Course Information Course Number: 658 Course Title: Managing Projects Sections: 600 Time: TTH 5:00-6:15 Location: Wehner 111 and remotely (Occasionally Wehner 286) Login Information: Available on e-Campus Credit Hours: 3 Credit hours

Instructor Details Instructor: Dr. Victoria Buenger Office: 415E Wehner Building E-Mail: vbuenger@mays.tamu.edu Office Hours: Tuesday and Thursday 11:15-12:30 and by appointment

Course Description Project management is a special case of management concerned with directing a specific set of tasks with a finite life to accomplish a goal or goals. Management in a general sense relies on established policies and procedures. Project managers cannot always depend on policies and procedures, because at the start of the project these tools do not necessarily exist. The project manager develops them as the project progresses. Thus, project management requires more planning and forethought than the ongoing, day-to-day management of ordinary activities. Much of the material (techniques and procedures) key to project management developed from the need to manage large, complex engineering projects. Engineering and construction companies use project management more heavily than other firms, but increasingly other businesses find project management a useful way to organize. Principles of project management apply any time a firm must carry out a complex set of activities with a well-defined set of objectives over a set time period. This class will help you develop your skills in project management.

Course Learning Outcomes Students will:

define key processes essential to projects;

develop the scope and objectives of projects;

identify and evaluate needed activities and their logical sequence;

assign and budget for resources to project activities;

understand how to accomplish project team work that happens outside the hierarchy;

respond when things don't go according to plan;

gain needed support from people who are not under your direct authority;

think abstractly and practically at the same time.

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Required Reading There is no textbook required for this class. An interactive calendar on E-Campus contains links to readings and cases that you will need to prepare for this course. If you are uncomfortable operating without a textbook, you may email me for suggested books you can buy for your personal use. Additional Materials This course makes extensive use of a software package (Microsoft Project 2016). Instruction for this software will occur in our classroom (286) of the Wehner Building. This program is widely used and available commercially, but unless you prefer to work at home there is no reason to purchase it. You will also have the opportunity to try Basecamp or some other online project management tool. These are usually available as 30 day free-trials, and if you like it you can subscribe on a monthly basis.

Office Hours I hold office hours on Tuesdays and Thursdays between 11:15 and 12:30, but I will also gladly visit with you by appointment. You may access office hours in person with appropriate social distancing and face covering in Wehner 415E or through a recurring Zoom meeting: https://tamu.zoom.us/j/99217576103. You will be placed in a waiting room upon arrival.

Grading Policy Your final grade will be calculated based on your scores for the following assignments: Your final grade will be calculated based on the following approximate weights: Daily Work 20% Self-Assessment Paper 20% Partner Communication Paper 20% Small-Group Lab Report 20% Large-Group Lab Report 20% Total 100% Scale for final grades A (89.5% or greater) B (79-5%-89.4%) C (69.5%-79.4%) D (59.5%-69.4%) F (less than 59.5%)

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Late Work Policy I only accept late work when you provide verifiable documentation of a university excused absence. If your absence is excused, you will have the opportunity to make up any missed graded activities, or I will provide a satisfactory alternative to be completed within 30 calendar days from the last day of the absence. To be excused the student must notify me in writing (acknowledged e-mail message is acceptable) prior to the date of absence, and provide appropriate documentation for the absence. In cases where advance notification is not feasible (e.g., accident or emergency) you must provide notification by the end of the second working day after the absence, including an explanation of why notice could not be sent prior to the class. The reasons absences are considered excused by the university are listed below. Student Rule 7 outlines the details of University policy for attendance and make up work (http://student-rules.tamu.edu/rule07). Even if an absence is university-excused, you must still exercise your responsibility for prior notification and documentation. Failure to notify and/or document properly may result in an unexcused absence. Falsification of documentation is a violation of the Honor Code and will be treated as such. Please contact me as soon as you realize you will be unable to turn in an assignment on time so that you can make alternative arrangements. If you miss class (in-person or remotely) and your absence is not university excused, you should turn in assignments on time or before they are due. Absences will be excused only for the following reasons: 1) Participation in an activity appearing on the university authorized activity list. 2) Death or major illness in a student's immediate family. 3) Illness of a dependent family member. 4) Participation in legal proceedings or administrative procedures that require a student's presence. 5) Religious holy day. NOTE: Prior notification is NOT required. 6) Illness that is too severe or contagious for the student to attend class.

