Description

This is a fundamental course which provides an overview of best practices in professional project management. We will be covering the different processes, different approaches, and methodologies. This course will help students how to align project goals and objectives with the business goals. Over the month, the students will learn how to reach project goals in a very effective and efficient manner while dealing with the environment. With this course, students will be able to learn how to define deliverables, describe the key tasks of a project manager to drive the projects to completion and satisfy all stakeholders involved.

Course Prequisites

High school graduation or equivalent; or 18 years of age. A written essay from the student explaining the reasons for interest in the program and how the program can assist the student to meet future goals.

The minimum level of English language proficiency is one of the following:

● English 12- minimum final grade “C” or Cornerstone Placement test – Level 5. (This placement test uses the Placement Evaluation Package Interchange 3 Third Edition and passages second edition from Cambridge.)

Learning Objectives

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

● The ability to apply basic project management techniques and choose supporting software tools
● An understanding of the role and importance of project management in an organization and how projects support organizational goals and strategy
● The ability to think critically about when and under which circumstances to apply specific project management techniques
● An understanding of the role of time, cost and quality management in successful projects
● An understanding of the management and communication techniques and skills that lead to successful project outcomes
● The importance of knowing how to measure effectively and differentiate between the project metrics and the critical success factors
● An understanding of the role of communication in project management and an improvement in their ability to communicate effectively both orally and in writing
● A better understanding of their own personal goals, motivations, and way of working individually and within teams
● An increase in their ability to function effectively on a project team and as a project manager

Course Outline

Module 1- Introduction to Project Management – The students will learn what is a project and how to become an efficient Project Manager able to define proper goals in order to guide the team through the entire process. 10 hours/total

Module 2 – Fundamentals of Project Management Methodologies – To plan a project, the student will have to discover the main two methodologies (Agile and Waterfall) and learn the pros and cons of each in order to be able to make the right decision. 10 hours/total

Module 3 – Defining and Scoping a Project – A Project Manager needs to define and scope the project properly in order to perform an efficient risk management and complete the mission with success. 10 hours/total

Module 4- Progress and Performance measurement. Managing, keeping track and implementing corrective initiatives are the main missions for the Project Manager. Learn how to save time and manage costs. 10 hours/total

Module 5 – Report and Project Closure – Reaching a goal is not the end of the project. A Project Manager needs to finalize the project properly and provide the accurate documentation. The Project Manager will have to make sure that the project gets accomplished within time and budget and with the highest quality. 10 hours/total

Project: 50 hours: Students will get an opportunity to work in a group on a real project in order to put into practice the theory they have learnt in class.

Teaching Methods

Approach:
In this workshop course that combines in-class and online activities, students prepare assignments with the guidance of instructors.
Creativity:
Project-based group participation: at least two assignments will be presented orally.
Judgment:
Students will prepare at least four written assignments in traditional and digital genres such as reports, letters, brochures, email, and webpages, and deliver one professionally related informative oral presentation

Required course materials

● Project Management Metrics, KPIs, and Dashboards: A Guide to Measuring and Dashboards:
● https://www.northeastern.edu/graduate/blog/develop-project-scope-statement/ (By Brian Eastwood | June 26, 2019)
● Project Management Institute – pmi.org
● PM Solutions Research Compendium 2009.
● https://eduinpro.com/blog/project-management-methods-and-product-development-frameworks/ – https://eduinpro.com/ – July 2, 2019
● https://www.lucidchart.com/blog/3-disadvantages-of-agile-methodology
● https://venngage.com/templates
● https://www.projectmanager.com/
● teamgantt.com
● https://www.wrike.com/project-management-guide/faq/what-is-pmi-in-project-management/
● PMBOK – (Project Management Body of Knowledge and it is the entire collection of processes, best practices, terminologies, and guidelines that are accepted as standards within the project management industry. )

Virtual classes video conferencing platforms using (Skype & Zoom)