BA 462

PROJECT MANAGEMENT – Concepts, Techniques, Practice

Spring 2005

[Go to Class Schedule Page]

Instructor: Jim Moran Bexell 334 moranj@bus.orst.edu 737-8871

Office Hours: Tuesday 12-1pm Wednesday 10-11am Thursday 1-2pm plus TA hours TBA

Course Description

Welcome! This course focuses on a holistic approach to project management. The content deals with planning, scheduling, organizing, and managing projects - e.g., product development, construction, information systems, new business, and special events. The course includes major topics such as Strategy, Priorities, Organization, Project Tools, and Leadership. Primary class emphasis is on the project management process and tools. Project management is becoming increasingly more important in today’s world. Mastery of key tools and concepts could give you significant competitive advantage in the marketplace.

Course Objectives

A. To provide experience in using the concepts, techniques, and decision tools available to project managers.

B. To enlarge the student's basic understanding of the importance of work breakdown structures and networks to planning, scheduling, and controlling projects.

C. To create an awareness of potential conflicts and problems that can occur on projects.

D. To identify appropriate behavior for successfully managing a project.

E. To provide the student with a framework for a complete computer-based information system for managing projects.

F. To prepare the student to effectively participate as a project team member.

APPROXIMATE Distribution of Points for Final Grade & Grade Breakdown:

125--Examination I 125--Examination II 85--Computer Exercise Assign’s 100--Term Paper (25 + 75) 10--Quiz 10--Miscellaneous 455

A B C D F

90% 80 70 60 <60

Resource Materials

READINGS: The main text for this class: Project Management: The Managerial Process 2^nd Edition by Cliff Gray and Erik Larson (Irwin/McGraw-Hill, 2003).

HANDOUTS: Provided in the public folder (BA 462/562-Moran) for specific assignments.

SOFTWARE: The “official” software for the class will be Microsoft Project 2002 for Windows. Permission to use other software must be approved by the instructor.

It is imperative that you bring the text to class!!!!

MAJOR COURSE REQUIREMENTS:

A. PROJECT: TERM PAPER (TP) – TOOLS AND INFORMATION SYSTEMS

B. COMPUTER PROJECT EXERCISES (IN TEXT)

C. CLASS PRESENTATION/PARTICIPATION

DETAILS

A. PROJECT: TERM PAPER (TP) – TOOLS AND INFORMATION SYSTEMS

PROJECT: TERM PAPER (TP) – TOOLS AND INFORMATION SYSTEMS

- GENERAL Outline –

Project Plan 1. Project Bkgrnd/Description 2. Scope Statement 3. Priority Analysis (general discussion): Time, Cost, Performance Trade-off Assessment 4. Risk Assessment/Response 5. WBS & Preliminary Schedule – Gantt Chart 6. Network Diagram 7. Resource Allocation Sheet 8. Cash Flow Requirements

Project Plan (Cont.) 9. Managing the Project 9.1 Stakeholder (social network) analysis 9.2 Keys to success 10. Project Update Problem Description Impact on Project Revised Project Estimates (Gantt, Network, Revised Costs, etc.) Summary (after the update)

Guidelines:

· The number of activities/tasks in your project is limited to 20-25 (these are activities that require resources).

· The report is NOT a ream of computer output. Use a narrative to explain each section. Explain the managerial implications of each section. The narrative is as important as your application of the tools and systems of the course to your project.

· Pick a project that allows you to demonstrate the principles discussed in class.

· Think ahead to the resources that will be used. The project team will consist of, at least, four members plus you, as the project manager. In the case of volunteer labor, you must assign a wage in order to generate progress information.

· Assume that top management is reviewing this report. Their time is precious. Organize your report so that it is easy to comprehend and follow. Embed figures and tables into the text. Do not use an appendix.

· Building patios, garages, barns, and wedding planning are trivial projects not considered valid term projects.

· Be realistic and create a project scenario that is either resource constrained and/or time constrained.

· To avoid panic, adhere to the schedule of “Progress Checks” and the Mid-Term submission (see course schedule).

Remember that your charge is to demonstrate your understanding of the systems, tools, and concepts discussed in the class through your project and narrative.

B. COMPUTER PROJECT EXERCISES

Typewritten memos responding to the questions contained in Computer Project Exercise Part 1,2, 3, 4, and 5 will be treated as homework assignments.

