| LEC # | TOPICS | KEY DATES |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Project Introduction Instructor, TA and Student Introductions, Course Objectives, Course Administration, Brief History of Project Management, Terms and Definitions, Course Framework | Project assignments out |
| Module 1: Advanced Methods and Tools | ||
| 2 | Network Planning Techniques CPM, PERT, MPM, Probabilistic Scheduling, Critical Path Identification, Focus on Parallel and Sequential Task Dependencies | Homework 1 out |
| 3 | DSM 1: Task-based Models Work Breakdown Structures (WBS), Introduction to Design Structure Matrices (DSM), Sequencing, Partitioning and Tearing | Project proposals due |
| 4 | DSM 2: Iteration Models Use of DSM's in a Project Management Context, Sequential and Parallel Iteration Models, Process Analysis and Redesign, Industrial Examples | Homework 2 out |
| 5 | Project and Team Organization Influence, Matrix and Dedicated Project Organizations, Alignment of Task, Product and Organizational Architectures (DSM Overlap), IPTs | Homework 1 due Project approval |
| 6 | SD1: Project System Dynamics Introduction to System and Project Dynamics, Causes of Project Dynamics, Key Concept: "The Rework Cycle", Notion of Feedbacks and Knock-on Effects | Homework 3 out |
| 7 | SD2: Feedback Loops and Rework SD Modeling Introduction, "Soft" and "Hard" Tools, Causal Loop Diagrams, Cause-Effect Relationships, Stocks and Flows, Productivity and Quality | Homework 2 due |
| 8 | SD3: Project Dynamics Simulation Quantitative Modeling of Project Dynamics, Model Calibration and Parameter Estimation, Simulation Execution, Industrial Examples | Homework 4 out |
| 9 | SD4: Managing Project Dynamics SD Simulation Application, Staff and Schedule Dynamics, Variations on the Basic Rework Cycle, Discuss Vensim Simulation Assignment | Homework 3 due |
| Module 2: Strategic Issues in Project Preparation and Planning - Case Studies | ||
| 10 | SD5: Strategic Issues in Project Planning "Strategic" View of Project Management, Project Preparation and Planning, Strategic vs. Operational Decisions, Initiation of Dynamics | |
| 11 | Product Development Processes Classification: Phased vs. Spiral PDP's, A Project Management View of the PDP, Process Selection Criteria, Milestones, Industrial Examples | Homework 4 due |
| 12 | Integrated Concurrent Engineering Traditional Sequential Design versus ICE, Computational Infrastructures and Processes, Peer-Peer vs. Client-Server Architectures, Examples | Homework 5 out |
| 13 | Case 1: Software Development Projects Industrial guest speaker will give examples of past software/IT projects and discuss salient aspects in the context of the class, Q & A session | Project update |
| 14 | Case 2: Civil Architecture Projects Industrial guest speaker will give examples of past civil infrastructure projects and discuss salient aspects in the context of the class, Q & A session | |
| 15 | Case 3: Aerospace and Naval Projects Industrial guest speaker will give examples of past aerospace, automotive or naval projects and discuss salient aspects in the context of the class. These projects differ from case 1 and 2 in the sense that both high hardware and software complexity are present, Q & A session | |
| Module 3: Project Execution, Monitoring and Adaptation | ||
| 16 | Critical Chain/Path Scheduling Critical Path Scheduling, Identification and Control, Project Crashing and its Consequences, Critical Chain Method, DSM to Critical Chain Linking | |
| 17 | SD6: Risk Management SD View of Risk Management, Risk Identification, Risk Assessment, Risk Mitigation, Case Example: Peace Shield, Delay and Disruption Disputes | Homework 6 out |
| 18 | Resource Consumption and Progress Tracking Resource Consumption: Cost and Time, Progress Monitoring: Perceived vs. Real, Cost Schedule Status Reporting (CSSR), "Earned Value" | Homework 5 due |
| 19 | SD7: Project Change and Adaptation Descoping, Schedule Adjustments, Staffing Strategies | |
| 20 | SD8: Overlapping and Concurrency Use of Buffers, Decoupling Task Interdependencies, Schedule Compression Strategies, Task Overlapping Framework, SD Simulation, Cost Impact | |
| Module 4: Project Critical Success Factors and Summary | ||
| 21 | Project Management: The Human Aspect | |
| 22 | Project Critical Success Factors Strategic, Tactical and Operational Factors that have influenced project success and failure in the past, Empirical Data from Lean Aerospace Initiative | Homework 6 due |
| 23-24 | Project Presentations Formal Class Presentations by Student SPM Project Teams Ca. 20 Minutes per Team, including Q & A session | Project assignments due in lecture 24 |
| 25 | Class Summary and Feedback Review of Key Concepts in SPM, Extension to Multiproject Environments, Discussion of Open Issues, and Quantitative Evaluation of Class Feedback | |