MBA 712 Project and Cost Management: Spring 2004

Instructor:                  Prof. Sid Das

Office:                         Room 155, Enterprise Hall

Phone:                        (703) 993-1790;

E-mail:                        sdas@gmu.edu

Office Hours:             Tuesday/Friday: 5:00 - 6:00 p.m.; or by appointment

Prerequisite:             Completion of MBA Core or Permission of Instructor

Textbooks:    1. Project Management The Managerial Process, Clifford F. Gray, and Erik W. Larson, 2^nd Edition, Irwin/McGraw-Hill, Boston, 2003.

Computer Software: Microsoft Project for Windows

Web Site:       http://mason.gmu.edu/~sdas/pmc_main.htm

Course Description:

            Managers are increasingly being involved in and assuming responsibility for the management of projects. These projects may involve the development of information systems, new products or processes, single or multi-purpose systems, infrastructure or other development projects for the public or private sector, and a host of other applications.

            Project management is widely used in business to accomplish unique outcomes with limited resources under critical time constraints. Many managerial problems are associated with planning, directing, and controlling resources to meet the technical, cost, and time constraints of projects. This course focuses on various areas of project management such as project organizations, teams, scheduling, cost control, earned value analysis, risk management, and managing project quality. It also discusses topics specific to information systems projects. Students will also learn to use a project management software - Microsoft Project for Windows - in solving related problems.

            On completing this course, the student should have a thorough understanding of the complex, dynamic, and multi-dimensional issues in project management.

Learning Objectives:

Students will:

-  be able to identify the terminology, concepts, and principles of project management

-  gain competency in using project management techniques and software

-  exercise managerial skills (e.g. team building, conflict management) in group projects

-  gain competency in managing projects

 Approach to Learning: 

Class lectures, classroom discussion, homework assignments (some using Microsoft Project), and a project with a presentation are the learning activities in this course. The overriding goal for each activity is for students to apply what has been learned in class.

MBA 712: Project Management (Tentative Schedule/Syllabus)

MBA 712: Project Management - Group Project

Select a problem in your organization that you believe would benefit from better project management. It can be any project management issue (e.g. risk management, scheduling, project control, organizational, resource allocation, etc.), or you can evaluate the progress/performance of a specific project.

Your report should be about 10 pages of double-spaced text (plus supporting figures/ appendices) and organized into four major sections:

1.      Problem statement. Write a clear problem statement, using a process improvement tool if applicable, (e.g. cause and effect diagram). Interviews with project managers and others involved in the project management process in your company will be helpful. This problem statement should include a description of the existing project management process.

2.      Analysis. Analyze the problem using the knowledge you gained in this course.

3.      Alternative solutions. Identify alternative solutions to the problem. Your text will help here. Also consider using best practices, benchmarking of other companies, a review of the literature, or other sources.

4.      Recommendations. Finally, provide recommendations on how to improve the project management function, based on what you have learned in this course. This section is very important.

Suggested sources:

-        Text books: Gray and Larson

-        Web sites:

o     Text web site:  http://www.mhhe.com/business/opsci/graylarsonprojmgt/

o     GMU library site: http://magik.gmu.edu/ for a library catalog

o     GMU library electronic databases and journals: http://library.gmu.edu/resources/dbase.html.

-        See especially the Lexis-Nexis and ABI-Inform sites.

o     Project Management Web Sites:

http://www.pmi.org/, http://www.fek.umu.se/irnop/

http://www.pmforum.org/

The project will conclude with a presentation on the last day of class followed by classroom discussion.

The report will be evaluated based on the groups creativity of analysis, demonstrated understanding of the issues, practicality of the recommendations, and overall usage of the related project management concepts.

Deliverables:

March 23: List of names in your group/Title of Project

March 30: Submit a brief description and outline of the problem your group intends to explore for your group project.

April 16:   Final presentation. Please submit a copy of both your paper and your presentation.

Methods of Student Evaluation: 

Home Assignments (4) Individual work                40 points

Final Project                                                               55 points

• Project Report  (25)
• Project Presentation (20)
• Peer Evaluation (10 )

Participation                                                               5 points

Scholastic Honesty and the Honor Code:

Working with other students is expected and will enhance your understanding of the material. However, there are both individual and team activities in this course, and you are expected to work individually unless an activity is specifically called out as a team activity. The home assignments are to be your own, individual original work. You are also expected to understand and follow the Honor Code, as presented on pages 28-31 of the 2003-04 GMU Catalog.

Student Responsibilities: 

       Prepare for class by completing readings and assignments before hand

       Attend and actively participate throughout class

       Fulfill responsibilities to project team prepare before meetings, complete assigned tasks, attend all meetings (or notify team that you cannot), and actively participate in team sessions

       Students are expected to follow the honor code as presented in the GMU Catalog.