Fall 2013
Instructors: Professor Kelly Lyons and Professor Steve Szigeti
Section 101 – Kelly
Lyons (Monday 6:00pm to 9:00pm) Location BL728
Section 102 – Kelly
Lyons (Tuesday 9:00am to noon) Location BL319
Section 103 – Steve
Szigeti (Tuesday 9:00am to noon) Location BL313
This course covers an introduction to the theory and practice of project management. Students will bring past experience in project situations together with insights from the course textbook and complementary readings to develop new understandings and knowledge that will help prepare them to participate in, contribute to, lead and succeed in future project opportunities.
Note: Questions should be posted to the discussion board of the Blackboard course site. Students are encouraged to post answers to the questions of other students where appropriate.
Important: Questions posted to the discussion board will be answered within two (2) business days.
Textbook: Gido, J. & Clements, J.P. (2011) Successful Project Management. 5th Edition. This text is available for purchase at the University of Toronto bookstore. Please note that if you can purchase a second hand copy of the 4th Edition, page numbers for this earlier addition are included in the syllabus. There are also copies of the 4th Edition available on reserve at the Inforum. Additional readings are listed in the weekly schedule will be available on the course Blackboard site.
This course is intended to help prepare students for successful careers in the information professions where much of the work is organized through projects conducted by a designated project team. The course is designed to help students understand the terminology used in and theories behind project management and to help them function successfully in project environments. At the end of this course, students should be able to:
· Apply project management principles and practices (including specific techniques) in a variety project contexts (demonstrated in all three assignments)
· Describe the role and importance of project management in an organization and identify projects that support organizational goals and strategy (demonstrated through in-class activities and assignment 1)
· Determine and describe their own personal goals, motivations, and ways of working individually and within teams (demonstrated in assignment 1)
· Explain and interpret the social dynamics of teamwork and how people work individually and in teams (demonstrated in assignment 2, through in-class activities)
· Apply and describe the management and communication techniques and skills that lead to successful project outcomes (demonstrated in assignment 2 and through in-class activities)
· Determine when and under which circumstances to apply specific project management techniques (demonstrated in assignment 3)
· Identify the role of time, cost and quality management in successful projects and determine trade-offs (demonstrated in assignment 3 and through in-class activities)
· Explain the role of communication in project management and demonstrate effective communication both orally and in writing (demonstrated in all three assignments and through in-class activities)
· Put into practice effectively working on a project team and as a project manager (demonstrated in assignment 3 and through in-class activities)
Instructor: Professor Kelly Lyons
Phone: 416 946 3839
email: kelly.lyons@utoronto.ca
Office: BL 612
Office Hours: By appointment via email.
Instructor: Professor Steve Szigeti
Phone: 416 473 5685
email: steve.szigeti@utoronto.ca
Office: TBD
Office Hours: By appointment via email.
This course has
three (3) contact class hours per week. The class sessions will be a
combination of lectures, discussions, teamwork, interactive exercises and
in-class activities. Blackboard will be used as a learning management system to
support project teams (groups), sharing of information, weekly slides,
important dates, assignments, and other information about the course, as well
as the facilitation of interaction among students on topics related to the
course. Note that for every one (1) hour of contact, you can expect to do 2.5
hours of reading and preparation work on your own. Students should plan on
attending and participating each week.
Students will be put into groups (of 4-5 people) within their class
section such that the groups will work together on activities during the
classes and will collaborate for part of assignment 3 together.
This is a
professional masters program course and most students have some (if not,
extensive) experience working on or leading projects. As such, we will learn together, from one
another, and relate the knowledge learned through the course to our past
experiences and imagined future opportunities.
Instructors will provide an outline and structure for the course,
present lectures, define assignments, and assign readings, but students will
largely define the scope of their project assignments and will be asked to
contribute and share relevant materials and readings as well. The interaction
among students and their collaborative work is essential in making the course a
success. Students are expected to use the experiences and knowledge they bring
into the course to help define their learning objectives, identify and define
projects, contribute to the course content, and complement their own learning
experience and that of their classmates.
See also general expectations.
