MINT 717

MINT 717 Internet Project Management

Calendar Description:

*3 (fi 6) (variable,36 hours). Students will learn the principles of project management in the ICT industry. The course will introduce the Project Management Institute's 5 phases of project management, the 9 knowledge areas, and provide samples of real-life experiences of managing project teams. Students will be required to attend lectures and participate in small-group workshops. This course is offered jointly by the Department of Electrical and Computing Engineering and the Department of Computing Science.

General Information:

Term: Fall
Location & Schedule: Bear Tracks

Overview:

The Internet Project Management course covers aspects of project management using sample projects related to the design and implementation of networks. The course will be structured around the Project Management Institute's five process groups and nine knowledge areas of project management.

At the end of the course, students will have been introduced to the major components of a project plan including: scope estimating, budgeting, scheduling, resource planning, risk management, and project control mechanisms. Additionally, students will have been exposed to practical issues presented by typical information technology projects.

Objectives:

Course activities will prepare students to work in project environments involving project managers, sponsors, and cross-functional teams. Students will be introduced to planning and communication techniques used for typical projects. Students will have the opportunity to discuss the application of project management principles to manage challenges facing typical Internet network projects.

Course Topics:

  • What is a project? Introduction to the project environment within large organizations and processes used to initiate projects and get things done on time and on budget.
  • Introduction to the Project Management Institute's project management methodology including the five project processes (Initiation, Planning, Executing, Controlling, and Closing) and nine knowledge areas (Integration Management, Scope Management, Time Management, Cost Management, Quality Management, Human Resource Management, Communications Management, Risk Management, and Procurement Management).
  • Review real-world examples of large and small projects and techniques that project managers can use to keep projects on track and manage stakeholders when the project does not go as planned.

Course Work and Evaluation:

  • The course involves participation during lectures through contributing participant experiences and commenting on situations raised through class discussions.
  • Class time will include instructor-facilitated small-group workshops designed to discuss project management approaches and necessary to complete the assignments.
  • There will be two written assignments assigned on Day 2 and Day 4. Students will be required to analyze a case situation and outline recommendations in the assignment report. Assignments will be evaluated on the depth of analysis and the student's ability to clearly present the analysis in a well written report.
  • The final exam will include both short-answer and long-answer questions.

Course Material:

The Project Management Institutes Project Management Body of Knowledge V4 (PMBOK) will be used as a reference text however course topics will extend beyond the contents of the PMBOK. The PMBOK is available in hard and softcopy versions.

Lecture slides will be provided to students on the day of the lecture.

Academic Integrity:

The University of Alberta is committed to the highest standards of academic integrity and honesty. Students are expected to be familiar with these standards regarding academic honesty and to uphold the policies of the University in this respect. Students are particularly urged to familiarize themselves with the provisions of the Code of Student Behaviour (online at /law/student-resources/graduate-resources/integrity-and-responsibilities) and avoid any behaviour which could potentially result in suspicions of cheating, plagiarism, misrepresentation of facts and/or participation in an offence. Academic dishonesty is a serious offence and can result in suspension or expulsion from the University. (GFC 29 SEP 2003)

Collaboration:

While you may discuss your individual coursework with other students, the work claimed and submitted in your name must be your own. That said, there are assignment and project-specific policies on how much source code from publicly available sources may be borrowed. Always give proper credit to the original developers in your source code and documentation. Ask permission beforehand if you intend to recycle your work from another course in this course. More details on Appropriate Collaboration is given here.

Regulations listed in the GFC Policy Manual and the University Calendar will be used in resolving any discrepancies.