PJM500: Project Management Credit Hours: 3 Contact Hours: This is a 3-credit course, offered in accelerated format. This means that 16 weeks of material is covered in 8 weeks. The exact number of hours per week that you can expect to spend on each course will vary based upon the weekly coursework, as well as your study style and preferences. You should plan to spend 14-20 hours per week in each course reading material, interacting on the discussion boards, writing papers, completing projects, and doing research. Course Description and Outcomes Course Description: This course introduces the tasks and challenges fundamental to project management. Topics include how to manage teams, schedules, risks, and resources in order to produce a desired outcome. Case studies are incorporated into the course, allowing students to apply knowledge and skills associated with selecting, managing, organizing, planning, negotiating, budgeting, scheduling, controlling, and terminating a project. Course Overview: Project managers use a methodized and integrated approach in managing projects to ensure project success and help their organizations meet their strategic objectives. The purpose of this advanced graduate level course is to provide the student with a high-level overview of project management. Each week the student will consider how the principal components of the module could be implemented and utilized in a project management system for a large-scale organization. Case studies are used in the course as a primary method to allow students to apply knowledge of project management principles and their application within the context of the real world. The focus of this course is to help the student understand an effective project management approach by learning the roles, responsibilities, and activities of a project manager in planning, monitoring, controlling, and terminating projects. Students will study project planning and organization, project life cycles, project management strategies, and how to promote excellence in project management practices. In addition, this course reviews the fundamental principles of project selection methods, assessment of company resources, prioritizing projects, and program management principles for managing a portfolio of projects. The course gives the student a process for the evaluation of project management software programs and an understanding of the role of information technology in project management. Additional topics include project manager competencies, ethical standards, and global business policies. This course is designed to help students develop hard knowledge and skills to work successfully in a project environment and to accomplish project and organizational objectives. Course Learning Outcomes: 1. Synthesize and evaluate project concepts, factors, and life cycle issues. 2. Synthesize and evaluate various criteria used for project selection.
3. Synthesize and evaluate the methods of planning and scheduling a project s activities, budget, and nonfinancial resources. 4. Synthesize and evaluate methods of monitoring and controlling parameters including recovery plans and personnel issues. 5. Synthesize and evaluate methods used to audit and terminate projects. 6. Evaluate, assess, and utilize project software to manage projects. 7. Develop knowledge and understanding of the primary traits and factors associated with successful leaders from a performance perspective through the use of leadership inventories and assessments. 8. Analyze the implications of managing projects in an international setting using best practices and trends via case studies following ethical principles. Participation & Attendance Prompt and consistent attendance in your online courses is essential for your success at CSU-Global Campus. Failure to verify your attendance within the first 7 days of this course may result in your withdrawal. If for some reason you would like to drop a course, please contact your advisor. Online classes have deadlines, assignments, and participation requirements just like on-campus classes. Budget your time carefully and keep an open line of communication with your instructor. If you are having technical problems, problems with your assignments, or other problems that are impeding your progress, let your instructor know as soon as possible. Course Materials Textbook Information is located in the CSU-Global Booklist on the Student Portal. Course Schedule Due Dates The Academic Week at CSU-Global begins on Monday and ends the following Sunday. Discussion Boards: The original post must be completed by Thursday at 11:59 p.m. MT and Peer Responses posted by Sunday 11:59 p.m. MT. Late posts may not be awarded points. Critical Thinking: Assignments are due Sunday at 11:59 p.m. MT. Week # Readings Assignments 1 2 Chapters 1, 3, & 4 in Case Studies in Project, Program, and Organizational Project Management Chapter sections 1.3, 2, 3, & Annex A1 in A Guide to the Project Management Body of Knowledge (PMBOK Guide) Chapters 5, 12, 13, & 14 in Case Studies in Project, Program, and Organizational Project Management Chapter sections 1.2, 1.4, 1.6, & 2.2 in A Guide to the Critical Thinking (75 points)