a) Injury or illness of three or more class days -- student will provide a medical confirmation note from his or her medical provider within one week of the last date of the absence (see Student Rules 7.1.6.1) b) Injury or illness of less than three class days – student will provide the following, within one week of the last date of the absence: (i.)Texas A&M University Explanatory Statement for Absence from Class form available at http://attendance.tamu.edu or (ii.) Confirmation of visit to a health care professional affirming date and time of visit

7) Required participation in military duties. 8) Mandatory admission interviews for professional or graduate school which cannot be rescheduled. 9) Mandatory participation as a student-athlete in NCAA-sanctioned competition.

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10) In accordance with Title IX of the Educational Amendments of 1972, Texas A&M University shall treat pregnancy (childbirth, false pregnancy, termination of pregnancy and recovery therefrom) and related conditions as a justification for an excused absence for so long a period of time as is deemed medically necessary by the student’s physician. 11) Other absences may be excused at the discretion of the instructor with prior notification and proper documentation. 12) No more than one mandatory interview for permanent, full-time employment or full-time internships. You must provide proof of one of these conditions if you miss an exam. Job interviews, CPA, GMAT, LSAT, and GRE exams, employment conflicts, etc. are not officially excused absences. Please note the days of the major assignments and schedule other activities around these times.

Work Assignments Self-Assessment Paper Your first paper due through e-Campus on Thursday, September 10, will be an individual writing assignment exploring a topic of your choice relating to self-management, including personality, behavior, and time management skills. The four-page paper (1000 word limit) will contain descriptive, analytic, and persuasive elements. You may read more about my expectations for this assignment on the course schedule and at Guidelines for Written Work. Partner Communication Paper Your second paper, due through e-Campus on Tuesday, September 29, will be a paired writing assignment exploring dyad communication in two settings--solving for and building the Singer Corp. network diagram and acting out a hierarchical communication scenario. The paper can be no longer than six pages (1500 word limit) will contain descriptive, analytic, and persuasive elements. You may read more about my expectations for this assignment on the course schedule and at Guidelines for Written Work. Lab Reports Lab reports involve the use of Basecamp or Basecamp substitute and MS Project 2016, software packages designed to help plan and manage projects. There will be two required lab reports in the course. The first lab is due by 5:00 Friday, October 19, and will be based on a scenario that I provide. The second report will apply what you learn about project software to a problem of interest to you, perhaps in your own field of study. Using the software will help you define the scope and sequence of the project you choose. Your project should involve at least forty or fifty activities and should include some summary tasks with subtasks. You should turn in a memo that you received from your boss outlining a "request" that your project fulfills. This memo should make it clear who your intended

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audience is and what expectations your boss has for you. The final project is due in my departmental mailbox (Wehner 420) or electronically through e-Campus by 5:00 p.m. on Friday, December 6. We will follow a procedure for helping you identify a work team for each lab. Working with others will increase your learning and develop your communications and interpersonal skills. It will also allow you to check each other’s work and avoid major mistakes. I will not vary grades on any single group assignment between partners or across group members. Lab reports consist of two main components: computer-generated output and written interpretation of output. Turning in computer-generated output without accompanying support, documentation, and interpretation is unacceptable. A reasonably well-educated person should understand your solution to the lab problem without having to refer to computer manuals or other reference material. When you do lab work, technical obstacles may arise that prevent you from proceeding to the next stage of problem solving. I will provide support and troubleshooting for the lab problems and help you resolve software questions. Please feel free to contact me if you have reached an impasse and need help. Do not wait until the last minute to begin your projects. Daily Work You will have two different types of graded daily work: problems (scheduling, resources loading, and control) and case study questions (Boeing and Peter Olafson). In addition, you will submit ten reflective assignments online worth ten points each. If I find that students are not preparing for class, I will add further daily work. All daily work is equally weighted. Also, built into that 25 point is the expectation that each group will facilitate one discussion session (worth five points) and each group will be charged with providing relevant examples of course concepts during class sessions during Module 4 and Module 5 (worth five points).

