PDF versionModule Leader
Lecturer
Dr N Oraiopoulos
Timing and Structure
Lent term. Eight 2-hour sessions + coursework. Assessment: 100% coursework (please see details below)
Aims
The aims of the course are to:
- introduce the principal elements of project management; equipping students with the basic skills to enable them to manage a project and to operate effectively as part of a project team.
Objectives
As specific objectives, by the end of the course students should be able to:
- use a set of tools and frameworks that enable effective project planning and execution.
- understand the need for appropriate governance structures and control systems in the delivery of project objectives.
- run a small scale project and to be an effective member of any project team.
Content
Session 1: Introduction to Project Management
- Wide applicability of Project Management (PM)
- Reasons why project fail
- History of PM: Roots of change
- Critical Path Method (CPM): Dragonfly Case - part 1
Session 2: Project Planning and Control
- Beyond the CPM; the PERT method
- EVA/ABC
- Design Structure Matrix
- Monte Carlo Simulation and Limitations
- Dragonfly Case - part II
Session 3: Ambiguity in Large Innovative Projects
- Flying Car Case
- Managing Residual Uncertainty
- Strategies for Managing Ambiguity
- Stakeholder Management
Session 4: Project Risk Management
- Intro to PM Risk Management
- Review of decision trees
- Real Options
Session 5: Managing Project Teams
- In-class exercise
- Heavyweight vs lightweight project managers
- Functional vs. project-based organizations
Session 7: Portfolio Management
- Scoring tables and financial indices: value and limitations
- Risk return matrices and visual tools
- Experimental evidence: collective bias
Session 8: Project Management Contracts
- Fixed fee/Time and Materials/Performance-based contracts
- Comparison and applicability of each contract type
- Risk-sharing through optimal contract design
- Barganining power and negotiations
Coursework
In-class individual case discussion contributions (20%), Group case write-up (30%), Coursework work individual (50%).
| Coursework | Format |
Due date & marks |
|---|---|---|
|
Coursework activity #1: Project Management Case Study Coursework 1 brief description You will be given a case and asked to analyse the risk management framework that the managers use to ensure a smooth transition of the IT operations. Learning objective:
|
Group Report anonymously marked |
Beginning of Lecture 4 [18/60] |
|
[Coursework activity #2 Project Prioritization and Analysis / Final] Coursework 2 brief description You will be given a case study and asked to analyse the risk profiles of different projects portfolios. You will have to make a recommendation regarding what projects should the company select and defend your recommendation with both quantitative and qualitative arguments. Learning objective:
|
Individual Report anonymously marked |
Beginning of Easter Term [30/60] |
Booklists
Please see the Booklist for Group E Courses for references for this module.
Examination Guidelines
Please refer to Form & conduct of the examinations.
UK-SPEC
This syllabus contributes to the following areas of the UK-SPEC standard:
Toggle display of UK-SPEC areas.
Last modified: 19/01/2018 16:34