This foundation course examines the project management framework. This framework covers key terminology, project management context, and processes. Topics include project management knowledge areas, life cycles and organizational designs.

Upon completion of this course, students are expected to be able to do the following:

1. Apply key project management terms.
2. Analyze the environment in which projects operate.
3. Describe a generalized view of how the various project management processes commonly interact.
4. Identify project integration, scope, time, cost, quality, human resource, communications, risk, and procurement management process inputs, tools and techniques, and outputs.
5. Identify life cycle phases appropriate to a project.
6. Analyze stakeholder needs and expectations.

This course examines activities related to project planning and estimating. It examines the use of various planning techniques in managing budgets, schedules, and human/material resource allocations. Planning activities associated with quality, communications, risk and procurement are addressed.

Upon completion of this course, students are expected to be able to do the following:

1. Plan and estimate project scope, cost, schedule, risk and quality requirements.
2. Select appropriate activities and tools for project initiation and project integration.
3. Prepare a work breakdown structure with a linear responsibility chart.
4. Use project estimating tools including network activity diagrams, cost estimating and budgeting, activity duration and resource plans.
5. Prepare a detailed project work plan using Microsoft Project.
6. Divide complex problems into subproblems.
7. Use cost benefit measurement methods to analyze the effects of change.
8. Identify factors that create change.
9. Implement financial planning and monitoring and control techniques.

This course examines the principles and concepts essential to procuring products or services outside the project organization. Topics include procurement planning, solicitation, evaluation, selection, negotiation, and contract management. Various types of contracts used in procurement are reviewed.

Upon completion of this course, students are expected to be able to do the following:

1. Determine what to procure and when.
2. Analyze product requirements.
3. Select appropriate type of contract.
4. Obtain quotations, bids, offers, or proposals from appropriate parties.
5. Determine appropriate selection process.
6. Evaluate bids against selection criteria.
7. Manage contract relationships and vendors.
8. Complete and close the contract, including resolution of any open items.
9. Conduct activities in an ethical manner.
10. Use the concept of project earned value.
     

This course focuses on the various considerations project managers must make for successful global projects. It addresses the differences between differing political climates and stages of economic development. Social and cultural differences of countries are examined for their impact on project processes.

Upon completion of this course, students are expected to be able to do the following:

1. Describe a systems approach to cultural identities.
2. Analyze the viewpoint of another culture to gain new knowledge and insights.
3. Evaluate variables in the communication process in project presentation.
4. Describe transnational differences and organizational cultures.
5. Identify various approaches to cross-cultural assessments in project management.
6. Evaluate multicultural teamwork and collaboration in project management.
7. Identify legal and government limitations on projects.
    

This course examines various methods used to ensure the project meets the stakeholder needs for which it was undertaken, including quality planning, quality assurance and quality control.  It examines integration of project information including gathering requirements, integrating the project plan, reporting performance and project closure.

Upon completion of this course, students are expected to be able to do the following:

1. Identify quality standards relevant to the project.
2. Create a quality assurance plan.
3. Evaluate overall project performance.
4. Monitor specific project results against the quality standards.
5. Apply ethical considerations to project decisions.
6. Determine needs of the stakeholders
7. Develop and use tools and techniques for project communications
8. Prepare and present project information in oral and written forms
9. Locate and use information reflecting multiple sides of a question.

This course explores the basic principles and practices of risk management.  Key concepts in managing uncertainty include: developing a risk approach, identifying, analyzing, responding to and monitoring risks in projects, programs and portfolios.

Upon completion of this course, students are expected to be able to do the following:

1. Determine the tolerance for uncertainty within an organization.
2. Identify potential problems and opportunities within a project.
3. Analyze the likelihood of the risk occurring and its impact.
4. Determine appropriate responses to significant risks.
5. Monitor and control risk events during projects
6. Evaluate the traditions and practices in the field that are often accepted unquestioningly.