3 4 5 6 7 8 Assignment Details Project Management Body of Knowledge (PMBOK Guide) Chapters 6, 7, & 15 in Case Studies in Project, Program, and Organizational Project Management Chapter sections 4.2, 5.1-5, 6.1-6, 7.1-3, & 12.1 in A Guide to the Project Management Body of Knowledge (PMBOK Guide) Chapters 2, 9, 10, & 23 in Case Studies in Project, Program, and Organizational Project Management Chapter 10 and sections 1.4., 2.2, 3.8, & 9.4 in A Guide to the Project Management Body of Knowledge (PMBOK Guide) Chapters 11, 16, 17, & 20 in Case Studies in Project, Program, and Organizational Project Management Chapter 11 and sections 4.4-5, 5.6, 6.7, & 7.4 in A Guide to the Project Management Body of Knowledge (PMBOK Guide) Chapters 8 & 18 in Case Studies in Project, Program, and Organizational Project Management Chapter 8 and sections 3.7 & 4.6 in A Guide to the Project Management Body of Knowledge (PMBOK Guide) Chapters 19, 22, & 24 in Case Studies in Project, Program, and Organizational Project Management Chapter sections 3.8, 4.2, & 10.2 in A Guide to the Project Management Body of Knowledge (PMBOK Guide) Chapter 21 in Case Studies in Project, Program, and Organizational Project Management Chapter sections 1.7 & 10.2 in A Guide to the Project Management Body of Knowledge (PMBOK Guide) Project Management Institute, Inc. (n.d.). Code of ethics & professional conduct. Author. Retrieved from http://www.pmi.org/about-us/ethics/code-of- Ethics.aspx This course includes the following assignments/projects: Module 2 Critical Thinking (100 points) Critical Thinking (100 points) Critical Thinking (75 points) Portfolio Milestone (35 points) Critical Thinking (100 points) Portfolio (315 points) CRITICAL THINKING ASSIGNMENT (75 points) Option #1: Case Study Process: Project Scope
Module 3 The purpose of this assignment is to help you to understand how to analyze and produce a report on a case study. First, read the 5-step process on How to Analyze a Case Study found on the following Pearson website: http://wps.prenhall.com/bp_laudon_essmis_6/21/5555/1422312.cw/content/index.html Next, read the case study: Project Anatomy on pp. 92-98 of your textbook, Case Studies in Project, Program, and Organizational Project Management. Apply the 5-step case study analysis process from the Pearson website and write a 2- to 3-page case study report. Be sure to address the organization s environment, the organization s stakeholders, and the strategic options. Relate your analysis to the questions listed at the end of the case and justify your conclusions with references to the case. Your case study report should meet the following requirements: Your complete report should be 2-3 pages long. Format your paper per the CSU-Global Guide to Writing and APA. Cite at least three current scholarly resources, available from the CSU-Global library, to support your Option #2: Case Study Process: Program Theme The purpose of this assignment is to help you to understand how to analyze and produce a report on a case study. First, read the 5-step process on How to Analyze a Case Study found on the following Pearson website: http://wps.prenhall.com/bp_laudon_essmis_6/21/5555/1422312.cw/content/index.html Next, read the case study: The Bounding Box Boxes you on pp. 261-267 of your textbook, Case Studies in Project, Program, and Organizational Project Management. Apply the 5-step case study analysis process from the Pearson website and write a 2- to 3-page case study report. Be sure to address the environment at Megatronic, the organization s stakeholders, and strategic options. Relate your analysis to the questions listed at the end of the case and justify your conclusions with references to the case. Your case study report should meet the following requirements: Your complete report should be 2-3 pages long. Format your paper per the CSU-Global Guide to Writing and APA. Cite at least three current scholarly resources, available from the CSU-Global library, to support your CRITICAL THINKING ASSIGNMENT (100 points) Option #1: Sequencing The purpose of this assignment is to help you to understand the project management task of scheduling resources. Read the case study Sequencing on pp. 114-120 of your textbook, Case Studies in Project, Program, and Organizational Project Management. Then answer the four discussion questions that follow the case, applying current, relevant theory. Additionally, develop and include a high-level Work Breakdown Structure (WBS) and project network plan based on the case study. Your responses to the questions should meet the following requirements: Your complete response should be 3-4 pages long. Format your paper per the CSU-Global Guide to Writing and APA.
