Admas University
School of Postgraduate Studies
Course Outline
Course Tile: Project Management Tools and Techniques
Course Code MAPMS-632, Prerequisite: MAPMS-621
Credit Hours 2
Course Description
This course covers tools and techniques used to plan and control projects and accomplishes
business objectives. It emphasizes how to determine which tool or technique to use during
different phases of the project life cycle. It uses project management software in exercises.
Course Objective
After completing this course, the graduate students should be able to:
Understand the strategic context of Project Management
identify the project scope , planning and schedule development tools
apply various tools to cost estimation, quality control , monitoring and evaluation
Conduct risk response planning
Course Content
Chapter One: Strategic Context of Project Management
Definition of Strategic Project Management
Strategic Project Management Framework
Strategic Project Management as a Competitive Advantage
Project Portfolio Management
Chapter Two: Project Selection
Introduction to project selection
Stakeholder Analysis
Problem Tree Analysis
Economic Methods
Chapter Three: Project Scope Planning and Schedule Development Tools
Inputs
Product description
Project charter
Constraints
Assumptions
Tools and Techniques
Product analysis
Benefit/cost analysis
Alternatives identification
Expert judgment
Outputs
Scope statement
Supporting detail
Scope management plan
Chapter Four: Cost Estimation
Introduction
Need for project cost estimation
Project Cost Management Processes
Plan Cost Management
Estimate costs
Determine budget
Control costs
Project cost Estimation method
Expert judgment
Analogous estimating
Parametric estimating
Bottom-up estimating
Three-point estimating
Vendor bid analysis
Group decision-making techniques
Criteria of a good cost estimate
Chapter Five: Risk Response Planning
Overview of Risk Response Planning
Risk Response Strategies
Risk Response Cost-Benefit Analysis
Responding to Risks
Completing the Risk Register
Chapter Six: Earned Value Analysis
Introduction
Key Earned Value Terminology
Importance of EVA
Cost and Schedule Variances
Cost and Schedule Performance Indices
Estimate to Complete (ETC)
Estimate at Completion (EAC) and Latest Revised Estimate (LRE)
Chapter Seven: Project Quality Control
Purpose of Project Quality Management
Project Quality Management Processes
Quality Planning
Quality Assurance
Quality Control
Projectquality control outputs
Quality Control tools and techniques
Chapter Eight: Monitoring, Evaluation, and Reporting
An introduction to monitoring and evaluation
What is M&E?
The differences between monitoring and evaluation
Design and implementation of M&E Systems
M&E systems and common deficiencies
Key design principles for project monitoring and evaluation
The limits of project management
The challenges of outcome and impact monitoring and evaluation
The role of leading indicators
Results-based monitoring and evaluation
Contemporary evaluation challenges and responses
Components of monitoring and evaluation systems
Planning and implementing a project monitoring and
evaluation system
The components of a project monitoring and evaluation system
Participatory project monitoring and evaluation
Learning and M&E systems
Teaching Methods
The participant centered approach will be adopted in facilitating teaching and learning. This
teaching methodology will ensure that participants approach the entire course in a friendly and
experiential learning environment in which they relate to every aspect of the course with their
relevant work experiences. Lectures using video conferencing, case studies, and discussions will
be used to bring the experiences of others in this vast field of application to bear on the entire
teaching and learning session. Discussions and simulation exercises will also be used to
encourage interactions and idea sharing. Participants will be required to use the knowledge
acquired to assess past projects they have designed as well as proposals prepared in the past so as
to determine areas needing improvement. These will be very important lessons that will guide all
future practices in this area and reinforce new attitudes.
Modes of Assessment:
Written assignments (term paper) 30%
Individual written assignment 20%
Final exam 50%
References
1. Deborah SaterCarstens and Gary L. Richardson (2013) Project Management Tools and
Techniques: A practical Guide. London: Taylor and Francis Group
2. Milosevic, D.Z. (2003). Project Management ToolBox. New Jersey: John Wiley & Sons,
Inc.
3. Frame, J.D. (1994) The New Project Management: Tools for an Age of Rapid Change,
Corporate Reengineering, and Other Business Realities. San Francisco: Jossey-Bass.
4. AbadejBadiru and others (2008) Industrial Project Management Concepts Tools and
Techniques. London: Taylor and Francis Group
5. Davidson Frame (2002) The New Project ManagementSecond Edition Tools for an Age
of Rapid Change, Complexity, and Other Business Realities: John Wiley & Sons, Inc.,
and J. Davidson Frame
6. Mishra and Soota (2005) Modern Project Management. New Delhi: New Age
International (P) Ltd., Publishers
7. A Guide to Project Management Body of Knowledge (PMBOK Guide), 4th 2008
(Pennsylvania: Project Management Institute)
8. Prasanna, Chandra (1988) Projects Planning, Analysis, Selection, Financing,
Implementation and Review, Tata McGraw-Hill Publishing Company, New Delhi,
9. Barbara Allan (2004) Project management Tools and techniques for today's ILS
professional.Lodon: Facet Publishing
10. Fortune, J. andWhite, D. (2006), ‘‘Framing of project critical success factors by a
systems model’’, International Journal of Project Management, Vol. 24, pp. 53-65.
11. Fox, G.M. (2004), ‘‘Is there a role for project management in achieving improved
success rates for start-up business?’’, University of Limerick, Limerick.
