Project Management
for Public Health Professionals
February 2011
David Sabapathy, MD, MBA, PEng
Department of Community Health Sciences
3rd floor TRW building
Faculty of Medicine
University of Calgary
Calgary, Alberta
Canada T2N 4Z6
david.sabapathy@albertahealthservices.ca
Course Overview
Learning Objective
Acquire practical skills to develop a
Project Management Plan to effectively
and efficiently achieve a health objective
Course Map
 The Project Life Cycle – 5 Stages
Initiation
Definition
1. Idea
2. Authority
Planning
3. Project
Charter
4. Design
Execution
5. Schedule
6. Resource
Plan
Project Management Plan
Close-out
7. Project
Outcomes
8. Evaluatio
n
Week Outline


Workbook divided into 4 sections

Section 1 – Introduction to Project Management (Initiation)

Section 2 – Project Definition

Section 3 – Project Planning

Section 4 – Project Execution and Close-out (Intro only)
Friday – Final Presentations
Week Schedule

Section 1: Introduction to Project Management



Section 2: Project Definition






Project Charter
Teams complete Activity Module 1
Project Design
Teams complete Activity Module 2
Day 3 (a.m.) Project scheduling, Resource Planning
Day 3 (p.m.) Teams complete Activity Module 3
Section 4: Execution, Close-Out and Cultural-Sensitivity



Day 1 (a.m.)
Day 1 (p.m.)
Day 2 (a.m.)
Day 2 (p.m.)
Section 3: Project Planning


Day 1 (a.m.) Course overview, Introduction to Project Management including Project Initiation
Day 1 (p.m.) Teams form and identify projects, begin Project Charter
Day 4 (a.m.) Project Execution and Close-out, Cultural Sensitivity
Day 4 (p.m.) Teams prepare final project management plan and presentation
Final Presentations and Course Wrap-up


Day 5 (a.m.) Final presentations
Day 5 (p.m.) Course wrap-up and evaluation
Specific Learning Objectives
1. Describe a project management approach, its benefits and limitations and
criteria for success
2. Outline how to complete the project life cycle’s stages and outcomes
3. Use the project life cycle to address a health priority for a developing country
 Initiation
– Conceive of a project idea
– Identify the project sponsor and stakeholders
 Project definition
– Develop a project charter
– Complete a preliminary project design by selecting a solution
– Complete a detailed project design with work breakdown schedule and
apportionment
 Project planning
– Develop a project schedule and Gantt chart
– Prepare a resource plan including a project budget
4. Develop a strategy to implement project management for a health priority in
a way that is culturally-suitable and enables uptake
Topics for Section 1: Intro to Project Management

Project Management Approach






Project Management Components




Difference between project and program
Project examples (Tanzania and Canada)
Pros/cons of alternatives to project management
Benefits and limitations
Criteria for project success
Stages
Outcomes
Project management tools
Project Life Cycle: Stage 1 - Initiation


Idea
Authority
Topics for Section 2: Project Definition

Project Life Cycle: Stage 2 – Project Definition

Project charter

Project design – Preliminary
–
–

Design options
Design evaluation
Project design – Detailed
–
–
Work breakdown structure
Apportionment
Topics for Section 3: Project Planning

Project Life Cycle: Stage 3 – Project Planning

Project scheduling

Gantt charts

Budgeting
Topics for Section 4: Project Execution and Close-out

Project Life Cycle: Stages 4,5 – Execution and Close-out

Project execution principles

Evaluation framework
Table of Specifications
Objectives
Instructional strategy
1. Project Management
Approach
Lectures
10
10
2. Project Life Cycle
Lectures
10
10
3. Initiation
Lectures and group
activity,presentations
5
5
5
15
4. Project Definition
Lectures and group
activity,presentations
5
10
10
25
5. Project Planning
Lectures and group
activity,presentations
5
10
10
25
6. Project Execution and
Close-out
Lectures
5
5
7. Culturally-sensitive
Project Management
Lectures
10
10
Total %
Cognitive
45
Psychomotor
30
Affective
25
%
100
Learning Method
In-Class
Case
Study
Activity
Modules
x3
Project
Management
Plan
Learning Method
Key Concepts are in Green Boxes!
Grading
Evaluation Method
Activity modules (3)
1. Project charter
2. Project design
3. Project scheduling and resource plan
Team presentation (1)
Project Management Plan to Achieve a Key Health Objective
Total
% of Final Mark
20%
20%
20%
40%
100%
Due Date
Days 1-4
Day 5
In-Class Case Study

Instructor-lead case study using didactic material

Project Charter

Project Design

Project Scheduling
Activity Modules x 3

Activity modules (3 x 20%)

Project Charter

Project Design

Project Scheduling

Follow exactly from didactic case study examples

Work in same groups as for final presentation
Project Management Plan

Day 5 - Presentation of Project Management Plan (40%)

Project Management Plan = Compilation of 3 activity modules

Work in “Project Teams”; 4 groups of 4-5 students each
–
Each student has a unique role on the Project Team

Each team has a unique idea and project

Each team has a unique constraint

Oral presentation to the “Project Sponsor” including activity
module hand-outs (1 per team plus instructor)
Triple Constraint
Scope
Time
Team
Resources
Overview
Project Management
for Public Health Professionals
February 2011
David Sabapathy, MD, MBA, PEng
Department of Community Health Sciences
3rd floor TRW building
Faculty of Medicine
University of Calgary
Calgary, Alberta
Canada T2N 4Z6
david.sabapathy@albertahealthservices.ca