Arab Academy for Science, Technology and Maritime Transport

Graduate
gf School of Business
Master of Business Administration (MBA)

Course Syllabus
Course Title: Project Planning and Scheduling
Course Code: PMD 911
Course Instructor: Eng. Abeer Youssef
Credit Hours: 4 Hours
Email Address: abeer.youssef@aagsb.aast.edu (For assignments and queries)
Mobile Phone No.: (0064) 22-155-0983

List of References:

1) Course Text Book and Readings:

o PMBOK: A Guide to the Project Management Body Of Knowledge,
(2017) 6th Edition.
o PMBOK: A Guide to the Project Management Body Of Knowledge,
(2021) 7th Edition.
o Saleh Mubarak, (2010), “Construction Project Scheduling and
Control”, second edition, John Wiley and Sons, Inc.

2) Course Notes:
o Notes, Lectures and PowerPoint Presentations. Additional material
outside the main text may be prescribed from time to time by the
lecturer.

3) Periodicals, Web Sites, etc.:

o Project Management and Economics (British Journal).
o ASCE Managemet section (American Society of Civil Enginers).

Course Overview:
This course addresses the project processes required to build an effective and realistic
project plan, with an emphasis on time planning. It works on identifying the different
phases of the project life cycle and types of project plans. It works on preparing the Work
Breakdown Structure (WBS) through managing the project's scope. It explains the
different network diagramming methods and techniques as well such as: Activity on
Arrow (AoA), Activity on Node (AoN)), Critical Path Method (CPM), probabilistic time
estimates using Program Evaluation and Review Technique (PERT), and float
calculations.

Moreover, it clarifies the project calendars and development of Bar Charts. The course
also covers different resource optimization techniques (resource loading, allocation, and
leveling), as well as schedule compression techniques (fast tracking, and crashing).

1
Course Objectives:
At the end of this course, you can expect to:
1. Facilitate the process of identifying and estimating project activities.
2. Design and create a work breakdown structure.
3. Develop an accurate schedule for project.
4. Calculate schedules using PERT/CPM.
5. Explore ways project schedules are developed including networks and bar charts.
6. Keep the student abreast of resource optimization techniques (resource loading,
allocation, and leveling),
7. Accelerate the project schedule by using different schedule compression techniques
(fast tracking, and crashing).

Intended Learning Outcome:

1) Knowledge and Understanding
1. Project charter.
2. Project scope management.
3. Create a work breakdown structure (WBS).
4. Time management Techniques (CPM, PERT).
5. Resource levelling and time-cost trade off.

2) Intellectual Skills
1. Calculating networks and project duration.
2. Resources leveling and acceleration techniques.
3. Critical thinking.

3) Professional Skills
 Ability to read the project schedule.
 Ability to identify the problems in the project schedule.
 Ability to give warnings to the clients about the project schedule.
 Ability to write detailed reports.

Grading and Assessment Policy:

Performance in the formative and summative assessments for the module is judged
according to the following criteria:
- Knowledge of relevant concepts and issues
- Depth of understanding and extent of critical evaluation.
- Evidence of appropriate analysis
- Ability to provide a relevant material from a range of sources
- Structure and clarity of presentation.

1. Mid-term exam (20 marks).

2. Class participation (10 marks).
3. Project groups research on a case study (40 marks).
4. Final exam (30 marks).

2
Student Workload:
In addition to attending lectures and undertaking preparation for different assessments,
you are expected to undertake independent reading and learning. The reading and
homework assignments are chosen with the intention that at least three hours of
individual study per the number of classroom contact will be required for adequate
performance. Therefore, you should be prepared to spend at least nine hours per week on
this course in addition to classroom time. If you find the assigned problems are not
sufficient to give you confidence in your ability to handle the material covered in a
chapter you may attempt some of the problems that were not assigned.

Experience clearly indicates that doing (or not doing) assigned homework problems is a
major determinant of the level of achievement in this course. Neglect of the subject for
one or two weeks followed by “cramming” will simply not work. You will probably
come to the same conclusion through your own experience in the course. Your efforts
regarding homework and class assignments will likely be justly rewarded in terms of the
marks you receive on your examination.

Testing and Homework Assignments:

 Homework assignments will be sent to the above mentioned email address (as soft
copies not printed ones) writing your name, course title, and assignment number
on the subject space in the email in addition to save the file with the same name as
well, assignments will be due 13 days after finishing the chapter (at 11 pm.). Late
submission of homework will not be accepted.
 The dates for the major examinations are indicated on the class schedule. The majors
will be held in normal class hours and will cover the chapters indicated. The final
examination will cover material from the entire term.
 All testing may include material covered in class as well as in the text and any
supplemental course material that may be prescribed. The majors and final
examination will be closed book. The only items students may utilize to complete the
majors and final examination will be normal writing instruments (pencils, pens) and
simple noiseless calculators. Programmable calculators and electronic dictionaries will
not be permitted during exams. Further details about any testing, if necessary, will be
provided in the class preceding the testing date. There will be no make-ups for
missed major examinations.
 Homework and exams will be subject to university regulations. Cheating on course
work of any kind will result in an F grade for the course and the matter will be
reported to the Academic Committee of the University through the department
chairman.

3
Course Syllabus Schedule:

Day Date Lecture No. Topic

1- Introduction to project management.
2- Project life cycle.
1 3- Project charter.
1 27/11/2021
4- Project phases.
5- Nike case study.
2 Project scope management.
3 Work Break Structure (WBS).
2 11/12/2021
4 Project time management.
1- Networks.
5 2- Activity on Arrow technique (AOA)
3- Activity on Node technique (AON)
3 18/12/2021
1- Critical Path Method (CPM).
6 2- Program Evaluation Review Technique (PERT).
* Mid Term
Resource optimization techniques
7 1- Resource Allocation and Levelling.
2- Resource Smoothing.
4 08/01/2021
1- Project Acceleration.
8 2- Schedule Compression.
3- Fast Tracking and Crashing Activities.
9 Projects' Presentations
5 15/01/2021
10 Final Exam

Best wishes & have a nice semester.

Abeer Youssef