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SEG5790. Project and Technology Management
SEG5790. Project and Technology Management
Instructor
Name: Office: Phone: Email: Fax: X. Q. Cai Room 709C Engineering Building II 3943-8321 xqcai@se.cuhk.edu.hk 2603-5505
TA
Name: Office: Phone: Email: Fax: Mr. Minghua Lai Room 709D Engineering Building Phase II 3943-8214 mhlai @se.cuhk.edu.hk 2603-5505
Lecture time/venue
Lecture time: Wednesday 7:00-9:45 PM (three sessions) Venue: LSB LT2 A possible arrangement:
Session 1: 7:00 - 8:15 pm Break: 8:15 - 8:30 pm Session 2: 8:30 - 9:30 pm
Teaching materials
I will organise lectures using materials drawn from the following books. These books will be reserved in the University Library.
A, Shtub, J.F. Bard, and S. Globerson, Project Management: Engineering, Technology, and Implementation, Prentice Hall, 1994. D.L. Babcock, Managing Engineering and Technology, 3rd Edition, Prentice Hall, 2002.
Evaluation
Homework assignments will be given from time to time. All homework assignments should be handed in on time. There will be a course project and a final examination. Your grade will be determined by your performance in each of the following requirements:
What is the difference of these operations from construction programs, product designs, advertisement campaigns, development of software systems, setup of new companies/branches ?
When do we call something a project ?
Characteristics of projects
Purpose A project is usually a one-time activity with a well-defined set of desired end results. Life span Like organic entities, projects have a finite life span. From a slowing beginning they progress to a buildup of size, then peak, begin a decline, and finally must be terminated. (Also like other organic entities, they often resist termination). Uniqueness Every project has some elements that are unique. No two projects are precisely alike. The project managers importance is emphasized because he/she will find there are a great many exceptions to manage by.
Characteristics of projects
Interdependencies Projects often interact with other projects being carried out simultaneously by their parent organizations. Conflict More than most managers, the project manager lives in a world characterized by conflict. Externally, a project competes with outside functional departments or other projects for resources. Internally, members of a same project team compete for the projects resource and for leadership roles in solving project problems.
Characteristics of projects
More specifically, a project can be defined by means of the following distinguishing characteristics: There is a set of well-defined goals. There is a specific start and a specific end point. The endeavor is unique and not repetitious. A project usually contains costs and time schedules to produce a specified product or result. A project cuts across many organizational and functional lines, and thus there are requirements for specific expertise, and there are also conflicts with other functional departments and within the project team.
Technical issues
Understanding the technical aspects of the project and ensuring that members of the project team possess the necessary skills are important to the success of the project.
Communication
A good coordination of a project replies on a good communication among the project team. A good communication with the top management, and the client, will also be essential for the success of the project.
Commercial projects also involve great deals of money, resource, and manpower.
Effective management is important in order to minimize the potential losses.
Effective project management is necessary to minimize the bad consequences in the presence of these uncertainties.
Summary
Definition of projects and their key characteristics Main functions of managing a typical project Important factors that may affect the success of a project Basic requirements to be an effective project manager