How to teach project management to undergraduate engineering students
Mick WalshProject Management Educator| Swinburne UniversityHawthorn, Victoria, Australia
I teach a diploma of project management to engineering undergraduate students. The diploma covers all PMBOK elements plus two elective subjects. From your experience what is the best way to teach project management to these students, and what level of project management competency would you expect a recently qualified engineering graduate to have? Saving Changes...
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Stéphane ParentSelf Employed / Semi-retired| Leader MakerPrince Edward Island, Canada
By far, experiential learning works best. Make them learn about the knowledge groups and areas as they work through one or more projects. You could have each assignment cover a new knowledge area.
Engineers tends to be process-oriented. That is great for the technical aspects of project management (input - tools/technique - output). You may need to have them work on the softer skills like communication and influence. Saving Changes...
Agree with Stephane & Rami.
Process groups and knowledge areas will be good to start with. Saving Changes...
David CousinsProgram Manager (retired)| Caltrans = State of California, Department of Transportation,Division of BudgetsSacramento, Ca, United States
As an undergraduate engineering student I learned the basics of project mannagement skills in working on teams in our laboratory classes and in course projects. Saving Changes...
I have done it now for 7 years and what they really appreciate does not deviate from any student of any topic whatsoever; make your teaching appealing and fun. It is also very important to let them choose a potential project to work in teams and to guide them through the preparation of a Project Plan and all of the processes in the PMBOK Guide, to allow them to discover why is important to complete the ones that will help the project to suceed. Saving Changes...
Dominic LawProduct Manager| PCCW GlobalHappy Valley, Hong Kong
I like simulated games and case studies to learn. For example you can ask the students to build a paper tower, as tall as possible, and ask them to follow all the processes in the PMBOK Guide. Saving Changes...
Mick WalshProject Management Educator| Swinburne UniversityHawthorn, Victoria, Australia
Many thanks for all the valuable suggestions. I am redesigning the diploma for the upcoming summer school (southern hemisphere) incorporating your suggestions. I will post the PIR outcomes in February 2017. Saving Changes...
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