Fayetteville State University
School of Business and Economics
Department of Management
CPM 630: Tools and Techniques of Project Management
Fall 2015
I. Locator Information:
Instructor: Dr. Paul W. Richardson, DM, PMP
Course # and Name: CPM 630: Tools and Techniques of Project Management
Office Location: Online
Semester Credit Hours: 3
Office hours: Fridays, 8 am – 8 pm
Day and Time Class Meets: Online (1st 8 weeks)
Office Phone: 410-683-6575
Email address: prichar4@uncfsu.edu
FSU Policy on Electronic Mail: Fayetteville State University provides to each student, free of charge, an electronic mail
account (username@broncos.uncfsu.edu) that is easily accessible via the Internet. The university has established FSU email as
the primary mode of correspondence between university officials and enrolled students. Information from FSU or FSU
students pertaining to academic records, grades, bills, financial aid, and other matters of a confidential nature must be submitted
via FSU email. The student is responsible for ensuring the mailbox remains available to receive notifications. FSU is not
responsible for issues related to notifications that are not deliverable due to full mailboxes. Inquiries or requests from personal
email accounts are not assured a response.
Rules and regulations governing the use of FSU email may be found at http://www.uncfsu.edu/PDFs/EmailPolicyFinal.pdf
II. Course Description:
This course focuses on tools and techniques of project management to manage time, costs, resources, and quality of the
project. Students will learn various aspects of project management including project planning, budgeting, scheduling,
resource allocation, controlling, and auditing both from a theoretical and practical basis. Students will also learn earned
value analysis techniques used to evaluate the compliance of actual work to the set baseline project objectives and how to
correct any deviations from the planned values.
III. Disabled Student Services:
In accordance with Section 504 of the 1973 Rehabilitation Act and the Americans with Disabilities Act (ACA) of 1990, if
you have a disability or think you have a disability to please contact the Center for Personal Development in the Spaulding
Building, Room 155 (1st Floor); 910-672-1203.
IV. Title IX – Sexual Misconduct
Fayetteville State University (University) is committed to fostering a safe campus environment where sexual misconduct —
including sexual harassment, domestic and dating violence, sexual assault, and stalking - is unacceptable and is not
tolerated. The University encourages students who may have experienced sexual misconduct to speak with someone at the
University so that the University can provide the support that is needed and respond appropriately. The Sexual Misconduct
policy can be found at the following link: http://www.uncfsu.edu/Documents/Policy/students/SexualMisconduct.pdf
Consulting with a Health Care Professional - A student who wishes to confidentially speak about an incident of sexual
misconduct should contact either of the following individuals who are required to maintain confidentiality:
Ms. Pamela C. Fisher
Licensed Professional Counselor
Spaulding Building, Room 165
(910) 672-387
psmith@uncfsu.edu
Ms. Linda Melvin
Director, Student Health Services
Spaulding Building, Room 121
(910) 672-1454
lmelvi10@uncfsu.edu
Reporting an Incident of Sexual Misconduct - The University encourages students to report incidents of sexual
misconduct. A student who wishes to report sexual misconduct or has questions about University policies and procedures
regarding sexual misconduct should contact the following individual:
Ms. Victoria Ratliff
Deputy Title IX Coordinator for Students
Spaulding Building, Room 155
(910) 672-1222
vratliff@uncfsu.edu
Unlike the Licensed Professional Counselor or the Director of Student Health Services, the Deputy Title IX Coordinator is
legally obligated to investigate reports of sexual misconduct, and therefore cannot guarantee confidentiality, but a request
for confidentiality will be considered and respected to the extent possible.
Students are also encouraged to report incidents of sexual misconduct to the University’s Police and Public Safety
Department at (910) 672-1911.
V. Textbook:
Project Management: A Managerial Approach, 2009, Jack R. Meredith and Samuel J. Mantel, Jr., 7th edition, Wiley
Publishers. ISBN: 978-0-470-22621-6
A Guide to the Project Management Body of Knowledge (PMBOK® Guide) – 5th Edition, Project Management institute
(www.pmi.org), ISBN: 978-1-935589-67-9
NOTE: It is advisable that all students must go to www.pmi.org and become a member ($32.00) if possible. Once you are a
member, you can download PMBOK guide for free (go to PMBOKGuide and Standards --> PMBOK® Guide – Fifth
Edition). Also you need to be familiarized with all the resources this site offers.
VI. Student Learning Outcomes
Upon completion of this course, students will be able to:
 Define Project Management
 Understand three goals of a project and the project life cycle
 Understand steps of planning the project.
