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BUS 5662 Project Tools and Techniques


Course Description

Covers tools and techniques used to plan and control projects and accomplish business objectives. Emphasizes how to determine which tool or technique to use during different phases of the project life cycle. Uses project management software in exercises.

Course Objectives

  • Demonstrate an understanding of project management theory
  • Understand the strategic role of different project management tools and techniques
  • Learn to identify the appropriate project management tools and techniques that should be applied during different project management phases

Week 1


Lecture: Course Introduction
Lecture: Strategic Context of Project Management

Outcomes

  • Examination of the following:
    • Overview of project management processes and knowledge areas
    • Strategic context of project management and the role of project management tools
    • How standardized project management process supports project management strategy
    • How project management toolbox supports the standardized project management process
  • Using Microsoft Project 2013, you will format a project plan by:
    • Modifying a Gantt chart
    • Adding a text box to a Gantt chart
    • Creating a table and custom view
    • Changing appearance in a view

Week 2


Lecture: Project Selection: Economic Methods

Outcomes

  • Select, use, and customize various project selection tools
    • Scoring Models
    • Analytical Hierarchy Process
    • Economic Methods (Payback Time, Net Present Value, Internal Rate of Return)
    • Portfolio Selection
    • Real Options Approach
  • Use Microsoft Project 2013 to do the following:
    • Customize/print a Gantt view chart and report

Week 3


Lecture: Project Scope Planning
Lecture: Schedule Development Tool

Outcomes

  • Understand, select, and customize various scope planning tools
    • Project Charter
    • Scope Statement
    • Work Breakdown Structure
  • Understand, select, and customize various schedule development tools
    • Gantt Chart
    • Milestone Chart
    • Critical Path Method Diagram
    • Time-scaled Arrow Diagram
  • Use Microsoft Project 2013 to do the following:
    • Establish a project baseline
    • Track a project as scheduled
    • Track tasks and assignments
    • Identify over budgeted tasks and resources
    • Reschedule uncompleted work

Week 4


Lecture: Cost Estimation

Outcomes

  • Understand and use various cost planning tools
    • Analogous Estimate
    • Parametric Estimate
    • Bottom-up Estimate
    • Cost Baseline
  • Develop a project quality program
  • Understand, select, and customize project quality planning tools
  • Use Microsoft Project 2013 to:
    • Enter a cost per use of a resource
    • Assign multiple pay rates for a resource
    • Apply different cost rates to an assignment
    • Use resource leveling to resource over-allocation

Week 5


Lecture: Risk Response Planning

Outcomes

  • Develop a risk response plan
  • Understand, customize, and use the following:
    • Decision Tree
    • Risk Log
  • Become familiar with various scope control tools
  • Select and customize scope control tools
    • Project Change Request
    • Project Change Log

Week 6


Lecture: Earned Value Analysis

Outcomes

  • Understand, select, customize, and use various schedule control tools
    • Slip Chart
    • Buffer Chart
    • Schedule Crashing
  • Understand Earned Value Analysis

Week 7


Lecture: Quality Control

Outcomes

  • Understand and use various quality control tools
    • Quality Improvement Map
    • Pareto Chart
    • Cause and Effect Diagram
  • Understand, select, and customize performance reporting and closure tools
    • Summary Progress Report
    • Postmortem Review

Week 8


Outcomes

  • Understand, select, and customize the project management toolbox that is appropriate for the specific situation of various organizations and projects

The course description, objectives and learning outcomes are subject to change without notice based on enhancements made to the course. May 2016