School of Management. MN3321 Project Management 2013/2014. Module Outline. Dr. Amany Elbanna Senior Lecturer in information systems

Transcription

1 School of Management MN3321 Project Management 2013/2014 Module Outline Dr. Amany Elbanna Senior Lecturer in information systems Office hours: Thursday 12-2 pm Please to attend office hours 1

2 Module Aims To consider critically the role of project management within organisations and its value in achieving organisational objectives. To provide a firm grounding in project management. To provide a firm grounding in the process of planning, scheduling, monitoring and controlling resources (physical, technological, human and others) for the achievement of a focussed objective. To consider the factors involved in promoting organisational change, and critically examine the problems of implementation. To utilise techniques for the monitoring and the control of projects. To improve cognitive skills, effective problem solving, effective communication, numerical and quantitative skills, effective use of tools, effective self-management, learning to learn, self awareness, effective team working, interpersonal and research skills. Learning outcomes By the end of this course students should be able to: Assess and evaluate the factors that lay behind successful project management techniques. Appreciate and be able to discuss the range of project management approaches. Analyse the impact of resource constraints on achieving project goals. Distinguish and describe the range of different techniques available in project management. Evaluate the effects of organisational issues on PM. Apply theoretical insights from their courses to managing effective projects. 2

3 MN3321 Module Schedule Autumn Term: Week: Lecture Title Workshops Week 1: 2/10/2013 Lecture Introduction No workshops Week 2: 9/10/2013 Lecture The Organizational Context: No workshops Strategy, Structure, and Culture Week 3: 16/10/2013 Lecture Project Selection & Portfolio Workshops (1) 17/10/2013 Workshops Management Week 4: 23/10/2013 Lecture Leadership and the Project Manager Workshops (2) 24/10/2013 Workshops Week 5: 30/10/2013 Lecture Scope Management Workshops (3) 31/10/2013 Workshops Week 6: 6/11/2013 Risk Management Workshops (4) 7/11/2013 Workshops Week 7: 13/11/2013 Lecture Cost Estimation and Budgeting Workshops (5) 14/11/2013 Workshops Week 8: 20/11/2013 Lecture 21/11/2013 Workshops Project Team Building, Conflict, and Negotiation Workshops (6) in CBT Lab Term (1) Revisions Week 9: 27/11/2013 Lecture 28/11/2013 In-Class Test (1) Revision Test in PC labs under exam conditions- chapters 1-8 of Pinto s Week 10: 5/12/2013 Lecture 3

4 Spring Term: Week: Lecture Title Workshops Week 1: 15/1/2014 Lecture Project Scheduling: Networks, Workshops (7) 16/1/2014 Workshops Duration estimation, and critical path Week 2: 22/1/2014 Lecture 23/1/2013 Workshops Week 3: 29/1/2014 Lecture 30/1/2014 Workshops Week 4: 5/2/2014 Lecture 6/2/2014 Workshops in CBT Lab Week 5: 12/2/2014 Lecture 13/2/2014 Workshops Week 6: 19/2/ /2/2014 Workshops Week 7: 26/2/2014 Lecture 27/2/2014 Workshops Week 8 : 5/3/3/2014 6/3/2014 In-Class Test (2) Week 9: 12/3/2014 Lecture 13/3/2014 Workshops Week 10: 19/3/ /3/2014 Workshops Project Scheduling: Lagging, Workshops (8) Crashing, and Activity Network External Speaker Workshops (9) Critical Chain Project Scheduling Workshops in CBT Lab (10) READING WEEK Workshops (11) Resource Management Workshops (12) Project Evaluation and Control Project Closeout and Termination Revision Revision Clinic Workshops (13) Revision Test in PC labs under exam conditions- chapters 9-13 of Pinto s Workshops in CBT lab Revision workshops 4

