Project Management

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Project Management is the discipline of organizing and managing resources (e.g. people) in such a way that the project is completed within defined scope, quality, time and cost constraints. A project is a temporary and one-time endeavour undertaken to create a unique product or service, which brings about beneficial change or added value. The institute currently offers the course Basics of Project Management. The institute is currently chaired by Sarah Poranzke.

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Course content

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Module 1: Understanding Project Management

This module is designed to familiarize students with the discipline of project management. It introduces the relevant terminology of project management as a basis for the following modules.

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Module 2: Initiating the Project

This module covers the aspects of a projects initiation phase. Students will learn about selecting projects and assigning priorities, creating the project charter and holding the kick-off meeting.

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Module 3: Defining the Project Goals

This module starts with a definition of goals and project deliverables. Students will learn how to break down those elements into requirements, determine assumptions and constraints and create the scope statement.

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Module 4: Breaking down the Project Activities

This module is designed to get an inside into the creation of a project schedule, which is one of the most important planning documents in project management. Students will learn how to create the work breakdown structure, defining milestones and finally apply diagramming methods for project activities.

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Module 5: Planning and Acquiring the Resources

This module discusses identifying and acquiring resource needs, including human resources as well as equipment and materials, and introduces techniques for negotiating or contracting for these resources if necessary.

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Module 6: Assessing Risk

This module deals with a central aspect in project management: risk. It does exist on every project and it poses either a potential threat or opportunity. Students will learn how to deal with risk and develop a risk management plan.

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Module 7: Developing the Project Plan

This module introduces methods for determining accurate project scheduling estimates and discovering the critical path for the project.

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Module 8: Budgeting

This module talks about what makes up a budget, tracking the budget and establishing a cost baseline in order to complete the project plan.

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Module 9: Executing the Project

This module opens the executing phase of the project life cycle. Executing is where the work of the projects gets done. Students will learn how to assemble the team, negotiate and solve problems in the team and using rewards for motivation and finally how to take corrective action.

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Module 10: Controlling the Project Outcome

This module introduces performance-monitoring techniques to determine whether the project is on track with the plan. Students will also learn to identify signs indicating that a project is in trouble.

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