INSTRUCTOR: Ghassan Y Yacoub, Ph.D.
BIOGRAPHY:  Ghassan has been with Intel Corporation's Business and Technology Programs organization since 1997 serving as a Project Manager and more recently as a Strategic Technology Planning Manager. Prior to Intel, he was with the Hughes Electronics Corporation for twelve years and served as Section Head of VLSI Signal Processing Design for five years before leaving in 1993 to co-found dQdt, a Hughes spin-off company. Ghassan has twenty years experience in the high-tech industry, fifteen of which in managing organizations. His interdisciplinary interests include business management, business processes, strategic planning, and management information systems. He is a Howard Hughes Doctoral Fellow and holds a Ph.D. degree in Electrical Engineering from the University of California, San Diego (UCSD) where he served as a Visiting Scholar in 1997 conducting research in advanced VLSI chip design methodology. 

NOTE: Course syllabus and schedule may be subject to adjustment in the event of extenuating circumstances (updated 111501).

E-MAIL: mg178@ghassanyacoub.com

LOCATION & LOGISTICS:  CU Room 21. Fall 2001, term II (October 31 through December 12, 2001), Wednesdays (6:00 pm to 10:15 pm).  Before the first class, each student should supply the program coordinator with his or her e-mail address and visit the WebCT site for this course. (Student may choose to use a free, web-based e-mail service such as yahoo, hotmail, or mail.com). Students required to bring their text books to class.

RESOURCE  MATERIALS:  
Text - Clifford F Gray & Eric W Larson (2000). "Project Management: The Managerial Process."  New York: Irwin/McGraw-Hill. (http://www.mhhe.com/graylarsonprojmgt)

Handouts - Provided in class.

Software - The official software for the class will be Microsoft Project 1998/2000 for Windows (equivalent software is acceptable).  Students must have access to at least a Windows 95 based computer with Office 95 and a connection to the Internet.

COURSE DESCRIPTION: This course focuses on a holistic approach to project management.  Project management is becoming increasingly more important in today’s world.  Mastery of key tools and concepts could give you a significant competitive advantage in the marketplace.  The content deals with planning, scheduling, organizing, and controlling projects--for example, product development, construction, information systems, new businesses, and special events.  The course includes major topics of Strategy, Priorities, Organization, Project Tools, and Leadership.  Primary class emphasis is on the project management process and tools.

OVERALL OBJECTIVE: To provide an integrative view of project management and its contribution to the strategic goals of organizations.

SPECIFIC OBJECTIVES:
    1. To provide experience in using the concepts, techniques, and decision tools available to project managers.
    2.  To enlarge a basic understanding of the importance of work breakdown structures & networks to planning, scheduling, & controlling projects.
    3.  To create an awareness of potential conflicts and problems that can occur on projects.
    4.  To identify appropriate behavior for successfully managing a project.
    5.  To provide a framework for a complete Computer-Based Information System (CBIS) for managing projects.

METHOD OF INSTRUCTION AND COURSE PROCESS:
Weekly Assignments - All weekly assignments to be turned in at the beginning of the class.  The case study assignments are team efforts and the exercises are individual efforts. Homework is due on the first class meeting as outlined in the table below. Each case study and each homework not to exceed 1-2 pages in length. Late assignments require previous arrangements with the instructor.

Midterm - The midterm will consist of a combination of definitions, multiple choice, and True/False questions. Answers to a superset of the midterm will be handed out during Class 3. If you cannot attend Class 4 on 11/21/01, you must make arrangements for a make-up to be completed before Class 5 on 11/28/01.

Class Participation - A primary strength of the Intensive Business Program is the experience of its students. Your active participation is a valuable addition to the class. Additional class interactions will occur online using the WebCT environment for this course.

Final Presentation - The final presentation is a group project that will be assigned during the first class meeting.  Everyone in each group is required to speak. A hard copy of the presentation (including supporting material) to be submitted to the instructor by Class 7 on 12/12/01.

METHOD OF EVALUATION:

ASSIGNMENT OF GRADES:  A = 90-100; B = 80-90; C = 70-80; D = 60-70;

ATTENDANCE POLICY:  The nature of the intensive program requires a stringent attendance policy. A student who misses more than one class or its equivalent, must withdraw.  Prompt arrival is expected and if you miss a class or will be late, please, let me know apriori. One absence can significantly impact course success and points will be taken off the grade for late arrivals.

MAKE-UP POLICY:  Missed classes may require additional assignments, including written material to be turned in and/or examinations. Make-up examinations may differ from original exams.

ADVISEMENT TIME: The Professor can be contacted for appointments by calling the Professor’s home, cell, or work phone, and/or e-mail.

ACADEMIC ETHICS: Details on the ethical standards of reporting information may be found in the "Publication Manual of the APA." The NDNU "Standards of Conduct" published in the "Graduate Bulletin" should also be consulted.

AMERICANS WITH DISABILITIES ACT: If the student’s disabilities fall within ADA, please inform the Professor at the beginning of the course of any special needs or equipment necessary to accomplish the requirements for this course.

COURSE SCHEDULE AND ASSIGNMENTS: