Introduction
This module addresses the practical aspects of project management, where
students begin to see how the project will be implemented. It also provides the answers
to what, who, when and how much will be required for the project, and how these will
interrelate to achieve the project objectives. Project planning is a crucial element of
project management, and a project manager will spend a large amount of time planning
and re-planning. It will also involve the value adding aspects of planning, where waste is
minimised and learning is increased.
Aims
This module aims to critically assess, within a problem solving environment, the
processes and strategies undertaken by project managers to define, plan, control, and
deliver project requirements
Learning Outcomes
On completion of this module, students are expected to be able to:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
Using various planning techniques, assess and evaluate time, cost and quality
requirements of the different tasks to produce a project delivery plan within a goal
oriented environment.
Apply resource scheduling and allocation techniques to facilitate effective project
control.
Critically appraise key project evaluation, monitoring and control techniques and
their importance in bringing projects to successful completion.
Critically review and apply the various IT led techniques, viewed as contemporary
project management tools.
Evaluate different quality systems and their role in minimising waste and giving
value to the client.
Module Map
The module is broadly divided into following three themes
Theme 1: Planning Fundamentals
Theme 2: Project Monitoring and Control
Theme 3: Project Closeout and Learning
Theme
Study Topics
Theme 1
Topic 1: Introduction to Planning Fundamentals:
Planning Fundamentals
Topic 2: Scope Management and Planning
Methodologies
Topic 3: Project Estimating and Budgeting
Topic 4: Time Scheduling and Phasing 1
Topic 5: Time Scheduling and Phasing 2
Theme 2
Project Monitoring and Control
Topic 6: Resource Allocation, Aggregation and
Leveling
Topic 7: Introduction to Planning Software:
Microsoft Project
Topic 8: Monitoring and Control
Topic 9: Monitoring and Control using Earned Value
Topic 10: Project Risk Management
Topic 11: Project Termination
Theme 3
Project Closeout and Learning
Topic 12: Post Implementation Evaluation
Schedule of Lectures
Wk No
Lecture
Mode of delivery
Project Lifecycle and Phases
Lecture
Project Feasibility
Lecture
3&4
Project Selection Models (IRR, ROI,NPV, Pay
Back Period and Scoring Models)
Lecture + Activity assignment
Project Breakdown (WBS, CBS, OBS, RBS)
Lecture
Project Planning Techniques (Rolling wave
planning & CPM, dependencies, milestones,
limitations, )
Lecture + Activity assignment
7&8
Project Estimation and Budgeting Techniques
(Order of Magnitude, Definitive estimates and
Feasibility Estimates, Top down and Bottom up
Budgeting, Learning Curve and Limitations of
estimation, Contingency planning)
Lecture
Scheduling Techniques (Gantt/Bar Charts, Activity
on Arrow, Activity on Node, Resource aggregation
and levelling)
Lecture + Exercises
10
Time Analysis (Slack, Float, Forward Pass and
Backward Pass, CPM, Lead and Lag, Schedule
Crashing and fast tracking)
Lecture + Activity Assignment
11
Introduction to Microsoft Project (Gantt Chart,
Resource levelling)
Lab + Activity Assignment
12 & 13
Monitoring and Control (EVM, Cost and Schedule
Variance, Project Control, Change Control, Balance
Score Card Method: SF and CSF, Configuration
Control, Quality Control, )
Lecture + Activity assignment
14
Project Risk Management (Risk identification,
Unknown Unknowns, Known Unknowns, Known,
Risk Assessment, Risk Management :Acceptance,
Mitigation, Avoidance Techniques)
Lecture + Business Case
Assignment
15
Project Closeout (Project Delivery and handover,
extinction, inclusion, integration)
Lecture
16
Post Implementation evaluation (Lessons
Learned)
Lecture + Activity assignment
Evaluation Method and Criteria
25% Class assignments
35 % mid term examination
40% End term examination
Suggested Text and Readings
Project Planning and Control Fourth Edition, by Eur Ing Albert Lester. Available
online at: http://iclass.iuea.ac.ug/intranet/E-books/PROJECT
%20MANAGEMENT/Project%20Planning%20and%20Control.pdf
Goal directed project management by Andersen, E., Grude, K. and Haug, T.
(2009). . London: Kogan Page Ltd.. Available online at:
http://dl4a.org/uploads/pdf/Goal_Directed_Project_Management.pdf
Project management. 3rd ed. By Burke, R. (2001). Chichester, England: J. Wiley.
PROJECT MANAGEMENT A Systems Approach to Planning, Scheduling, and
Controlling. 10th ed. By Kerzner, H. (2009). Hoboken, New Jersey: John Wiley &
Sons, Inc. available online at:
http://honestyets.pbworks.com/f/Project+Management+-+A+Systems+Approach++10thEd.pdf
Articles and Research Papers
Earned value project management method and extensions By (Anbari. F, 2003)
Budget practices case studies By (Fruitticher et al., 2005)
Project management via earned value By (Raby, 2000)
Budget Busts: The Influence of Demand in the Construction Market By (J.Moss, 2003)