The first part of
the course covers project management principles in general and students will
establish individual goals and learning objectives and scope a project in some
detail. The second section looks at the
organizational, interpersonal and political aspects of project management such
as being a leader, managing and working on project teams, understanding
cultural issues and managing diverse stakeholders. Students will use what they
learn in this part of the course to work in project teams for the third section
of the course. The third and final section of the course focuses on tools and
techniques available to support project management. Students will work in
project teams to define, scope, and produce a project plan for a project. Students will have an opportunity to
experiment with different techniques and tools and share their experiences with
one another, offering critiques and comparing tools that are designed to help
project managers and teams plan, implement and successfully complete projects
more effectively.
Throughout the
course, students are expected to practise project management principles in
every aspect of their coursework and interactions (see “Practicing
Project Management Principles”). Lecture topics will be augmented with
in-class group-based activities and guest lectures.
|
Assignment 1 |
A. Survey: Setting Learning
Objectives |
Part A: Survey
Response due week 3: Sept 24/25 before start of class |
5% |
|
B. Report: Developing a
Project Charter |
Part B: Report due
week 5: Oct 10 noon |
15% |
|
|
Assignment 2 |
Case Study: Managing
Teams, Leadership, and Effective Communication |
Case Analysis and
Implementation Recommendations due week 9: Nov 5/6 before start of class |
30% |
|
Assignment 3 |
Report: Planning a Project
and Project Management Tools |
Report due week 13: Dec 7 noon |
35% |
|
Participation |
In addition to
general participation, as part of the participation evaluation, each student
is expected to present results of in-class activities on behalf of their
group at least once during the course |
Throughout the course |
15% |
Each of the course
requirements will be completed using a slightly different format but all papers
and reports should be prepared in the following way: double spaced, 1 inch
margins, 12 pt font. You must include a cover page with report or paper title,
your name, student number, your group number and project title of your project
team. Each page MUST contain only the title of your report and page number in
the header or footer (but NOT your name or student number).
The first assignment
is an individual assignment which will be submitted in two parts as
reports. Reports follow a pre-specified
outline (which will be supplied as part of the assignment details). They must
be well-written, concise, and communicate the necessary information
effectively.
Near the beginning
of term, students will be put into groups and assigned a project that they will
refer to for the rest of their work in the class and in assignment 3. The tools, techniques, and practices
discussed throughout the course will be studied within the context of this
assigned project and within the student’s assigned group. Students will not
implement the project but will go through the process of planning, scoping,
scheduling, budgeting, and allocating resources to the project.
The second
assignment is a paper that presents a case analysis and implementation
recommendations that demonstrate students’ ability to apply management and
leadership techniques to a particular project situation.
The third assignment
will be submitted as a report. In this assignment, students will conduct their
research and discussion in their groups (teams) but will submit an individually
written report. Students should appropriately cite their group members’
contributions in their individually written work. The required report sections will be provided
in the assignment definition. Having a
group assignment with individual submissions enables students to learn from
their peers and share ideas to help guide their overall perspectives and
thoughts that will make up the content of the report but allows students to be
assessed on their individual contribution. Assessment of individual contribution
will include how well students have been able to synthesize ideas and knowledge
developed within their groups.
For all assignments,
see important details about what is expected in your papers and reports under General Expectations.
Groups / Teams: Project groups (teams) of size 4-5 will be selected by the instructor based on your course goals and learning objectives submitted in Part of A of Assignment 1. The intention is to put together project teams of people who bring diverse backgrounds and perspectives and whose learning objectives and goals complement one another’s. In addition to demonstrating how project managers build teams with diverse strengths, it is hoped that this strategy will maximize individual learning opportunities and create some interesting and thought-provoking discussions and situations
The main textbook for the course is Successful Project Management Fourth Edition by Jack Gido and James P. Clements. It is available for purchase from the University of Toronto Bookstore and available for loan at the Inforum. Some additional journal readings are listed below and will also be available on the course Blackboard site.
The course is divided into 3 sections:
Section 1: Introduction, Overview, Projects, Portfolios, Organizational Goals
Section 2: Organizational, Interpersonal, Leadership, and Political Issues in Managing Projects
Section 3: Tools and Techniques for Planning, Managing, Closing, Auditing Projects
With the exception of the first part, we will spend roughly the same amount of class time on each section and there will be one assignment that corresponds to each section.
