3 Semester Credit Hours

Course Description

Worldwide, project management continues to gain acceptance in most industry sectors at a phenomenal rate. However, there is an interesting paradox embedded in the rapid growth of interest in project management. On the one hand, we note a growing interest in using different elements of project management in virtually every segment of every industry. On the other hand, we repeatedly see figures that report significant problems with projects (eg. over 30% of projects end up being cancelled in midstream and over half of all projects run as high as 190% over budget and 220% over the original time estimate (see for example KPMG, 1997; Standish Group, 1995, 1999, 2004). Clearly, the project management being practiced today does not meet the needs of the organizations in which it is used or there is more to it than is taught in introductory texts and courses.

This course builds on the material covered in NMGT760 by expanding the topics covered at the overview level in that course and introducing other topic areas relevant to the advanced practice of Project Management. Increasingly, the “soft” skills of project management are recognized as the keys to improving its practice. Particular emphasis is placed on reviewing both current best practice and research results on how best to practice project management in today’s organizations. Topics relating to Strategic Project Management are introduced in this course. Detailed coverage of these topics is left for NMGT762. 

Prerequisites

NMGT 6760 - Introduction to Project Management or equivalent project management knowledge.

Course Objectives

Upon successful completion of this course, students should be able to demonstrate a sophisticated understanding of the practice of project management. In particular, each student should be able to:

• Articulate the challenges of clearly defining project success criteria.
• Identify and plan for stakeholder involvement in complex projects.
• Recognize, and know how to develop, the skills of successful project managers.
• Understand the importance of risk management practices in achieving successful project outcomes.
• Distinguish the effective use of power and influence techniques.
• Communicate effectively with, and get the best out of, all project participants.
• Understand the contracting process and the approaches to avoiding litigation.
• Critically assess “best practice” assertions and their appropriateness for projects under consideration.

Course Topics

The following topics will be covered in the order given.

• Advanced Project Management: Introduction and Strategic Context
• Evolution of Project  Success Factors
• Essential Competencies: From Know How to Know Why
• Surfing on the Edge of Chaos: Developing the Master Project Manager
• Leadership and Project Management
• I'm Not Crazy: I'm just not you; Social Styles and PM
• Managing with Power and Authority
• Understanding Communication Filters and Biases
• Planning to Communicate
• Assessing and Managing Project Stakeholders
• What Do Senior Executives Want from Project Management?
• Initiating the Project: Where Do the Requirements Come From?
• Expectations Management: Maintaining Clarity Around Project Scope
• Contracts: Why Should you Care?
• Avoiding Claims and Disputes
• Risk Management
• Managing Changes
• Planning Under Uncertainty
• Estimating: Extraordinarily Popular Delusions and Evidence of Madness
• Project Information Systems
• Project Reviews
• Building Effective Teams
• Managing Virtual Teams
• Cross Cultural Management
• Cross Cultural Research on Projects
• Project Management Maturity
• Enterprise Project Management
• Professionalization
• Keys to Success in Project Management

Lecture notes are available in the classroom.

Technical Requirements

There are no additional software or application requirements for this course. You will be required to have Windows Media Player to view the lectures. For the standard technical requirements, please go to the link below: http://www.waldenu.edu/c/Files/DocsGeneral/Getting_Started_Guide.pdf

Textbook

Required: Cleland, David and Lewis R. Ireland (2004)  Project Management:  Strategic Design and Implementation.  Fourth Edition.  McGraw Hill; Verzuh, Eric (2005)  Fast Forward MBA in Project Management.  Second Edition, Wiley; plus Course Packet.

Disclaimer: The course syllabus may differ slightly from this course. Descriptions will be provided in your online course. Textbook information is provided only to give more information about the course. Do Not use this information to purchase a textbook.  Up-to-date information will be provided when you register.