Hello PM network -- I teach project management in our community college, and am looking for some scenario's of short PM situations or projects where a "story" or situation is given and students need to figure out what they should do as the Project Manager or Team Member.
The project situations could involve handling risk, or scope creep, or over budget - any project problem.
Does anyone have some short examples that I could use as a teaching tool? Thanks much -- Connie Saving Changes...
Bruce Gay Principal Consultant| Astrevo LabsPittsburgh, Pa, United States
Connie,
I have used "planning a family trip to the beach" with students being introduced to project management techniques. This starts with planning out who would go on the trip, what type of car and what supplies need to be packed into the car for vacation. You could also run through a risk identification and mitigation planning exercise to make them think about what could go wrong. I wasn't able tie in costs and timing, but I am sure there a way you could weave in time/cost elements.
-Bruce
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1 reply by Connie Plowman
Oct 22, 2016 4:00 PM
Connie Plowman
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Thanks, Bruce, for taking the time to write and sharing your idea. I have also done a Family Camping Trip as a sample project. Thanks again.
I have used "planning a family trip to the beach" with students being introduced to project management techniques. This starts with planning out who would go on the trip, what type of car and what supplies need to be packed into the car for vacation. You could also run through a risk identification and mitigation planning exercise to make them think about what could go wrong. I wasn't able tie in costs and timing, but I am sure there a way you could weave in time/cost elements.
-Bruce
Thanks, Bruce, for taking the time to write and sharing your idea. I have also done a Family Camping Trip as a sample project. Thanks again. Saving Changes...
One of good examples might be responses to "Hurricane Mathew" as a family risk response strategy. We all knew that Hurricane Mathew would be here in South Florida so that it was not possible to reduce or avoid the probability of occurrence but we should reduce the impact of that hurricane attacking on our lives or properties, especially my house. We planned the shutters of window should be in place and no family members can be out of home, and we should have some flashlights, foods, bottles of water etc. when Mathew was here. Fortunately, there was no any adverse impact on our family and properties even though Category 4 hurricane occurred here. Saving Changes...
Thanks, Sungjoon, for the hurricane idea for risk management. It is an unfortunate event, but provides a great example for understanding risk. Thanks again -- Connie Saving Changes...
Stéphane ParentSelf Employed / Semi-retired| Leader MakerPrince Edward Island, Canada
I have seen project management used to plan family events: weddings, anniversaries, birthdays, ... Saving Changes...
Thanks, Stephane, for your ideas. All ideas are welcomed. However, I am looking more for scenarios for students. A story problem about a project, and questions of: What went wrong? As the PM, how should you handle? What should the project team do next? Situations that causes students to think, look at the facts, come up with alternatives to (for example) get the project back on track. Again, all ideas are welcome because I will use them elsewhere in my teaching. Thanks everyone for jumping in on this topic. -- Connie Saving Changes...
Stéphane ParentSelf Employed / Semi-retired| Leader MakerPrince Edward Island, Canada
I understand what your are looking for, Connie.
I was thinnking someone could relate a family event. The group could then analyze it as a project? Saving Changes...
Hummm....That's an interesting idea. Thanks for sharing. I am thinking about Thanksgiving coming up, and in my family it is a project -- because there are 100+ people who attend. This would be a great project for students to analyze. (Not to mention some of the crazy family members!) :) Thanks again. You have inspired me. -- Connie Saving Changes...
Stéphane ParentSelf Employed / Semi-retired| Leader MakerPrince Edward Island, Canada
Absolutely, Connie. Some of the crazyest stakeholders are our family members. Saving Changes...
Julia CunninghamManager Project Management| BattelleRichland, Wa, United States
I really like the hurricane idea - but since you're in Portland you could make it a tsunami, or other natural disaster (Mt. St. Helens, perhaps or wildfire). I also agree with Stephane - family can be the most extreme stakeholders. Saving Changes...