Week 1 (Sept 10/11)
Overview of Course and Introduction to Project Management
Readings:
· Todhunter, B. (2011). Future practitioners of project management – are we disciples of Stanley Kubrick or Ridley Scott? Proceedings of the 25th IPMA World Congress: Project Management - Delivering the Promise, October 9-12, 2011, Brisbane, Australia.
Recommended documentary (not required):
· Froemke, S., Eisenhardt, B., & Maysles, A. (1997). Concert of Wills: Making the Getty Center [A documentary]. (Available at the Inforum)
Week 2 (Sept 17/18)
Defining and Scoping a Project
Readings:
·
Textbook:
|
Fifth
edition |
Fourth
edition |
|
Chapter 1: pages 2-29 Chapter 2: pages 31-58** |
Chapter 1: pages 4-27 Chapter 2: pages 28-49 |
** Everyone should read 5e pages 31-58 for
Assignment 1B
· Example Project Charters and Project Charter Guide:
o Library and Archives Canada. (2008). Recordkeeping Assessment Projects - Project Charter. Test of the Recordkeeping Delegation Instrument. Retrieved from http://www.lac-bac.gc.ca/obj/007001/f2/007001-5105.4-e.pdf
o
Treasury Board of Canada Secretariat. (2008). An Enhanced Framework for the Management of
Information Technology Projects – Project Charter Guide. Retrieved from http://www.tbs-sct.gc.ca/emf-cag/project-projet/documentation-documentation/guide-guide/guide-guidetb-eng.asp
o
Treasury Board of Canada Secretariat. (2008). Project Charter Template. Retrieved from
http://www.tbs-sct.gc.ca/emf-cag/project-projet/documentation-documentation/template-modele/template-modele-eng.rtf
Week 3 (Sept 24/25)
Organizational Strategy, Organizational Structure, and Projects
Assignment 1 Part A Due: before start of class on Blackboard
Readings:
·
Textbook:
|
Fifth
edition |
Fourth
edition |
|
Chapter 13: pages 430-454 |
Chapter 13: pages 402-425 |
·
Article:
o Aubry, M., Hobbs, B. & Thuillier, D. (2007). A new framework for understanding organisational project management through the PMO, International Journal of Project Management, 25 (2007), pp.328–336.
Week 4 (Oct 1/2)
Projects, Portfolios, Project Selection
Readings:
·
Articles:
o Bygstad, B. & Lanestedt, G. (2009). ICT based service innovation – A challenge for project management, International Journal of Project Management, 27(2009), 234–242.
o Pellegrinelli, S. (2011). What’s in a name: Project or programme? International Journal of Project Management Vol. 29 (2), pp.232-240.
Guest Lecturer: Zol Mellary, Director, Project Management Office, Group IT, Torstar Corporation
Week 5 (Oct 8/9)
Thanksgiving Week: Building a Project Team (No Physical class this week)
Assignment 1 Part
B Due Wednesday, Oct 10 at noon on Blackboard
Readings:
·
Textbook:
|
Fifth
edition |
Fourth
edition |
|
Chapter 11: pages 352-395 Chapter 12: pages 396-409* |
Chapter 11: pages 330-369 Chapter 12: pages 370-384* |
* Note: this is not the whole chapter
·
Articles:
o
Gratton, L. &
Erickson, T. J. (2007). Eight Ways to Build Collaborative Teams, Harvard Business Review, November 2007, pp.101—109.
Week 6 (Oct 15/16)
Leadership and Management in Projects
Readings:
·
Textbook:
|
Fifth
edition |
Fourth
edition |
|
Chapter 10: pages 320-351 |
Chapter 10: pages 300-329 |
·
Articles:
o
Goleman, D. & Boyatzis, R. (2008). Social Intelligence and the Biology of
Leadership, Harvard Business Review, September
2008, pp.74-81.
o
Fisher, E. (2011). What practitioners consider to be the skills and behaviours of an effective people
project manager. International Journal of
Project Management, Vol. 29, pp.
944-1002.
