Week 1 - 29 Aug. 2013 Intro, AUC policies, definitions

We reviewed grading and AUC academic policies.  Syllabus is posted here.

We discussed projects people worked on.

The objective of project management is to provide common standards to ensure that projects are conducted in a disciplined, well-managed, and consistent manner.  The ultimate goals are to promote the delivery of quality products that result in projects which are completed on time and within budget. 

Project Management is ***An endeavor to accomplish a specific objective (expected result or product), which has a clearly defined start and end time, a set of tasks, and a budget.***

specific objective = expected result or product,                    

How do you do this?  PLAN!  Plan before you begin the project!

Plan the tasks

Plan the budget

Plan the schedule

Project life cycle

1.      Define the problem

2.      Write the proposal to address or solve this problem

a.       Define the project objective (expected result or product)

b.      Define the project goals (steps to achieve the objective)

c.       Define how to accomplish those goals through

                                                              i.      Tasks

                                                            ii.      Schedule

                                                          iii.      Budget

3.      Perform the project as described in the proposal

4.      Terminate the project (submit final report)

When the problem is defined, an initial concept is developed around potential solutions.  Once the project concept is defined then a complete project plan can be developed.  It is the execution of a well developed project plan which then leads to project success.

We can look at all of this through the structure of a project life cycle.

On quiz next week - be able to draw a project lifecycle (Fig. 1.2 from Gido text book on reserve in library)

You must label the axes on a chart or graph.  X is horizontal, Y is vertical.

Grading policy

Here is what I am looking for in homework assignments and responses on quizzes and tests:

• Did you answer the question correctly, which includes completely.
• Did you answer the question thoughtfully.
• Did you answer the question thoroughly.

In general, short quizzes and homework assignments will be 10 points each.   

• 9 points will be given if all questions are answered correctly and completely.   
• The 10^th point will be reserved for excellent work in which the questions were answered thoroughly and thoughtfully. 
• Points (or fraction of points) will be subtracted for each incorrect (or partially incorrect) answer.  
• No points will be given for questions that are left unanswered.

You will not be allowed to make up quizzes.

• You can only take quizzes during the class in which they are administered.   
• Thus it is in your best interest to not miss class!

Homework must be turned in by the date it is due.   

• You will receive a zero on late assignments.   
• You may turn in homework before it is due.

At the end of the semester you may drop the lowest quiz or homework grade. 

• So if you miss taking a quiz you will be able to drop it at the end of the semester. 
• If you miss 2 or more quizzes, you still will only be able to drop one quiz.

English and grammar – 

• To help you with your English, I will make minor corrections to your writing but not take off points.  
• If I can’t make sense of your sentence I will take off points.   
• If you define terms wrong, I will take off points.

If you cheat or plagiarize you will receive a zero on the assignment, quiz, or test!  See the AUC Academic Integrity Policy.

Mgt420 Syllabus

This is the blog for Mgt420, Project Management, taught by Debbie Baker at the American University of the Caribbean in Les Cayes Haiti.  Lecture notes and home work assignments will be posted here.

MGT 420 Project Management -   Thursdays 2 – 5pm                              Fall 2013

aucmgt420.blogspot.com                             American University of the Caribbean

Ms. Debbie Baker, Master of Science - Wildlife Biology & Museum Studies

How to contact me:   In person – I will hold office hours in the classroom Tuesdays 1 – 1:50 pm.

 Or by email

Introduction

Welcome to Project Management!  We will learn what it takes to plan, write, and manage a project to ensure that it succeeds.  We will learn how to submit a proposal to organizations that fund projects.  You will be divided into groups to plan, write, and present your own projects.

Goals

Understanding the project life cycle.

Learning how to plan and manage projects by examining real-life projects.

Demonstration of this understanding by developing your own project plans.

Grading
Participation                15%
Quizzes                       20%     Be prepared for a quiz each week!  You may or may not have one.
Group Project             25%     (Includes the homework assignments)
Mid-term                     20%
Final                            20%

If you will miss class, let me know before the class date!

·         There will be NO make-up quizzes!  If you miss class you will receive a zero on the quiz.  You cannot take it after the class.

·         You will not be able to take an exam after the scheduled date if you do not tell me in advance you will miss.

Homework will be graded on

·   Was it submitted on time?  You will receive a zero for turning it in late!                          

·   Did you address what I asked?

·   Is it legible? (can be hand written or typed)           

·   Thoughtfulness and completeness of your ideas. 

Literature

·   Main text book - Gido, J. and J.P. Clements.  2006.  Successful Project Management, 3rd ed.  Thomson South-Western 462 pp.  In library reserve.

·   Aaker, J.  2007.  The Heifer Model – Cornerstones Values-Based Development, 3^rd ed. Heifer Project International.  160pp.  In library reserve.

·   Handout - Yoke, C.  2004.  “Management Can Be Learned” in Echo Development Note Issue 82.  Pg. 1-3.

·   Handout - Case Study 1

Please turn off and put away cell phones during class.

Schedule                  Topics___(subject to shifting or modification)____________________        

Week 1 Aug. 29       Introductions, academic policies.  What is a project?  Project life cycle & definitions.

                                Break into groups – you will be in these groups for the semester.                                                                             Homework for next week, as a group: Case study 1 and questions.

Week 2 Sep. 5          Initial planning, RFPs, community needs, researching ideas.   Discuss case study 1. 

              Homework due at end of class: Choose a project to improve AUC.  Submit a

                              paragraph describing it, along with names of each person in your group.

Week 3 Sep. 12        Goals, objectives, deliverables.                         

                                          Each group shares their project ideas & why they chose it.

                                                Homework: Write out your project goals, objectives, & deliverables.

Week 4 Sep. 19        Timelines and scheduling

                                          Spreadsheets and computer programs for scheduling.                                                                                               Homework: Develop your project timeline.

Week 5 Sep. 26        Budgets, receipts, salaries, etc.             

                                          Spreadsheets and computer programs for budgets.  See handout.

                                                Homework: Develop your project budget.  

                                                            Read & be prepared to discuss “Management Can Be Learned”

Week 6 Oct. 3          Personnel roles, ethics.  Discuss article.                        

                                                Homework: Define project personnel roles.

Week 7 Oct. 10        Movie or Field trip – Botanical Garden tour – how is it managed?  Take notes!

               Homework (individual) – 1 page summary of what you learned today –

                                                apply project planning and management concepts we have learned.

Week 8 Oct. 15 & 16         Study days

Week 8 Oct. 17       Mid-Term Exam         

Week 9 Oct. 24        Tracking and reporting              

Homework - Revise your project plans based on my feedback and submit a clean typed proposal Nov. 7.

Week 10 Oct. 31      How to create and give presentations, present data, etc.         

Week 11 Nov. 7      Various funding agencies, RFPs, proposals.

                                          Discuss each group project and decide the best place to submit it

                                          FINAL PROJECT SUBMISSION due.

Week 12 Nov. 14     Movie or Field trip.  Project papers returned.  

                                          Project presentations will be given Dec. 5.

Week 13 Nov. 21     Other types of project management (research, businesses, museums, etc.)      

                                         

Week 14 Nov. 28    Thanksgiving – no class

Week 15 Dec. 5       Presentations.

Dec. 12                     FINAL