Course Schedule Provided at the end of this document

Classroom Environment and Professional Expectations We will maintain a classroom environment designed to promote open discussion, professionalism, and mutual respect. I anticipate that our class sessions will be heavily discussion-oriented. I also anticipate that we will occasionally discuss some issues about which there is disagreement. I hope that we will listen carefully to everyone’s perspective, be open to discussing and/or debating those perspectives, and respect everyone’s rights to their respective opinions. Class will start on time each day, so please be in your seat (physically or remotely) ready to begin at the scheduled time. This means you should be prepared for every class (more about that below).

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Remember that the misuse of class time colors my opinion of you and contributes to your earned reputation among your classmates. Professionalism is a component of your Daily Grade. If you follow these guidelines laid out in this syllabus, you will receive full credit for that component of your grade. Otherwise you will lose points, so read the sections below carefully, so that you will understand my expectations. For All Students Recognize that each student in the class has a unique experience with Covid-19. Some students have experienced negative effects of the disease. Some have experienced negative effects because of mitigation efforts. Everyone has endured unwanted consequences. As Aggies, as Mays students, as future business professionals, and as decent human beings we must show respect for the rules the university has put in place so that I can do my job and you can complete your education. We don’t have to agree with every aspect of the procedures, but we do have to comply. There are points built into the Professionalism component of your course grade. I expect everyone will receive full credit unless they don’t abide by the professional and safety guidelines, such as wearing masks, maintaining social distance, and following the guidance laid out in the syllabus. The university gives you the option to attend in person or remotely. Because we have to limit the number of students physically present based on the classroom capacity, I need to know your attendance intentions. Once you have committed to a mode of attendance (in-person or remote), you will need to complete this Attendance Mode Notification form to switch. By asking for a commitment to a particular attendance mode and tracking preferences, I can maximize the opportunity to attend in person without violating university safety requirements for social distancing and classroom capacity. When Attending In-Person Please act courteously and with restraint when making choices about your telephone and other portable electronic devices during class time. Let me know in advance if you plan to use your device to take notes. Otherwise, leave your gadgets stowed and exit the room to make or take calls and texts. Use a

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name tent with large enough lettering to be seen across the room every day, until the entire class knows your name. When Attending Remotely

Consider yourself a fully engaged and committed classroom citizen. Present yourself accordingly. Make reasonable choices about your appearance and surroundings.

Enable and use video through each entire class session, unless instructed otherwise.

Set your name on-screen name display to what you want to be called.

Attend from a location with stable internet, strong enough to support video.

Familiarize yourself with functions such as Chat, Raising and Lowering Your Hand (under participants), and displaying or hiding Live Transcription.

Preparing for Class Preparation for class is important in this course. Most class sessions will require you to be prepared to discuss what you have read. You are expected to contribute your insights and observations about cases and readings based on careful preparation of the materials available to you. Mere physical or remote presence does not constitute participation (though being absent precludes any possibility of participation). Your job is to come to class prepared. Read all assignments before class and make notes of critical points. Identify key concepts and terms. Look for facts. Ask yourself what contribution the reading has to make. Use the study questions for cases to guide you toward greater understanding of the material. Be aware that the issues raised by the study questions are only part of what you should expect to get out of each case. Feel free to discuss readings and cases with others in the class. It is unethical to discuss a case with others or to search online for solutions to the case. Preparation is expected and monitored. You never want me to call on you if you aren't prepared, just as you wouldn't want to surprise your boss by floundering at an important business meeting. Participating in Class You can make this class better by adding your insights and improving class discussion. You can do this in class by raising your hand and commenting when called upon. You can do this by either raising your virtual hand or writing your comment into the chat box. Sharing your own perspective on relevant issues is important to the learning process, for you and the rest of the class. You will learn not only about the subject being discussed, but also how to discuss issues at a business meeting. I expect you to challenge me if you do not agree with me or if you doubt what I say (like anyone in business, I interpret silence as agreement or lack of preparation). Asking stimulating questions is another excellent form of participation. The class sessions are not meant to be

