Instructor, TA and Student Introductions, Course Objectives, Course Administration, Terms and Definitions, Course Framework.
CPM, Gantt Charts, Critical Path Identification, Focus on Parallel and Sequential Task Dependencies, Total Slack, Free Slack.
Work Breakdown Structures (WBS), Introduction to Design Structure Matrices (DSM), Sequencing, Partitioning and Tearing.
Use of DSM’s in a Project Management Context, Sequential and Parallel Iteration Models, Process Analysis and Redesign.
Introduction to System and Project Dynamics, “Soft” and “Hard” Tools, Causal Loop Diagrams, Cause-Effect Relationships, Stocks and Flows, Productivity and Quality.
Causes of Project Dynamics, Key Concept: “The Rework Cycle”, Notion of Feedbacks and Knock-on Effects, Connection between CPM, DSM and System Dynamics.
Quantitative Modeling of Project Dynamics, Introduction to Vensim, Model Calibration and Parameter Estimation, Simulation Execution, Interpretation of Simulation Results.
PERT, Probabilistic Scheduling, Beta Distributions for Task Durations, In-Class Experiment, Project Discrete Event Simulation, Monte Carlo Simulations with System Dynamics.
Resource consumption, cost and time, progress monitoring: perceived vs. real progress, Cost Schedule Status Reporting, Earned Value Management (EVM).
Identifying layers of risk in projects, Risk Identification, Tracking and Mitigation with Risk Register and Risk Matrix, Integrating Engineering, Financial, and Strategic Perspectives, Real options on projects, Real options in projects, NPV Analysis, IRR, Value at Risk and Gain (VARG curves). Practical examples: parking garage, communications satellites; oil field development.
How to proactively manage Project Dynamics, Initiation of Dynamics; De-scoping, Schedule Adjustments, Staffing Strategies, Staff and Schedule Dynamics, Variations on the Basic Rework Cycle.
Industrial Case Studies, Uses of System Dynamics Models in Practice for Project Preparation and Planning, Strategic vs. Operational Decisions, and for post-Project Litigation. Model Calibration with Data. Discuss Vensim Simulation Assignment.
Requirements for Project Managers, Personality Tests and Profiles (e.g. MBTI), Impact of Corporate Culture and Incentive Structures, Typical Project Manager Profiles (Class Survey Results.)
Influence, Matrix and Dedicated Project Organizations, Alignment of Task, Product and Organizational Architectures (DSM Overlap), IPTs.
L16 Complexity in Project Organizations
This lecture is based on Prof. Braha’s research in complex design and structure of product development and other social organizations.
L17 Managing International Projects
Impact of Globalization on Project Management, Model of International (Project) Management, Practical Aspects of Configuration, Coordination and Cooperation, Cultural Issues.
Multi-project resource management and conflicts, queuing and resource prioritization, principles of program management, contrasting roles and responsibilities of project and program managers.
Overview of Project Management Software tools, online, distributed PM environments, Integrated Concurrent Engineering (ICE) environments, Project Management Institute (PMI), Project Management Standards and Certifications.
Summarize Class Content, Review Learning Objectives, Present Student Survey Results, Discuss strategic, tactical and operational factors that have influenced project success and failure in the past, class evaluation.