MGT 462 : Effective Project Management

Course Description

This course will focus on building on the fundamental concepts and practices of project management. It compares traditional methods with new adaptive and extreme approaches and cycles designed to meet the modern challenges of compressed timeframe and high risk projects. Topics include developing overview statements, activity identification and resource estimation, the use of joint planning processes to build and manage work packages, working with stakeholders, and communication with client. (3 credits)

Prerequisites

MGT 460: Fundamentals of Project Management
ENG 101: English Composition 1
ENG 102: English Composition 2

Student Learning Outcomes (SLOs)

Students who successfully complete this course will be able to:

Describe the demands, challenges and requirements of modern day project management
Construct a Project Overview Statement and workable Work Breakdown Structure (WBS) for developing realistic estimates and practical schedules
Construct complex Network Diagrams, schedules and Gantt Charts using Microsoft Project
Evaluate and level resources, finalize schedules and create work packages
Conduct Joint Project Planning Meetings with cross-functional teams and stakeholders
Implement the project plan by organizing and managing the best team possible
Control project activities, monitor progress, take corrective action and manage change
Apply the Adaptive Project Framework and build high performance schedules
Explain alternative project approaches to projects with unclear or unknown goals.
Apply Risk Mitigation Strategies

Course Activities and Grading

Assignments	Weight
Discussions (Weeks 1-8)	30%
Assignments (Weeks 1-6)	30%
Group Project (Ongoing from weeks 1-7/ due on week 7)	25%
Final Exam	15%
Total	100%

Required Textbooks

Available through Charter Oak’s online bookstore

Wysocki, Robert. Effective Project Management. 8th ed. John Wiley & Sons, Inc., 2019. ISBN-10: 1-119-56280-5 or ISBN-13: 978-1-119-56280-1
- Note: This textbook is also used for MGT 464: Mastering Project Management
Project Management Institute. A Guide to the Project Management Body of Knowledge. 7th ed. Project Management Institute, Inc., 2021. ISBN-10: 1-62825-664-8 or ISBN-13: 978-1-62825-664-2

Course Schedule

Week	SLOs	Readings and Exercises	Assignments
1	1, 10	Learning Unit 1 - Managing Challenges and Mitigating Risks Defining Project Management, The Project Life Cycle and Processes, Traditional Project Management, Risk Management. Readings: Wysocki - Chapters 1, 2 & 3 PM Book - Chapters 2 & 3	Read week 1 Overview Review course content and documents Read assigned chapters Read Lecture and view accompanying videos Participate in Week 1 Discussions ( 2 in total) Participate in the Group Project Forum Complete week 1 assignment
2	1,2,5,6,7	Learning Unit 2 - Project Overview Statement and Work Breakdown structure Managing client expectations, Conditions of Satisfaction, Project Overview, Work Breakdown Structures, Tools and Techniques. Readings: Wysocki - Chapters 4 & 5 PM Book - Chapter 2	Read week 2 Overview Read assigned chapters Participate in Week 2 Discussions Participate in the Group Project Forum Complete week 2 assignment
3	2,3,4,6,7	Learning Unit 3 - Estimating Activity Durations Estimating, Scope Triangle, Joint Planning practices, Network Diagrams. Readings: Wysocki - Chapters 5 & 7	Read week 3 Overview Read assigned chapters Participate in Week 3 DiscussionsComplete week 3 assignment Participate in the Group Project Forum Complete week 3 assignment
4	4	Learning Unit 4 - Building the Schedule and Resource Levelling Resource availability, scheduling, cost impacts of resource leveling, building work packages. Readings: Wysocki - Chapter 6	Read week 4 Overview Read assigned chapter Participate in Week 4 Discussions Participate in the Group Project Forum Complete week 4 assignment
5	5,6	Learning Unit 5 - Operating Rules and Characteristics of an Effective Team Recruiting the team, organizing the team, operating rules, team communications, developing a Project proposal. Readings: Wysocki - Chapter 6	Read week 5 Overview Read assigned chapter Participate in Week 5 Discussions Participate in the Group Project Forum Complete week 5 assignment
6	5,6,7,10	Learning Unit 6 - Tracking project milestones and on time deliverables Monitoring and controlling progress, reporting systems, managing meetings, balancing control and risk, change escalation, closing out a project. Readings: Wysocki - Chapters 7 & 8	Read week 6 Overview Read assigned chapters Participate in Week 6 Discussions Participate in the Group Project Forum Complete week 6 assignment
7	8	Learning Unit 7 - Transitioning to Adaptive Project Management Complexity and Uncertainty, Agile Project Management. Group Project Due. Readings: Wysocki - Chapter 9	Read week 7 Overview Read assigned chapter Participate in Week 7 Discussions Participate in the Group Project Forum Submit Group Project presentation
8	9	Learning Unit 8 - Reviewing Alternatives Client Checkpoints, Business potential of APM. Final exam due. Readings: Wysocki - Chapters 11-13	Read week 8 Overview Read assigned chapters Participate in Week 8 Discussions Submit Final Exam Complete Course Evaluation

COSC Accessibility Statement

Charter Oak State College encourages students with disabilities, including non-visible disabilities such as chronic diseases, learning disabilities, head injury, attention deficit/hyperactive disorder, or psychiatric disabilities, to discuss appropriate accommodations with the Office of Accessibility Services at OAS@charteroak.edu.

COSC Policies, Course Policies, Academic Support Services and Resources

Students are responsible for knowing all Charter Oak State College (COSC) institutional policies, course-specific policies, procedures, and available academic support services and resources. Please see COSC Policies for COSC institutional policies, and see also specific policies related to this course. See COSC Resources for information regarding available academic support services and resources.