Course description
In this course we will look at techniques used in identifying scope, collecting requirements, creating a Work Breakdown Structure (WBS), managing scope creep during project execution, and blending agile methods with predictive methods to create an adaptive approach.
Using predictive and agile methods we will look at various activities to determine a viable schedule for the project. We will look at topics such as sequencing activities, estimating activity resources and duration, and developing the project schedule. We will also look at using Critical Path Method to manage project duration and to determine the amount of flexibility in the schedule.
Course content
- Scope management planning: create a scope management plan that identifies a framework for overall scope management within each project.
- Defining scope: use a variety of tools to collect requirements: interviews; focus groups; facilitated workshops; questionnaires and surveys; and other applicable tools. Create a requirements traceability matrix. Create a WBS.
- Validating scope: identify activities that can measure and examine whether the deliverables meet the desired requirements.
- Controlling scope: establish a change control procedure that will manage scope changes. Compare the degree of scope variance with scope baseline to decide whether preventive or corrective action is required.
- Planning schedule management: determine what is required to plan the schedule.
- Tools and techniques used to plan and manage the schedule: critical chain and others.
- Schedule models: the critical path method; estimating the minimum project duration; calculating early start; early finish; late start; and late finish dates for all activities.
- Estimating activity resources and durations using various tools; optimizing resources.
- Integrating scope and schedule management into the overall project management framework to ensure overall project success.
Learning activities
Methods of instruction may include the following:
Lectures, case studies, exercises, group discussions, and guest lectures on industry-specific subjects.
Means of assessment
Assessment will be in accordance with the Douglas College Evaluation Policy.
|
Tests*
|
20% - 40% |
| Assignments/Term Project(s) (min 2) |
20% - 40% |
| Participation |
5% - 10% |
| Final Examination |
20% - 30% |
| |
100% |
* A combination of quizzes and/or midterms, with no single assessment in this group worth more than 25% of the final grade.
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.
Learning outcomes
Upon successful completion of the course, students will be able to:
- develop a scope management plan;
- manage the process of collecting requirements;
- develop a detailed description of a project;
- create a WBS;
- create a requirements traceability matrix;
- create user stories;
- manage changes to the scope baseline;
- develop and control a project schedule;
- define, and sequence scheduled activities;
- estimate activity resources and durations;
- create a milestone list;
- create a network diagram;
- integrate the knowledge learned in scope and schedule management into the overall management of a complex project; and
- explain how agile methods differ from predictive in managing scope and schedule.
Textbook materials
Textbooks will be chosen from the following list:
- Pinto K., Jeffrey, Project Management: Achieving Competitive Advantage, Latest Edition, (Pearson).
- Project Management Institute, A Guide to the Project Management Body of Knowledge, Latest Edition.
- Project Management Institute Practice Guides.
And/or any alternative textbook approved by the Business Management Department.