·
Top 10 Qualities of a Project Manager,
Retrieved August 31,
2012 from http://www.projectsmart.co.uk/top-10-qualities-project-manager.html
Week 7 (Oct 22/23)
Managing Inter-organizational Relations
Readings:
·
Articles
o Cubberley, M., Skrzeszewski, S. & ASM Advanced Strategic Consultants (1999). Discussion Paper on Outsourcing in Canadian Heritage Institutions (Libraries and/or Museums). Retrieved August 31, 2012 from http://dsp-psd.pwgsc.gc.ca/collection_2007/ch-pc/CH52-6-1999E.pdf
o Al-Tabtabai, H.M. & Thomas, V.P. (2004). Negotiation and resolution of conflict using AHP: an application to project management. Engineering, Construction and Architectural Management. 11 (2), pg. 90-100.
o Murtoaro, J. & Kujala, J. (2007). Project negotiation analysis. International Journal of Project Management. 25 (7), pg. 722-733.
Week 8 (Oct 29/30**)
Organizational Culture and Projects
Readings:
·
Articles:
o Gray, R. J. (2001). Organisational climate and project success. International Journal of Project Management, Vol. 19, pp.103-109.
o Kazman, R. & Chen, H.-M. (2009). The Metropolis Model: A New Logic for Development of Crowdsourced Systems, Communications of the ACM, Vol. 52, (No. 7, July 2009). Pp.76—84.
o Google (2012). Google Ten Things. Retrieved on August 31, 2012 from http://www.google.com/corporate/tenthings.html
o Palmisano, S. (2012). Our Values at Work on Being an IBMer. Retrieved on August 31, 2012 from http://www.ibm.com/ibm/values/us/
**Guest Lecturer: Tuesday morning: Gary Bridgens, PMP, Director, Facilities at Western University (formerly Deputy Director, Projects and Operations, and Liaison Manager, Art Gallery of Ontario) (students from Monday night invited to attend)
Week 9 (Nov 5/6)
Project Scheduling and Planning
Assignment 2 due
before start of class on Blackboard
Readings:
·
Textbook:
|
Fifth
edition |
Fourth
edition |
|
Chapter 4: pages 98-141 Chapter 5: pages 142-(top of)162* Chapter 5: pages 172-207* |
Chapter 5: pages 112-153 Chapter 6: pages 154-207 |
* Note: this is not the whole
chapter
Week 10 (Nov 12/13)
Project Costs: estimating, budgeting, and controlling:
Readings:
·
Textbook:
|
Fifth
edition |
Fourth
edition |
|
Chapter 7: pages 238-281 |
Chapter 9: pages 264-298 |
·
Article:
o Jackson, S. (2002). Project Cost Overruns and Risk Management. Proceedings of Association of Researchers in Construction Management 18th Annual ARCOM Conference, Newcastle, Northumber University, UK, 2–4 September 2002.
Week 11 (Nov 19/20)
Project Resources:
Readings:
·
Textbook:
|
Fifth
edition |
Fourth
edition |
|
Chapter 6: pages 208-236 |
Chapter 8: pages 240-263 |
·
Article:
o Engwall, M. & Jerbrant, A. (2003). The resource allocation syndrome: the prime challenge of multi-project management? International Journal of Project Management, Vol. 21, pp.403–409.
Week 12 (Nov 26/27)
Risk Management, Performance Measurement, Project Closure and Audit
Readings:
·
Textbook:
|
Fifth
edition |
Fourth
edition |
|
Chapter 5: pages 162-172* Chapter 8: pages 282-296 Chapter 9: pages 298-316 Chapter 12: pages 410-421* |
Chapter 4: pages 87 (bottom)-109* Chapter 7: pages 208-239 Chapter 12: pages 385-393* |
* Note: this is not the whole chapter
·
Article:
o
Atkinson, R. (1999). Project management: cost, time
and quality, two best guesses and a phenomenon, it’s time to accept other
success criteria. International Journal
of Project Management. 17(6):337–342.
o Whittaker, B. (1999). What went wrong? Unsuccessful information technology projects. Information Management & Computer Security. (7) 1 pp. 23-29.
Week 13 (Dec 3/4)
Project Management Careers, Summary,
Review, Overview
Assignment 3 due Friday, Dec 7 at noon
Readings:
·
Articles:
· Morris, P.W.G., Crawford, L., Hodgson, D., Shepherd, M.M. & Thomas, J. (2006). Exploring the role of formal bodies of knowledge in defining a profession – The case of project management. International Journal of Project Management, Vol.24 (2006), pp.710–721.