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free-form brain storming sessions. Do not be afraid to be wrong, but also do not waste the class time if you have not taken the time to master the material. Study Groups I strongly urge students to find a partner or partners for the purpose of studying and discussing cases and readings. I may also ask you and your partner(s) to become "the expert" on some aspect of a case or reading. In addition, we will follow a procedure for helping you locate compatible group members for your lab, final, and student-led learning. Working with partners will increase your learning and develop your communications and interpersonal skills. It will also allow you to check each other’s work and avoid major mistakes. I will not vary grades on any single group assignment between partners or across group members. However, your work quality and effort will be evaluated by your group members and will affect your daily grade. Academic Dishonesty I expect you to be academically honest and that you will complete individual assignments and assessments alone without aid from others. It may be wise to consult the University's information regarding academic misconduct (http://www.tamu.edu/aggiehonor). Upon accepting admission to Texas A&M University, a student immediately assumes a commitment to uphold the Honor Code, to accept responsibility for learning and to follow the philosophy and rules of the Honor System. Ignorance of the rules does not exclude any member of the Texas A&M University community from the requirements or the processes of the Honor System. If you are unsure of the meaning of any of the described violation in this description, confer with me. Plagiarism is a particular concern in this class. It is a form of cheating. According to the aggiehonor Web site, “plagiarism” can be understood as “the appropriation of another person's ideas, processes, results or words without giving appropriate credit.” Plagiarism may involve uncited or uncredited use of papers or materials taken in whole or in part from other persons or references, such as from Internet Web sites, books, magazines, journals, or newspapers, or from other students’ papers, and with current technology can happen as easily as Cut and Paste. To help you avoid plagiarism, I require that you name your sources for any work that is not entirely your own. Any verbatim or nearly verbatim quotes from published material, whether published in hard copy or online, must be in quotation marks and properly cited. Lack of citation will be considered plagiarism. You have my permission to duplicate information from these web pages, only for use in this course. The online and written material that the instructor distributes for this course is copyrighted, and may not be

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duplicated for any use outside this course without the instructor's consent. Lectures may not be tape recorded without instructor's consent. Academic dishonesty and copyright violation are serious offenses and will be punished by a zero on the assignment, failure in the course, and possibly by more serious consequences, depending on the offense. If you have questions or concerns about the expectations for academic honesty, please ask me. Classroom Maintenance We have an agency problem with regard to the maintenance of the classrooms in the Wehner Building. Please do not eat, drink, smoke, chew, or dip in the classroom. Students with Disabilities Texas A&M University is committed to providing equitable access to learning opportunities for all students. If you experience barriers to your education due to a disability or think you may have a disability, please contact Disability Resources in the Student Services Building or at (979) 845-1637 or visit http://disability.tamu.edu. Disabilities may include, but are not limited to attentional, learning, mental health, sensory, physical, or chronic health conditions. All students are encouraged to discuss their disability related needs with Disability Resources and their instructors as soon as possible. If you are entitled to special accommodations due to a disability, please discuss it with me sometime during the first two weeks of class. Faculty Support Do not wait until the end of the semester if you have problems with the course material or if you are worried about your performance. By then, it will be too late for me to help. Instead, call me or visit my office early in the semester.

The Following Sections Contain University Policies (and may be a reiteration of elements of the syllabus already covered)

Attendance Policy The university views class attendance and participation as an individual student responsibility. Students are expected to attend class and to complete all assignments. Please refer to Student Rule 7 in its entirety for information about excused absences, including definitions, and related documentation and timelines.

