CH01_Project_Management_W2025__2_

Course Introduction

• Course Code: MGT2364 - Project Management

• Institution: McGraw-Hill Education

Instructor Information

• Name: Professor Mark Thomas

• Qualifications:

  • Masters in Engineering Management

  • Masters in Management Information Systems

  • Bachelor's in Industrial Engineering

Class Conduct Overview

• Attendance Procedures

• Class Formatting

• Platform Navigation: Brightspace

• Weekly Schedule Review

• Required Registrations: McGraw Hill Connect

• Introduction to Project Management

• Learning Activity Agenda

Ground Rules

• Respect: Maintain a respectful environment

• Listening: Pay attention when others are speaking

• Microphone: Mute unless asking a question

• Participation: Raise hand or use chat for queries

• Email Duty: Regularly check Algonquin email and Brightspace

Email Etiquette

• Professional Tone: Adhere to business guidelines in communications

• Subject Line: Include course and section numbers for clarity

• Response Time: Expect replies within 24 hours (excluding weekends)

Class Schedule

• Format: Hybrid

• Weekly Breakdown:

  • In-Class: 3 hours

  • Self Study: 1 hour (hybrid activities in McGraw Hill Connect)

Course Reference Material

• Textbook: Project Management by Erik Larson and Clifford Gray, 8th Edition

Weekly Schedule Access

• Access through Brightspace

Assessment Overview

• Table of Assessments:

  • Hybrid Activities: Due by 4 PM before class (12%)

  • In-Class Activities: During class (12%)

  • Take Home Assignments: TBD (18%)

  • Midterm Exam: Due February 20 (28%)

  • Final Exam: Week 15 (30%)

Hybrid Activities Details

• Access: Via Brightspace > Content > McGraw Hill Content

• Completion: Can be attempted multiple times; highest grade synced with Brightspace

Professional Expectations

• Communication: Be respectful and use an email signature with your student number

• Instructions for Registration: Found in Brightspace

  • Trial Availability: 14-day trial for McGraw-Hill Connect if not immediately able to purchase

Overview of Project Management

• Chapter One Introduction - Focus on modern project management principles

Learning Objectives

• 1.1: Understand the importance of project management

• 1.2: Differentiate projects from routine operations

• 1.3: Identify the stages of a project life cycle

• 1.4: Contrast Agile PM with traditional PM

• 1.5: Acknowledge the balance between technical and sociocultural aspects in project management

Chapter Outline

• 1.1: What is a Project?

• 1.2: Current Drivers of Project Management

• 1.3: Agile Project Management

• 1.4: Socio-Technical Approach in Project Management

Defining a Project

• Definition: A temporary endeavor to create a unique product, service, or result

• Major Characteristics:

  • Specific goals

  • Defined life span

  • Involvement of multiple departments

  • Novelty in execution

  • Defined performance, cost, and time specifications

Examples of Projects for Graduates

• Business: New data security system installation

• Physical Education: Senior fitness program development

• Marketing: Sales program execution for new products

• Engineering: Value chain report creation

• Chemistry: Quality control program development

• Management: Store layout redesign

Program versus Project

• Program Defined: A group of related projects aiming for a common goal

• Project Management Defined: Coordinating ongoing, interdependent projects for strategic achievements

Comparing Routine Work with Projects

• Routine Work Examples: Daily ledger entries, class notes

• Project Examples: Term paper, sales kiosk setup

Project Life Cycle Stages

• Defining: Goals

• Planning: Schedules, specifications, resource allocation

• Executing: Status reports, quality assurance

• Closing: Document transfer, resources release, lessons learned

Role of the Project Manager

• Responsibilities:

  • Manage temporary, non-repetitive tasks

  • Resource marshaling

  • Act as customer liaison

  • Coordinate project teams

  • Ensure project success and performance

Current Drivers of Project Management

• Factors influencing increased project management use:

  • Compression of product life cycle

  • Knowledge explosion

  • Customer focus and demand

Agile Project Management

• Definition and Evolution: Emerged due to frustrations with traditional approaches; suitable for uncertain projects

Traditional PM vs Agile PM

• Traditional PM: Known specifications, complete planning upfront

• Agile PM: Evolving specifications, iterative development, and ongoing collaboration

Techniques in Agile PM

• Iterations: Defined to achieve tangible progress over short cycles, adjusting based on reviews

Socio-Technical Approach

• Technical Dimension: Planning, scheduling, controlling

• Sociocultural Dimension: Motivating team members, collaboration with stakeholders

Class Activity

• Engagement: In-class activities for interactive learning.