DQ 1

Chapter Six in the textbook describes four "tangible benefits" of using project management; these are:

Lower Cost

Shortened schedules

No sacrifice of scope or quality

Higher customer satisfaction

Choose one of these four benefits and describe why it is mandatory to have strong project management techniques in the organization to reach the benefit. Use examples from the Forbes article "HealthCare.gov diagnosis: The Government Broke

Every Rule of Project Management" to analyze how firm project management practices could have assisted in the development and launch of HealthCare.gov.

DQ2

An organization needs to have project management built into its culture to be effective. Evaluate the maturity of the project management culture in your organization and describe improvements that can be implemented based on your text readings. If you feel your organization does not yet have a project management culture explain why and suggest improvements that could be accomplished.

ASSIGNMENT WEEKLY PAPER

Review the "Hexagon of Excellence" in Chapter 7 in your text and write a 2 to 4 page (not including title and reference pages), APA style article review paper.

Select and describe at least three characteristics that make the performance of a company excellent in terms of how they approach project management.

Provide details on how a current or previous employer used any of these areas for success in the marketplace

Analyzes how an employer aligns projects to organizational strategy.

You must use a minimum of one to two sources, including the textbook.

WEEK 3

DQ 1

Many organizations focus on continuous improvement processes to aid efficiency improvement, reduce waste, and/or maximize profits. In your posting, discuss three of the continuous improvement foci areas you have experienced in your job or organization and discuss the effectiveness (or benefits) of such initiatives. Decide what change management issues are present that limit the organization's efforts in continuous improvement. What are the forces driving the initiative? What practices could be improved? What should be abandoned?

DQ2

Describe the structure and importance of a project phase review meeting. Select three areas that need to be reviewed by the project manager and explain why. Create a list of stakeholders that should be invited to the meeting. Why did you choose these stakeholders? What should all the meeting participants be able to walk away from the meeting with?

ASSIGNMENT WEEKLY PAPER

After reading this week's assigned articles, submit a 2 to 4 page, APA-style paper that summarizes each phase of the project lifecycle and analyzes how each phase could support the organization's business strategy.

Your paper must include a title page and a reference page, which are not included in the page length requirements. A minimum of one to two sources, including the textbook, must be used for this assignment.

WEEK 4

DQ 1

The triple constraint in Project Management is known to be time, cost and scope. The ability to manage these three items very often leads to project success. Identify two success factors from Chapter 11; then compare them with two components of failure from the same chapter. Provide an example of a project you led or were a team member where one or more of these factors came into play.

DQ2

One key concept in project management is to learn from previous projects. The Lessons Learned review allows an organization to collect and document the results of both successful and failed projects. Give an overview of a project you were involved with as a leader or team member. Choose three of the project areas listed below and answer one question from each group of questions found in Chapter 12 of your text.

Time

Cost

Quality

Scope

Line Management

Methodology

Senior Management

Customer Satisfaction

Business Opportunities

ASSIGNMENT WEEKLY PAPER

Read Case 3: Altex Corporation in the case study section of your text. Write a summary of the case and answer the following questions from the end of the case.

Why was a risk management plan considered unnecessary?

Should risk management planning be performed in the proposal stage or after contract award, assuming that it must be done?

Does the customer have the right to expect the contractor to perform risk analysis and develop a risk management plan if it is not called out as part of the contractual statement of work?

Would Altex have been more interested in developing a risk management plan if the project were funded entirely from within?

How might the Army have responded if they were presented with a risk management plan early during the R&D activities?

Can risk management planning be justified on almost all programs and projects?

Your paper must be 2-4 pages in length (not including title and reference pages), doubled spaced, and formatted according to APA style as outlined in the approved style guide. A minimum of two sources, including the text, must be used to complete this assignment.

WEEK 5

DQ 1

Identify one of the goals of Six Sigma shown in Table 13-1 of the text and provide an example of a project you have been involved with where the method could have helped the project outcome. Comment if your organization uses Six Sigma and, if so, the influence it has had on the results of projects and the overall business.

DQ2

Review the Fleming and Koppelman article from your assigned readings. Evaluate two of the ten EVM requirements and analyze how a project you have worked on in the past could have been more effective by using the measures. Provide detailed information if your organization consistently uses EVM and the benefits that have resulted.

Program Comprehensive Exam

Complete the exam, which will take approximately two hours and will be graded based on your score.

WEEK 6

DQ 1

List three processes in your organization that are considered "best practices" and describe how they meet the critical questions from Chapter 15 in the text. If your organization does not have a best practice, use the knowledge gained from the case studies and article reviews in class to describe your idea of a best practice.

DQ2

Compare how knowledge transfer for project management happens in your organization with the model shown in figure 15-4 of the text. Where can your organization make improvements to ensure knowledge transfer is a critical success area in the future? Where is your organization excelling?

FINAL RESEARCH PAPER

This final research paper must demonstrate the understanding of new learning in the field of project management and how it relates to the Project Management Maturity Model. This is an assignment with a length of 10- to 15- pages (not including title and reference pages) that should integrate the reading, multi-media and class discussion boards. It is mandatory to have research from the classroom text, as well as at least 4 sources from the internet or online library to support your views. A minimum of 2 of these sources must be from the Ashford Online Library.

Consider the validity of your resources carefully before using them in academic papers. It is recommended to use examples from your professional experience where possible, or build from your learning in the discussion boards. Use at least one project you have been a team member or a project manager as an example to discuss each of the following topics:

The definition of the Project Management Maturity Model and how organizations can increase their overall productivity using the model.

The importance of organizational strategy and how project management needs to link to objectives to achieve results.

Project communication methods including who the stakeholders are and why they are important to the project manager.

The use of project quality, including earned value analysis, and examples of successful and troubled projects.

A conclusion to describe how the probability of success can be found with an organization that is able to reach maturity in terms of project management.

Writing the Final Paper

The Final Paper:

Must be ten to fifteen double-spaced pages in length, and formatted according to APA style as outlined in the Ashford Writing

Center.

Must include a title page with the following:

Title of paper

Student's name

Course name and number

Instructor's name

Date submitted

Must begin with an introductory paragraph that has a succinct thesis statement.

Must address the topic of the paper with critical thought.

Must end with a conclusion that reaffirms your thesis.

Must use at least five scholarly sources, including a minimum of two from the Ashford Online Library.

Must document all sources in APA style, as outlined in the Ashford Writing Center.

Must include a separate reference page, formatted according to APA style as outlined in the Ashford Writing Center.