GOODMAN SCHOOL OF BUSINESS, BROCK UNIVERSITY

OPER 3P92: PROJECT MANAGEMENT

FALL 2015
Instructor:
Office:
Phone ext.:
E-mail:
Sakai:

Dr. Ken Klassen

TA 342
3968
kklassen@brocku.ca
https://lms.brocku.ca/portal

Office Hours:

MW 2:00 3:00
TH 12:30 - 1:30
or by appointment

Course Description
Project management is a growing field that is important for many disciplines, both within and
outside business. This is evidenced by the recent proliferation of professional seminars, how-to
books, and textbooks on this subject. This course discusses the factors necessary for successful
project management. Topics include the role of the project manager, strategic issues, resource
allocation, conflict management, as well as planning, budgeting, scheduling and controlling
projects. This will be a hands-on course, with a lot of student involvement, presentations, group
work, etc. Project management software tools will be an integral part of the course.
Prerequisite: OPER 2P91 or OPER 2P51
Course Materials
Text:

Gido, J. and Clements, J., Successful Project Management, 6th Edition, Cengage
Learning, Nelson Education, 2015.

Software: MS Project 2013 (60-day trial version) comes with the text or can be downloaded from
Microsofts website. (It is recommended you do not attempt to use a Mac version)
MS Project 2013 is also available on campus in the following locations:
A203: first 2 rows of computers (11 computers)
PL309: 3 rows of computers on the right side (13 computers)
WH205: row directly ahead as you walk in door (7 computers)
Computer Commons: last 2 pods near the training room (14 computers)
Computer Commons: 2 accessible stations near entrance (2 computers)
Computer Commons: Meeting Room (group study room) (1 computer)
(Start Menu -> All Programs > Microsoft Office 2013)

Case Packet: To be purchased at the bookstore.

On-line Information: There will be a number of files to download from Isaac/Sakai.
Companion Site for the Text: http://www.cengage.com/highered/, choose Business & Economics,
choose Decision Sciences and Operations Management, choose Project Management, find
our text in the list and choose Access Student Materials. There are a number of free study
helps as well as a few you can access with payment.

OPER 3P92 Project Management: Course Outline

K. Klassen

Course Format and Evaluation

LEARNING
You are responsible for everything said in class, including announcements; if you need to miss a
class, be sure to get the information and notes from someone else. Repetitive tardiness will not be
tolerated. Also, announcements about assignments and other course aspects are usually made at
the beginning of class; thus it is wise to arrive on time.
CLASSROOM CONTRIBUTION
Adding to the class discussion is very important, especially when discussing major cases and
presentations. Students are expected to read the material and fully analyze major cases before the
class discussion. I will not hesitate to assign low contribution grades to those who do not
consistently add value to our class time. In general, after each class I will rate students based on
the following criteria:
2: Excellent Contribution:
-

contributed substantially to the class discussion

gave indication of thorough preparation and substantial thought
facilitated others in clarifying and developing their points of view
built on the thinking of others to produce a larger, positive synergistic learning result

