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Spring 2015
MG 375 - Project Management
Dr. Larry E. Stapleton
Office: ADM – Scovill 310D
Class Schedule: M 6 - 10PM
Office Phone: (217) 424-6361 Class Room :
SCO 005
e-mail Address: lstapleton@mail.millikin.edu
Office Hours:
Course Overview
The objective of this course is to master the principles of efficient project planning and
control - needs analysis, work breakdown, scheduling, resource allocation, risk
management, and performance tracking and evaluation - within the timeframe and cost
projections stated in the overview section. Concepts and techniques will be developed by
navigating through a recent textbook in project management and through a popular
project management software package. In addition, students will have the opportunity to
work in teams to hone skills through homework problem sets and a comprehensive
project plan.
Projects are major undertakings that have a limited duration (i.e., finite completion point).
As such, they require a unique approach to management and administration. Since the
management of projects differs from the management of ongoing operations this project
management course provides the student with a critical component for a balanced
business education. This course covers some of the basic issues related to and tools used
for managing projects in organizations and provide the opportunity for a real-world
application of the tools and concepts comprising project management.
The student is introduced to topics associated with contemporary thought on how to
effectively manage a project by developing a project, following the "project life cycle".
These topics include scope definition, Work-Breakdown-Structure development,
assignment of logical relationships, resource and time constraint planning, construction of
a budget and monitoring of planned and actual progress using a variety of mathematical
indices.
The best way to appreciate the complexities of managing a project and project personnel
is through direct experience. The “hands-on” project management topics from which a
student may chose include but not limited, event planning, software development and
product development. First-hand experience as a successful project manager is gained
through the use of multiple scenarios, competitive and collaborative project teams.
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Each student will work in a team to plan and manage the project progress using
appropriate project management tools and techniques. In addition, an overall plan will be
generated by the project manager or project management team. Teams will present
concise reports and interim deliverables during the semester as the planning process
evolves. The project will terminate with a post-project assessment presentation, a
“lessons learned” document, a brief personal paper reflecting on the project experience.
Course delivery and learning methods will include lecture, guest speakers (Tabor
Faculty/Professionals), discussion, team meetings, and hands-on experience.
Tabor Objective:
1. Demonstrate proficiencies in verbal and written communication appropriate to
business situations.
2. Apply those problem-solving and decision-making skills expected of entry-level
business professionals
Business Management Objective:
1. Understand the essence of teamwork and its implications on the process of
organizational leadership, planning and control.
2. Understanding the value of research, forecasting, production and contingency
planning in management decision-making, problem –solving and venture growth
and development.
Course Objectives
This course will strive to achieve the following objectives:
1. To prepare students to deal with the complex issues found in organizational life.
2. The student will be able to write a Statement of Work (SOW).
3. The student will develop a Work Breakdown Structure (WBS).
4. The student will establish time estimates and a budget for a project (including
labor and materials).
5. The student will develop a PERT/CPM network diagram for a project using MS
Project 2010.
6. The student will assess risks, create a closeout plan, contingency plan, and quality
assurance plans for a project.
7. The student will monitor the project process using mathematical indices
comparing planned/actual schedule and costs and estimation of completion
time/costs.
8. The student will demonstrate the ability to deal with real problems as they arise
during the implementation of the “hands-on” project.
COURSE PREREQUISITE : Junior Standing;
: Introductory Statistics course (Recommended)
COURSE MATERIAL
1. Gray, Clifford F. and Erik Larson. Project Management: The Managerial Process, 5th
Edition, McGraw-Hill, 2010
2. Additional relevant readings will be assigned or provided as the related topic is
discussed.
3. Lecture notes will be available on Moodle.
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DISABILITY ARRANGEMENTS:
It is the responsibility of the student to inform the instructor of any special needs he/she
requires. All reasonable accommodations will be made to facilitate the student’s learning
process. The student will provide proper documentation regarding any learning
accommodations from the appropriate Millikin department.
COURSE GRADING
Course grades will be based on examinations, group presentation, class participation and
class attendance.
Exam 1
Project Presentation
Class Participation
Project Segments
Total
100 pts
200 pts
100 pts
200 pts
600 pts
Your grade for the course is based on the following equation:
Grade
A
AB+
B
BC+
C
CD+
D
DF
Upper Limit
100%
92.9%
89.9%
86.9%
82.9%
79.9%
76.9%
72.9%
69.9%
66.9%
62.9%
< 60%
Lower Limit
93%
90%
87%
83%
80%
77%
73%
70%
67%
63%
60%
WRITING AND PRESENTATION EVALUATION
Tabor is dedicated to assess the writing and presentation level for each student. To
provide a consistent means of assessing the student’s writing and presentation skills an
Assessment Guide for each is provided in Moodle. It is the student’s responsibility to
download these guides and familiarize them self with Tabor’s expectations on what
constitutes acceptable writing and presentations.
