Project

Management
Introduction

Dr. Tianyi Wu 2024-10-18

 • Introduction of the Course
• Structure of the Course
• Necessity of Project Management

CONTENTS • Key Project Management Concepts

• Project Failures and Planning Pitfalls
• Role and Responsibilities of the Project Manager
• Conclusion
 01

Introduction of the Course

Introduction of the Course

• About Me
• About Course
About Me

• Name: Tianyi Wu (Tinny)

• School: Hiroshima University
• Major: Humanity （ Comparative Culture ）
• Interest: Video Games, Read, Travel, Sleep
• Expertise: Comparative Culture
Global Governance
Society for Science and Technology Studies

• E-mail: tianyi.wu@mail.wu.ac.th
About Course

• Course Description
• Credit Hours
• Assessments
• Textbook
• Course Policy
• Grading Criteria
Course Description

This course develops fundamental concepts of project management. Students will

learn about project and project life cycle. The course will cover planning, scheduling,
controlling, resource allocation and performance measurement. Project selection and
evaluation approaches and project communications will be discussed. The course will also
examine the scheduling techniques as well as the cost estimation. Project management
processes, quality and risk management will be covered.
Credit Hours

Active Learning
Lecture Hour Total
Hour
45 (3*15) hours
90 hours 135 hours
Including 2 exam
Assessments Methods

• Attendance (5% of full attendance) and may have 3 times of absence.

• 5 times assignments (9% each and total of 45%)
• Quizzes (1*10%)
• Mid-term Examination (20%)
• Final Examination (20%)

For examination, closed book exam but the range of the exam will not over the
contents of PPT
Textbook

• Heagney, J. (2016). Fundamentals of project management 4th edition.

Amacom.
• Kerzner, H. (2013). Project management: Case studies. John Wiley & Sons.
• Meredith, J. R., Shafer, S. M., & Mantel Jr, S. J. (2017). Project management:
a strategic managerial approach. John Wiley & Sons.
Course Policy

1. Attendance: Regular attendance is expected. Missing classes can

significantly impact your understanding of the course material and your
performance. Require 80% attendance to pass the course.
2. Assignments: All assignments must be submitted by the deadlines. Late
submissions may incur penalties unless there are extenuating
circumstances approved by the instructor.
3. Academic Integrity: Maintain academic integrity by avoiding plagiarism and
cheating. Properly cite all sources and collaborate ethically with peers.
Course Policy

4. Participation: Active participation in discussions, group work, and other

interactive elements is mandatory. Participation grades will reflect your
engagement and contributions.
5. Respect and Inclusivity: Respect the diverse backgrounds and opinions of
all participants. The course environment should be inclusive and supportive
for everyone.
6. Communication Check your email and course platform regularly for updates
and announcements. Contact the instructor promptly if you have questions
or concerns.
Course Policy

7. Feedback: Provide and accept constructive feedback graciously. Feedback

is a valuable part of the learning process for both students and instructors.
8. Examinations: Adhere to the examination schedule and rules. Inform the
instructor immediately if you encounter any issues that may affect your
ability to take exams.
9. Professional Behavior: Demonstrate professional behavior in all
interactions. This includes punctuality, preparedness, and respectful
communication.
Grading Criteria for Whole Course

Score Grade Meaning Score Level

80-100 A Excellent 4.0
75-79 B+ Very Good 3.5
70-74 B Good 3.0
65-69 C+ Fairly Good 2.5
60-64 C Fair 2.0
55-59 D+ Poor 1.5
50-54 D Very Poor 1.0
Under 50 F Fail 0.0
General Grading Criteria for Each Assignment

• Originality (AI generated contents is NOT original)

• Consideration and Insights of the Case
• Reflect of Personal Experience
• Comprehension of Knowledge
• Connection to Other Knowledge
• Clear Logic and Structure
• Correct Format
02
Structure of the Course
Structure of the Course

• What We Will Do
• Contents of Each Lecture
What We Will Do

• Lecture
• In Class Discussion
• Case Analysis
Contents of Each Lecture

1. Introduction
2. The Role of the Project Manager
3. Planning the Project
4. Developing a Mission, Vision, Goals and Objectives for the Project
5. Budgeting and Risk Plan for Project
6. Using the Work Breakdown Structure to Plan a Project
7. Scheduling Project Work
8. Producing a Workable Schedule
9. Project Control, Evaluation and Auditing
10. The Change Control Process
11. Project Control Using Earned Value Analysis
12. Managing the Project Team
13. Project Closure and Benefits Realization
 03