5 MN3321 Overview of Lectures and Workshops Autumn Term Lecture 1: Introduction In this lecture, we will discuss why project management became a powerful and popular practice in business and define the different facets of projects. We will also explain the purpose of project management maturity models, the process of bench marking, and the different aspects of project success. Initial Reading: Chapter 1 of Pinto s book There will be no workshop in this week Lecture 2: The organisational context: strategy, structure, and culture In this lecture we will discuss the link between project management and strategy. We will explain the concept of stakeholders, implications of organisational structure on projects, project management office, and impact of organisational culture. Initial Reading: Chapter 2 of Pinto s book Essential Reading: Atkinson 1999, Grant & Pennypacker 2006, Pennypacker & Grant 2003, and Kerzner All papers could be found on Moodle. There will be no workshop in this week Lecture 3: Project selection and portfolio management In this lecture, we will discuss the criteria for project screening and selection. We will explain and evaluate different qualitative and quantitative analytical techniques and models for 5

6 screening, selecting and evaluating projects. We will also discuss the challenges and success of portfolio management. Initial Reading: Chapter 3 of Pinto s book Essential Reading: Mian & Dai 1999, Huchzermeier, 2001 Workshop (1): project screening and selection -- you need to solve problems1-5 in p of Pinto s book in advance and bring them with you to the workshops. In the workshop, you will compare and explain results. Lecture 4: Leadership and the project manager In this lecture, we will discuss the role and impact of leadership on projects, the characteristics and traits of leadership, the principles that typify the new project leadership, and the implications of time orientation on project management. Initial Reading: Chapter 4 of Pinto s book Essential Reading: Pressman 1998, Muller & Turner 2007, Royer 2003 Workshop (2): project screening and selection you need to solve problems 6-15 in p of Pinto s book in advance and bring them with you to the workshops. In the workshop, you will compare and explain results. Lecture 5: Scope management In this lecture, we will discuss the importance of scope management for project success and construct a WBS for a project. We will examine the development of Responsibility Assignment Matrix and describe the roles of changes and configuration management in assessing project scope. Initial Reading: Chapter 5 of Pinto s book Essential Reading: Smith et al 2001, Keil et al

7 Workshop (3): we will discuss Case Study 3.2 in p.123 Pinto s book. You need to answer the discussion questions in advance. In the workshop, you will compare and explain results. Lecture 6: Risk Management In this lecture we will define project risk and explore the key stages in project risk management, approaches to risk identification, risk mitigation strategies. We will also explain the project risk analysis and management process. Initial Reading: Chapter 7 of Pinto s book Essential Reading: Jaafari 2001 Workshop (4): we will discuss Case Study 7.2 in p.241 Pinto s book. You need to answer the discussion questions in advance. In the workshop, you will present, explain and defend your chosen methods. Lecture 7: Cost Estimation and Budgeting In this lecture we will explore the various types of project costs and recognise the difference between various forms of costs. We will explain common forms of cost estimation and understand the advantages of parametric cost estimation and the application of learning curve models. We will also discuss and analyse different types of budgeting and the application of contingency funds. Initial Reading: Chapter 8 of Pinto s book Workshops (5): Cost estimation and budgeting. You need to solve problems1-7 in p.271 of Pinto s book in advance and bring them with you to the workshops. In the workshop, you will explain results and present how you achieved them. 7

8 Lecture 8: Project Team Building, Conflict, and Negotiation In this lecture, we will explore the steps involved in project team building, the characteristics of effective teams, and why teams fail. We will also learn the stages in the development of groups and describe how to achieve cross-functional cooperation in teams. The advantages and challenges of virtual project teams will be analysed and also the nature of conflict. We will evaluate response methods and discuss the importance of negotiation skills. Initial Reading: Chapter 6 of Pinto s book Essential Reading: Montoy-Weiss 2001, Lander et al 2004, Pinto et al 2009 Workshop (6): Revision. You need to revise the content of previous workshops in advance as will discuss some of the emerging issues and explore some questions. Lecture 9: Revision In this lecture, we will revise chapter 1-8 of Pinto s book in preparation for the in-class test. You need to read these chapters in advance to make the most of this session. There will be no workshop in this week In-class test, time and location will be announced on Moodle 8

