Course description
In this course, students learn about a range of project management tools and practice using them. The course aims to teach students both Traditional project management tools and Agile project management tools. Students have opportunities to apply all aspects of project management knowledge areas (e.g. Integration, Scope, Schedule, Cost, Quality, Resource, Communications, Risk, Procurement, Stakeholder Engagement) in initiating, planning, executing, monitoring and controlling and closing a predictive project using software tools. Also, students have opportunities to apply Agile concepts using Agile PM tools. Predictive project management applications, Agile project management applications, document management tools and virtual collaboration tools or other available open-source tools will be applied in planning and managing projects successfully. This course provides students with practical experience using the knowledge developed through previous project management courses and the use of common industry project management tools.
Course content
- Project Management Information Systems (such as Primavera, MS Project, OpenProject and Trello)
- Applications, tools and techniques connected with specific project management focus areas such as Scheduling, Resourcing, Budgeting, Estimation, Risk Management, Evaluation and Reporting
- Project Plan Baselines using appropriate software applications and tools
- Project performance tracking using appropriate software applications and tools in tandem with relevant project management techniques
- Project Document Management platforms and applications
- Platforms and tools appropriate for virtual project communication, collaboration and management
Learning activities
Methods of instruction may include the following:
- Lectures
- Labs including practical application of concepts
- Discussions
- Case study analysis
- Guest lectures on industry-specific subjects
Means of assessment
Assessment will be in accordance with the Douglas College Evaluation Policy.
| Assignment(s)/Group Term Project(s): Minimum of 2* |
30 - 40% |
| Examination(s)* |
20 - 30% |
| Final Examination |
20 - 30% |
| Participation |
5 - 10% |
| Total: |
100% |
NOTES:
- At least 50% of the total coursework must be for individual work.
- Students must achieve a grade of at least 50% on the combined exam components to pass the course.
- To pass the course, students must achieve a cumulative grade of at least 50% in all non-group assessments as well as an overall grade in the course of 50% or more. In other words, students must have achieved at least 50% on their cumulative individual assessments in order to be eligible to earn marks from group work.
- Students may conduct research as part of their course work in this class. Instructors for the course are responsible for ensuring that student research projects comply with College policies on ethical conduct for research involving humans, which can require obtaining Informed Consent from participants and getting the approval of the Douglas College Research Ethics Board prior to conducting the research.
- *No single assessment will be worth more than 30% of the final grade.
Learning outcomes
Students who successfully complete the course will:
- Explain the benefits of software platforms, applications and tools for the management of projects;
- Establish criteria for selecting a Project Management Information System;
- Apply, analyze and evaluate multiple platforms, applications and tools for use in the support of project management;
- Create various key project management documents including Work Breakdown Structure (WBS), Project schedules, Risk Registers, Project Budgets and Status reports through the appropriate use of well-chosen software platforms/applications/tools and techniques;
- Perform Qualitative and Quantitative Risk Analysis using appropriate software tools and techniques;
- Perform schedule and budget management using appropriate software tools and techniques;
- Apply and adapt software tools to assist project managers in managing the project team and engaging with other stakeholders (including the organization, customers and subcontractors);
- Evaluate project performance using appropriate project management and software tools and techniques.
Note: This course incorporates Predictive, Agile and Hybrid approaches to project management
Textbook materials
Textbooks will be chosen from the following list:
- The Guide to Project Management Body of Knowledge (PMBOK©), Project Management Institute (PMI©, Latest edition);
- The Agile Practice Guide, Project Management Institute (PMI©, Latest edition);
- (Optional) Project Management, Watt. A. (Latest edition), https://opentextbc.ca/projectmanagement/.
And/or any alternative textbook approved by the Business Management department.