Topic outline

  • DEV-533 Project Management

    Course Overview: Project management is the discipline of planning, organizing, securing and managing resources to bring about the successful completion of specific project goals and objectives.


    Course Objectives: The purpose of this course is to expose the student to the basic concepts of project management and after finish the course the student will be able to: Understand the various features of Projects, Importance of Project Management in different domains, Leadership and Role of a Project Manager, Tools and Techniques of Project Management, The Logical framework, WBS, Gantt Chart, Critical Path analysis, Stakeholder analysis, Force-Field Analysis, Risk Analysis, Decision Making Models, Limitations and their application in projects and conduct Project Evaluation.

    CLO1

    Identify the contemporary approaches of project management through articulation on the core concepts of managing projects.

    CLO2

    Acquire the leadership skills required for becoming an effective project manager.

    CLO3

    Explain the major activities and challenges in every phase of a project life-cycle.

    CLO4

    Research and apply project management tools and techniques. 

    CLO5

    Implement a selected project as an application of teamwork and communicate the learnings at each stage with other teams for development.

    Course Content:

    • Understanding Projects: The concept
    • Importance of Project Management in different domains
    • Project Management Framework
    • Leadership and Role of a Project Manager
    • Tools and Techniques of Project Management
    • The Logical framework, WBS, Gantt Chart, Critical Path analysis
    • Stakeholder analysis, Force-Field Analysis, Risk Analysis
    • Decision Making Models, Limitations and their application in projects
    • Motivation: an art of Project Manager, Team-building & Communication
    • Project Evaluation


    Grading System: 

    A student may earn five-letter grades on the basis of his/her performance of the course. The letter grades A, B, C, and D are considered passing grades and also acceptable to continuing of grades. Grade F is the failing grade. Daffodil International University is maintaining Uniform Grading system as per instruction of University Grants Commission of Bangladesh as follow:


    Grading System

    Marks obtained out of 100

    Grade

    Grade point Equivalent

    Remarks

    80% and above

    A+

    4.00

    Outstanding

    75% to less than 80%

    A

    3.75

    Excellent

    70% to less than 75%

    A-

    3.50

    Very Good

    65% to less than 70%

    B+

    3.25

    Good

    60% to less than 65%

    B

    3.00

    Satisfactory

    55% to less than 60%

    B-

    2.75

    Above Average

    50% to less than 55%

    C+

    2.50

    Average

    45% to less than 50%

    C

    2.25

    Below Average

    40% to less than 45%

    D

    2.00

    Pass

    Less than 40%

    F

    0.00

    Fail


    Quiz (10 Marks): Students will answer a set of questions or complete an assigned task to evaluate their learning. 

    Assignment (15 Marks): Students will design their own project and write a project proposal. They must keep proper documentation of their own project and submit it as project report by the end of the course.

    Presentation (10 Marks): Students must will demonstrate their learnings from managing project in a virtual project fair.

    Midterm (20 Marks): Case studies will be given follow the blooms taxonomy to ensure higher and lower skills achievement by the students. 

    Final Exam (40 Marks): Analytical questions will be given as assignment to test students level of learning. 

    Attendance (5 Marks): This mark will be provided based on students participation in the BLC and live classes.


    General Guidelines

    1. First, read chapter-wise presentation slide and descriptive readings before joining every live interaction.
    2. Mark the problematic areas in slides/readings where you struggled or failed to understand. 
    3. Then we will use Google Meet for online interaction.
    4. Ask me as many question as you can during the online live interaction session. 
    5. Active participation in live sessions and in BLC discussions will be considered for bonus marks.
    6. All online interaction sessions will be recorded and the video file will be posted in BLC.
    7. Therefore, even if you miss an online session, you can still watch it later.
    8. You will have the opportunity to confirm your attendance by submitting the Q/A tasks for every lesson
    9. We will collectively decide on the best suitable way for assessments (class tests, assignment, presentation etc.)
    10. We will use our WhatsApp group to keep in touch with one another. 

    • Week 1: Understanding Management

      Objectives of the Class:  This class will set the tone for entire course by introducing the basic concepts of management in general. A strong base on the principles of management is crucial for later build-up on the specialized concepts of project management. 

      By the end of the class, students will be able to define management not only as an academic discipline but also a practitioners viewpoint. Students will also be able to list-out the core functions of management, its importance in various fields and identify its major characteristics.

    • Week 4: QUAD Chart and Brainstorming

      Objectives of the Class: This class orients students with two powerful tools of project management namely: QUAD chart and Brainstorming. 

      By the end of the class, students will be able to design their own QUAD chart for their selected project through conducting a brainstorming session.  