Key Project Management

Concepts
What is a Project

build a school run a school

Definition of a Project

• A project is defined as a temporary endeavor undertaken to create a unique

product, service, or result. This concept contains two parts:
1. Temporary: Projects have a defined beginning and end, unlike ongoing
operations.
2. Unique Outcome: Projects produce something one-of-a-kind, not
repetitive tasks.
Key Project Management Concepts

1. PCTS Constraints: Performance, Cost, Time, and Scope

• Performance (Quality): The standards or quality the project must meet.
• Cost: The budget available to complete the project.
• Time: The timeframe in which the project must be completed.
• Scope: The extent or range of the work required to achieve the project
goals.
Key Project Management Concepts

1. PCTS Constraints: Performance, Cost, Time, and Scope

• Performance (Quality): The standards or quality the project must meet.
• Cost: The budget available to complete the project.
• Time: The timeframe in which the project must be completed.
• Scope: The extent or range of the work required to achieve the project
goals.
Key Project Management Concepts

2. The Phases of Project Management

• Initiating: Deciding on the project and defining objectives.
• Planning: Developing a roadmap to meet project goals, including tasks,
schedules, and resources.
• Executing: Doing the actual work to create the project’s deliverables.
• Monitoring and Controlling: Tracking progress and making adjustments
as necessary.
• Closing: Finalizing all tasks, reviewing outcomes, and documenting
lessons learned.
Key Project Management Concepts

2. The Phases of Project Management

• Initiating: Deciding on the project and defining objectives.
• Planning: Developing a roadmap to meet project goals, including tasks,
schedules, and resources.
• Executing: Doing the actual work to create the project’s deliverables.
• Monitoring and Controlling: Tracking progress and making adjustments
as necessary.
• Closing: Finalizing all tasks, reviewing outcomes, and documenting
lessons learned.
Key Project Management Concepts

3. Work Breakdown Structure (WBS)

WBS is a tool that breaks down the project into manageable parts. Each
part represents a smaller task necessary to complete the project.
Key Project Management Concepts

4. Project Team Involvement and Buy-in

Project team involvement and buy-in refer to the practice of actively
including team members in the project planning and decision-making
processes.
 Key Project Management Concepts

5. Leadership vs. Dictatorship in Project

Management
Leadership in project management
involves guiding, motivating, and enabling
the team to achieve the project goals,
whereas dictatorship is a command-and-
control approach where the manager
simply gives orders without seeking input.
 Key Project Management Concepts

5. Lessons Learned (Postmortem Analysis)

At the end of a project, conducting a

lessons-learned review is essential. It focuses
on identifying what went well and what could
improve, guiding future projects.
 04
Necessity of Project Management
Necessity of Project Management

Project management provides the tools, processes, and leadership

necessary to deliver projects efficiently and effectively. It ensures coordination,
resource optimization, and risk management, which are essential to meet
project goals within scope, budget, and time constraints.
Necessity of Project Management

1. Handling Temporary and Unique Initiatives

2. Managing Complexity and Constraints
3. Reducing Risk of Failure
4. Coordinating Cross-functional Teams
5. Improving Resource Management
6. Aligning with Organizational Goals
7. Ensuring Stakeholder Satisfaction
8. Learning and Improvement
05
Project Failures and
Planning Pitfalls
Definition Project Failure

• Project failures is a common issue that contribute significantly to projects

going off track.

Project failures refer to situations where a project does not meet its
initial objectives or constraints, which include performance, cost, time, and
scope (PCTS). A project is considered a failure if it falls short in any of these
areas, leading to unmet goals, wasted resources, or even cancellation.
Characteristics of Project Failures
1. Failure to Meet Original Targets
The project does not meet the initial performance, cost, time, or scope
targets set at the beginning. For example, it may go over budget, miss
deadlines, or fail to deliver the expected quality or functionality.

2. Requirement Changes and Scope Reduction

Around 50% of projects require significant adjustments to their
targets, often resulting in delays or budget increases, and in some cases,
reducing the scope or quality to meet deadlines.

3. Project Cancellation
Some projects are abandoned altogether, resulting in a complete loss
of the resources invested. In certain industries, like software development,
around 33% of projects are canceled before completion.
Primary Reasons for Project Failures

1. Inadequate planning: Rushing into execution without a clear plan.

2. Poor risk management: Not preparing for potential challenges.

3. Lack of stakeholder alignment: Not securing commitment and

understanding from key stakeholders.