1: Fair Contribution:
-

contributed somewhat to the class discussion

gave indication of some preparation and thought

0: No positive Contribution:
-

did not contribute positively to the class discussion

inhibited or impeded class discussion

Note: A student who consistently makes a fair contribution will receive approx. 5-6 (out of 10) at the
end of the term. A student who makes a fair contribution half the time and an excellent contribution
the other half will receive approx. 9-10. Attendance does not count toward class contribution
grades - a student who attends 100% of the classes but never contributes anything will get zero. If
you want to be sure to get all the class contribution credit due, sit in the seat denoted on the
seating plan AND use your name tag for the entire term.
PRESENTATIONS
- Form groups of 3 students each use this group for the Presentation and the Assignments
- Each group will choose (or be given) either a text chapter or short case to present. There
are 6 Chapter presentations and 9 cases to choose from
- The class should learn from your presentation new material should be presented
- It is your responsibility to come up with material useful for the class be creative
- Chapter presentations should be 8 -13 minutes in length, followed by a time for questions.
- Case presentations should be 13-18 minutes in length, including class discussion.
- There is no written hand-in required
- Presentations should be professional. Business attire is not required, although you should
be dressed at least a little more formally than your audience.
- The dates for each presentation are shown on the Course Schedule (on p 5). (There is a
chance some of the dates will need to be adjusted.)
Chapter Presentations:
- Do some research and make a presentation for the class based on the questions under the
Internet Exercises section in the text. The following is a list of chapters and the more
important questions under Internet Exercises. Be sure to address these questions, and
then you should also cover other, additional interesting material.

OPER 3P92 Project Management: Course Outline

Chapter Internet Exercise

Important Questions
-

2
1,2,4,5

4
1,2,3

5
1,2,3,5

K. Klassen

6
1,2,4

7
1,2,4

10
1,2,3,5

Be sure to find sites on the SPECIFIC topic of the chapter (its easy to find project
management websites its a little more challenging to find useful information on a specific
topic - so be sure to understand the chapter material and only focus on sites that cover that
topic)
The presentation should provide real-world examples of at least some of the concepts in
the chapter
The Companion Site for the Text will allow you to download the Internet exercises, and it
has the addresses for the websites you are requested to visit (these are not in the text).
However, the address for the Companion site given in the text is not quite accurate
instead, go to http://www.cengage.com/highered/ , choose Business & Economics, choose
Decision Sciences, choose Project Management, find our text in the list and choose
Companion Site, choose Internet Exercises, then download the .zip file it has all
chapters.
Some of the addresses you are asked to visit may have changed since the text was
published thats OK just search for them. If the site no longer exists, thats also OK
just search for similar sites and base the presentation on those.
Chapter presentations should make use of live web-sites
It can be helpful to provide a review of chapter material, but this should be minimal (2
minutes max) focus instead on providing new information for the class.
Remember: The class should learn from your presentation new material should be
presented, and it is your responsibility to come up with material useful for the class be
creative.

Case Presentations
- These are the end-of-chapter cases. The cases from which to choose are:
Ch 3, Case 1: Medical Information Systems
Ch 3, Case 2: New Manufacturing Facility in China
Ch 4, Case 2: The Wedding
Ch 8, Case 3: Student Fund Raising Project
Ch 9, Case 1, Factory Expansion Project
Ch 9, Case 2, Market Research Report Project
Ch 10, Case 1: Codeword
Ch 11, Case 1: Team Effectiveness?
Ch 13, Case 2: Organize for Product Development
- Provide a very brief synopsis of case (the class will have read it, so details not necessary)
- Analyze the case by answering the questions at the end and addressing other pertinent
issues, especially in relation to the chapter material.
- Use information from the chapter and other relevant material from the course that will
improve the analysis
- You may need to bring in outside information in order to enhance interest and discussion
- Think outside the questions given in the case Whats interesting here? How can we get
the class engaged in the discussion? Is there anything potentially controversial that could
result in an interesting discussion? Is there a different angle to look at the case?
- Either include the class in the analysis or ask the class for their thoughts on your analysis
lead a brief discussion of the case.
- Be sure to state what you would do to address the issues in the case.
- Remember: The class should learn from your presentation new material should be
presented, and it is your responsibility to come up with material useful for the class be
creative.

