Master in Management
Electives
Fundamentals of Project Management
MM 540 [CRN 4137]
BA 488/588 [4177/4178]
Fall 2007
Hart Wilson, MM
552-8283
wilsonh@sou.edu
Office: Central 114
Office Hours: By Appointment
Course Overview
This course provides the foundations for managing small, medium and large projects for any type of organization. It assumes the students have little or no prior formal training in project management. The course provides an understanding of effective management practices for simple projects that require only the project manager or complex projects that rely on teams to accomplish the project goals. The course covers the five traditional phases of the project lifecycle: Initiation, Planning, Execution, Control (Change Management), and Closeout. The course also includes assessments with debriefings that help to prepare the individual, organization, and team for project management. Related project management forms and templates will be provided as aids to take back to the workplace.
Course Competency Objectives
Upon completion of this course the student will:
- Be able to identify the temperaments of people who are best suited for the success of a given project.
- Be able to identify the optimum organizational dynamics for the success of a project.
- Be able to identify risks and constraints related to a project and develop contingency plans accordingly.
- Understand the concepts involved in the five phases of project management.
- Be able to manage a project through all five phases.
- Be aware of the features of MS-Project and its usefulness in managing complex projects.
- Be able to use standard project management forms as aids to enhance the efficiency and success of project management.
Prerequisites
There are no prerequisites to this course.
Required Text/ Materials
Portny et al, Wiley Pathways Project Management. Wiley 2007.
A student's notebook contains required course materials. Blackboard technology will be extensively incorporated in the course to facilitate instruction and learning.
Student Assessment Criteria
A variety of assessments will reinforce and contribute to the learning process, as well as allow students to demonstrate understanding of the subject matter. Written work will be evaluated based on organization, thoroughness, and completeness, as well as on the content provided. Presentation is a critical function in working with projects and must be considered. Grammar and spelling errors (including typos) discount the credibility of projects in the workplace and should be kept to a minimum.
| Activity | % of Grade |
| Class/Blackboard Discussion |
10% |
| Competency Essay Quizzes | |
| #1 Five Phases of PM, Initiation Phase |
10% |
| #2 Planning Phase, WBS |
10% |
| #3 Execution/Control Phase |
5% |
| In-Class Activities |
15% |
| Peer Review Postings |
5% |
| Reading Quizzes |
5% |
| Term Project (Term Project Description) |
40% |
|
Total |
100% |
I value the following behaviors, attitudes and efforts toward the class. I will look for attempts by each of you to carry them out. Your grade will be affected by your ability to exhibit these behaviors and attitudes in class, both face to face and in an online environment.
|
Preparation: |
An indication that outside work has been done and that you have thought through the issues related to the material covered. |
|
Risk Taking: |
Attempts to share feelings, ideas and concepts in an open manner. A positive attitude toward testing your limits. |
|
Enthusiasm: |
Mobilization and direction of energy toward the assignments. Always asking, "Have I done my best?" |
|
Oral Participation: |
Active classroom involvement in the form of comments, questions and discussion; sharing of one's knowledge, feelings, experience and expertise -- both in the classroom and on the Discussion Board in Blackboard. |
|
Collaboration: |
Exchange and use of the expertise and knowledge of faculty and students to enhance learning and understanding. Giving of and asking for help as appropriate. |
|
Grade Scale | |
|
93-100% |
A |
|
90-92 |
A- |
|
87-89 |
B+ |
|
83-86 |
B |
|
80-82 |
B- |
|
77-79 |
C+ |
|
73-76 |
C |
|
70-72 |
C- |
|
67-69 |
D+ |
|
63-66 |
D |
|
60-62 |
D- |
|
59 & below |
F |
Course Meeting Schedule
This course will meet on Monday evenings from 6:00-9:50. Most sessions will be held in Medford at the Job Council, although some will be held in Ashland in Central 128/104. Following is the Fall 2007 schedule for the course topics, subject to revision:
| Session | Date | Location | Topic | Assignments |
| 1 | Monday Sept. 24 |
Medford | Course Introduction Assessments for PM Overview of PM |
Assign Term Project Discussion Board |
| 2 | Oct. 1 | Medford | Review: What is a Project? Initiation Phase: Proposals & Project Selection |
Begin Initiation Forms Begin Peer Review: Initiation Discussion Board |
| 3 | Oct. 8 | Medford | Initiation Phase: SOW & Feasibility Risk Management |
Complete Initiation Forms Proposal Presentation Discussion Board |
| 4 | Oct. 15 | Medford | Proposal Presentations Contingency Planning |
Quiz #1 due Oct. 18 Discussion Board |
| 5 | Oct. 22 | Medford | Planning Phase Introduction to WBS |
Initiation Forms Due Begin Planning Forms Discussion Board |
| 6 | Oct. 29 | Ashland | Planning Lab I Project Budgeting Introduction to MS-Project Gantt Charts |
Peer Review: Planning Discussion Board |
| 7 | Nov. 5 | Ashland | Planning Lab II Project Planning Using MS-Project |
Quiz #2 due Nov. 8 Complete Planning Forms Discussion Board |
| 8 | Nov. 12 | Medford | The Project Manager Consensus Building |
Planning Forms Due Discussion Board |
| 9 | Nov. 19 | Ashland | Actuals Lab Execution Phase Task Updating |
Quiz #3 due Nov. 23 Peer Review: Execution Complete Execution Forms Discussion Board |
| 10 | Nov. 26 | Medford | Change Management Closeout Phase The Deep Dive |
Complete Term Project Discussion Board |
| Dec. 3 | Finals Week (no class meeting) | Projects Due: Central 114 or Medford Campus | ||
Meeting Sites: Medford classes will be held in Room 4 at the Job Council at 688 Market Street in Medford. Ashland classes will be held at SOU in the School of Business, Central Hall (Rooms 128 and 104).
Note: If you are in need of academic support because of a documented disability, you may be eligible for academic accommodations through Disability Services for students. Contact Theresa Lowrie, Director, DSS, at 552-6213 at the Access Center, Stevenson Union, Lower Level.
