MG 286 Project Management Course Outline and Learning Schedule Aug – Dec 2006
Department of Management Studies
Indian Institute of Science Bangalore
Faculty
Dr. Parameshwar P. Iyer
Course No MG 286
Course Name: Project Management
Course Outline and Learning Schedule
Course Purpose:
With increasing technological and scientific advances, the efficient and effective
planning and implementation of major projects, especially in hi-tech sectors, is becoming
increasingly complex and critical. This course is aimed at providing both basic and some
advanced exposure to PM, so as to enable the manager of tomorrow to successfully
complete sophisticated projects within the constraints of capital, time, and other
resources.
Objectives and “Teaching Methods”:
The course aims at the following learning targets:
1. To understand the concepts of project definition, life cycle, and systems
approach;
2. To develop competency in project scooping, work definition, and work
breakdown structure (WBS);
3. To handle the complex tasks of time estimation and project scheduling,
including PERT and CPM
4. To develop competencies in project costing, budgeting, and financial
appraisal;
5. To gain exposure to project control and management, using standard tools
of cost and schedule variance analysis;
6. To appreciate the elements of risk and quality in hi-tech projects;
7. To learn project management by “practice”, through the medium of “study
projects”; and
8. To appreciate and understand the use of computers in project
management, especially a tool like MS Project..
Though the course is listed as a 2:0 “Theory Course”, we will lay more emphasis on
learning project management by “doing”, rather than by “reading”. Hence, there will be
mix of pedagogical tools being used, including the following: lectures, case studies, guest
experience sharing, experiential learning, and finally, the use of “study projects”.
Some of the guest lecturers may come from outside Bangalore, and all of them will be
sparing their valuable time for enhancing your learning ability. Hence, we will expect
you to be well prepared and intellectually aggressive to maximize the benefits for all.
© 2006 Parameshwar P. Iyer Dept of Management Studies Indian Institute of Science
piyer@mgmt.iisc.ernet.in
MG 286 Project Management Course Outline and Learning Schedule Aug – Dec 2006
Preparation and hands-on practice is essential for you to get as much as possible from this
course (apart from a good grade!). So, please read the assigned portions and case(s),
before you come to class. Also, ensure that you make all your submissions of
assignments (please see next Section) on time, as per the given schedule.
Deliverables: The Study Project
The main deliverable from you in this course will be a set of assignments, relating to a
study project of your choosing. Since you probably will not work in isolation when you
launch your new project, we will also expect you to work in teams of 3 or 4 students, to
perform the following exercises on your study project:
1. to define the nature of the project, the organization, the industry, the environment,
the need for project management, and the form of appropriate project
management;
2. to apply the systems approach to your study project, and to undertake the
development of a general systems model;
3. to define the scope of the study project, and do a work definition and work
breakdown structure (WBS);
4. to undertake time estimation and schedule preparation of the study project, using
single-time PERT, three-time PERT, and CPM;
5. to prepare a financial appraisal of the study project;
6. to build cost estimates and budget for the study project;
7. to perform project monitoring and control, using the schedule variance analysis
and the cost variance analysis; to perform earned value analysis; and
8. to use MS Project for analyzing the study project.
In your study project, you shall carry out the exercises and assignments on a collective
group basis. Reports will be prepared and submitted as assignments on a continual basis,
and one/ two seminar(s) will be presented by each Study Project team, to the class during
the course.
In addition to the study project and the “assignments” on the study project (see below),
we expect your active participation in class in the following activities:
1. raising relevant points and questions, and sharing information, about your “study
project”;
2. discussing in class the questions related to the case study scheduled for a given
class; and
3. preparing the relevant background information, related to the scheduled
presentation by a “guest speaker”, so as to be able to ask intelligent and
inquisitive questions, to stimulate class room discussions after every presentation.