· Dearstyne, B. W. (2012). Smoothing the Turbulence: Project Management Strategies for the Changing Workplace. Information Management, March/April 2012, 28-33.
· Horwath, J. A. (2012). How Do We Manage? Project Management in Libraries: An Investigation. Partnership: the Canadian Journal of Library and Information Practice and Research, 7(1): 34 pages. Retrieved August 31, 2012 from: http://journal.lib.uoguelph.ca/index.php/perj/article/view/1802/2492
Virtual Guest Lectures: Words of Wisdom from Project Management Professionals
1. General: Throughout the course, students are expected to practise project management principles in every aspect of their coursework and interactions (see “Practicing Project Management Principles”).
2. Communication Policy: Please do not email questions to the instructor or TA. If you have a question, there is a pretty good chance that other people in the course have the same question or, at least, will benefit from the answer. Please post all questions to Blackboard (using the most appropriate forum) so that everyone in the course can benefit from your questions and our answers. Questions posted to Blackboard will be answered within two (2) business days.
3. Readings: It is important to complete the required readings before your class in order to fully benefit from the class activities.
4. Late policy: In practising project management principals, students are expected to manage their time effectively. Late submission of an assignment carries a penalty of one grade (e.g., from B+ to B) for each week to a maximum of two weeks; submissions will not be accepted after two weeks. Exceptions will be made only when supported by appropriate documentation.
5. Academic Integrity: The essence of academic life revolves around respect not only for the ideas of others, but also their rights to those ideas and their promulgation. It is therefore essential that all of us engaged in the life of the mind take the utmost care that the ideas and expressions of ideas of other people always be appropriately handled, and, where necessary, cited. For writing assignments, when ideas or materials of others are used, they must be cited. You may use any formal citation format, as long as it is used consistently in your paper, the source material can be located and the citation verified. What is most important is that the material be cited. In any situation, if you have a question, please post it to Blackboard. Such attention to ideas and acknowledgment of their sources is central not only to academic life, but life in general. Please acquaint yourself with the University of Toronto’s Code of Behaviour on Academic Matters.
6. Participation and Attendance: Discussion and interaction in the classes are important ways to learn. Sharing your experiences and ideas with your classmates is central to your learning experience in this course. As such, you should attend and participate in every class. There will be exercises and discussions that you will participate in within your groups in your class. Some of the activities will be very helpful in completing your assignments.
7. Students with Special Needs or Health Considerations: All students are welcome in this course and we will make every effort to ensure a meaningful, respectful and positive learning experience for everyone. If there are special considerations that you require to help you successfully fulfill the requirements of the course, please feel free to see one of the instructors, the Faculty of Information Student Services, and /or contact the Accessibility Student Office as soon as possible so we can ensure you are able to successfully meet the learning objectives for this course.
8. Writing Resources: Please review the material you covered in Cite it Right, familiarize yourself with the How Not to Plagiarize site and UofT’s policy, and consult the Office of English Language and Writing Support as necessary.
Students are expected to practise project management principles in every aspect of their coursework and interactions.
· Practise effective communication. Ensure your communications are effective regardless of which medium you use: email, discussion boards, verbal, and phone (if appropriate). Think about how to make your point or pose your question efficiently and clearly and be concise.
· Build your social network and practise "getting along well with others" in all interactions. Try "stepping in others' shoes" and see the project or task at hand from their perspective.
· Practise time management and estimating how long tasks will take. Do this for all of your classes, work, and other non-school activities so you won't have to ask for extensions on assignments.
· Practise setting goals and measuring results against those goals. Determine your priorities and schedule activities that are highest priorities such that they will be completed on time.
· Learn about yourself and how and when (under what conditions) you work best.
· Practise selecting projects that support your personal strategy and goals. In some assignments and exams (in this course and others), you will be given choices as to which questions to answer. This is an opportunity to choose the one that will give you the most opportunity to focus on and think about questions that support your goals.
· Hopefully, you will not only take away from this course the principles of project management and how to manage and work on projects more effectively but will also learn how to organization your work in general more effectively and learn some tips and suggestions for being more effective in everything you do.