COURSE NUMBER: MBA290P.1

COURSE TITLE: Project Management

UNITS OF CREDIT: 2

INSTRUCTOR: Dave Meader

CLASS WEB PAGE LOCATION: TBA

MEETING DAY(S)/TIME: Tuesdays, 4:00-6:00 PM

PREREQUISITE(S): No specific prerequisites.

CLASS FORMAT:

The class will adopt an interactive workshop approach, which will pull us through the late afternoon time slot. You will learn project and change management skills, and then apply them. We will explore case studies of successful and unsuccessful projects in a variety of industries, practical frameworks and techniques, and in-class exercises. We will have several guest speakers from industry to give us insight into different kinds of projects.

REQUIRED READINGS:

Textbook: Harvard Business Essentials, “Managing Projects Large and Small”, ISBN 1-59139-321-3 (also available online as used) Course Reader including case studies and other materials available after class starts.

BASIS FOR FINAL GRADE:

Evaluation will be based on a team project, individual writing, and class participation.

ABSTRACT OF COURSE'S CONTENT AND OBJECTIVES:

Billions of dollars a year are wasted on bad projects, business opportunities are squandered, and careers are trashed. We can point to many causes for these failures, but knowledge about how to run a project effectively is not one of them. Basic project management is a well understood skill set involving technical tools, management principles, and personal expertise and creativity. The goal is always to implement sustainable change to people, process, and technology across an enterprise, often across a global enterprise. If you are an aspiring management consultant, business manager, or technical manager who wants to be the one they come to when it’s time to get important projects done, then this course is for you. You will learn the basics and best practices around project management as well as around driving change. You will ultimately take with you a toolbox of templates and other resources that you can directly apply to future real projects.

BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH:

Dave Meader earned his Ph.D. Business, M.A. Psychology and B.S. Computer Science from the University of Michigan, and his MBA from the Univ North Carolina – Chapel Hill. He was on the faculty at the University of Arizona’s Eller College of Management in the MIS department for 12 years before moving to the Bay Area. He has consulted for large companies, such as Chevron and BankAmerica, and small start up companies such as Teknekron, Cast Iron Systems, Agistix.com, and Island Data. Dr. Meader founded and managed the MBA Field Project Program at Arizona, and turned a profit in the first year. Dr. Meader also brews beer in his kitchen, currently focusing his project management efforts on producing a tasty I.P.A. Students who take the class will be invited to partake in his efforts.