OPER 3P92 Project Management: Course Outline

K. Klassen

ASSIGNMENTS
- The 3 assignments and presentation report will be done with your group. All assignments
will use the information in the following case: H.M.S. Pinafore
- The material for each assignment, including specific instructions and what to do in MS
Project, will be covered in class before each assignment
Assign 1: Planning: Objectives, Assumptions, WBS, Resp. Matrix, Scheduling
Assign 2: Resources, Crashing & Leveling
Assign 3: Costs & Implementation
- Assignments are due at the beginning of class. Late assignments will not be accepted.
INDIVIDUAL ASSIGNMENT
- Purpose: to provide additional practice with MS Project, to give students a chance to put
together an entire project at once (i.e., without being forced to follow the steps of separate
assignments), and to ensure that each student can use Microsoft Project on their own.
- Choose a project you are familiar with: one you have worked on, are working on, will work
on, or a project that someone you know has done type the objective and assumptions
(approx. 1 page).
- Generate all reports for the project using MS project.
- Specific requirements will be given in class will be very similar to what was done in the
group assignments
PEER EVALUATIONS
- Each group member will fill out a peer evaluation form based on all group members
contributions for the assignments and presentation (available on website)
- The intention of these is to encourage all to contribute sufficiently throughout the term
- These are individual, mandatory, confidential, and must be submitted in hard copy.
EXAMS
- There will be a mid-term and a final exam.
- Taking exams at times other than scheduled will NOT be allowed except under very
extreme circumstances, and then only if you contact me before the exam is taken by the
class.
GRADING
Group Presentation
Group Assignments (3)
Class Contribution (espec. for cases & presentations)
Mid-term Exam
Final Exam (during final exam period)
Individual Assignment

10%
25%
10%
15%
25%
15%

NOTE: Last day for withdrawal from Fall half-credit courses without the assignment of a grade is November 10, 2015.

Teachers open the door,

but you must enter by yourself
(Chinese proverb)

OPER 3P92 Project Management: Course Outline

K. Klassen

TENTATIVE COURSE SCHEDULE

Class
Sep 9
Sep 14
Sep 16

Sep 21

Sep 23
Sep 28

Assignments* &
Presentations

Course Intro
Proj Mgmt Concepts
Ch 1
Selecting Projects
Ch 2
Developing Proposals Ch 3
Ch 2, Case 1: A Mid- size
Pharm. Company
Planning Scope,
Ch 4 incl. Appendix
Sequence, etc.
Software: PM IS
Appendix A (p461)
Game: Project Mgmt.
Case to introduce MS
Project
Case

Sep 30

Scheduling
Case

Oct 5

Scheduling (cont)
The Project Manager
Case
The Project Team

Oct 7

Readings
(read before class)

Topics

Case packet: Gadget Toy

Company
Ch 3, Case 1: Medical Info
Systems
Ch 5 incl. Appendices 1 & 2
Ch 3, Case 2: New Manu.
Facility in China
Ch 10
Ch 4, Case 2: The Wedding
Ch 11

Oct 12-16: Reading Week no classes

Oct 19
Project Team (cont)
Resources
Ch 6 incl. Appendix
Oct 21
Resources (cont)

Oct 26

Mid-term Exam

Oct 28

Case

Nov 2

Install MS Project
AFTER Sep 28 or Oct 9

Ch 4 Ques: 10, 11, 12

Form a team of 3
students
2 Presentations:
Ch 2, Internet Exer.
Ch 3, Case 1

Choose presentation &

date
Start learning MS Project

1 Presentation:
Ch 3, Case 2

Ch 5 Ques: 13, 14, 15,

Appen 1 Ques: 2,4, &
an extra problem

Explain As1

Assign 1 due, at start

of class
2 Presentations:
Ch 4, Internet Exer.
Ch 4, Case 2
Hand back As1

Ch 6 Ques: 11,12
2 Presentations:
Ch 5, Internet Exer.
Ch 10, Internet Exer.

