John Alexander

243-6619

Project Management has become an essential feature of our work world. This course will provide you with an understanding of both why projects must be managed and the basic skills you need to do so in a technology environment. As you may have observed, technical professionals must do much more these days than simply maintain hardware and software. This course will help you understand why that is and to help you begin to build these vital skills.

Course Goal: To learn to manage projects more effectively

Text: Verzuh, Eric. The Fast Forward MBA in Project Management. John Wiley & Sons, Inc. 1999.

Additional Readings from: [available at the above web address.]

Katzenback and Smith. The Wisdom of Teams. pp. tbd

Senge, The Fifth Discipline. pp. tbd.

Senge, The Fifth Discipline Fieldbook. pp. tbd

Requirements/Objectives:

1. Write and revise a 2-4 page report on a workplace issue
2. Make a 3-minute individual presentation
3. Develop a team project and presentation on industry-related issue
4. Actively participate in class discussions, team writing projects, etc.

Grading: Course is pass/fail. Students must complete all the above assigments to instructor's satisfaction.

Syllabus

1. Introduction to Project Management and Constraints

1. Defining the Project

• Activities: Fishbowl, Group Editing, Teams
• Handouts: see web page for assignments and announcements
• Due: Verzuh Part 2. 1^st draft, one-page memo.

1. Planning Process

• Activities: Team Project assignments; Initial planning.
• Handouts: see web page for assignments and announcements
• Due: Verzuh Part 3. Comment on at least one classmate's memo [as assigned] plus analysis of your own memo incorporating classmates' comments.

1. Controlling the Project

• Activities: In-class 3-minute presentations
• Handouts: see web page for assignments and announcements
• Due: Verzuh Part 4

1. Putting the Discipline to Work

• Activities: Analyzing your audience, progress reports
• Handouts: see web page for assignments and announcements
• Due: Verzuh Part 5. Comment on at least one classmate's presentation [as assigned] plus analysis of your own presentation incorporating classmates' comments.

1. Team Projects

• Activities: Presentations (Teams 1 & 2)
• Handouts: see web page for assignments and announcements
• Due: Presentations by Teams 1 & 2

1. Team Projects

• Activities: Presentations (Teams 3 & 4)
• Handouts: see web page for assignments and announcements
• Due: Presentations by Teams 3 & 4

1. Feedback and Lunge Forward

• Activities: reflection and analysis
• Handouts: see web page for assignments and announcements
• Due: Course evaluation