Module 4 Cite at least three current scholarly resources, available from the CSU-Global library, to support your Option #2: No Bottom-up Estimate, No Job The purpose of this assignment is to help you to understand the project management task of scheduling resources. Read the case study No Bottom-up Estimate, No Job on pp. 155-157 of your textbook, Case Studies in Project, Program, and Organizational Project Management. Then answer the two discussion questions that follow the case, applying current, relevant theory. Additionally, develop and include a high-level Work Breakdown Structure (WBS) incorporating at least one external dependency and a bottom-up estimate for the creation of a simple software application. Defend the basis for your estimate. Your responses to the questions and bottom-up estimate explanation should meet the following requirements: Your complete response should be 3-4 pages long. Format your paper per the CSU-Global Guide to Writing and APA. Cite at least three current scholarly resources, available from the CSU-Global library, to support your CRITICAL THINKING ASSIGNMENT (100 points) Option #1: Project Management Culture The purpose of this assignment is for you to understand and synthesize key project deliverables for the project manager in establishing a project management culture. The case addresses project team structures, project communication, risk, monitoring and controlling, key metrics, and personnel issues. Read the case study What Helps Us Come This Far on pp. 469-474 of your textbook, Case Studies in Project, Program, and Organizational Project Management. Then, answer the four discussion questions that follow the case, applying current, relevant theory. When composing your responses you should focus on processes to develop a project culture. Your responses to the questions should meet the following requirements: Your complete response should be 3-4 pages long. Format your paper per the CSU-Global Guide to Writing and APA. Cite at least three current scholarly resources, available from the CSU-Global library, to support your Option #2: Project Management Communications The purpose of this assignment is for you to understand and synthesize key project deliverables for the project manager in establishing and facilitating project communications management plan. The case addresses organizational structures, project communication, risks, monitoring and controlling processes, key metrics, and stakeholder (including personnel) issues. Read the case study Improving Public Health Care Informatics on pp. 217-222 of your textbook, Case Studies in Project, Program, and Organizational Project Management. Then, answer the three discussion questions that follow the case, applying current, relevant theory. When composing your responses, you should focus on project communications management tools and techniques used to develop a communications management plan.
Module 5 Your responses to the questions should meet the following requirements: Your complete response should be 3-4 pages long. Format your paper per the CSU-Global Guide to Writing and APA. Cite at least three current scholarly resources, available from the CSU-Global library, to support your CRITICAL THINKING ASSIGNMENT (75 points) Option #1: Earned Value Analysis Template The purpose of this assignment is to help you to understand how to measure a project's progress at any given point in time, forecasting its completion date and final cost, and analyzing variances in the schedule and budget as the project proceeds by developing an Earned Value Analysis (EVA) template. Review the following website: http://www.projectmanagementguru.com/eva.html Research the necessary components for an Earned Value Analysis using the textbook and the internet. Using the components you identified, create an Earned Value Analysis template that can be used by a company. The template should include inputs for analyzing variances for determining earned value and analyzing variances. After completing the template, write an essay that explains the components of the template and describe how a project manager can use the earned value analysis. Include a discussion about the importance to an organization of using an Earned Value Analysis. Both your template and your essay must be combined into a single MS Word document for submission. Your essay should meet the following requirements: Your complete essay should be 2-3 pages long. Format your paper per the CSU-Global Guide to Writing and APA. Cite at least three current scholarly resources, available from the CSU-Global library, to support your Include a title and a reference page. Your template should be included as an appendix to your essay; both parts must be submitted together in one MS Word document. Option #2: Earned Value Analysis Template Case Study The purpose of this assignment is to help you to understand the application of Earned Value Analysis (EVA) for project management monitoring and control. Read the case study That Which Is Not Earned Is Never Valued on pp. 324-326 of your textbook, Case Studies in Project, Program, and Organizational Project Management. Then answer the four discussion questions that follow the case, applying current, relevant theory. Additionally, forecast the estimate at completion (EAC) on January 25 th given the EV = 4,750, AC = 6,000, and the PV was 8,000. Your responses to the questions and EVA forecast discussion should meet the following requirements: Your complete response and discussion should be 2-3 pages long. Format your paper per the CSU-Global Guide to Writing and APA. Cite at least three current scholarly resources, available from the CSU-Global library, to support your Include a title and a reference page that includes at least three references to support your thinking; one of the sources may be your textbook.