 Develop the work breakdown structure (WBS)
 Estimate the cost of the project.
 Develop the budgeting plan for the project
 Develop the project scheduling
 Allocate resources to the project.
 Monitor and control the project.
 Evaluate, audit, and terminate the project.
 Use MS Project software
VII. Course Requirements and Evaluation Criteria Competencies acquired from the course
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Upon completion of this class, the student can gain theoretical as well as practical knowledge that will prepare
them for the Project Management Professional (PMP) certification exam. Focus will be on
o Project Management Framework (Life Cycle, Process Groups, Knowledge Management Areas and
Project Planning)
o Project Scope Management
o Project Time Management
o Project Cost Management
This course is designed to focus upon the students’ written and communication skills to develop their capacity for
critical thinking through case analyses.
Using Blackboard for supplemental materials, paper submission, and discussion, this web-based course is intended
to develop students’ computer proficiency.
Evaluation Criteria
Grade Distribution
Class Introduction .......................... 1 point
Class Discussions ........................... 24 points (1.5 points each)
Homework ...................................... 20 points (5 points each)
Case studies .................................... 20 points (10 points each)
Final Exam ..................................... 35points
Total .............................................. 100 points
Grading Scale
A (Exceptionally high): .................. 90 – 100
B (Good): ....................................... 80 – 89
C (Satisfactory): ............................. 70 – 79
F (Failing): ..................................... less than 70
Note:
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There will be no makeup exams unless under extenuating circumstances. The final letter grade will be determined
only by the Weighted Total.
INTERIM GRADE X = NO SHOW – Assigned to students who are on a class roster, but never attend class. For
warning purposes only; NOT a final grade.
INTERIM GRADE EA = EXCESSIVE ABSENCES - Assigned to students whose class absences exceed 10% of
the total contact hours. For warning purposes only, NOT a final grade.
FN = FAILURE DUE TO NON-ATTENDANCE – Assigned to students who are on class roster, but never attend
the class. An FN grades is equivalent to an F grade in the calculation of the GPA.
NOTE TO STUDENTS ABOUT CLASS WITHDRAWALS:
o Withdraw from class means you are withdrawing from 1 or 2 classes that you will not be attending and
you have other classes on your schedule that you will attend. Effective Fall 2009, students will be allowed
only 5 withdrawals from class for the remainder of your college career. The 6th W will be calculated as
"F".
o Students receive no refund for withdrawing from individual classes and they slow their progress toward
degree completion.
o Students who withdraw from or fail more than one-third of their classes will no longer be eligible for
financial aid.
o STUDENTS MUST STRIVE TO EARN CREDIT FOR ALL THE CLASSES IN WHICH THEY
ENROLL. STUDENTS SHOULD WITHDRAW FROM CLASSES ONLY WHEN IT IS
ABSOLUTELY NECESSARY.
FSU Policy on Disruptive Behavior in the Classroom (NOTE: Although we are not in a physical classroom
and these rules don’t really apply, we will still follow netiquette rules.)
The Code of the University of North Carolina (of which FSU is a constituent institution) and the FSU Code of
Student Conduct affirm that all students have the right to receive instruction without interference from other
students who disrupt classes.
FSU Core Curriculum Learning Outcome under Ethics and Civic Engagement (6.03): All students will “prepare
themselves for responsible citizenship by fulfilling roles and responsibilities associated with membership in
various organizations.” Each classroom is a mini-community. Students learn and demonstrate responsible
citizenship by abiding by the rules of classroom behavior and respecting the rights all members of the class.
The FSU Policy on Disruptive Behavior (see FSU website for complete policy) identifies the following
behaviors as disruptive:
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Failure to respect the rights of other students to express their viewpoints by behaviors such as repeatedly
interrupting others while they speak, using profanity and/or disrespectful names or labels for others, ridiculing
others for their viewpoints, and other similar behaviors;
Excessive talking to other students while the faculty member or other students are presenting information or
expressing their viewpoints.
Use of cell phones and other electronic devices
Overt inattentiveness (sleeping, reading newspapers)
Eating in class (except as permitted by the faculty member)
Threats or statements that jeopardize the safety of the student and others
Failure to follow reasonable requests of faculty members
Entering class late or leaving class early on regular basis
Others as specified by the instructor.
The instructor may take the following actions in response to disruptive behavior. Students should recognize that
refusing to comply with reasonable requests from the faculty member is another incidence of disruptive
behavior.
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Direct student to cease disruptive behavior.
Direct student to change seating locations.
