COURSE SYLLABUS

OPRE 6271 Project Overview and Strategic and Process Management

This course consists of an introduction to the entire project management process, including Initiation, Planning, Executing,
Controlling and Closing processes. It also provides an overview of interpersonal skills and strategic and process management as
related to project management and financial considerations in project selection.

Instructor’s Information:
James Joiner jamesj@utdallas.edu
Dr. Sue Freedman suefreedman@sbcglobal.net
John Robinson johnt1840@yahoo.com
Larry Chasteen chasteen@utdallas.edu
Jim Newstead JRNewstead@aol.com
David Springate spring8@utdallas.edu

Course Materials:

Textbook:
The Project Management Body of Knowledge

Cases:
Investment Analysis and Lockheed Tri Star

1
 Course Schedule:
Date Title Description
Mod#
9/7/06 Intro to Project Management Program Introduction
#1 #2 Workshop (James Joiner)
9/8 Intro to Teaming and Introduction to teaming and leadership
#3 #4 Leadership (Dr. Sue within program and sets stage for using
Freedman) the team experience in the program as a
learning resource for the development of
the leadership skills needed as Project,
Program and Enterprise level managers
and leaders
9/9 AM Business Processes (Dr. John Covers the concepts of modern business
#5 Robinson) activity from the perspective general
business processes. Process analysis and
process redesign tools and applications
will be developed. A case example
employing learning as a process will be
discussed.
9/9 PM Business Strategy (Dr. Larry Introduction to strategy and strategic
#6 Chasteen) planning
10/19 Behavioral Assessment – In this module, we will explore human
AM LIFO (Jim Newstead) behavior, how we perceive ourselves as
#7 behaving, and how others perceive that
same behavior. We’ll measure our
behavior under both normal and stressful
conditions by completing a widely used
and effective behavioral instrument,
LIFO, or Life Orientation.
We will use the Dr. Stuart Atkins’ LIFO
Instrument to first measure our own
behavioral strengths, followed by others’
perception.
Objectives Module Assignments
• Overview of program and principles that underlie project In class exercises
management
• Recognize the breadth and complexity of leadership roles 1. Come prepared to discuss your experiences
and responsibilities in project management in:
• Identify and articulate their assumptions and goals • Leading and being led
regarding leadership and teams • Participating and leading teams
• Conduct complex project management related decision- • Adapting to a changing world
making in a team environment. 2. Project Management Process and roles
• Review the Project Management Professional
competencies and their relationship to their own skills and
aspirations
• Learn the concept of business process and business 1. Read article “Learning the Lessons of
process design Apollo 13” by Michael Lines
• Learn fundamental tools of process analysis
o Process Mapping
o Process Flow Chart Development
• Apply the tools and techniques to real business activity
and process
• Organization learning as a business process
• Understand the necessary and sufficient conditions for 1. Read article “A longitudinal Look at Texas
developing effective corporate strategy Instruments” by Larry Chasteen
• The purpose of this module is to introduce a behavioral In class activities
measurement instrument to the world of project
management. This instrument is the second oldest in the
existing inventory of behavioral measurement tools, with
the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator being the oldest. All of
the instruments have a purpose, each with a unique view
into human behavior. Some are focused on personality
types, others on career type, and some are designed to
measure your specific behavior.
• As we all likely have served at one time or another on a
project team, some of you may not have had the
experience in functioning as the project manager. There
are three critical requirements regarding a project team
member behavior:
1. Understanding the behavioral strengths of each team
member
2. Understanding the behavioral strengths of the project
manager
3. Understanding the behavioral strengths of team
members and project managers under both normal
and adverse conditions…such as high stress.
• As both a team member and as a project manager, it is
critical to have a team that is well prepared for the
challenges of the project. This task is made easier when
the team is well aware of the behavioral strengths and
characteristics of the manager and the team members
before the stress environment occurs.
• Further, a comprehensive understanding of each others’
2
 behavioral patterns, strengths and how we act under
stressful conditions can assist each in determining roles
and responsibilities, how the project is rolled out, and
perhaps most important, when to ask which team
member for assistance, based on his/her strengths.

10/19 PM Creating Value with An overview of financial tools useful in • Internal rate of return Read the case: Investment Analysis and
#8 Investments the management of projects • Net Present Value Lockheed Tri Star
• Payback
• Economic Value Added
• Market Value added

Major Assignment:
#1: Covers modules 1-8
Due: October 14, 2006 midnight
Grader: Jim Joiner
Format: Program Format (posted under syllabus information on Blackboard)

Grading Information:

Major Assignment #1 75%

Class Participation 25%
Total 100%