PORTFOLIO PROJECT MILESTONE (35 points) Option #1: Project Management Best Practices: Proposal Recommendation Note: A work-in-process outline of your Portfolio Project is due this week. Having committed to the Portfolio Project option one, continue to work on and expand the outline for your proposal recommendation project. Incorporate into your high-level Portfolio Project proposal recommendation outline the key element bullet items related to the project monitoring, controlling, and risk management. Continue to conduct scholarly research on project management concepts and factors that relate to the topics covered in the first five modules, and consider how you are going to apply those concepts to your proposal recommendation. Add citation references supporting your key element items to the Portfolio Project reference list. Include a title page, an introduction, and an outline including items related to: o Project Selection o Prioritizing Projects o Project Organization o Program Management o Planning and Scheduling o Estimating Cost o Monitoring and Controlling o Communication, Metrics, and Project Updates o Risk Management Develop a reference page that includes at least three references. Option #2: Project Management Best Practices: Implementation Plan Note: A work-in-process outline of your Portfolio Project is due this week. Having committed to the Portfolio Project option one, continue to work on and expand the outline for your implementation plan project. Incorporate into your high-level Portfolio Project proposal recommendation outline the key element bullet items related to the project monitoring, controlling, and risk management. Continue to conduct scholarly research on project management concepts and factors that relate to the topics covered in the first five modules, and consider how you are going to apply those concepts to your implementation plan. Add citation references supporting your key element items to the Portfolio Project reference list. Include a title page, an introduction, and an outline including items related to: o Project Selection o Prioritizing Projects o Project Organization o Program Management o Planning and Scheduling o Estimating Cost o Monitoring and Controlling o Communication, Metrics, and Project Updates o Risk Management Develop a reference page that includes at least three references. Module 6
Module 8 CRITICAL THINKING ASSIGNMENT (100 points) Option #1: Quality Management The purpose of this assignment is to help you understand and synthesize quality management processes as they relate to project management. Review the following website: http://www.epmbook.com/quality.htm Research quality management processes and systems. Explain and describe how quality management can be incorporated into the project management processes for monitoring, controlling, and auditing processes. Relating the specific quality methods research, you should include a discussion about the essential aspects required in an effective quality management system. Use relevant examples from your workplace or from your research to highlight the importance of implementing quality standards. Your essay should meet the following requirements: Your complete essay should be 3-4 pages long. Format your paper per the CSU-Global Guide to Writing and APA. Cite at least three current scholarly resources, available from the CSU-Global library, to support your Include a title and a reference page. Option #2: Project Management Finishing Well The purpose of this assignment is to help you understand and synthesize project closing processes as they relate to project management. The case addresses program management, project quality, and project closing considerations and issues. Read the case study American Shogun on pp. 341-347 of your textbook, Case Studies in Project, Program, and Organizational Project Management. Then, answer the three discussion questions that follow the case, applying current, relevant theory. When composing your responses you should focus on best practices to facilitate project closure for optimal project outcomes. Your essay should meet the following requirements: Your complete essay should be 3-4 pages long. Format your paper per the CSU-Global Guide to Writing and APA. Cite at least three current scholarly resources, available from the CSU-Global library, to support your Include a title and a reference page. PORTFOLIO PROJECT (315 points) Option #1: Project Management Best Practices: Proposal Recommendation The purpose of the Portfolio Project is to synthesize current research in project management and make recommendations for how the knowledge can be applied in an organization. The Final Project is structured to help
you demonstrate an understanding of the course material, as well as the implications of new knowledge gained from outside research. For your Portfolio Project, read the case study Let s Go All the Way on pp. 483-492 of your textbook, Case Studies in Project, Program, and Organizational Project Management. Based on the case study, you will write a proposal recommendation supported by key aspects of your analysis of the Global Infrastructure Group (GIG) situation. When writing the proposal, assume the role of a highly regarded project management consultant hired to review, analyze, and advise GIG on the necessary requirements for a comprehensive project management system that can be used in a global organization that develops small-, medium-, and large-scale projects. Your proposal should address the following key elements: Discuss the principal components of a project management system for a large-scale global organization. At a minimum, your discussion should include: o Project Selection o Prioritizing Projects o Project Organization o Program Management o Planning and Scheduling o Estimating Cost o Monitoring and Controlling o Communication, Metrics, and Project Updates o Risk Management o Role of Information Technology Summarize your recommendations for how Global Infrastructure Group can use project management principles to meet their goal of improving efficiency and empowering management to make better and informed decisions through the use of processes, tools, and standards in completing projects. Justify how an effective project management system contributes to organizational effectiveness while achieving global