful project management.

METHOD OF TEACHING AND LEARNING: In congruence with the teaching and learning strategy of the College, the following tools are used:

- Classes consist of lectures, interactive class discussions, video presentations, in-class group activities, guest lectures and review of cases taken from the real world and applicable to specific theoretical concepts and lab sessions on project management software (MSProject).

- Office Hours: Students are encouraged to make full use of the office hours of their instructor in order to consult and discuss issues related to the course content.

- Use of the Blackboard learning platform: to enhance the teaching and learning process, instructors may use the site to post their announcements, upload related course material, lecture notes, assignment instructions and additional resources.

ASSESSMENT:

Summative:

First Assessment: Midterm Examination (Essay-type question and/or quantitative type) 30%

Final Assessment: Written project (Individual; 3,000-3,500 words) 70%

Formative: In-class, 1-hour, "diagnostic" test - essay and quantitative type 0%

Coursework - case studies 0%

Homework assignments 0%

The formative assessments aim to prepare students for the midterm examination and the written project. The midterm examination tests Learning Outcome 1. The written project tests Learning Outcomes 2 and 3. Students are required to resit failed assessments in this module.