BUSN 5680 - Issues in Business: Project Management

Course Description

This course examines the managerial perspective to project management in relation to Information Systems. The principal focus is on using the project life cycle as a guideline to achieve goals (cost, schedule and performance) through project organization that would only be achieved with the greatest difficulty using traditional ways. Several tools and techniques to effective project management will be discussed, such as MS Project, Gantt charts, diagrams, cost as an independent variable, systems integration, teambuilding, work breakdown structures. The Information Systems of acquisition process and negotiation strategies, along with conflict resolution will be introduced. Conflict resolution will be applied to the negotiation process and the teaming environment. Particular emphasis will be placed on the importance of planning throughout the life cycle of the project.

Course Objectives

This course in Issues in Business: Project Management examines technology through the eyes of the project manager and is designed with the purpose of meeting several broad objectives:

To provide a common framework for managing various projects and an understanding of the project life cycle.
To identify and examine areas of concern and threats to the project manager/project and explore management alternatives to counter them.
To introduce and provide a general understanding of the tools and techniques used by the project manager/team to perform effective project management.

Prerequisites

There are no formal prerequisites to BUSN 5680. However, it is assumed the student has adequate writing, mathematical, and analytical skills. Also, as for all internet courses, the student must be disciplined and self-motivated.

Course Materials

Please go to MBS Direct to find the appropriate textbooks for this course.

Please be aware when purchasing your textbooks that the International versions of the text may differ from the Domestic (North American) version required for your course.

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Course Activities

Project Management requires various writing and case or project oriented assignments each week in addition to significant forum discussions on many interesting topics. Throughout the course the following types of assignments will be required:

Case Studies
Chapter Exercises
Weekly collaborative discussions
Midterm and Final Examination

Policy Statements

Any student caught cheating or committing plagiarism may fail the class and be subject to further disciplinary action.

This syllabus may be revised at the discretion of the instructor without the prior notification or consent of the student.

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