competitive advantage. Discuss the optimal role and level of involvement the project management office should have in managing small-, medium-, and large-scale projects across the organization. Finally, present your strategy on how GIG can share best practices across the international organization. Your essay should meet the following requirements: Your well-written and properly written proposal paper should be 12-15 pages in length. Format your paper per the CSU-Global Guide to Writing and APA. Cite at least six current scholarly resources, available from the CSU-Global library, to support your Include a title page and a reference page. Option #2: Project Management Best Practices: Implementation Plan The purpose of the Portfolio Project is to synthesize current research in project management and illustrate how the knowledge can be applied in an organization. The Final Project is structured to help you demonstrate an understanding of the course material as well as the implications of new knowledge gained from outside research. For your Portfolio Project, read the case study Let s Go All the Way on pp. 483-492 of your textbook, Case Studies in Project, Program, and Organizational Project Management. Based on the case study, you will produce a multi-media implementation plan presentation supported by key aspects of your analysis of the Global Infrastructure Group (GIG) situation. When producing the implementation plan presentation, assume the role of a highly regarded project management consultant hired by GIG to oversee the implementation of a comprehensive project management system that can be used in a global organization that develops small-, medium-, and largescale projects. Your implementation plan presentation should address the following key elements: Discuss the principal components of a project management system for a large-scale global organization. At a minimum, your discussion should include:
o Project Selection o Prioritizing Projects o Project Organization o Program Management o Planning and Scheduling o Estimating Cost o Monitoring and Controlling o Communication, Metrics, and Project Updates o Risk Management o Role of Information Technology Summarize how your implementation plan for the Global Infrastructure Group uses project management principles to improve efficiency and empower management to make better and informed decisions through the use of processes, tools, and standards in completing projects. Justify how an effective project management system contributes to organizational effectiveness while achieving global competitive advantage. Describe the optimal role and level of involvement the project management office should have in managing small-, medium-, and large-scale projects across the organization. Finally, present your implementation strategy on how GIG can share best practices across the international organization. Your implementation plan presentation should meet the following requirements: Your well-structured implementation plan presentation should be 10-15 minutes in duration and incorporate presentation software, such as PowerPoint or Prezi, to help create graphics and talking points for your audience. Format your presentation per the CSU-Global Guide to Writing and APA. Cite at least six current scholarly resources, available from the CSU-Global library, to support your Include a title page and a reference page. Course Policies Course Grading Grading Scale and Policies A 95.0 100 20% Discussion Participation A- 90.0 94.9 45% Critical Thinking Assignments 35% Final Portfolio Paper B+ 86.7 89.9 B 83.3 86.6 B- 80.0 83.2 C+ 75.0 79.9 C 70.0 74.9 D 60.0 69.9 F 59.9 or below In-Classroom Policies For information on late work and incomplete grade policies, please refer to our In-Classroom Student Policies and Guidelines or the Academic Catalog for comprehensive documentation of CSU-Global institutional policies. Integrity Academic
Students must assume responsibility for maintaining honesty in all work submitted for credit and in any other work designated by the instructor of the course. Academic dishonesty includes cheating, fabrication, facilitating academic dishonesty, plagiarism, reusing /re-purposing your own work (see CSU-Global Guide to Writing and APA Requirements for percentage of repurposed work that can be used in an assignment), unauthorized possession of academic materials, and unauthorized collaboration. The CSU-Global Library provides information on how students can avoid plagiarism by understanding what it is and how to use the Library and Internet resources. Citing Sources with APA Style All students are expected to follow the CSU-Global Guide to Writing and APA Requirements when citing in APA (based on the APA Style Manual, 6th edition) for all assignments. For details on CSU-Global APA style, please review the APA resources within the CSU-Global Library under the APA Guide & Resources link. A link to this document should also be provided within most assignment descriptions on your course s Assignments page. Disability Services Statement CSU Global is committed to providing reasonable accommodations for all persons with disabilities. Any student with a documented disability requesting academic accommodations should contact the Disability Resource Coordinator at 720-279-0650 and/or email ada@csuglobal.edu for additional information to coordinate reasonable accommodations for students with documented disabilities. Netiquette Respect the diversity of opinions among the instructor and classmates and engage with them in a courteous, respectful, and professional manner. All posts and classroom communication must be conducted in accordance with the student code of conduct. Think before you push the Send button. Did you say just what you meant? How will the person on the other end read the words? Maintain an environment free of harassment, stalking, threats, abuse, insults or humiliation toward the instructor and classmates. This includes, but is not limited to, demeaning written or oral comments of an ethnic, religious, age, disability, sexist (or sexual orientation), or racist nature; and the unwanted sexual advances or intimidations by email, or on discussion boards and other postings within or connected to the online classroom. If you have concerns about something that has been said, please let your instructor know.