PJM380: Project Management Tools 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 10-25 hours per week in each course reading material, interacting on the discussion boards, writing papers, completing projects, and doing research. Faculty Information Name: Phone: CSU-GC Email: Virtual Office Hours: Course Description and Outcomes This course will introduce you to the use of project management tools and software to plan, design, and facilitate effective organizing, execution, monitoring, and controlling of projects. While you could use a variety of software packages or combination of software, if you decide to work in the project management field you ll find that every major firm has its own home grown solution. The focus in this class will be on Microsoft Project. Case studies are used throughout this course because the goal is to give you as much of a real-world feel as is possible. In addition to learning best practices in project management, you will have the option to use either Microsoft Project or a combination of other MS Office tools to complete numerous assignments, culminating in the final portfolio project. Upon completion of this course, you should be able to plan and manage a project using appropriate software applications. Course Learning Outcomes: 1. Produce a project plan using a project management software package. 2. Demonstrate the ability to organize a project using a program management software package. 3. Explain how to monitor a project using a project management software package. 4. Describe how to control a project using a project management software package. 5. Define how to analyze a project using a project management software package. 6. Develop a level one, two, and three schedule for the project plan. 7. Develop and describe the benefits of a work-breakdown structure for the project.
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 Required: Pinto, J. K. (2012). Project management: Achieving the competitive advantage (3rd ed.). Upper Saddle River, NJ: Prentice Hall. ISBN:13: 9780132664158 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 12 midnight MT and Peer Responses posted by Sunday 12 midnight MT. Late posts may not be awarded points. Mastery Exercises: Students may access and retake mastery exercises through the last day of class until they achieve the scores they desire. Critical Thinking Activities: Assignments are due Sunday at 12 midnight MT. Week # Readings Assignments 1 2 3 Chapter 1 in Project Management: Achieving the HP Case Study Chapter 2 in Project Management: Achieving the Chapter 9 in Project Management: Achieving the Critical Thinking (60 points) Critical Thinking (60 points)
4 5 6 7 8 Chapter 10 in Project Management: Achieving the Chapter 7 in Project Management: Achieving the Chapter 5 in Project Management: Achieving the Chapter 11 in Project Management: Achieving the Chapter 13 in Project Management: Achieving the Mastery (20 points) Critical Thinking (60 points) Critical Thinking (85 points) Critical Thinking (85 points) Mastery (20 points) Portfolio (350 points) Assignment Details This course includes the following assignments/projects: Module 2 Critical Thinking: Panama Canal Expansion Program Case Study (60 Points) Read the Risk Planning and Management for the Panama Canal Expansion Program (Alcaron, Ashley, Hanity, Molenaar & Ungo, 2011) article (linked on the Week 2 Assignments page) and provide a two- to three-page article critique. In your writing: Analyze key concepts, ideas, and perspectives that appear in course readings. How are these relevant to your work? How will they impact your work as a PM? Make specific connections between course reading(s) and your personal/business experiences. How can this be applied in the workplace? Pose questions and identify concerns that will help you develop a deeper understanding of ideas embedded in the readings. For example, what strategies were overlooked, missing, incomplete or underdeveloped? How could the readings improve? Include page references. CSU-Global APA guidelines for APA formatting and style are required. Include a title and a reference page that includes at least two outside references (not including your textbook) to support your thinking. Additional articles as a reference are located in the files section of the course. Module 3 Critical Thinking: Network Diagramming (60 Points) Network diagramming is a logical, sequential process that requires you to consider the order in which activities should occur to schedule projects as efficiently as possible. All projects have predecessors (activities that must/should occur before the next step within a project plan can take place). Here s a document that shows you how to create a network diagram using Microsoft Project 2010. In the instructions below you will find directions for completing this assignment with Microsoft Word, in case you don t have access to Microsoft Project. Listed in the chart below are five major steps needed to build a prefabricated home.
