CE 482: Project Engineering

 

Course Description

Modern project engineering techniques for planning, scheduling, and controlling typical engineering and construction projects; Linear programming and other optimization techniques, as applied to resource allocation; Microcomputer applications are emphasized and appropriate software used throughout the course.

Course Scope

The course provides an overview of proven techniques for managing successful projects. Covered topics include: project scope definition; constraints scope management; planning and cost estimating; performance monitoring and control; risks handling; project communication; and decision modeling. The students use Microsoft Project as a tool for managing a project’ scope, schedule, and budget, as well as they learn how to electronically define a work-breakdown structure, generate reports, assign resources, produce charts, and track the progress.

Course Objectives

Upon the completion of the course the students should demonstrate the ability to:

1. Explain the concepts of project management.

2. Respond to a request for proposals by developing a proposal.

3.  Develop a project plan, including developing a project scope statement, a project schedule, and budget.

4.  Utilize a project management software package to aid in project management.

5.  Use the Earned Value concept to track the progress of a projects.

6.  Discuss the importance of leadership to the completion of a project.

7.  Develop a project risk management plan.

8.  Perform a network analysis of a project.

9.  Discuss the importance of properly closing a project.

Course Materials

Textbook:

• E. W. Larson, C. F. Gray, “Project Management: The Managerial Process,” 5th Edition, McGraw-Hill/Irvin, 2010 (ISBN-10: 0073403342; ISBN-13: 978-0073403342).

Topics

• Introduction to Project Management
• Organizational Project Structures
• Microsoft Project
• Defining a Project
• Network Analysis
• Scheduling Resources and Costs
• Cost Estimating and Earned Value
• Risk Management
• Project Leadership
• Project Management Professional
• Project Closure and Turnover Plan

Evaluation Procedure

The course is delivered in a “web-based” format. Course materials, related to lecture notes, presentations, assignments, and supplementary materials, are posted on BbLearn on a regular basis. The students are responsible to actively participate by regularly logging in on BbLearn, reading the posted materials, and completing the assignments in a timely manner. There are 8 assignments in total. All the assignments carry equal weight toward the final grade. The course is project-based, therefore the course does not have exams, and instead the emphasis in assessing the students’ knowledge is on a course project.

Grading

Homework Assignments (8)	60 %
Final Project	40 %