Ursuline College Accelerated Program CRITICAL INFORMATION! DO NOT SKIP THIS LINK BELOW... BEFORE PROCEEDING TO READ THE UCAP MODULE, YOU ARE EXPECTED TO READ AND ADHERE TO ALL UCAP POLICY INFORMATION CONTAINED ON THIS LINK BELOW CLICK HERE... http://www3.ursuline.edu/ucap/modules/ucappolicies.pdf Last Updated: December 09 MIS 460 Project Management Course Credits: 3 The goal of this course is to give you the foundation for participating in and managing projects. Although project management techniques can be applied to any discipline, we will focus on managing the development of information systems. We will cover the concepts, techniques and tools used by a project manager. The human issues that a project manager must address and the interpersonal skills that s/he must possess represent an important thread of this course. We will cover the various duties and skills required of a project manager and discuss, in depth, the processes that comprise the project management discipline. Throughout the course, we will use computerized tools for assignments, including project management software (Microsoft Project). We will strive to increase your comfort level with productivity software (Project and other MS-Office tools). You will, also, have a chance to demonstrate organizational, presentation and communication skills within the context of an information systems development project. Even if you are not planning to pursue a career in Information Systems, this course has something important to offer you. It will increase your ability to take a complex assignment, decompose it into manageable pieces, and deliver those pieces within the constraints of time and money. The course is designed to address various learning styles by utilizing different methods of working: lecture and discussion, demonstrations, individual hands-on tutorials, as well as projects. You will have the opportunity to use many kinds of skills: analytical, writing, research, technical, practical and presentation.
Textbooks/Materials: Information Technology Project Management, Kathy Schwalbe, 6th Edition. (Required) ISBN (13): 978-0-324-78692-7 ISBN (10): 0-324-78692-1 Microsoft Project software (Installed in the MIS lab a trial version is included in the text). USB Memory Device. Note concerning the text: The text includes a CD with MS-Project and other resources on it. It also includes an access code for the companion web-site. Should students buy the text used (or international version, etc), these items may not be included and the student will be responsible for obtaining them. Instructional Outcomes (upon successful completion of this course) Knowledge Understand the processes that comprise project management: initiating, planning, executing, controlling, and closing. Understand the knowledge areas that comprise project management: project integration management, project scope management, project time management, project cost management, project quality management, project human resource management, project communication management, project risk management, and project procurement management. Recognize the interrelationship between systems analysis and project management. Develop a solid grounding in the application of project management techniques through an actual information systems development effort. Learn the terminology and concepts associated with the field of project management. Become familiar with online and print resources for project managers. Skills Initiate, plan, execute, control, and close an information systems development project within time and budget constraints. Use various software tools to project management the development effort (i.e. develop a project schedule). Develop and deliver project status reports to your customer. Learn how to handle human resource issues, both from a customer and a project team perspective. Learn project management terminology. Learn the characteristics that make for a successful project. Improve written and oral communication skills, supported by the use of a computer. Attitudes Respect the customer, their needs and the business point of view.
Establish an ethic of efficiency as well as thoroughness. Strive to create value for the organization. Values Place a premium on quality throughout the systems development process. Value the ethics of the project management profession as defined by professional societies. Requirements: Multiple written assignments and a semester project relating to various topics covered in the course. There will be weekly quizzes and a final, which will cover the textbook readings, lectures and class work. A final in-class presentation will also be required (unless previous arrangements have been made). If you elect to drop this course, you must complete the appropriate forms in the Office of Student Services. Students still enrolled at the end of the semester will receive a final grade based on their point accumulation during the semester. Students with documented disabilities, including learning disabilities, may be entitled to appropriate accommodations. Please make an appointment with the instructor to discuss your situations and possible needs. Timely communication will allow us to work with the Ursuline College Academic Support and Disabilities Center, if needed, to arrange for appropriate accommodations. Procedures for Assignments: Unless otherwise noted, assignments are due one week following the week they are assigned. Early submissions are always acceptable. A 10% per day point deduction will be applied to late submissions. Unless other arrangements have been made, any assignment not submitted at the beginning of class on the day it is due will be considered late. Work should be submitted to the ANGEL site for this class and placed in the drop-box for the assignment. Please also bring a paper copy of your work to class. Staple all pages together before submission; make sure your name or initials are on all pages.. Specific instructions for assignments will be distributed as the assignment becomes due.