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Makeup Work Policy Students will be excused from attending class on the day of a graded activity or when attendance contributes to a student’s grade, for the reasons stated in Student Rule 7, or other reason deemed appropriate by the instructor. Please refer to Student Rule 7 in its entirety for information about makeup work, including definitions, and related documentation and timelines. Absences related to Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 may necessitate a period of more than 30 days for make-up work, and the timeframe for make-up work should be agreed upon by the student and instructor” (Student Rule 7, Section 7.4.1). “The instructor is under no obligation to provide an opportunity for the student to make up work missed because of an unexcused absence” (Student Rule 7, Section 7.4.2). Students who request an excused absence are expected to uphold the Aggie Honor Code and Student Conduct Code. (See Student Rule 24.)

Academic Integrity Statement and Policy “An Aggie does not lie, cheat or steal, or tolerate those who do.” “Texas A&M University students are responsible for authenticating all work submitted to an instructor. If asked, students must be able to produce proof that the item submitted is indeed the work of that student. Students must keep appropriate records at all times. The inability to authenticate one’s work, should the instructor request it, may be sufficient grounds to initiate an academic misconduct case” (Section 20.1.2.3, Student Rule 20). You can learn more about the Aggie Honor System Office Rules and Procedures, academic integrity, and your rights and responsibilities at aggiehonor.tamu.edu.

Title IX and Statement on Limits to Confidentiality Texas A&M University is committed to fostering a learning environment that is safe and productive for all. University policies and federal and state laws prohibit gender-based discrimination and sexual harassment, including sexual assault, sexual exploitation, domestic violence, dating violence, and stalking. With the exception of some medical and mental health providers, all university employees (including full and part-time faculty, staff, paid graduate assistants, student workers, etc.) are Mandatory Reporters

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and must report to the Title IX Office if the employee experiences, observes, or becomes aware of an incident that meets the following conditions (see University Rule 08.01.01.M1):

The incident is reasonably believed to be discrimination or harassment.

The incident is alleged to have been committed by or against a person who, at the time of the incident, was (1) a student enrolled at the University or (2) an employee of the University.

Mandatory Reporters must file a report regardless of how the information comes to their attention – including but not limited to face-to-face conversations, a written class assignment or paper, class discussion, email, text, or social media post. Although Mandatory Reporters must file a report, in most instances, you will be able to control how the report is handled, including whether or not to pursue a formal investigation. The University’s goal is to make sure you are aware of the range of options available to you and to ensure access to the resources you need. Students wishing to discuss concerns in a confidential setting are encouraged to make an appointment with Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS). Students can learn more about filing a report, accessing supportive resources, and navigating the Title IX investigation and resolution process on the University’s Title IX webpage.

Statement on Mental Health and Wellness Texas A&M University recognizes that mental health and wellness are critical factors that influence a student’s academic success and overall wellbeing. Students are encouraged to engage in proper self-care by utilizing the resources and services available from Counseling & Psychological Services (CAPS). Students who need someone to talk to can call the TAMU Helpline (979-845-2700) from 4:00 p.m. to 8:00 a.m. weekdays and 24 hours on weekends. 24-hour emergency help is also available through the National Suicide Prevention Hotline (800-273-8255) or at suicidepreventionlifeline.org.

COVID-19 Temporary Amendment to Minimum Syllabus Requirements The Faculty Senate temporarily added the following statements to the minimum syllabus requirements in Fall 2020 as part of the university’s COVID-19 response.

Campus Safety Measures To promote public safety and protect students, faculty, and staff during the coronavirus pandemic, Texas A&M University has adopted policies and practices for the Fall 2020 academic term to limit virus transmission. Students must observe the following practices while participating in face-to-face courses and course-related activities (office hours, help sessions, transitioning to and between classes, study spaces, academic services, etc.):

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Self-monitoring—Students should follow CDC recommendations for self-monitoring. Students who have a fever or exhibit symptoms of COVID-19 should participate in class remotely and should not participate in face-to-face instruction.

Face Coverings—Face coverings (cloth face covering, surgical mask, etc.) must be properly worn in all non-private spaces including classrooms, teaching laboratories, common spaces such as lobbies and hallways, public study spaces, libraries, academic resource and support offices, and outdoor spaces where 6 feet of physical distancing is difficult to reliably maintain. Description of face coverings and additional guidance are provided in the Face Covering policy and Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) available on the Provost website.

Physical Distancing—Physical distancing must be maintained between students, instructors, and others in course and course-related activities.

