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Session 2549

A Structure for an Interactive Project Management Course

Donna C.S. Summers Charlie P. Edmonson

University of Dayton

Abstract

Interactive, two components combined to make one word. Inter, meaning between, among, or involving individual elements. Active, meaning to cause motion or change, implying action. A project is composed of the proposal, the plan, the schedule, the budget, the performance measures, the status updates, the termination, and the audit. These are all key concepts covered in a project management course. Often, when taught, these elements of a project come across as being stagnant, stand-alone entities. In the real world, these topics are anything but static. For this reason a Project Management course should be interactive. The outcome of each element affects the outcome of the others. Proposals are updated and resubmitted. Plans are changed. Schedules are altered. Budgets are cut. Changes are made based on the status reports given, and so on. Teaching project management should be more than teaching the individual components of a project, it should also impress upon students the importance of the interactions among these components. A well-taught course should ensure that the students have an understanding of how to react to the changes so prevalent in the working world.

How is it possible to take a stagnant list of assignments and turn them into a dynamic, interactive experience? What changes need to be made to enhance the teaching of each stage of a project? How can the instructor show the interrelationships between the components? How can the instructor mimic the actions and changes prevalent in industrial projects? What activities does the instructor need to plan in order to show the relationship between the various elements of a project? This paper intends to provide readers with a structure for teaching an interactive Project Management course.

Introduction

In the business world today, with increased global competition and the continuing requirement for more complicated products and systems, the focus is increasingly on agility, quality, customer satisfaction, employee empowerment and teamwork. Many organizations are seeking ways to streamline their internal functions and implement productivity improvements. One of the techniques gaining more emphasis is project management. Project management provides the organization with the tools to meet the challenges of a complex project while ensuring that accountability and responsibility are clearly defined.

Proceedings of the 2003 American Society for Engineering Education Annual Conference and Exposition Copyright © 2003, American Society for Engineering Education

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Edmonson, C., & Summers, D. (2003, June), A Structure For An Interactive Project Management Course Paper presented at 2003 Annual Conference, Nashville, Tennessee. 10.18260/1-2--12292