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Project Management (B-KUL-H04X2A)

3 ECTSEnglish20 Second termCannot be taken as part of an examination contract
Duflou Joost (coordinator) |  Duflou Joost |  Joubert Johan
POC Werktuigkunde

Aims

The aim of this course is to provide the student with an overview of techniques and means that are available for the start up, execution, follow up and adjustment of large projects. By means of examples and case studies insight is created  supporting recognition of typical patterns, analysis of situations and identification of  suitable methods and/or techniques recommendable for effectively steering projects, with well-optimized chances to reach the  preset project deliverables. 
 

Previous knowledge

This course is not connected to a specific graduation programme. Therefore, the contents of the assignments can be altered to suit the graduation programme of the student. Still, it is recommended to plan this course in a later stage of the master programme to ensure that any lack of technical background will be not be a hindrance in working on specific cases or assignments. Access to a familiar project case (e.g. thesis project) is required in view of the evaluation format which is based on a case study. A possible course on business administration in the curriculum can best be scheduled before attending this course.

Is included in these courses of study

Activities

3 ects. Project Management (B-KUL-H04X2a)

3 ECTSEnglishFormat: Lecture20 Second term
Duflou Joost |  Joubert Johan
POC Werktuigkunde

Content

Introduction

  • What is project management?
  • Situation within the general planning problem
  • Characteristics of projects
  • Project manager
  • Components, concepts and terminology
  • Life cycle of a project: strategical and tactical considerations
  • Factors responsible for the success of a projectOrganisational structures and task allocation
  • Organisational structures
  • Staff management
  • Concurrent engineering
  • Assessment and selection
  • Division of a project
  • Outsourcing or internal work?
  • Conflict evaluation:  within the organisation, environmental effects, othersProject planning
  • Introduction
  • Duration of project activities
  • Learning effects
  • Precedence relations
  • Gantt-representation
  • Arrow network for critical path mathematics
  • Block network for critical path mathematics
  • LP formulation
  • Aggregation of activities
  • Dealing with uncertainty
  • Analysis of PERT and CPM presuppositions
  • Conflicts in planningProject budget
  • Introduction
  • Project budget and company goals
  • Drawing up a budget
  • Budget management
  • FinancingManagement of resources
  • Influence of resource limitations on the project
  • Classification of resources
  • Planning of resources and project with time as a limiting factor
  • Planning of resources and project with resources as a limiting factor
  • Priority rules for the allocation of resources
  • Subcontracting/assessing suppliers
  • Executing projects in parallelProject control
  • Introduction
  • Control systems
  • Following up and controling timewise planning and costs
  • Reporting
  • Updating cost and planning parameters
  • Technological controlComputer support for project management
  • Introduction
  • Use of computers
  • Criteria for software selection
  • Software implementation
  • Data management and knowledge managementProject termination
  • Introduction
  • When to finalise a project?
  • Final steps in the termination of a projectCase studies

Course material

Handbook, presentations (on Toledo).

Format: more information

Lecture.

Evaluation

Evaluation: Project Management (B-KUL-H24X2a)

Type : Exam during the examination period
Description of evaluation : Oral
Type of questions : Open questions, Closed questions
Learning material : None

Explanation


Assignment per two students with presentation and defense (oral exam) during exam session. Exam timing is coordinated per team of students.