Activity Predecessors Module 4 A Survey Site B Install Sewer and Storm Drainage A C Install Gas and Electric Power Lines A D Excavate Site for Spec House B, C E Pour Foundation D Chart 3.1 Building a House, Predecessors Your assignment is to: 1. Construct a network diagram for this project using MS Project or MS Word and the data on the chart above. Your diagram should include two logical sequential paths to completion and all nodes should be labeled. If you are using MS Word, you will need to use a combination of textboxes and arrows to create the network diagram. 2. Create an AON (Arrow on Node) network activity diagram illustrating the project activities with two paths to complete the project and a defined critical path. Again if you re using Word you will use textboxes and arrows to create an AON network activity diagram. 3. Explain your rationale for creating each path in the AON network activity diagram by using the notes feature in MS Project or in MS Word if that s where you created the diagrams. Your rationale should be at least 100 words and should demonstrate project management best practices (a forward path). Critical Thinking: A Gantt Chart Based Upon Project Variables (60 Points) You are considering whether or not to crash project activities to expedite your project. You have calculated the costs per activity for both normal and crashed options. Your assignment is two fold: create a Gantt chart based on the data in the table below and answer the questions that follow using the notes feature. Your writing must, as always, reflect CSU-Global APA requirements for style and spelling. Your Gantt chart should include all project activities, duration, and cost variables as well as a project title and date. You will address the questions below using the notes feature in Excel or Project. This assignment can be completed using either Microsoft Project or Excel. While Project does a lot of these tasks automatically, if you are using Excel you will need to develop the components separately. As such you would need to re-create the table below in Excel, then create a table that highlights the critical path. Afterwards create a table that highlights the critical paths you have prioritized as candidates for crashing and answer the following questions using the notes feature. Normal Crashed Activity Duration Costs Duration Costs A 6 Days $2,400 4 Days $3,600 B 7 Days $ 3,500 5 Days $5,000 C 5 Days $3,000 4 Days $3,800 D 3 Days $2,700 2 Days $4,500 E 4 Days $800 3 Days $1,500 F 5 Days $1,200 3 Days $2,100 G 8 Days $2,400 5 Days $4,200 H 3 Days $4,500 2 Days $7,000 Total Costs 20,500 31,700 Table 4.1
1. Which activities are the most likely candidates for crashing (i.e., which are the most cost-effective to crash) and why? 2. Using the critical path from this activity network, consider A C D F H as the critical path and assume all other paths are less than fully crashed. Prioritize the candidates for crashing. 3. How does the activity network change the decision rule? Module 5 Critical Thinking: de Havilland s Falling Comet Case Study (85 Points) Module 6 Module 8 Read the de Havilland s Falling Comet article and provide a two- to three-page article critique. In your article: Analyze key concepts, ideas, and perspectives that appear in course readings. How are these relevant to your work? How will they impact your work as a PM? Make specific connections between course reading(s) and your personal/business experiences. How can this be applied in the workplace? Pose questions and identify concerns that will help you develop a deeper understanding of ideas embedded in the readings. Such as, What strategies were overlooked, missing, incomplete or underdeveloped? How could the readings improve? Include page references that follow CSU-Global APA and writing guidelines. Include a title and a reference page that includes at least two outside references (not including your textbook) to support your thinking. The CSU- Global Library is a good place to find these references. Critical Thinking: The Ford Edsel Case Study(85 Points) The Ford Edsel is often used as a model for what can go wrong with a project. Read the case study and answer the questions found at the end. Develop a level 1, 2, 3 plan depicting how you would have planned and managed the project. Your plan should be 2-3 pages long in a Word document, include a statement of work (SOW), a responsibility assignment matrix (RAM), and a work flowchart. Your writing must, as always, reflect CSU-Global APA requirements. Portfolio Project: A Relocation Project: (350 Points) Your job at Shosheam Logistics located in Denver, Colorado requires you (and family) to move to Thailand in 6- months time. Part 1 Project Scheduling 1. Using MS Project develop a Gantt chart with the activities necessary to accomplish the move project and order the activities in a precedence (logical sequential) manner. 2. Explain and describe (in writing) the number of tasks/activities you have outlined and the order in which you have placed the tasks/activities for project completion. If you don t have access to MS Project, you will need to develop the pieces MS Project does automatically, independently as separate documents in MS Excel. Using MS Excel, create a Gantt chart by entering the project dates and events into a table Next create a bar chart depicting the events based on the Gantt chart that you created.