Require student to have individual conference with faculty member. At his meeting the faculty member will
explain the consequences of continued disruptive behavior.
Dismiss class for the remainder of the period. (Must be reported to department chair.)
Lower the student’s final exam by a maximum of one-letter grade.
File a complaint with the Dean of Students for more severe disciplinary action.
Students who believe the faculty member has unfairly applied the policy to them may make an appeal with the
faculty member’s department chair.
VIII. Academic Support Resources
To facilitate student success, Blackboard will be used for on- line quizzes, the distribution of additional course materials
and other activities. Smartthinking, and Turnitin, as well as the FSU Writing Center are available to students to support
writing assignments. Directions for access/usage of these resources will be given in class as needed
IX. Course Outline and Assignment Schedule
Week # or
date
Topic
Introduction
Orientation/Course Overview
Prior to Start Date
of Class
Assignment due
Introduce yourself:
PLEASE go to Forum “Introduce
yourself” in Discussion Board and
introduce yourself (Please focus on the
tools and techniques you may have
learned or worked with in a project
management capacity)
Read entire syllabus:
You are required to read the entire
syllabus thoroughly and understand the
description of all assignments and
expectations. Then post the following in
the Syllabus Confirmation section:
“I have read, understood and accepted
all the requirements for this course”
Week 1
(8/18 – 24)
Week 2
(8/25 – 31)
Chapter 1 (Meredith & Mental): Projects in
Contemporary Organizations
Chapter 2 (Meredith & Mental): Strategic
Management and Project Selection
Read Chapters 1 and 2 (Meredith &
Mental)
Ch. 1 (PMBOK): Introduction
Ch. 2 (PMBOK): Organizational Influences and
Project Life Cycle
Chapter 6 (Meredith & Mental): Project Planning
Introduction of MS Project
Discussion Board
Week 4
(9/8 – 14)
Week 5
(9/15 – 21)
Homework 1
Read Chapter 6 (Meredith & Mental)
Read Ch. 3 and 5 (PMBOK)
Ch. 3 (PMBOK): Project Management Processes
Ch. 5 (PMBOK): Project Scope Management
Chapter 7 (Meredith & Mental): Budgeting and Cost
Estimation
Week 3
(9/1 – 7)
Read Chapter 1 and 2 (PMBOK)
Discussion Board
Case Study 1
Read Chapter 7 (Meredith & Mental)
Read Ch. 7 (PMBOK)
Ch. 7 (PMB)K): Project Cost Management
Discussion Board
Chapter 8 (Meredith & Mental): Scheduling
Homework 2
Read Chapter 8 (Meredith & Mental)
Ch. 6 (PMBOK): Project Time Management
Read Ch. 6 (PMBOK)
Chapter 9 (Meredith & Mental): Resource Allocation
Discussion Board
Homework 3
Read Chapter 9 (Meredith & Mental)
Ch. 6 (PMBOK): Project Time Management
Read Ch. 6 (PMBOK)
Discussion Board
Homework 4
Week 6
(9/22 – 28)
Chapter 10 (Meredith & Mental): Monitoring and
Information Systems
Chapter 11 (Meredith & Mental): Project Control
Ch. 7 (PMB)K): Project Cost Management
Week 7
(9/29 – 10/5)
Read Chapters 10 and 11 (Meredith &
Mental)
Read Ch. 7 (PMBOK)
Discussion Board
Chapter 12 (Meredith & Mental): Project Auditing
Case Study 2
Read Chapter 12
Ch. 7 (PMB)K): Project Cost Management
Read Ch. 7 (PMBOK)
Discussion Board
Week 8
(10/6 – 12)
Exam details will be announced
Final Exam
Discussion Board
COURSE REQUIREMENTS
NOTE: IT IS VERY IMPORTANT TO READ AND UNDERSTAND THE FOLLOWING
REQUIREMENTS FOR THIS COURSE.
1.
Discussion Forum
In a designated week, a definition/statement/argument/research paper for the corresponding chapter will be posted
on Discussion Board. Students are expected to read all assignments for class and actively discuss the material. In
order to receive credits, students’ discussion must ADD value to the discussion board by:
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Criticizing the posted material using information from the textbook and other sources, and coherent
arguments, or
Adding more valuable points/characteristics to the posted material in order to make it complete, or
Providing and explaining practical examples to strengthen the posted material
Responding to at least 1 of your classmate’s posts for each discussion question for each week
Please note that students’ discussion must ADD values to the Discussion Board. Any post without values (for
example, “I agree to this statement”, “This is a great statement”) is UNACCEPTABLE. In addition, all posted
discussions MUST be different; i.e. a student MUST read all other posts before posting his/her own discussion and
make sure it is different from others. If a posted discussion duplicates any previously posted material, the student
will NOT receive credits for participation.
