Syllabus

IT Resource Planning: IT443, Section 2

Spring 2005

Text:

Course Objectives:

1. Understand the importance of project management in improving the success of information technology projects.
2. Understand the constraints of project management.
3. Learn the project lifecycle, project management knowledge areas and process groups.
4. Learn tools and techniques of project management, such as:
   • Project selection methods,
   • Work breakdown structures,
   • Network diagrams, critical path analysis and critical chain scheduling
   • Cost estimation
   • Earned value management
   • Team building
5. Apply project management concepts by working on a group project as project manager or active team member using Microsoft Project 2002 and other software
6. Appreciate the importance of good project management and share examples of good and bad project management

Course Structure:

The course will be conducted as a mixture of lecture and discussion. Students are expected to actively participate. Students will do exercises individually and work as part of a team on a semester-long project. Each team will plan a small project. Each team will document their plans and provide an oral presentation to the class.

Assignments:

Assigned exercises and minicases are due as specified below. Late assignments will not be accepted. In some cases the exercise/minicase calls for a short paper to be written; length suggestions in the book notwithstanding, such papers should not exceed 700 words.

Group Projects:

The purpose of the group project (no more than five people per group) is to use a structured approach to project management in a team setting. Teams need to be formed by February 11th; teams should decide on their projects by February 18th. Each team will develop a business case for a project. Drafts of sections of the business case are due as specified below. A complete, integrated business case is due on April 22nd. Late submissions will not be accepted. Teams will use WebCT to facilitate communications across their project. Group project managers will earn a small amount of extra credit for successfully leading their project teams.

Presentations:

Developing presentation skills is important for everyone, plus it's a good way to share information. Each team will prepare and present a project presentation. Presentations should be intended to run 40 to 45 minutes. The presentations must include at least three outside references, noted in footnotes and a reference page. Deliver your presentation notes, including a bibliography. Presentations will be evaluated based on content, delivery, and audience response.

Exams:

There will be three exams: two Midterms and a Final. All will be closed book, in-class. There will be no makeup exams for any reason.

Grades:

The numerical score is then translated into a letter grade using the following scale:
A: 94-100
A-: 90-93
B+: 86-89
B: 83-85
B-: 80-82
C+: 75-79
C: 70-74
D: 60-69
F: 0-59

Academic Honesty:

Plagiarism and cheating are serious offenses and may be punished by failure on an exam or assignment or failure in the course. They are also violations of the GMU Honor Code and may be reported to the Honor Committee.

Schedule: