This course constitutes a thorough approach to project management, particularly to IT projects, aiming to be a useful supply for the students who intend to make a career in the competitive ICT labor market.
Course’s main aim is the familiarity of the students who will attend the course successfully are:
The characteristics and the peculiarities of thee IT projects
The methodologies and techniques used for project management and planning concerning the three main parameters: time, cost and resources
The use of popular software tools for planning, monitoring and tracking projects
Structure
The corresponding theory is presented at the beginning, followed by application of the models taught in problem solving. The students practice in formulating project management models, solving corresponding problems as well as decision making.
All contents are fully supported by educational material in English.
The corresponding theory is presented at the beginning, followed by application of the models taught in problem solving. The students practice in formulating the models, solving corresponding problems and decision making.
All chapters are fully supported by educational material in English.
Extensive use of power point and pdf files covering theory and applications.
Further support of the learning procedure through course’s web page.
Use of specialized software (MS-project).
Content
The main topics covered are the following:
• Introduction to Network Analysis
The concepts of: project, network, activity, node, activities’ relationships, arc and node networks.
• Characteristics of the IT projects
Characteristics, peculiarities, life cycle, cost elements, human resources and equipment.
• Network solving
Algorithms for solving arc and node networks.
• PERT technique
Beta distribution, normal distribution, use of statistical tables, Pert technique algorithm.
• CPM method – Cost minimization
Cost-duration relation, cost minimization algorithm, optimal time determination.
• Resource planning and leveling
Resource planning methodologies, Gantt diagram, heuristics, resource aggregation leveling and smoothing.
• Use of software for managing projects
• Project management of IT-related projects
Evaluation
– Written examination
Includes theoretical questions (20-30%) and problem solving (70-80%)
– Middle-term test
Optional participation with provisional addition of the test mark to the final mark
The possibility of assignment of personal projects is also available.
Βy educational material in English, undertaking projects and/or exams
With the successful completion of the course the student is expected to:
• Recognize and understand thoroughly the characteristics and special requirements of IT projects
• Learn and being able to apply the main PM techniques, such as network solving, uncertain projects (PERT), cost minimization (CPM), resource planning (aggregation, smoothing and leveling)
• Plan and solve by hand small IT project networks
• Examine, evaluate and track the progress of small and medium-sized projects
• Evaluate and deduct conclusions from the results of the solved project models
The student is also expected to be able to apply and use relevant software (mainly MS-project) for solving larger problems and case studies, as well as to understand and interpret the found results.
Bertsekas, D. (1998). Network Optimization, Continuous and Discrete Models. Belmont, Massachusetts: MIT Press.
Gido, J. & Clements, J.P. (1999). Successful Project Management. Cincinnati, Ohio: South-Western College Publishing.
Hillier, F. and Lieberman, G. (1990). Introduction to Operations Research, 5th edition, N.Y.: Mc Graw – Hill.
Meredith, J.R. & Mantel, S.J. (2000). Project Management, 4th edition. John Wiley and Sons.
Moder, J., J., Philips, C. R. and Davis, E. W. (1995). Project Management with CPM, PERT and Precedence Diagramming, 3rd edition. Blitz.
Additional material included in the contents:
IT Project Management Practices Guide
Hughes, B. Project Management for IT-related projects
Project Management software: presentation – characteristics and comparison