9 MN3321 Overview of Lectures and Workshops Spring Term Lecture 11: Project Scheduling: Networks, Duration Estimation, and Critical Path In this lecture, we will explore and apply key scheduling terminology. We will develop an activity network using the Activity-on-Node technique and estimate activity duration using probability analysis and estimation technique. The critical path will be defined and practically identified through an exercise. The steps to reduce the critical path will be also introduced and discussed. Initial Reading: Chapter 9 of Pinto s book Workshops (7): Project Scheduling: Networks, Duration Estimation, and Critical Path. we will discuss problems 3, 4 and 7 in p of Pinto s book. You need to answer the questions in advance. In the workshop, you will present, explain and defend your answer. Lecture 12: Project Scheduling: Lagging, Crashing, and Activity Networks In this lecture, we will apply lag relationships to project activities. We will construct and learn to read Gantt charts. We will discuss ways and impact of crashing projects. We will also discuss the caveats you need to bear in mind as you develop project activity networks. Initial Reading: Chapter 10 of Pinto s book Workshops (8): Project Scheduling: Networks, Duration Estimation, and Critical Path. We will discuss problems 5-6 in p. 306 of Pinto s book. You need to answer the 9

10 questions in advance. In the workshop, you will present, explain and defend your answer. Lecture 13: External Speaker In this lecture, a guest speaker from the industry is invited to reflect on his/her own experience regarding different aspects of project management. The topics covered have been previously taught and the session is meant to provide more examples, case studies, and reflection on practical issues. Workshops (9): Project Scheduling: Lagging, Crashing, and Activity Networks. We will discuss problems 3 and 4 in p. 334 of Pinto s book. You need to answer the questions in advance. In the workshop, you will present, explain and defend your answer. Lecture 14: Critical Chain Project Scheduling In this lecture, we will discuss the Theory of Constraints and common cause and special cause variation in organisations. We will highlight and explain the three ways in which project teams inflate the amount of safety for all project tasks and the ways in which additional project task safety can be wasted. We will discuss the differences between critical path and critical chain project scheduling techniques and how critical chain methodology resolves project resources conflicts and also review the critiques of CCPM. Initial Reading: Chapter 11 of Pinto s book Essential Reading: Budd and Cooper 2005, Raz et al. 2003, Maylor 2001 Workshops (10): hands-on session to introduce you to Microsoft Project; one of the available software for project management. No advance preparation is needed, just print the handouts from Moodle and come to the CBT lab to try it for yourself! Lecture 15: READING WEEK: there is no lecture in this week to allow you time to study and practice the topics of previous weeks. 10

11 Workshops (11): this is an extra workshop. It is scheduled to allow you the opportunity to catch up with previous three workshops, revise, practice problem solving and ask questions. Lecture 16: Resource Management In this lecture, we will explore the different resource constraints that can affect a project. We will apply resource-loading techniques to project schedules and follow resource levelling to smooth resource requirements. We will also discuss the potential methods for resolving resources allocation challenges in a multiple-project setting. Initial Reading: Chapter 12 of Pinto s book Workshops (12): We will discuss problems 1-6 p of Pinto s book. You need to answer the questions in advance. In the workshop, you will present, explain and defend your answer. Lecture 17: Project Evaluation and Control In this lecture we will discuss the control cycle and key steps of a general project control model and the strengths and weaknesses of common project evaluation and control methods. We will also discuss the use of Earned Value Management and how to detect and return running away projects back on track. Initial Reading: Chapter 13 of Pinto s book Essential Reading: Keil and Mahring 2010 Workshops (13): Revision. You need to revise the content of previous workshops in advance as we will discuss some of the emerging issues and explore some questions. 11

12 Lecture 18: Project Closeout and Termination In this lecture we will distinguish the four main forms of project termination and highlight the steps of formal; project closeout. We will discuss the reasons behind early termination of projects and connect this with running away projects. We will also explore the challenges and components of a final project report. There will be no workshop in this week In-class test. Time and location are published on Moodle Lecture 19: Revision In this lecture, we will revise the curriculum and talk about your revision plans and strategy in preparation for the final exam. You need to read in advance to make the most of this session. Workshop: There will be workshops in this week in CBT lab to cover for the postponed workshop (10) Lecture 20: Revision Clinic There will be a revision workshop in this week 12