BACKUPS: Be sure to save all of your work for the course in electronic and paper format until you receive your final grade at the end of the course. Instructor is not responsible for lost assignments. Academic Honesty: You are expected to submit your own work and not that of others for credit. During exams, no notes, texts or assistance of any kind will be allowed unless specified by the instructor. Any individual submitting another's work for credit or attempting to gain an advantage during an examination through notes, texts, or the assistance of others is guilty of academic dishonesty. Violators can expect a failing grade for the course. Grading: Tests / Quizzes 35% Weekly Assignments & Exercises 35% Project 20% Class Presentation 10% College Grading Scale: A 93-100% B+ 90-92% B 86-89% C+ 83-85% C 76-82% D+ 73-75% D 70-72% F 0-69%
ASSIGNMENTS TO BE COMPLETED PRIOR TO WORKSHOP ONE Information Technology Project Management: 1. Read Chapters 1 3 2. Be prepared to answer the Discussion Questions at the end of the chapters
WORKSHOP ONE OBJECTIVES: 1. Understand the growing need for better project management, especially for information technology projects. 2. Explain what a project is, provide examples of information technology projects, list various attributes of projects, and describe the triple constraint of projects. 3. Describe what project management is and discuss key elements of the project management framework, including project stakeholders, the project management knowledge areas, common tools and techniques, and project success factors. 4. Understand the systems view of project management and how it applies to information technology projects 5. Describe the differences among functional, matrix, and project organizational structures 6. Explain why stakeholder management and top management commitment are critical for a project s success 7. Understand the concept of a project phase and the project life cycle and distinguish between project development and product development 8. Discuss the unique attributes and diverse nature of information technology projects 9. Describe the five project management process groups, the typical level of activity for each, and the interactions among them 10. Understand how the project management process groups relate to the project management knowledge areas 11. Discuss how organizations develop information technology project management methodologies to meet their needs 12. Review a case study of an organization applying the project management process groups to manage an information technology project 13. Understand the contribution that effective project initiation, project planning, project execution, project control, and project closing make to project success
ACTIVITIES: 1. Facilitator s introduction to the class: Objectives, assignments, grading criteria, general admin. 2. Group discussion defining our interest in Project Management and the specific outcomes we hope to realize at the close of our course work. 3. Class Discussion of Chapters 1, 2, and 3 4. Review of project control documents (Appendix D and real-life examples) 5. Review assignment for Workshop 2 6. Lab exercise, MS/Project Get familiar with MS/Project. 7. Workshop One: Review and Fast Feedback.
ASSIGNMENTS TO BE COMPLETED PRIOR TO WORKSHOP TWO: Information Technology Project Management: 1. Read Chapters 4-5 and be prepared to answer the Discussion Questions 2. Chapter 1 Exercise 2: Project Manager Interview 3. Pick out a running case: either the Green Computing Research Project, the Project Management Videos project (from Appendix C) the Remote Capture project, or the Short Film (from ANGEL). 4. Chapter 3 Exercise 1: Gantt chart. Bring a printed copy to turn in at the beginning of class and post to the drop-box in ANGEL. 5. Complete assignment on Project initiation documents: Business Case, Charter, Contract, and Scope Statement. Bring a printed copy to turn in at the beginning of class and post to the dropbox in ANGEL.
WORKSHOP TWO OBJECTIVES: 1. Describe an overall framework for project integration management as it relates to the other project management knowledge areas and the project life cycle 2. Explain the strategic planning process and apply different project selection methods 3. Explain the importance of creating a project charter to formally initiate projects 4. Describe project plan development, including project plan content, using guidelines and templates for developing plans, and performing a stakeholder analysis to help manage relationships 5. Explain project execution, its relationship to project planning, the factors related to successful results, and tools and techniques to assist in project plan execution 6. Describe the process of monitoring and controlling project work 7. Understand the integrated change control process, planning for and managing changes on information technology projects, and developing and using a change control system 8. Describe how software can assist in project integration management 9. Understand the elements that make good project scope management important 10. Explain the scope planning process and contents of a scope management plan 11. Describe the process for developing a project scope statement using the project charter and preliminary scope statement 12. Discuss the scope definition process and work involved in constructing a work breakdown structure using the analogy, top-down, bottom-up, and mind mapping approaches 13. Explain the importance of scope verification and how it relates to scope definition and control 14. Understand the importance of scope control and approaches for preventing scoperelated problems on information technology projects 15. Describe how software can assist in project scope management
ACTIVITIES: 1. Review of Workshop One Materials 2. Quiz on Chapters 1 3 3. Class Discussion on Chapter 4 discuss and practice NPV and other evaluation techniques. 4. Class Discussion on Chapter 5 in-class WBS development exercise 5. Lab exercise, MS/Project 6. Review assignment for Workshop 3 7. Workshop Two: Review and Fast Feedback
ASSIGNMENTS TO BE COMPLETED PRIOR TO WORKSHOP THREE: Information Technology Project Management: 1. Read Chapters 6-7 and be prepared to answer the Discussion Questions 2. Complete assignment on Work-Break Structure and developing an initial Gantt chart, per facilitator instructions. 3. Complete assignment on Resource Loading the Project Schedule and Cash Flow Forecasting per facilitator instructions.
