| LEC # | TOPICS | readings |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Project Introduction Instructor, TA and Student Introductions, Course Objectives, Course Administration, Brief History of Project Management, Terms and Definitions, Course Framework | |
| Module 1: Advanced Methods and Tools | ||
| 2 | Network Planning Techniques CPM, PERT, MPM, Probabilistic Scheduling, Critical Path Identification, Focus on Parallel and Sequential Task Dependencies | Levy, F. K., et. al. "The ABCs of Critical Path Method." Harvard Business Review (September-October 1963). |
| 3 | DSM 1: Task-based Models Work Breakdown Structures (WBS), Introduction to Design Structure Matrices (DSM), Sequencing, Partitioning and Tearing | Eppinger, Steven D., Daniel E. Whitney, Robert P. Smith, and David A. Gebala. "A Model-Based Method for Organizing Tasks in Product Development." Research in Engineering Design 6, no. 1 (1994): 1-13. |
| 4 | DSM 2: Iteration Models Use of DSM's in a Project Management Context, Sequential and Parallel Iteration Models, Process Analysis and Redesign, Industrial Examples | Eppinger, Steven D., Murthy V. Nukala, and Daniel E. Whitney. "Generalised Models of Design Iteration Using Signal Flow Graphs." Research in Engineering Design 9, no. 2 (1997): 112-123. |
| 5 | Project and Team Organization Influence, Matrix and Dedicated Project Organizations, Alignment of Task, Product and Organizational Architectures (DSM Overlap), IPTs | Eppinger, Steven D. "Patterns of Product Development Interactions." Proceedings of ESD Symposium. Cambridge, MA: May, 2002. |
| 6 | SD1: Project System Dynamics Introduction to System and Project Dynamics, Causes of Project Dynamics, Key Concept: "The Rework Cycle", Notion of Feedbacks and Knock-on Effects | Sterman, John. "Learning in and About Complex Systems." System Dynamics Review (Summer-Fall 1994). |
| 7 | SD2: Feedback Loops and Rework SD Modeling Introduction, "Soft" and "Hard" Tools, Causal Loop Diagrams, Cause-Effect Relationships, Stocks and Flows, Productivity and Quality | |
| 8 | SD3: Project Dynamics Simulation Quantitative Modeling of Project Dynamics, Model Calibration and Parameter Estimation, Simulation Execution, Industrial Examples | |
| 9 | SD4: Managing Project Dynamics SD Simulation Application, Staff and Schedule Dynamics, Variations on the Basic Rework Cycle, Discuss Vensim Simulation Assignment | |
| Module 2: Strategic Issues in Project Preparation and Planning - Case Studies | ||
| 10 | SD5: Strategic Issues in Project Planning "Strategic" View of Project Management, Project Preparation and Planning, Strategic vs. Operational Decisions, Initiation of Dynamics | |
| 11 | Product Development Processes Classification Phased vs. Spiral PDP's, A Project Management View of the PDP, Process Selection Criteria, Milestones, Industrial Examples | Cho, Soo-Haeng, and Steven D. Eppinger. "Product Development Process Modeling using Advanced Simulation." ASME Conference on Design Theory and Methodology. Pittsburgh, PA: September, 2001. IDEO Product Development Case (HBS No.9-600-143). |
| 12 | Integrated Concurrent Engineering Traditional Sequential Design versus ICE, Computational Infrastructures and Processes, Peer-Peer vs. Client-Server Architectures, Examples | |
| 13 | Case 1: Software Development Projects Industrial guest speaker will give examples of past software/IT projects and discuss salient aspects in the context of the class, Q & A session | Microsoft® Office 2000 Case (HBS No.9-600-97). |
| 14 | Case 2: Civil Architecture Projects Industrial guest speaker will give examples of past civil infrastructure projects and discuss salient aspects in the context of the class, Q & A session | Karnitschnig, M. "Autobahn Plan is Stuck in Slow Lane." The Wall Street Journal, 21 October, 2003. |
| 15 | Case 3: Aerospace and Naval Projects Industrial guest speaker will give examples of past aerospace, automotive or naval projects and discuss salient aspects in the context of the class. These projects differ from case 1 and 2 in the sense that both high hardware and software complexity are present, Q & A session | |
| Module 3: Project Execution, Monitoring and Adaptation | ||
| 16 | Critical Chain/Path Scheduling Critical Path Scheduling, Identification and Control, Project Crashing and its Consequences, Critical Chain Method, DSM to Critical Chain Linking | |
| 17 | SD6: Risk Management SD View of Risk Management, Risk Identification, Risk Assessment, Risk Mitigation, Case Example: Peace Shield, Delay and Disruption Disputes | |
| 18 | Resource Consumption and Progress Tracking Resource Consumption: Cost and Time, Progress Monitoring: Perceived vs. Real, Cost Schedule Status Reporting (CSSR), "Earned Value" | |
| 19 | SD7: Project Change and Adaptation Descoping, Schedule Adjustments, Staffing Strategies | |
| 20 | SD8: Overlapping and Concurrency Use of Buffers, Decoupling Task Interdependencies, Schedule Compression Strategies, Task Overlapping Framework, SD Simulation, Cost Impact | |
| Module 4: Project Critical Success Factors and Summary | ||
| 21 | Project Management: The Human Aspect | Gavin, J. G., Jr. "The Apollo Lunar Module, A Retrospective." 53rd International Astronautical Congress, The World Space Congress. Houston, TX: Oct, 2002, pp. 10-19. |
| 22 | Project Critical Success Factors Strategic, Tactical and Operational Factors that have influenced project success and failure in the past, Empirical Data from Lean Aerospace Initiative | Stanke, A., and E. Murman. "A Framework for Achieving Lifecycle Value in Aerospace Product Development." ICAS (2002). |
| 23-24 | Project Presentations Formal Class Presentations by Student SPM Project Teams Ca. 20 Minutes per Team, including Q & A session | |
| 25 | Class Summary and Feedback Review of Key Concepts in SPM, Extension to Multiproject Environments, Discussion of Open Issues, and Quantitative Evaluation of Class Feedback | |
Optional Readings - Suggested Texts
Kerzner, Harold. Project Management: A Systems Approach to Planning, Scheduling, and Controlling. 6th ed. New York: John Wiley & Sons, 1998.
Forsberg, Kevin, Hal Mooz, and Howard Cotterman. Visualizing Project Management, A Model for Business and Technical Success. 2nd ed. John Wiley & Sons, Inc., 2000.
Highsmith, James. Adaptive Software Development: a collaborative approach to managing complex systems. Dorset House Publishing, 1999.
McConnell, Steve. Rapid Development: Taming Wild Software Schedules. Redmond, WA: Microsoft Press, 1996.
Goldratt, Eliyahu M. Critical Chain. Great Barrington, MA: The North River Press, 1997.