    • Week 5: Tools and Techniques of Project Management

      Objectives of the Class: The objective of the class is to demonstrate the design and execution Work Breakdown Structure (WBS), Gantt chart, Network diagram, Critical Path analysis, Stakeholder analysis, Force-Field analysis.

      By the end of the class, students will be able to prepare their own WBS, Gantt chart and select their critical path through drawing network diagram for their own project. Later on, they will conduct Stakeholder Analysis and Force-Field analysis in their project. 


    • Week 7: Project Life Cycle

      Objectives of this lesson is to explain the six phases of project cycle,  Key PCM Principles, The Basic Format or Structure of Project and Programme Documents.

      By the end of this lesson, students will be able to locate different activities of a project, their sequential and cyclical nature and test their own project against the theoretical framework.

    • Week 8: Decision Making in Projects

      Objectives of this lesson is to present two models of decision-making namely: comprehensive rational model and bounded rationality model. 

      By the end of this lesson, students will be able to critique the assumptions and limitations of these models along with common decision-making errors made by project managers. They will be able to investigate their own errors in judgement and rectify through collective argument. 

    • Week 9: Team-building and Motivation

      Objectives of this lesson is to introduce the concepts of team-building, communication and motivation in a project.

      By the end of this lesson, students will be able to fill-out their own communication gaps, choose measure for coherent team-building and discover strategies to keep each other motivated in their own project.

    • Week 10: Project Evaluation

      Objectives of this lesson is to highlight the importance of project evaluation, the international standards of doing it and to identify the potential challenges and way-out.

      By the end of this lesson, students will be able to self-evaluate their own project by making a list of their committed mistakes and lessons learned. This will allow them to practice Kaizen in project management. 

    • Week 11: Assignment - Project Report Submission


    • Week 12: Final Examination


    • Question-Answer Forum

    • Midterm Examination, Semester: Spring-2023

      Important Note for the Examination:

      1.    Exam question and answer top sheet are posted as an assignment at BLC as per the examination schedule. 

       2.    Students must remain present in this Zoom session (https://bdren.zoom.us/j/67170509943) with their webcam turned on during the examination as per the examination guidelines.

       3.    Each student will submit a single scanned pdf file of his/her handwritten answer script at your given link in BLC. Any submission apart from BLC is not acceptable.

      4. Students must submit their answer scripts at BLC assignment module created by the respective course teacher. Any submission outside BLC platform (e.g. via email/whatsapp etc.) will be not be accepted


      • Assignment - Assignment Title: "Kiss the Ground" Analysis and Reflection

        Assignment Title: "Kiss the Ground" Film Analysis and Reflection

         

        URL:

         

        Assignment Type: Individual, Marks: 5

         

        Instructions:

         

        1.       Watch the "Kiss the Ground" film, paying close attention to the key themes and concepts presented. Take notes on important ideas and examples.

        2.       Write a 2-3 page reflection paper specifically that addresses the following questions:

         

        ·         What is the main message of the film, and how does it relate to sustainable development and project management?

        ·         What are some of the key challenges and opportunities for implementing sustainable development projects, as presented in the film?

        ·         How do the concepts and practices of sustainable development apply to your personal or professional context?

        ·         How can you use the ideas and examples presented in the film to inform your approach to project management and sustainable development?

         

        3.       Use examples and evidence from the film and your personal or professional experience to support your analysis and reflection.

        4.       Submit your reflection paper by 12th May 2023

         

        Grading Rubric:

         

        • Quality of analysis (4 marks): Depth and sophistication of analysis based on lectures, clarity of writing, and effective use of examples and evidence.
        • Quality of reflection (4 marks): Originality and insightfulness of reflection, relevance to personal or professional context, and effective use of examples and evidence.
        • Writing style and presentation (2 marks): Clarity, organization, and proper citation of sources.

         

        Note: Encourage thinking critically and creatively when reflecting on the film and applying its ideas to your personal or professional context. You can draw on a wide range of examples and experiences to support your analysis and reflection, and should aim to make connections among the film, own lives and goals, and experience of project management.


    • Topic 16

    • Topic 17

      • Final Examination, Project Management, MDS, Spring-2023 Assignment

        Important to note:

        1.      Students must remain present in this Zoom session https://bdren.zoom.us/j/66669155399 with their webcam turned on during the entire examination time as per the examination guidelines 

        2.      Exam question and answer top sheet are posted as an assignment at BLC as per the examination schedule. 

        3.      Each student will submit a single scanned pdf file of his/her handwritten answer script at your given link in BLC. Any submission outside BLC will not be accepted.