WORKSHOP THREE OBJECTIVES: 1. Understand the importance of project schedules and good project time management 2. Define activities as the basis for developing project schedules 3. Describe how project managers use network diagrams and dependencies to assist in activity sequencing 4. Understand the relationship between estimating resources and project schedules 5. Explain how various tools and techniques help project managers perform activity duration estimating and schedule development 6. Use a Gantt chart for schedule planning and tracking schedule information 7. Understand and use critical path analysis 8. Describe how to use several techniques for shortening project schedules 9. Explain the basic concepts behind critical chain scheduling and Program and Review Technique (PERT) 10. Discuss how reality checks and people issues are involved in controlling and managing changes to the project schedule 11. Describe how software can assist in project time management and review words of caution before using the software 12. Understand the importance of good project cost management 13. Explain basic project cost management principles, concepts, and terms 14. Discuss different types of cost estimates and methods for preparing them 15. Understand the processes involved in cost budgeting and preparing a cost estimate for an information technology project 16. Understand the benefits of earned value management and project portfolio management to assist in cost control 17. Describe how software can assist in project cost management
ACTIVITIES: 1. Review of Workshop Two Materials 2. Quiz on Chapter 4-5 3. Class Discussion on Chapter 6 7 a. Network Diagramming exercise b. Critical Path development exercise c. In-class exercise on Earned Value 4. Lab exercise, MS/Project 5. Review assignment for Workshop 4 6. Review assignment for Final Project 7. Workshop Three: Review and Fast Feedback
ASSIGNMENTS TO BE COMPLETED PRIOR TO WORKSHOP FOUR: Information Technology Project Management: 1. Read Chapters 8-10 and be prepared to answer the Discussion Questions 2. Complete assignment on Critical Path Analysis per facilitator instructions. 3. Complete assignment on tracking Earned Value and Status Reporting per facilitator instructions 4. Complete assignment on Change Request process per facilitator instructions
WORKSHOP FOUR OBJECTIVES: 1. Understand the importance of project quality management for information technology products and services 2. Define project quality management and understand how quality relates to various aspects of information technology projects 3. Describe quality planning and its relationship to project scope management 4. Discuss the importance of quality assurance 5. List the main outputs of the quality control process 6. Understand the tools and techniques for quality control, such as Pareto analysis, statistical sampling, Six Sigma, quality control charts, and testing 7. Describe important concepts related to Six Sigma and how it helps organizations improve quality and reduce costs 8. Summarize the contributions of noteworthy quality experts to modern quality management 9. Describe how leadership, the cost of quality, organizational influences, expectations, cultural differences, and maturity models relate to improving quality in information technology projects 10. Discuss how software can assist in project quality management 11. Explain the importance of good human resource management on projects, including the current state and future implications of human resource management, especially on information technology projects 12. Define project human resource management and understand its processes 13. Discuss human resource planning and be able to create a project organizational chart, responsibility assignment matrix, and resource histogram 14. Understand important issues involved in project staff acquisition and explain the concepts of resource assignments, resource loading, and resource leveling 15. Understand team development through projects with training, team-building activities, and reward systems 16. Explain and apply several tools and techniques to help manage a project team and summarize general advice on managing teams
17. Understand the importance of good communication on projects and describe the major components of a communications management plan 18. Discuss the elements of project communications planning, including information distribution, performance reporting, and administrative closure 19. Discuss various methods for project information distribution and the advantages and disadvantages of each 20. Understand individual communication needs and how to determine the number of communications channels needed for a project 21. Understand how the main outputs of performance reporting help stakeholders stay informed about project resources 22. List various methods for improving project communications, such as managing conflicts, running effective meetings, using e-mail effectively, and using templates ACTIVITIES: 1. Review of Workshop Three Materials 2. Quiz on Chapter 6-7 3. Class Discussion on Chapter 8 Quality Management 4. Class Discussion on Chapter 9 HR Management 5. Class Discussion on Chapter 10 - Communications Management 6. In class review for Final Exam 7. Review assignment for Workshop 5 8. Workshop Four: Review and Fast Feedback
ASSIGNMENTS TO BE COMPLETED PRIOR TO WORKSHOP FIVE: Information Technology Project Management: 1. Complete assignment on RACI and Pareto Charts to include in final presentation 2. Prepare final presentation 3. Study for Final Exam
WORKSHOP FIVE OBJECTIVES: 1. Understand what risk is and the importance of good project risk management 2. Discuss the elements involved in risk management planning and contents of a risk management plan 3. List common sources of risks on information technology projects 4. Describe the risk identification process and tools and techniques to help identify project risks 5. Discuss the qualitative risk analysis process and explain how to calculate risk factors, use probability/impact matrixes, the Top Ten Risk Item Tracking technique, and expert judgment to rank risks 6. Explain the quantify risk analysis process and how to use decision trees and simulation to quantitative risks 7. Provide examples of using different risk response planning strategies such as risk avoidance, acceptance, transference, and mitigation 8. Discuss what is involved in risk monitoring and control 9. Describe how software can assist in project risk management ACTIVITIES: 1. Class Discussion on Chapter 11 Risk Management 2. Final Examination 3. Project Presentations as scheduled 4. Course evaluations and close out