Discussion forum grades will be based upon:
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No. of days of participation (You cannot just post one day all your posting and expect full points. It must
be spread out throughout the allotted time.)
Value added to the forum
No. of posts you have (the more the better)
How detailed is your posting (you cannot just write one line and expect good score)
No. of replies to other’s posts (the more the better but you must respond to at least 1 classmate for each
discussion post)
Students MUST go an appropriate forum and post the discussion. The due date is the end of the week the
discussion is assigned. Plagiarized content is unacceptable and will result in a zero point for your
participation.
THERE IS NO MAKE UP FOR DISCUSSION FORUM
It is meant for discussing topic with other colleagues. Once the time expires, you cannot discuss the topic. It's not
just posting your comments. Others should get a chance to review your posting and comment on it.
2.
Text Readings
Assigned readings should be completed prior to the class discussion of the material. It usually takes 2 to 3 hours to
read one chapter. It is recommended that students take notes of important points when they are reading the
chapters.
3.
Technology Requirements
This course assumes you already have a demonstrated competence in each of the software items listed below. The
instructor will not provide instructions of technical support for any of the assumed software competencies.
Your participation in the course assumes you are competent in the use of the following.
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Blackboard Interface. You should be familiar with ALL aspect of blackboard, including the use of
mailing lists, Digital Dropboxes, and how to use communication tools to send and receive assignments to
the professor and to other class members as needed.
The Internet. You must be capable of using the Internet, especially for purposes of getting courserelated information from the web page of the textbook hosted by the publisher. The professor may also
send you email updates requiring that you visit selected web sites as part of the participation portion of
the course.
Special Note: high-speed Internet connections are expected when sharing/using data via the Blackboard
course site.
Email Services. You must be proficient in sending and receiving email, including the use of
attachments.
Microsoft Office Professional 2010. You are expected to be competent in the use of Microsoft Office
Professional 2010/2013 and to have access to all its programs, either on your hard drive or on a network
server.
MS Project 2010: This software will be covered in the courses. Prior knowledge is expected although not
required.
Citrix – FSU’s virtual Office: You are expected to make sure Citrix works on your computer. MS Project
software is available on Citrix.
Communication with the Instructor and with Each Other
The best way to communicate with me is by phone, email or through Blackboard. Use email to ask questions
about the course and the assignments. You can also call me at the office but I have found that written
communication via email works best in this environment. The important thing is that we do communicate and if
you have any questions or problems, please let me know as soon as possible so that we can find a solution.
Note: Email ID Requirements: Due to increasingly serious virus threats, I do not open most emails. When you
send me an email, your subject line MUST contain the following information: Course Number, Section Number,
Your Name, and Reason for message.
Example: “CPM 630-D1, Bob Jones, Question on Chapter 1 Reading”.
If your subject line does not follow the correct format, your email will be deleted UNREAD.
In addition to email, Blackboard has a number of features for communicating with the other students in this class.
You should become familiar with the chat room and discussion board features of Blackboard. Discussion board
can be used not only for class discussions but also for sharing information and experiences.
5.
Online office hours
Office hours will be held every Friday for this course (in accordance with FSU policy). I will be available
during the time mentioned on the first page. If you need to speak with me at other times, you need to email
me or make an appointment to meet me. The office hours are subject to change; all changes will be
announced ahead of time.
6.
Homework Assignments
Homework assignments MUST be done individually. Assignments consist of case analysis and problem solving.
Your answers MUST be typed and formatted properly using Microsoft Word using APA format (i.e. title page,
references, etc…). Each assignment must be submitted using the provided link before the due date. No late
submissions allowed. Due to the nature of this course, I cannot post all the assignments at the beginning of the
course.
For any grade that I post, you have THREE DAYS to review and send me your concerns (if any). After that no
change of grades will be possible. Therefore, you cannot wait till the last day of semester and ask me questions
about your grade in first homework. I normally post suggested solutions for assignments. You can compare your
answers with the posted solutions before sending notes to me.
7.