4. Insufficient resources: Underestimating the time, budget, or skill set

required.
Planning Pitfalls

Planning pitfalls occur in projects

due to several common issues, often

related to mindset, lack of experience, and

organizational pressures. These pitfalls

usually stem from a desire to move quickly,

insufficient planning skills, or a lack of

understanding of the project’s complexity.

Planning Pitfalls

1. Overemphasis on Speed (Ready-Fire-

Aim Approach)

Action is taken before clear goals

are set, leads to poorly defined objectives,

frequent course corrections, and ultimately

wasted time and resources.

Planning Pitfalls

2. Lack of Team Involvement in Planning

Lack of Team Involvement in

Planning misses valuable insights from

team members who understand the

specifics of the work. It can lead to

unrealistic timelines, overlooked steps, and

a lack of commitment from the team.

Planning Pitfalls

3. Underestimating Task Durations and

Costs

Underestimating Task Durations

and Costs leads to budget overruns, missed

deadlines, and frequent resource shortages

during the project.

Planning Pitfalls

4. Poor Risk Management

Without identifying and preparing

for potential risks, teams face unexpected

obstacles that disrupt the project, requiring

costly and time-consuming adjustments.

Planning Pitfalls

5. Inadequate Scope Definition (Scope

Creep)

Constant additions to the project

increase complexity and require more

resources than initially planned, stretching

the budget and delaying completion.

Planning Pitfalls

6. Insufficient Knowledge of Project Management Techniques

Without using proper tools like Work Breakdown Structures (WBS) or

Gantt charts, the project lacks clear task organization, making it hard to track

progress or identify potential delays.

 06
Role and Responsibilities
of the Project Manager
Definition Project Manager

The project manager is responsible for ensuring that a project is

completed on time, within budget, and at the required performance level.
However, the role extends far beyond simply overseeing tasks, and it’s about
managing people and aligning the project with organizational goals.
Characteristics for a Project Manager

1. Responsibility Over Technical Work

• Although every project has technical aspects, the project manager’s primary
responsibility is not to handle these technical details but to ensure that the
project’s objectives are met. This includes managing schedules, budgets, and
scope.
• The project manager focuses on coordinating the work rather than doing it,
ensuring that the right people are doing the right tasks.
Characteristics for a Project Manager

2. People Skills Are Essential

• A project manager’s most critical skill set revolves around people management.
They must motivate the team, foster collaboration, and handle interpersonal
issues effectively.
• Without strong people skills, even a technically skilled manager will struggle to
lead a project successfully.
Characteristics for a Project Manager

3. Alignment with Organizational Mission and Vision

• A project manager needs to understand how the project aligns with the
organization’s broader mission and vision.
• This means not only ensuring the project meets its objectives but also steering it
in a way that serves the organization’s long-term goals.
Characteristics for a Project Manager

4. Limited Authority but Significant Responsibility

• Project managers often face the challenge of high responsibility with limited
formal authority. They need to find ways to influence others and gain
cooperation without directly controlling them.
• Project managers should take initiative, make decisions within their scope, and
keep their superiors informed.
Characteristics for a Project Manager

5. Balancing Leadership and Management

• A project manager must exercise both leadership (motivating and inspiring the
team) and management (handling administrative tasks like scheduling and
budgeting).
• Leadership is particularly important because the project manager may not have
direct authority over team members, so motivating them to want to perform is
essential.
Characteristics for a Project Manager

6. Avoiding the “Working Project Manager” Trap

• Project managers who try to both manage the project and perform technical
tasks tend to neglect management duties when conflicts arise.
• Project managers to avoid taking on technical tasks so they can focus entirely
on management.
Characteristics for a Project Manager

7. The Project Manager’s Role as an Enabler

• The project manager’s role is to remove obstacles and ensure that team
members have everything they need to do their jobs well.
• Rather than acting as a director, the project manager serves as a support
system for the team.
07

Conclusion
Conclusion

1. Project Management Essentials

• Balances time, cost, scope, and performance to achieve unique project
goals.
• Follows structured phases from initiation to closure for effective execution.
2. Importance of Planning
• Thorough planning reduces risks and minimizes project failures.
• Avoid common pitfalls by involving the team, managing scope, and
addressing risks early.
Conclusion

3. Role of the Project Manager

• A Project Manager is both a leader and facilitator, responsible for aligning
project goals with organizational vision.
• Strong people skills and effective management are crucial for success.
4. Key Takeaway
• Project management is essential for achieving efficient and successful
project outcomes, with clear goals, structured processes, and skilled
management.
 THE END

THANKS