Explain As2

75 min,
covers Ch 1-5, 10-11

Communication,
Organization Type
Costs

Ch 10, Case 1: Codeword

Ch 11, Case 1: Team
Effectiveness?
Ch 12
Ch 13
Ch 7 incl. Appendices 1 & 2

2 Presentations:
Ch 10, Case 1
Ch 11, Case 1
Assign 2 due, at start
of class

Nov 9

Costs (Cont)
Case

Ch 13, Case 2: Organize for

Product Development

2 Presentations:
Ch 6, Internet Exer.
Ch 13, Case 2

Nov 11

Managing Risk
Closing the Project

Ch 8
Ch 9

Nov 16

Case

Ch 8, Case 3: Student Fund

Raising Project

Nov 4

Notes
& Practice Problems
Video

Ch 7 Ques: 12
Hand back As2

Ch 8 Ques: Questions &

Answers on Sakai
Explain As3

2 Presentations:
Ch 7, Internet Exer.
Ch 8, Case 3

OPER 3P92 Project Management: Course Outline

Class
Nov 18

Readings
(read before class)

Topics

6
Assignments* &
Presentations
Assign 3 due, at start
of class
2 Presentations:
Ch 9, Case 1
Ch 9, Case 2

K. Klassen
Notes
& Practice Problems

Nov 23

PM Certifications
Major Case
Cases

Nov 25

Large Projects
Major Case

Case: HMS Pinafore

Ch 9, Case 1: Factory
Expansion Project
Ch 9, Case 2: Market
Research Report Project
See Questions on Sakai
Case packet: P&G DayQuil

Nov 30

Guest Speaker

TBA

Dec 2

Major Case

Case packet: Teradyne

Corp: The Jaguar Project

Dec 7

Course Wrap-up

Exam
Period

Final Exam

Individual Assignment Due

Peer Evaluations Due (need hard copy)
Covers Ch 4-9, 12-13, major cases, guest speaker

Hand back As3

Will record attendance

* Late assignments will not be accepted.

Academic Accommodation for Students with Disabilities As part of Brock University's
commitment to a respectful work and learning environment, the University will make every
reasonable effort to accommodate all members of the university community with disabilities. If
you require academic accommodations related to a documented disability to participate in this
course, you are encouraged to contact Services for Students with Disabilities in the Student
Development Centre (4th floor Schmon Tower, ex. 3240). You are also encouraged to discuss
any accommodations with the instructor well in advance of due dates and scheduled
assessments.http://edit.brocku.ca/services-students-disabilities
Academic Accommodation due to Religious Obligations Brock University acknowledges
the pluralistic nature of the undergraduate and graduate communities such that
accommodations will be made for students who, by reason of religious obligation, must miss an
examination, test, assignment deadline, laboratory or other compulsory academic event.
Students requesting academic accommodation on the basis of religious obligation should make
a formal, written request to their instructor(s) for alternative dates and/or means of satisfying
requirements.
Medical Exemptions The University requires that a student be medically examined in Health
Services, or by an off-campus physician prior to an absence due to medical reasons from an
exam, lab, test, quiz, seminar, assignment, etc. Student Health Services will provide medical
documentation only if:
Medically warranted (i.e., a simple cold is not medically warranted).
The student presents him/herself to Health Services before the exam.
The student is seen in our office the day of the exam, lab, etc.
If your medical condition requires special consideration for academic activity (e.g., missed
seminars or labs, assignment extensions, or examination/test rescheduling) and is on a day or
at a time when Health Services is not open, then you must go to another medical facility to
obtain the necessary written medical documentation, which is the completion of Brock
University's Medical Certificate.
http://www.brocku.ca/health-services/policies/exemption
Academic Integrity Because academic integrity is important to the well-being of the
academic community, Brock University takes academic misconduct very seriously. Academic
misconduct includes plagiarism, which involves presenting the words and ideas of another

OPER 3P92 Project Management: Course Outline

K. Klassen

person as if they were your own, and other forms of cheating such as copying answers or using
crib notes during a test. The penalties for academic misconduct can be very severe. A grade of
0 may be given on the assignment or on the course, and a second offence may result in
suspension from the University. Students are urged to read the section of the Brock University
calendar that pertains to academic misconduct.
http://www.brocku.ca/academicintegrity/