Classroom Ingress/Egress—Students must follow marked pathways for entering and exiting classrooms and other teaching spaces. Leave classrooms promptly after course activities have concluded. Do not congregate in hallways and maintain 6-foot physical distancing when waiting to enter classrooms and other instructional spaces.

To attend a face-to-face class, students must wear a face covering (or a face shield if they have an exemption letter). If a student refuses to wear a face covering, the instructor should ask the student to leave and join the class remotely. If the student does not leave the class, the faculty member should report that student to the Student Conduct office for sanctions. Additionally, the faculty member may choose to teach that day’s class remotely for all students.

Personal Illness and Quarantine Students required to quarantine must participate in courses and course-related activities remotely and must not attend face-to-face course activities. Students should notify their instructors of the quarantine requirement. Students under quarantine are expected to participate in courses and complete graded work unless they have symptoms that are too severe to participate in course activities. Students experiencing personal injury or Illness that is too severe for the student to attend class qualify for an excused absence (See Student Rule 7, Section 7.2.2.) To receive an excused absence, students must comply with the documentation and notification guidelines outlined in Student Rule 7. While Student Rule 7, Section 7.3.2.1, indicates a medical confirmation note from the student’s medical provider is preferred, for Fall 2020 only, students may use the Explanatory Statement for Absence from Class form in lieu of a medical confirmation. Students must submit the Explanatory Statement for Absence from Class within two business days after the last date of absence.

Operational Details for Fall 2020 Courses For additional information, please review the FAQ on Fall 2020 courses at Texas A&M University.

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The Following Paragraphs Contain College and Department Policies (and may be a reiteration of elements of the syllabus already covered)

Statement on Inclusion Texas A&M University is committed to enriching the learning and working environment for all visitors, students, faculty, and staff by promoting a culture that embraces inclusion, diversity, equity, and accountability. Diverse perspectives, talents, and identities are vital to accomplishing our mission and living our core values. The following resources are available to support you in promoting an inclusive culture:

Stop Hate Website – Report hate/bias incidents

TAMU Office for Diversity Resources

Department of Multicultural Services – Educational/developmental programs to foster inclusion

Counseling and Psychological Services – Support for mental health and emotional well-being

Mays Food & Beverage Policy We have beautiful and state-of-the-art classrooms in the Wehner Building and Cox Hall. We want to maintain the high quality of these classrooms for the students in future years. Thus, it is necessary for you to adhere to the established policy of no beverages, food, tobacco products, or animals (unless approved) within the classrooms. Bottled water is permitted. Your assistance is greatly appreciated.

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PEER EVALUATION FORM Your name ___________________________ Take the total number of individuals in your team NOT INCLUDING YOURSELF. Multiply this number by $100. Next, divide the total number of dollars among the members of your team based on each member’s overall contribution to the group. The team member whose contribution was the greatest should receive the largest share of the dollars, while the member whose overall contribution was smallest would receive the smallest amount. If (but only if) everyone contributed equally you should give each individual $100. In the space below, please write the names of your team and the dollars you feel they deserve: Name Dollars __________________________________________ __________________ __________________________________________ __________________ __________________________________________ __________________ __________________________________________ __________________ __________________________________________ __________________ Now, use the following space to write a few sentences explaining the major strengths and weaknesses of each member of your team (excluding yourself): Name: ______________________________________ Comments: ___________________________________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ Name: ______________________________________ Comments: ___________________________________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ Name: ______________________________________ Comments: ___________________________________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ Name: ______________________________________ Comments: ___________________________________________________________________________

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_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ Name: ______________________________________ Comments: ___________________________________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ Next, consider your overall team effort – both the amount of effort as well as the quality of that effort—that went into the preparation and the actual presentation. On a scale from 0 – 100, what does your team’s total effort deserve? (In assigning a value to your team effort, don’t be modest and don’t be unrealistic): Overall Team Effort (0 - 100): _______ Finally, refer back to the first question where you divided $100 among your team members and consider the number of dollars that you believe your team members will assign to you. On average, how many dollars will other team members give you and why? _______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________