For assistance on creating a Gantt chart in excel visit the MS office help files online and search: Creating a Gant chart in MS Excel. You may also visit: http://office.microsoft.com/en-us/excelhelp/create-a-gantt-chart-in-excel-ha001034605.aspx Part 2 Monitor, Organize, Analyze 1. Develop an estimation chart showing each activity, the preceding activity required, and associated costs, with a 3 months, 4.5 months, and 6 months scenario. 2. Compare the costs of crashing the project from a 6-month timeline into a 4.5-month timeline: a. Explain and defend (in writing) the pros/cons of crashing the project schedule. b. What is the impact on personnel and resources to crashing the project? c. What are the associated risks of crashing the project and how will you manage the risks? If you don t have access to MS Project, you will need to develop the pieces MS Project does automatically, independently as separate documents in MS Excel. First create a table with the variables in MS Excel. Next create a table that highlights the critical path. Then create a table that highlights the critical path that you feel is the best candidate for crashing and explain why you selected this path. Part 3 Project Control and Closeout 1. Explain and defend the processes and procedures you suggest for closing the project. Include the handoffs, benefits, and lag required to begin operation at your new location. 2. Your assessment should be well structured. Make good use of bulleted lists, numbered lists, and tables to further provide structure and clearly communicate information. The Portfolio Project must be submitted in a single document of 7-10 pages in length, not including the title and reference pages. The three parts, above, must be included with a detailed explanation of each required component. In your submission include at least five outside supportive references, not including the course textbook, course materials, or other information resources provided as part of the course materials. These must be cited and integrated into your paper. These are expected to provide information and support for assertions made in your writing. The CSU-Global Library is a good place to find these references. Formatting of your paper must comply with CSU-Global APA guidelines. Thoroughly proofread and grammar-check your final draft. Examine the Portfolio Project grading rubric to guide your project writing and presentation. Course Policies Late Work Students are permitted a 7 day grace period during which they may submit a Critical Thinking assignment after the original due date without penalty. Papers submitted between 8 and 14 days after the original due date will be accepted with a potential 10 percent reduction in grade for late submission. Papers submitted 15 or more days beyond the original due date may not be accepted unless prior arrangements have been made with the instructor. No Portfolios will be accepted late and no assignments will be accepted after the last day of class unless a student has requested an incomplete grade in accordance with the Incomplete Policy. Course Grading 20% Discussion Participation 10% Mastery Exercises Grading Scale and Policies A 95.0 100 A- 90.0 94.9
35% Critical Thinking Activities 35% Final Portfolio Project 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 FN* Failure for Nonparticipation I** Incomplete * Students who stop attending class and fail the course for nonparticipation will be issued the FN grade. The FN grade may have implications for financial aid and scholarship awards. ** An I grade may be assigned at the Instructor s discretion to students who are in good standing (passing) in the course. Students should have completed a majority of the coursework in order to be eligible for the I grade. Students should request an "I" grade from the Instructor with a written justification, which must include explanation of extenuating circumstances that prevented timely completion of the coursework. If the request is approved, the Instructor will require a written agreement consisting of a) the specific coursework to be completed, b) the plan to complete the coursework, and c) the deadline for completion. The agreement will be kept on file at CSU-Global Campus. An incomplete course must be satisfactorily completed within the time frame stipulated in the agreement, but no later than the end of the following semester from the date the I was given. An incomplete not removed within one year shall convert to an F and be included in the computation of the student s grade point average. Academic Integrity 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, plagiarism, unauthorized possession of academic materials, and falsification. The Student Handbook provides information on how students can avoid plagiarism by understanding what it is and how to use library and internet resources appropriately with proper citation. Please refer to the Academic Catalog for complete policies regarding plagiarism and academic dishonesty. APA Students are expected to follow the CSU-Global APA requirements when citing in APA (based on the APA Style Manual, 6th edition). For details on CSU-Global APA style, please review the APA resources located under the Library tab in Blackboard. Netiquette All posts and classroom communication must be conducted in a professional and respectful manner 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? Any derogatory or inappropriate comments regarding race, gender, age, religion, sexual orientation, are unacceptable and subject to disciplinary action. If you have concerns about something that has been said, please let your instructor know. Institutional Policies Refer to the Academic Catalog for comprehensive documentation of CSU-GC institutional policies.