Additional criteria to evaluate a writing or presentation assignment may be applied by the
instructor. This additional evaluation covers the content and other aspects the instructor
believes to be relevant to the assignment.
EXAMS
There will be two exams. Each exam will cover the material discussed since the previous
exam. Exams will consist of multiple choice, essay, and short answer. Make up exams
will be given at the instructor’s discretion based upon valid documented reasons. An
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alternate exam time must be arranged with the instructor preferably prior to the original
exam time but not latter than 24 hours after the original exam time.
PROJECT SEGMENTS
There will be a weekly assignment where each team will write a paper including relevant
charts and graphs for each assigned project segment. The paper will identify the major
points of that project segment and describe the relevance to the chapter being discussed.
The paper will represent a report of the progress of the project regarding time of
completion and budget variance. The project segment will be turned into the instructor at
the end of the class on the date due..
ATTENDANCE AND CLASS PARTICIPATION
Attendance is expected and required. Lecture and the associated notes are meant to
supplement the text. The topics, examples and discussion held during each class period
are potential exam questions. Class participation is expected. The grade given for class
participation will depend upon how much the student contributes to and expands the
discussion of the current subject. A positive score will be given to those who provide
consistent and relevant comments on the topics discussed. Being argumentative or
speaking without a focused thought is not considered to be a relevant comment.
Solutions for the homework will be posted on Moodle.
PATHWAY to SUCCESS
Each student is expected to be prepared for class. Being prepared consists of:
- Having read the reading assignment
- Compiled a list of questions on sections of the text which needs
further elaboration.
- Be able to discuss "real-world" applications for the principles to be discussed.
- Provide relevant job related activities to share with your colleagues
ACADEMIC HONESTY
My policy is simple: DON’T DO IT. Any student caught cheating will be given a Zero
for the exam. In addition, a letter outlining the event will be prepared with a copy sent to
the Dean and one to the registrar from placement in your personal file.
The gain from cheating is short term but a notation of cheating on your permanent file
will follow you for life.
COURSE SCHEDULE
The instructor will attempt to adhere to the following course schedule but reserves the
right to modify the course content, class assignments and activities, and/or dates as
deemed necessary.
5
MG 375 - Project Management
Class
1/26
Hour
1
Topic/ Activity
Introduction to Project Management
- go over slides
2
Go over case study " A day in the life "
Go over questions
Show video of project management
Discuss for 10 min
Organization Strategy and Project selection
Discuss Hector Gaming
3
2/2
Assignment
Read slides "Project
Management Intro
Read Chapter 1 in text
Read case in 1st
chapter and answer
questions
Read Chapter 2 and
slides
Go over Hector
gaming case and
questions
1
Project Management Structures
2
Discuss Moss and McAdams Case
Discuss Orion Cases A& B
3
Discuss Individual Project
Go over Final Project evaluation
1
Defining the Project
2
Discuss Manchester United Soccer club
3
Estimating Project Times and costs
2/16
1
2
3
Introduction to MS Project
Film Example
2nd example
Review slides
2/23
1
Project Outline
Organizational Breakdown Structure (OBS)
Resource Allocation Matrix (RAM)
Greendale case – intro use of MS project
Enter Part 1 of Blue Zuma ; create a file
Answer questions
Email your OBS, Ram
and WP (draft)
1
Developing a Project Plan
Read Chapter 6 and
the slides
2
Enter Part 2 A & B of Blue Zuma ; Save to a file
2/09
2
3
3/2
Read Chapter 3 and
Slides
Read and answer
questions for the two
cases.
Bring two or three
potential projects.
Review Project
evaluation outline
Read Chapter 4 and
the slides
Read and answer
questions for Case.
Read Chapter 5 and
the slides
Email a summary of
your project
6
3/16
3/23
3/30
3
Answer Questions
Scheduling Resources
1
Reducing Project Duration
2
Complete the "Now" wedding and answers
3
Enter Part 3 of Blue Zuma ; Save to a file
Answer Questions
1
Project Control Process
2
3
Enter Part 4 of Blue Zuma ; Save to a file
Answer Questions
Risk
1
Managing Project Stakeholders
2
Enter Part 5 of Blue Zuma ; Save to a file
Answer Questions
Enter Part 6 of Blue Zuma ; Save to a file
Answer Questions
3
4/6
1
2
3
Presentations
Presentations
Presentations
Read Chapter 8 and
slides
Read Chapter 9 and
slides
Read the "Now"
wedding
Read Chapter 13 and
slides
Email your Work
Packages
Read Chapter 7
Read Chapter 10 and
slides
Email your MS file
leveled and baselined
Email your project
report