Description:

This course will prepare students to effectively manage projects, with a focus on information systems (IS) projects. Topics include project management terminology, project manager roles, project success factors, integration, scope, time, cost, quality, human resources, communications, risk, professional responsibility and procurement management. Using case studies, students will plan, schedule, execute and control projects, modifying their timelines and resource allocations as required. 3 hrs. lecture/wk.

Supplies: Refer to the instructor's course syllabus for details about any supplies that may be required.

Textbook(s): For information see - http://bookstore.jccc.net

Course Fees: NONE

Course Objectives:

Upon successful completion of this course the student should be able to:

1. Define key project management terms.
2. Explain how project management relates to other disciplines.
3. Describe the project management process areas and knowledge areas.
4. Develop, execute and control a project plan.
5. Construct a work breakdown structure.
6. Manage project activities and a project schedule with tools and techniques.
7. Explain cost management principles and formulas.
8. Define project quality, related tools and techniques to manage quality.
9. Define the major processes involved in human resource and communications management, as related to project management.
10. Perform quantitative risk management analysis.
11. Evaluate procurement options.

Content Outline & Competencies:

I. Project Management Introduction
   A. Define Project Management
      1. Describe the history of project management.
      2. Define project management as related to other disciplines.
      3. Delineate measurements of a successful project.
      4. Describe a failed project.
   B. Project Management Professions and Certifications
      1. Define the role of a project manager.
      2. List and describe professional project management organizations
and certifications.

II. Project Management Context and Processes
   A. Project Lifecycles
      1. List standard phases of an Information Systems project life
cycle.
      2. Describe other industry life cycles.
      3. Compare project versus product development life cycles.
   B. Organizational Structures
      1. Explain the differences between functional, matrix and project
management structures.
      2. Relate the importance of executive commitment to projects.
      3. Describe the skills of a project manager.
   C. Project Management Process Groups
      1. Describe the typical activities of the five process groups of
project management.
         a. Initiation
         b. Planning
         c. Execution
         d. Control
         e. Closure
      2. Connect the process groups to project knowledge areas.
      3. Explain project management methodologies.

III. Project Integration Management
   A. Framework for Project Management Integration
      1. Relate integration to project management knowledge areas.
      2. Relate integration to project management life cycle.
   B. Project Management Development, Execution and Control
      1. Plan project components and development.
      2. Plan the project execution.
      3. Integrate change control processes including project updates,
corrective actions and lessons learned.

IV. Project Scope
   A. Strategic Planning 
      1. Plan project selection and prioritization.
      2. Utilize project selection methods.
   B. Development of Project Planning Documents
      1. Develop project charter, scope statement and work breakdown
structure.
      2. Describe the scope of change control processes.

V. Project Time Management
   A. Techniques for Project Schedules
      1. Define activity, sequencing and duration estimations.
      2. Create Gantt Charts.
      3. Develop network diagrams for determining project completion
dates.
      4. Produce critical path analysis.
   B. Tools to Manage Projects
      1. Create budgeting spreadsheets.
      2. Use project management software.

VI. Project Cost Management
   A. Cost Processes
      1. Describe and use resource planning, cost estimating, budgeting
and cost control processes.
      2. Define cost estimate components.
   B. Cost Calculations
      1. Use earned value formulas.
      2. Estimate and budget using Completion formulas.

VII. Project Quality Management
   A. Quality Definition and Processes
      1. Define quality planning, quality assurance and quality control in
projects.
      2. Describe quality as related to IS projects.
   B. Quality Control Tools and Techniques
      1. Use Pareto charts, statistical sampling, quality control charts.
      2. Describe testing for IS projects as related to quality.

VIII. Project Key Human Resource Management Processes
   A. Plan the organization.
   B. Plan staff acquisition.
   C. Plan for resource loading and leveling.
   D. Develop and motivate the team.

IX. Project Communications Management
   A. Communications Planning
      1. Describe the components of a communications plan.
      2. Describe the information distribution methods.
      3. Define performance reporting.
   B. Communication Skills
      1. Develop appropriate verbal and non-verbal communication skills.
      2. Develop appropriate written communication skills.
      3. Manage conflict effectively.
   C. Documentation
      1. Develop project work papers.
      2. Use templates.

X. Project Risk Management
   A. Risk Definition and Management Processes
      1. Define risk and tolerances.
      2. Describe risk planning and identification.
      3. Do qualitative and quantitative risk analysis
      4. Explain response planning and control.
      5. List common project risks.
   B. Tools and Techniques to Manage Risk
      1. Utilize Probability/Impact matrices.
      2. List the top ten risk item tracking approaches.
      3. Use simulation software.

XI. Project Procurement Management
   A. Describe the value of procurement management and outsourcing
options.
   B. Define the processes and deliverables of procurement management.
      1. Make-or-buy analysis
      2. Types of IS contracts
      3. Request for proposals
      4. Proposal evaluation criteria and worksheet

Methods of Evaluation of Competencies:

Evaluation of student mastery of course competencies will be accomplished using the following methods:

   A minimum of five projects           40% of grade
   A minimum of eight examinations      60% of grade
                                       100%
Grading Criteria:
   A = 90 - 100%
   B = 80 -  89%  
   C = 70 -  79%
   D = 60 -  69%
   F =  0 -  59%

Caveats: NONE

Disabilities:

If you are a student with a disability, and if you will be requesting accommodations, it is your responsibility to contact Access Services. Access Services will recommend any appropriate accommodations to your professor and his/her director. The professor and director will identify for you which accommodations will be arranged.

JCCC provides a range of services to allow persons with disabilities to participate in educational programs and activities. If you desire support services, contact the office of Access Services for Students With Disabilities (913) 469-8500, ext. 3521 or TDD (913) 469-3885. The Access Services office is located in the Success Center on the second floor of the Student Center.