Introduction to Project Management & Project Membership

Catalog description

This course introduces students to the role and purpose of project management in today’s workplace. The course is designed with an introductory perspective: focusing on what project management is all about, why it is important, what benefits and help it provides, and why it is a necessary part of today’s career skillset. Key concepts and practices are explained from the ‘non-project manager’ perspective, providing answers and solutions to everyday questions and challenges in the field. Topics include: 1) the roles of the project manager, project member, subject matter expert and stakeholders – explained; 2) project, program and product implementation differentiators; 3) project requirements definition and the benefits of understanding project scope; 4) risk and risk management concepts; 5) understanding how project plans affect individual contributors — the notion of ‘team’; 6) tasks, task reporting and testing; 7) quality and the project development life cycle; and 8) tracking a task and the cost, scope, time triad. Along with basic project management skills, students also learn about the role of communications, teamwork and people skills needed to successfully participate as a contributor in today’s team-oriented workplace. Through topic lectures, class discussions and exercises, and relevant case studies, students explore the long and varied history and development of project management, how it has evolved over time into a recognized profession, and how project management can be utilized in practical, helpful and interesting ways.