· Use Microsoft Project 2002.

· Submit as a formal memo to the instructor and in the proper format (stapling, landscape/portrait, etc.).

· Be sure to address each issue.

· Re-state (copy) each question and then present your answer.

· Make it neat, complete, with minimum pages, and embed all diagrams

Assignment and MSProject assistance is provided during weekly group help sessions (in Bexell 324). Individual assistance is available during the instructor’s office hours and other scheduled help sessions. You are not required to attend any of these sessions but it is highly recommended you take advantage of this opportunity to learn MSProject 2002 which is used for the computer project exercises and the Term Paper Project.

C. CLASS PARTICIPATION

Students are expected to come prepared to discuss the material assigned for that date and take an active role in class activities. During several classes, you are asked to participate in the review of specific case studies. Be sure to review the assigned Case Studies before class and be prepared to contribute to class discussion. All are expected to contribute significantly to all class discussions.

The following describes my expectations of your class participation (which is critical to the success of the class). You are expected to participate in class, like a member participates within project team. (Note: Responding to questions from the instructor is not considered adequate “class participation”; nor is just class attendance, although attendance is necessary.):

· Excellent: Regularly asks good questions, makes valuable observations, and answers questions effectively on an ongoing basis.

· Acceptable: A frequent participant, but all questions, answers, or observations are not always effective, or not on an ongoing basis.

· Not Acceptable: Only participates infrequently or very rarely, or questions/answers do not reflect adequate preparation

D. Other Important Matters

· You are expected to adhere to the Oregon State University rules for academic honesty. These rules are stated or refereed to as Academic Regulations in the current term’s Schedule of Classes. You should be familiar with this statement.

· Students are expected to be honest and ethical in their academic work. Academic dishonesty is defined as an intentional act of deception in one of the following areas:

o cheating- use or attempted use of unauthorized materials, information or study aids

o fabrication- falsification or invention of any information

o assisting- helping another commit an act of academic dishonesty

o tampering- altering or interfering with evaluation instruments and documents

o plagiarism- representing the words or ideas of another person as one's own

· The goal of Oregon State University is to provide students with the knowledge, skill and wisdom they need to contribute to society. Our rules are formulated to guarantee each student’s freedom to learn and to protect the fundamental rights of others. People must treat each other with dignity and respect in order for scholarship to thrive. Behaviors that are disruptive to learning will not be tolerated, and will be referred to the Office of the Dean of Students for disciplinary action. Behaviors which create a hostile, offensive or intimidating environment based on gender, race, ethnicity, color, religion, age, disability, marital status or sexual orientation will be referred to the Affirmative Action Office.

· Students with documented disabilities who may need accommodations, who have any emergency medical information the instructor should know of, or who need special arrangements in the event of evacuation, should make an appointment with the instructor as early as possible, no later than the first week of the term. In order to arrange alternative testing, the student should make the request at least one week in advance of the test. Students seeking accommodations must register with the Office of Services for Students with Disabilities.

· No make-up exams will be given and late assignments are not accepted. Students will receive zero points unless: there are extreme circumstances; the instructor is notified in advance; and an acceptable written excuse or official verification is presented prior to rescheduling the exam or the assignment due date.

· Regular class attendance is strongly encouraged. If you miss class, it is your responsibility to pick up missed handouts, etc. I strongly suggest you team-up with another student to cover for you in the event you do miss a class.

· All work which is submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements of this course must be solely completed by the student submitting the work. Violations of this requirement will be formally addressed and students will receive no credit for the assignment. This does not preclude the opportunity for students to “work together” before submitting the assignment.

· No communication devices are allowed in the classroom.

Other Issues:

· Be sure to bring hard copies of the Chapter Slides & Handouts to class. Copies of these documents are in the
MSOutlook Public Folder – BA462/562-Moran.
è Slides are in the MATERIAL folder
è Handouts are in the HANDOUTS folder (Good idea to get a copy of the complete set during the first week.)

· Review of training videos (developed by Dr. Erik Larson) on MSProject and other topics are highly recommended and are available at è http://abu.bus.oregonstate.edu/media/Project02/index.htm

Note: A current picture must be on file or you must have your picture taken by the COB electronic photo staff by the
2^nd class of the term.

IMPORTANT NOTE: This syllabus is a guide, not a contract, and therefore may be changed as necessary. If changes are made, I will announce and discuss them in class.