Project Management
Sample Course Outlines
Project Procurement Management
Course Overview
Students will learn the elements of project contracts, the purpose for each, and how they should be managed from an owner/client's and contractor's perspective. The course will be conducted in a workshop/seminar environment. Heavy emphasis will be placed on student participation. Instruction will include lecture, class discussions, and individual and team projects.
Grading
| Assignment | Percentage |
| Attendance and Participation | 10% |
| Homework (Team Evaluation) | 10% |
| Class Quizzes | 10% |
| Team Project and Presentation | 40% |
| Final Exam | 30% |
| Total | 100% |
Note: Course content may vary from this sample outline.
Human Factors and Team Dynamics
Course Overview
In this course students learn the interpersonal and managerial skills necessary to promote and support project management. Students explore individual styles in management whether working alone or as part of a project management team. Students engage in simulated projects to determine what leads to project success or failure. The course covers approaches to conflict resolution, strategies for team building, and power and politics in project management.
Course Objectives
The course will examine interpersonal styles as it affects leadership, motivation, employee empowerment, team membership and dynamics, conflict resolution, power and politics, and problem solving in project management. Using various behavioral science self-assessments and team exercises, students will have the opportunity to assess the relative impact of different leadership styles as they affect the human factors implicit in project management.Grading
| Assignment | Percentage |
| Attendance, Participation | 10% |
| Simulation Analysis | 20% |
| Student Projects | 25% |
| Reader/Lecture Questions | 25% |
| Final Essay Exam | 20% |
| Total | 100% |
Note: Course content may vary from this sample outline.
Project Planning and Control
Course Overview
As technology integration and competitive complexity increase, so do project lead times. To stay competitive companies have sought to shorten infrastructure project completion by effectively managing projects. In this course, three important aspects of project management are taught:
- The theory, methods, and quantitative tools used to effectively plan, organize, and control projects
- Efficient management methods revealed through practice and research
- Hands-on, practical project management knowledge from real world projects
Course Objectives
The course relies on a PMBOK project management framework where the project life cycle is divided into organizing, planning, monitoring, controlling, and learning. Within the framework, students learn theories, methodologies, and tools for each aspect of the process. By the end of the term participants are able to adapt and apply the framework and tools to effectively manage projects in an organization. The material in the course is divided into five major sections: Project Organization, Project Planning, Project Monitoring, Project Control, and Project Learning.Grading
| Assignment | Percentage |
| Individual Assignments and Quiz | 20% |
| Midterm Exam | 10% |
| Project Plan | 35% |
| Final Exam | 15% |
| Class Participation | 20% |
| Total | 100% |
Note: Course content may vary from this sample outline.
Business Negotiating
Course Overview
The central aspect of international business involves negotiation-the establishment of the terms under which a business transaction will take place. Negotiation involves techniques, procedural steps, tactics, and strategy as well as an understanding of power and influence. International negotiation involves a further factor-the role of culture. Culture has an impact on how negotiations are conducted and what behaviors are and are not acceptable. In this seminar, international business students will acquire an understanding of the negotiation process and their personal and cultural approach to being a negotiator. This course will present a practical and positive approach to effectively negotiating all kinds of real-life situations.
Course Objectives
This course will provide you with the knowledge and skills to- Understand the role of negotiation in international business practice
- Discover how differences in international cultures impact negotiations
- Appreciate the difference between win-win and win-lose negotiation positions
- Analyze, through self-assessment instruments, one's personal and cultural negotiation style
- Achieve familiarity and mastery of basic concepts in international negotiation
- Understand and be able to provide the proper management response to a variety of negotiating conditions
- Develop and revise a negotiation plan in light of changing business realities
- Understand the difference between buyer and seller strategies
- Apply a variety of negotiation strategies and tactics
- Summarize your experience in a variety of negotiation simulations
- Report a higher level of self-confidence in conducting negotiations
Grading
| Assignment | Percentage |
| Class Participation | 10% |
| Oral Presentations and Casework | 50% |
| Casework Journal | 40% |
| Total | 100% |
Note: Course content may vary from this sample outline.
Project Management
Course Overview
Proper management plays a crucial role in the efficient execution and completion of projects. In this introductory course, a step-by-step explanation of the project management process, while reviewing the differences between theory and practice, leads to the development of a solid project plan. The process described is applicable to programs and projects in such diverse fields as finance, R&D, engineering, biotechnology, and construction. Discussions include the functional, project and matrix environments in which project managers work. Emphasis is on practical tools and techniques, such as Work Breakdown Structure, Network Diagrams, and Critical Path Method, that are used in the preparation of a project plan, which cover the basic building blocks for more advanced courses, like Planning and Controlling, and Risk Management.
Course Objectives
This course is intended to provide the basic concepts and techniques associated with project management.Grading
| Assignment | Percentage |
| Participation and Attendance | 10% |
| Exams | 60% |
| Project Plan/Team Project | 30% |
| Total | 100% |
Note: Course content may vary from this sample outline.
Quality Management
Course Overview
This course is designed to provide project managers, senior executives, CEOs, and members of corporate boards with a clear understanding of the strategic advantage gained through the implementation of quality concepts. This course applies a new paradigm to organizational leadership that gives stakeholders the best possible products and services at the lowest possible costs. It covers a way of thinking that focuses on systems and processes, variation, psychology, and continuous learning.
Course Objectives
This course will provide you with the knowledge and skills to- Understand the nature of the quality paradigm in the world
- Identify these influences of change and how they impact project management leadership
- Understand the various concepts and philosophies driving "results by method" and how to apply them to your industry
- Use the framework for quality thinking in project management and planning
- Demonstrate the implications of implementing this shift in leadership thinking
- Formulate and apply these strategic concepts of quality to implement change and continuous improvement in personal and professional management
- Explore various means of measuring and assessing changes towards quality
- Demonstrate understanding of the driving elements in quality thinking: customer focus, service, value enhancement, and continuous improvement
Grading
| Assignment | Percentage |
| Individual Leadership Papers | 20% |
| Individual Learning Matrix Folder | 20% |
| Individual Implementation Paper | 20% |
| Final Team Project Presentation | 20% |
| Final Exam | 15% |
| Attendance and Participation | 5% |
| Total | 100% |
Note: Course content may vary from this sample outline.
Project Risk Management
Course Overview
This course focuses on practical methods for completing difficult projects. Compared with project work done in the past, all projects today are risky: they are more time constrained, pose greater technical challenges, and rarely have adequate resources. However, there are techniques for dealing with project risk that can help you recognize and manage potential problems. Throughout the course, examples are used to show how to apply these ideas to your projects.
Course Objectives
By the end of the course you will be able to- Identify the elements of risk in projects
- Analyze, evaluate, and categorize potential risk events
- Respond to and control risks by using project management principles and practices
Grading
| Assignment | Percentage |
| Class Participation | 10% |
| Team Dynamics — Peer Evaluation | 10% |
| Group Case Study | 20% |
| Quizes (2) | 30% |
| Final Examination | 30% |
| Total | 100% |
Note: Course content may vary from this sample outline.