MGT 609 Project Management Fundamentals



Course Catalog Description

Introduction

The purpose of this course is to introduce students to the world of projects and to the real life struggles and challenges that project managers face. The course focuses on the day-today, hands-on problems of managing a project, which is defined as a temporary organization within a permanent organization set up to achieve a specific objective. It will broadly cover the operational and conceptual issues faced by modern project managers. At the end of this course, students should be able to develop, execute and control a basic project plan capable of supporting business objectives linked to measures of success for a single project.

Campus Fall Spring Summer
On Campus X X
Web Campus X X

Instructors

Professor Email Office
Thomas Lechler tlechler@stevens.edu Babbio Center 636
Robert Zotti rzotti@stevens.edu Altorfer 518
Donna Chlopak dchlopak@stevens.edu
Tal Ben-Zvi tbenzvi@stevens.edu Babbio Center 416

More Information

Course Description

The purpose of this course is to introduce students to the world of projects and to projects real-life struggles and challenges. The course will focus on the day-to-day, hands-on problems of managing a project, which is defined as a temporary organization within a permanent organization set up to achieve a specific objective. It will broadly cover the operational and conceptual issues faced by modern project managers. At the end of this course, students should be able to develop, execute, and control a basic project plan capable of supporting business objectives linked to measures of success for a single project.


Course Outcomes

After completing this course, students will be able to:

  • Develop a comprehensive project plan to create business value for the project's stakeholders
  • Create a project charter
  • Develop a work breakdown structure
  • Create a project schedule
  • Understand Earned Value concepts
  • Understand the basic values and principles of managing projects using PMBOK® standards.

COURSE FORMAT AND STRUCTURE

Course Logistics

You should expect to spend the same amount of study time for this course as you would a traditional classroom-based course. The week begins on Tuesday and all assignments for that week are due by Monday the next week at midnight, Eastern Standard Time. Deadlines are an unavoidable part of being a professional, and this course is no exception. Course requirements must be completed and posted or submitted on or before the specified due date and delivery time deadline. Due dates and delivery time deadlines are in Eastern Time (as used in Hoboken, NJ).

  • Assignments received 1-6 days late will have 20% of the total points deducted; assignments received more than one week late will receive 0 points.
  • An assignment file should be appended by your username, such as "assignment1_kim53.doc". This makes it easier for me to manage assignment files you download to my computer.

Online Etiquette Guidelines

Indicate course netiquette “do's and don'ts” to further underscore the importance of harmony and respect within the online learning environment.
Example:
Your instructor and fellow students wish to foster a safe online learning environment. No matter how different or controversial they may be perceived, all opinions and experiences must be respected in the tolerant spirit of academic discourse. You are encouraged to comment, question, or critique an idea, but you cannot attack an individual. Our differences, some of which are outlined in the University's inclusion statement below, will add richness to this learning experience. Please consider that sarcasm and humor can be misconstrued in online interactions and generate unintended disruptions. Working as a community of learners, we can build a polite and respectful course ambiance. Please read the Netiquette rules for this course:

  • Do not dominate any discussion. Allow other students to join in the discussion.
  • Do not use offensive language. Present ideas appropriately.
  • Be cautious in using Internet language. For example, do not capitalize all letters since
  • This suggests shouting.
  • Avoid using vernacular and/or slang language as it could lead to misinterpretation.
  • Keep an "open-mind" and be willing to express even your minority opinion.
  • Think and edit before you push the "Send" button.
  • Do not hesitate to ask for feedback.

Course Resources

Textbooks

  • Gido, Clements, & Baker, Successful Project Management, 7th Edition Publisher: Cengage (2017) ISBN: 9781337095471
  • A Guide to the Project Management Body of Knowledge, 7th Edition by the Project Management Institute (PMI). ISBN-13: 978-1628256642; ISBN-10: 1628256648

Grading

Grading Policies

The final course grade will be based on the following:

Homework (Complete or Incomplete) 0%
Class Participation (class attendance 10% & discussions 15%) 25%
Quizzes 10%
Midterm 20%
Final Exam 20%
Group Project 25%

Lecture Outline

Module Topic(s) Readings & Videos Activities
0 Orientation Introductory posting update Canvas profiles Discussion 0 posting
1 Project Management Concepts: An overview Gido, Chapter 1
PMBOK pages 4-5
PMBOK pages 23-24
PMI & PMBOK videos
Introductory posting
update Canvas profiles
Discussion 1 posting
Quiz 1
2 Selecting Projects Gido, Chapter 2
Video: Creating a Project Charter
Web Article: Project Selection Methods: A Primer for the Project Manager
Discussion 2 posting
Select project teams Quiz 2
3 Scope Management - Quality and Work Breakdown Structure Gido, Chapter 4 (part 1)
Web Article: Project management for a sustainable model for education in Congo (WBS)
Supplemental WBS reading: DOE's Earned Value Management Tutorial
Video: Creating a 5-level WBS
Team Project Proposal
Discussion 3, 3A postings
4 Scope Management - Sequencing Activities Gido, Chapter 4 (part 2) Video: Project Scheduling Homework 1: Team Project Description, Mission, Objectives & Success Criteria
Discussion 4 posting
Quiz 3&4
5 Scheduling & the Network Diagram Gido, Chapter 5 (part 1)
Video: What is Agile?
Discussion 5 posting
Anonymous Survey
6 Critical Path Method Gido, Chapter 5 (part 2)
Videos: Critical Path
Supplemental Article: Polaris System Development
Homework 2: Team Project - Work Breakdown Structure and Project Schedule
Discussion 6 posting
Quiz 5&6
7 Review Lecture
Ethics in Projects
Ethics Lecture
No new readings for this week
Discussion 7 posting on Ethics
8 Resource Utilization Gido, Chapter 6
Web Article: PM for Emergency Response
Videos: Constraints; Leveling; MS-Project examples
Homework 3: Team Project-Milestones & Resources
Discussion 8 posting
Quiz 8
9 Project Costing and Budgeting / Earned Value (part 1) Gido, Chapter 7 (part 1)
HBR Article: What's your Project's Real Pricetag?
Discussion 9 posting
10 Project Costing and Budgeting / Earned Value (part 2) Gido, Chapter 7 (part 2)
Video: Earned Value Management
Quiz 9&10
11 Managing Risk Gido, Chapter 8
Article: Turning Uncertainties into Business Opportunities
Video: Silver Lining Interview (Lechler)

Optional Readings:
  • Root Cause Analysis
  • Decision Trees/Oil & Gas
  • Black Swans
  • Discussion 11 posting Quiz 11
    12 Project Communications Gido, Chapter 12
    PMI Article: Project Status Meetings that Work
    Video/Reading: Conflict Resolution
    Discussion 12 posting
    Quiz 12
    13 Role of PM and Organization Gido, Chapter 13
    Article: Classic Failures
    Article: Classic Success?
    Overview of new PMBOK, 7th edition; Additional topic as time allows
    GROUP PROJECT DUE
    SUBMIT ONE PAPER PER TEAM VIA TURN-IT-IN
    ONE SET OF SLIDES
    Discussion 13 posting
    Quiz 13
    14 Team Presentations Presentations of the final group project