Texts: Project Management: The Managerial Process, 5th edition (2011), Erik Larson and Clifford Gray, McGraw-Hill Irwin. Great Boss, Dead Boss (2003), Ray Immelman, Steward Phillip International. Critical Chain (1997), Eliyahu M.Goldratt, The North River Press.
Course description:
Every organization that exists is involved in projects. Projects may be innovations that proceed from ideas to commercialization. Projects may involve improvements to existing products or services. Projects may entail the implementation of technology that makes organizations better, stronger, and more efficient. All these and more, are examples of projects. Because there are so many potential projects, project management is vitally important.
This course covers ideas and issues that are important to effective project management. This includes how projects should relate to overall organizational strategy. We will consider project planning, budgeting, scheduling, evaluation, auditing, and the role of the project manager. We will study methodologies for monitoring and controlling projects, risk analysis, and resource allocation. We will look at both single project and multi-project environments. We will use Microsoft Project® to structure, monitor, and update projects. [This course should also help students prepare for the Certified Associate in Project Management (CAPM) and Project Management Professional (PMP) certification exams.]
Homework assignments:
Homework assignments will be made as we go through the semester. See tentative course schedule for assignments and dates. You are encouraged to work on these assignments in group of 2 students. All assignments are due at the beginning of class on their due dates. I will accept assignments up to a week late with the possibility of half credit, maximum. Any assignments turned in over a week late will receive no credit.
Exams: There will be 3 in-class exams plus a final exam
Attendance Policy:
You must be in class to understand the material covered and to perform well on assignments and on exams. I typically take attendance at the beginning of each class period. I will follow Baylor University policy which allows a maximum of 7 absences (excused and unexcused) in Tuesday/Thursday classes before an automatic “F” is assigned. To receive full attendance credit, you must be present for the entire class. If you are late to class or leave early, you will receive half credit – i.e., it counts as half an absence. If you come into class after I have taken the roll, it is your responsibility to tell me after class that you came in late. If you do not, you will be charged with a full absence.
Sometimes, at the end of a semester, a student may find that they are a tiny bit below the next grade (1 percentage point or less). I always review such cases and reserve the right to raise a student’s grade if that student has exhibited consistent and timely attendance and/or outstanding class participation. This is solely at my discretion and non-negotiable. If you have any extenuating circumstances during the semester that affect your class attendance (such as participating in University events, serious illness, etc.) please let me know when these occur, not at the end of the semester.
Course Components:
Component
Points Available
Percentage
Homework
200
33.33
3 Exams
300
50.00
Final
100 16.67
Total
600
100
