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Schedule

The schedule below outlines the topics we will be covering in this course, along with the associated time frames and assignments.

Note that all dates reflect North American eastern time (ET). This ensures that all students have the same deadlines regardless of where they live. All lesson assignments must be submitted by 11:59 PM (ET) on the last day of the timeframe indicated below for the lesson unless otherwise stated. Discussion forum first posts are due Wednesday of the lesson week assigned.

Lesson 1: Introduction to Project Management
Readings:

  Textbook

  • Chapter 1 – Introduction:  Why Project Management?
Assignments:
  • Lesson 1 Discussion Board
  • Case Study:  “A Day in the Life”
  • Case Study:  “Describe a Project”
Lesson 2: Projects and Organizations
Readings:

Textbook

  • Chapter 2 – The Organizational Context:  Strategy, Structure, and Culture
Assignments:
  • Lesson 2 Discussion Board
  • Case Study:  “Turning Point for Mercedes”
Lesson 3: Project Selection and Project Portfolio
Readings:

Textbook

  • Chapter 3 – Project Selection and Portfolio Management

Other:

  • Integrated Project Team Assignments
Assignments:
  • Lesson 3 Discussion Board
  • Case Study:  “BSB and Project Portfolio”
  • Exercise L3:  “Integrated Project Ideas”
Lesson 4: Leadership and Project Management
Readings:

Textbook

  • Chapter 4 – Leadership and the Project Manager
Assignments:
  • Lesson 4 Discussion Board
  • Case Study:  “Project Profile – Dr. Elattuvalapil Streedharan”
  • Integrated Project 1 “Project Selection and Definition”  (Team)
Lesson 5: Scope Management
Readings:

Textbook

  • Chapter 5 – Scope Management
Assignments:
  • Exercise L5:  “Work Breakdown Structures”
  • Case Study:  “Manchester United”
  • Integrated Project 2 “Building Your Project Plan”  (Team)
Lesson 6: Project Team Building
Readings:

Textbook

  • Chapter 6 – Project Team Building, Conflict, and Negotiation
Assignments:
  • Lesson 6 Discussion Board
  • Case Study:  “The Bean Counter and the Cowboy”
Lesson 7: Project Risk Management
Readings:

Textbook

  • Chapter 7 – Risk Management

Other Readings

  • Royer, P. (2000). Risk management: The undiscovered dimension of project management. Project Management Journal, 31(1), 6-13
  • Patel, A., Bosela, P. A., & Delatte, N.J. (2013).  1976 Montreal Olympics: Case Study of Project Management Failure.  Journal Of Performance of Constructed Facilities, 27 (3),  362-369.  doi: 10.1061/(ASCE)CF. 1943-5509.0000332
Assignments:
  • Case Study:  Risk Management
  • Lesson 7 Discussion Board
  • Integrated Project 3 “Developing the Work Breakdown Structure”  (Team)
Lesson 8: Cost Estimation and Budgeting
Readings:

Textbook

  • Chapter 8 – Cost Estimation and Budgeting
Assignments:
  • Case Study:  “Boston’s Central Artery/Tunnel Project”
  • Integrated Project 4 “Peer Assessment #1”  (Individual)
Lesson 9: Project Scheduling - Estimating Project Duration
Readings:

Textbook

  • Chapter 9 – Project Scheduling:  Networks, Duration Estimation, and Critical Path
Assignments:
  • Lesson 9 Discussion Board
  • Exercise L9:  Playground Project Plan
  • Case Study:  Project Management Software
Lesson 10: Project Scheduling - Time Management and Crashing
Readings:

Textbook

  • Chapter 10 - Project Scheduling:  Lagging, Crashing, and Activity Networks
Assignments:
  • Exercise L10:  Playground Project Plan Continued
  • Integrated Project 5 “Project Risk Assessment”
Lesson 11: Project Management Software
Readings:

Textbook

  • Project Management Software Tutorial
Assignments:
  • Exercise L11.1:  Submit File Developed During Tutorial
  • Exercise L11.2:  Playground Project Plan in Project Software
  • Lesson 11 Discussion Board
Lesson 12: Project Resource Management
Readings:

Textbook

  • Chapter 12 – Resource Management

Other Readings

  • De Meyer, A. et al. (2002). Managing project uncertainty: From variation to chaos. MIT Sloan Management Review, 43(2)  60-67.
  • Case Study: Court Denies Subcontractor's Constructive Acceleration Claim. (2008) Civil Engineering, Vol. 78. Issue 12.
Assignments:
  • Case Study:  Resource Scheduling
  • Lesson 12 Discussion Board
Lesson 13: Project Evaluation and Control
Readings:

Textbook

  • Chapter 13 – Project Evaluation and Control
Assignments:
  • Exercise L13:  SIPOC
  • Integrated Project #6 “Developing Cost Estimates, Budget, and Schedule” (Team)
Lesson 14: Project Closeout
Readings:

Textbook

  • Chapter 14 – Project Closeout and Termination
Assignments:
  • Case Study:  The MOX and Seawall Projects
  • Lesson 14 Discussion Board
Lesson 15: Finalize Integrated Project
Readings:
  • None
Assignments:
  • Integrated Project 7 “Project Communication Plan”  (Team)
  • Integrated Project 8 “Peer Assessment #2”  (Individual)

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