At two intermediate points during the Semester, you will be required, as a team, to
prepare and present preliminary draft elements of your study project. In addition, at the
end of the Semester, you will have to make a final presentation, both in oral and in
written form, of your final study project. The purpose of these presentations is to provide
the rest of the class, and the instructor, an opportunity to give feedback as your study
© 2006 Parameshwar P. Iyer Dept of Management Studies Indian Institute of Science
piyer@mgmt.iisc.ernet.in
MG 286 Project Management Course Outline and Learning Schedule Aug – Dec 2006
project evolves. In fairness to each team, time limits on the schedules and durations of all
presentations will be strictly enforced.
Deliverables:
All assignments may be submitted both electronically and in hard copy. All electronic
submissions should be addressed to piyer@mgmt.iisc.ernet.in, with copies to
piyeriisc@gmail.com. For the final study project submission, a formal power point
presentation should be given, in addition to the detailed business plan itself.
Schedule of Study Project Deliverables
Assignment # Due Date
Description
1
05-09-06 Define the nature of the project, the organization, the
industry, the environment, the need for project
management, and the form of appropriate project
management;
2
12-09-06 Apply the systems approach to your study project, and
undertake the development of a general systems model;
3
19-09-06 Define the scope of the study project, and do a work definition
and work breakdown structure (WBS)
4.
26-09-06 Class Test #1
5.
27-09-06 Undertake time estimation and schedule preparation of the study
project, using single-time PERT, three-time PERT, and CPM;
6.
04-10-06 Presentation #1 in class, of the first part of the Study Project
7.
31-10-06 Prepare a financial appraisal of the study project; build cost
estimates and budget for the study project;
8.
07-11-06 Class Presentations #2, of the second part of the study project;
9.
21-11-06 Perform project monitoring and control, using the schedule
variance analysis and the cost variance analysis; to perform
earned value analysis;
10.
28-11-06 Final Class Presentations, of the entire study project analysis
© 2006 Parameshwar P. Iyer Dept of Management Studies Indian Institute of Science
piyer@mgmt.iisc.ernet.in
MG 286 Project Management Course Outline and Learning Schedule Aug – Dec 2006
Required Readings and Materials:
The textbook for this Course shall be:
Parameshwar P. Iyer. Engineering Project Management with Case Studies, Vikas
Publishing House Pvt. Ltd. New Delhi, 2005. (Text book).
Other reference books may be:
Project Management Institute (PMI). A Guide to the Project Management of
Knowledge (PMBoK). Newton Square, PA. 1996. (Reference)
J.R. Meredith and S.J. Mantel. Project Management: A Managerial Approach. John
Wiley and Sons. New York. 1995. (Reference).
Evaluation and Grading:
The Course grading shall be based on the following:
1. Mid-semester examination
: 10 %
2. Study project
: 30 %
3. Case analyses and presentations
: 10 %
4. End-semester examination
: 50 %
Total: 100%
Learning Schedule:
1. 08/ 09 Aug: Concepts of project definition, life cycle, and systems approach;
2. 15/ 16 Aug:
-Do3. 22/ 23 Aug: Project scooping, work definition, and work breakdown structure
(WBS);
4. 29/ 30 Aug:
-Do5. 05/ 06 Sep: Time estimation and project scheduling, including PERT and CPM
6. 12/ 13 Sep:
-Do7. 19/ 20 Sep:
-Do8. 26/ 27 Sep: Class Test #1 / Case Analysis Electronic Postal Meter
9. 03/ 04 Oct: Presentation #1 in class, of the first part of the Study Project
10. 10/ 11 Oct: Case Analysis/ Guest Lecture #2
11. 17/ 18 Oct: Financial Assessment/ Cost Benefit Analysis
12. 24/ 25 Oct:
-Do13. 31Oct/ 01 Nov: Project monitoring and control
14. 07/ 08 Nov: Class Presentations #2/ Case Analysis Sarayu Water Project
15. 14/ 15 Nov: Special topics: Risk and quality
16. 21/ 22 Nov: Computers in project management: MS Project
17. 28/ 29 Nov: Final class presentations: Final Round-up
© 2006 Parameshwar P. Iyer Dept of Management Studies Indian Institute of Science
piyer@mgmt.iisc.ernet.in