MS Project software:
MS Project 2010 is used as the major software for this course. Please note that several homework assignments
require the use of this software. It is important that you get familiar with the software. The textbook include a trial
version of this software. The software is also available in FSU Citrix server (http://fsuportal.uncfsu.edu). Make
sure you read the instructions and install the required components and test it. Contact ITTS if you experience any
problem. Please note that if you use Citrix, you can only work with your T: drive only. So if you want to have a
copy of the file in your computer, you can follow these steps: open the MS Outlook from Citrix, email the file as
an attachment to yourself (MS Outlook from Citrix will allow you to access the T: drive, open your email using
Webmail from the Internet, and download the file to your computer.
8.
Exam
Exam includes essay questions, problem solving, and case studies. You must take the examination on the date and
time scheduled. No make-up exams will be given unless under extenuating circumstances and prior instructor
approval is required. If you fail to submit an exam on time, you will receive a ZERO on the exam. EXAM WILL
NOT BE PROCTORED.
9.
How will your final grade be determined?
All of your true scores on each evaluation category will be entered on Blackboard/Grade book; and Blackboard
will automatically calculate your Weighted Total. At the end of the semester, your letter grade will be
determined only by the Weighted Total in accordance with the grading scale designated in section VI. Other
factors (current GPA, history of study, personal relationship, family and health situation, and technical difficulty)
will NOT be considered. Students MUST contact the instructor immediately for any help or notify him for any
potential difficulties BEFORE the final exam. Once the grade is posted, it is final.
10. Incomplete Policy
The "I" grade will be issued only for students who, because of some "good" reason, were unable to complete all
the requirements for this course. Written documentation of the reason is required. An "I" grade will not be issued
because a student is failing, or when it would require a student to complete a major portion of the requirements for
the course after the semester has ended.
11. Academic Dishonesty
Plagiarism and cheating are serious offenses and may be punished by failure on exam; failure in course; and/or
expulsion from the University. Plagiarism is a serious academic and business (legal) offense. Plagiarism is
considered theft of intellectual property. All students enrolled in FSU classes at all levels are responsible for
knowing what constitutes plagiarism. Whether by design or by accident, plagiarized content is unacceptable.
There are no explanatory circumstances. Please note that while any similarity score above 10% is high, similarity
scores should not go above 20% for this course. In this class TURNITIN software will be used to verify the
originality of your works.
Plagiarism occurs when
 students submit work that directly quotes or paraphrases the work of another, without specific citation of
the passages crediting the creator of the work
 students combine the works of another with their own original effort, including comments on those
passages, without specific citation of the passages crediting the creator of the work
 students include a list of references at the end of an assignment but do not indicate which words or
passages specifically (by use of quotation marks) are from those sources and which words or passages
are original work
X.
Teaching Strategies
This is a Web-based course using Blackboard (http://blackboard.uncfsu.edu/). All class announcements and class materials
such as syllabus, handouts, presentations, instructions, practice questions, and will be available on Blackboard. Please
check Blackboard every day to update your information. Weekly class discussions will be done through the discussion
board. In addition, tests and quizzes will also be given online. Students are required to submit your assignment as
instructed. Finally, the grade book posts all student grades associated with tests and assignments. You should use the
Blackboard grade book to know how you do with this course.
The emphasis in this course is on various tools and techniques of project management which help students prepare for PMP
exam. Students will also learn how use MS Project software. These experiences will be very helpful for their future career.
The format of the class will include lectures, videos, class discussions, term projects, case studies, and exams.
XI.
Bibliography
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8.
Information Technology Project Management (with Microsoft Project 2010 60 Day Trial CD-ROM) by Kathy
Schwalbe (Jan 1, 2013), ISBN: 978-1133526858
Project Management: Achieving Competitive Advantage (3rd Edition) by Jeffery K. Pinto (Jul 19, 2012), ISBN:
978-0132664158
Project Management in Practice by Samuel J. Mantel Jr., Jack R. Meredith, Scott M. Shafer and Margaret M.
Sutton (Oct 26, 2010). ISBN: 978-0470533017
Project Management: The Managerial Process by Erik W. Larson and Clifford F Gray (Apr 9, 2010),
ISBN: 978-0077426927.
Project Management: A Systems Approach to Planning, Scheduling, and Controlling by Harold R. Kerzner (Feb
18, 2013), ISBN: 978-1118022276.
Project Managers Portable Handbook, Third Edition (Project Book Series) by David Cleland and Lewis Ireland
(Jul 13, 2010), ISBN: 978-0071741057
PMP Project Management Professional Study Guide, Fourth Edition (Certification Press) by Joseph Phillips (Jun
25, 2013), ISBM: 978-0071775915
PMP: Project Management Professional Exam Study Guide by Kim Heldman (Jul 1, 2013),
ISBN: 978-1118531822.