Debra BechtelDirector of Business Programs / Associate Professor| Baker College - MuskegonRavenna, Mi, United States
I am a college professor that teaches several project management courses. Currently, I am teaching the Fundamentals of Project Management. From the view a practitioner, what are the most important things that students should take away from this class? This is their first exposure to project management. Saving Changes...
Lenka PincotChief of Staff to the CEO| Project Management InstituteParis, France
Hi Debra, I would recommend to let students work on a case study through your whole course where they would build and deliver a project on their own. How long is your course?
Project management is a complex discipline and some people are naturally strong in some areas, e.g. interpersonal skills while it may be more difficult for them to conduct detailed quantitative risk analyses. But in real world they need it all. Such a case study and hands on experience with team work would help them to learn from each other and discover their natural skills and skill gaps. Besides it will be fun and students will like it:)
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1 reply by Debra Bechtel
Apr 02, 2018 11:19 AM
Debra Bechtel
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Thank you. That is a major component of the course. We do several small case studies along with one major project.
Debra, probably a good start is to look at the 10 knowledge areas of the PMBOK and summarize these, since it really does cover well the entire flavor of project management processes. Saving Changes...
Lenka PincotChief of Staff to the CEO| Project Management InstituteParis, France
I was studying computer sciences and I still remember how our professor said: IT is a function that goes through the whole organization. I remember that because I had no clue what he meant. I got it only years later when I was working. Students can memorize lots of stuff but to give it a sense they need examples or even better experience.
I was teaching on MBA school and student loved case studies and practicing what I was telling them. So absolutely, PMBOK is a great resource to follow, no doubt about that. But are they able to grasp the theory when it’s their first exposure to project management?
I also recall that part of my study was actually accomplishing a project for a real customer. We as students had to approach a real company and got them assign us a real task. Then we had to deliver and present results to faculty committee. Wow, that was hard. Not because of the matter itself but because we had to get ourselves organized and work as a team. It was great experience and taught us a lot. Saving Changes...
First introduce your students to the basic definitions, 10 knowledge areas and 5 process groups. than build on the subject by introducing a case study which relates to their everyday life like buying a car or getting a college degree. And relating the project management processes to complete the project. Saving Changes...
Make sure they understand the "why" behind each process or practice which you take them through. I'd second Lenka's recommendation for centering the work around a single fictitious business case - have them work in a small team of 5-9 folks to take this through the lifecycle.
Kiron Saving Changes...
Sergio Luis ConteHelping to create solutions for everyone| Worldwide based OrganizationsBuenos Aires, Argentina
The most important thing is helping them to understand that each person in this world is performing project management from the time they wake up to the time they go to bed. Then, when a practical situation of their life make visible to them that they are using all the knowledge areas that the PMBOK has stated. Saving Changes...
Hi there,
It is really hard. It has to do with their background and experiences. However, if you ask me, I would say:
- the definition of project
- the importance of project management
- project life cycle
- an overview of processes across the project Saving Changes...
Senior Projects Manager | Field & Marten AssociatesNew Westminster, British Columbia, Canada
Debra,
I participate in teaching classes as a volunteer and noticed that new students often do not differentiate between Theoretical Project Management & Practical Project Management so it might be good idea to start-off by explaining to them the difference between Knowledge & Experience (Theory & Reality) so as you go on with your course, they would have a sense of what real experience would be.
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1 reply by Debra Bechtel
Apr 02, 2018 11:16 AM
Debra Bechtel
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That is a very good point. Thank you.
Saving Changes...
Meade RubensteinPM III| IT Project GuideSparta, Nj, United States
I would recommend spending some time on Mind mapping/WBS - trying to give them tools to break down complex ideas or problems into smaller and more manageable components. This is an everyday task for me - for the last 30+ years
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1 reply by Debra Bechtel
Apr 02, 2018 11:17 AM
Debra Bechtel
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Thank you. We actually do several exercises in that.
Saving Changes...
Kay PowellFaculty Member| University of North Dakota and University of Illinois-SpringfieldSpringfield, IL, United States
I have found that Cengage has two good textbooks for an undergraduate level fundamentals course. I expect a simple search of their website would show you their options.
Both come with online content, case studies, quantitative problems, discussion starters. As a faculty member I am very happy with the Cengage company as a whole.
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