Project management enables organizations to optimize the use of scarce resources to accomplish strategic goals within a fixed timeframe.  The course covers the tools and methods available to manage large and small projects and programs from inception to completion.  The life cycle of projects and the relationship of people and resources at various project stages is discussed and students are introduced to the principles and practices for contracting and procurement and the role of the project manager in these processes.  They utilize this knowledge to develop a project plan that includes needs assessment, articulating rationales, specifying steps and processes, identifying resource needs, assigning roles and responsibilities, predicting costs and timelines, developing controls and pursuing risk mitigation, and articulating methods to monitor and evaluate effectiveness and fit to identified need.

Learning Objectives and Outcomes:

By the end of this course students will be able to:

1. Plan a project, demonstrating a working knowledge of the project management life-cycle phases.
2. Appraise the usefulness of planning, monitoring, and control techniques a means of achieving strategic goals.
3. Decide how to leverage project resources efficiently and effectively to achieve overall project goals.
4. Demonstrate collaboration skills by working and communicating in a project environment.

Course Schedule and Topics

This course will cover the following topics in eight learning sessions, with one Unit per week.

Week 1: Unit 1 – Introduction to Project Management

Week 2: Unit 2 – Initiation Phase

Week 3: Unit 3 – Project Planning: Part 1

Week 4: Unit 4 – Project Planning: Part 2

Week 5: Unit 5 – Project Planning: Part 3

Week 6: Unit 6 – Project Execution

Week 7: Unit 7 – Control

Week 8: Unit 8 – Closing and Project Success Factors

Learning Guide

The following is an outline of how this course will be conducted, with suggested best practices for students.

Unit 1: Introduction to Project Management

• Read the Learning Guide and Reading Assignments
• Participate in the Discussion Assignment (post, comment, and rate in the Discussion Forum)
• Complete and submit the Written Assignment

Unit 2: Initiation Phase

• Peer assess Unit 1 Written Assignment
• Read the Learning Guide and Reading Assignments
• Participate in the Discussion Assignment (post, comment, and rate in the Discussion Forum)
• Complete and submit the Written Assignment

Unit 3: Project Planning: Part 1

• Peer assess Unit 2 Written Assignment
• Read the Learning Guide and Reading Assignments
• Participate in the Discussion Assignment (post, comment, and rate in the Discussion Forum)
• Begin and participate in the Group Activity (Due in Unit 6)

Unit 4: Project Planning: Part 2

• Read the Learning Guide and Reading Assignments
• Participate in the Discussion Assignment (post, comment, and rate in the Discussion Forum)
• Continue to participate in the Group Activity (Due in Unit 6)

Unit 5: Project Planning: Part 3

• Read the Learning Guide and Reading Assignments
• Participate in the Discussion Assignment (post, comment, and rate in the Discussion Forum)
• Continue to participate in the Group Activity (Due in Unit 6)

Unit 6: Project Execution

• Read the Learning Guide and Reading Assignments
• Participate in the Discussion Assignment (post, comment, and rate in the Discussion Forum)
• Complete and submit the Written Assignment
• Submit the Group Project paper (each group member must submit a copy of the paper in the assignment area)

Unit 7: Control

• Peer assess Unit 6 Written Assignment
• Read the Learning Guide and Reading Assignments
• Participate in the Discussion Assignment (post, comment, and rate in the Discussion Forum)
• Complete and submit the Written Assignment
• Begin the Portfolio Assignment – Due in Unit 8

Unit 8: Closing and Project Success Factors

• Peer assess Unit 7 Written Assignment
• Read the Learning Guide and Reading Assignments
• Participate in the Discussion Assignment (post, comment, and rate in the Discussion Forum)
• Submit the Portfolio Assignment
• Complete and submit the anonymous Course Evaluation