Target audience: Business students and practitioners with relevant experience in implementing projects.

Learning outcomes: Gain a theoretical and practical understanding of using tools for:

1. Supporting teamwork (metaplan technique);
2. Analyzing and solving problems and unexpected events encountered during project implementation;
3. Analyzing and assessing risks and how to build up a system with measures preventing or reducing damages;
4. Project Controlling at the implementation stage (Earned Value Technique, CPM).

Duration: 15 hours over 2 weeks

Source material: learning resources at the openED website (English version / Greek version)

Module Chair: Babis Grammatikopoulos, Managing Partner by PCM Ltd., Athens

Contents

1 Introduction

 1.1 Spaces & Meetings

 1.2 Assignment

2 Module Activities

 2.1 Week 1

 2.2 Week 2

3 Assignment Submission & Peer Assessment

4 References

5 Acknowledgements

1 Introduction

In this section you will become familiar with tools and techniques of project management, which apply both during the planning- and implementation-phase and in particular enable us to smoothly implement the project. These techniques are:

Section 1: Metaplan Technique

Each project is designed and implemented by a project team, whose members quickly have to learn to communicate in a way that minimizes the likelihood of misunderstandings. The project team has to learn as fast as possible to use "the same language of communication. Technical METAPLAN supports in a simple and effective way this process.

Section 2: Risk Analysis

Because each project in more or less embodies the meaning of the new, the different and sometimes unique, the 'risk' is a word directly associated with each project. As earlier the application of the technique, the more the possibility to avoid divergence and failure of the project.

Section 3: Problem Analysis

How do we have to address problems or unexpected events, which occur during the planning-, but especially during the implementation-phase?

Section 4: Project Controlling

During the implantation phase of a project there are three parameters that are subjects for continuous monitoring and control: the process of integration of the deliverable (product or service), the time project status in relation to the delivery date and the cost developments in relation to the agreed budget and compared with the other two parameters. In this module we will learn the function of two techniques:

1. Earned Value Technique and the
2. Critical Path Analysis

1.1. Spaces & Meetings 

A. Forum for general communication: Module 5 P2 - Project management advanced

B. IRC Chats over Freenode on Channel: #openEd (Dates to be announced at the forum and also at the timetable!)

C. Live sessions at UStream (Dates to be announced at the forum!)

1.2. Assignment

The assignment for this module is to elaborate and submit the case studies that are attached to each learning session. Specifically:

1. [35%] Risk Analysis: identify, prioritize and elaborate adequate measures to reduce and/or to avoid damages.
2. [30%] Problem Analysis: identify the symptoms, connect them to the causes and elaborate measures for solving problems.
3. [25%] Earned Value Technique: according to current project data, estimate cost and duration of the project.
4. [10%] Critical Path Analysis: which is the chain of the most important activities that have a direct influence to the total duration of the project?

Once you have completed your assignment you are asked to upload the Assignment to the Module 5P2 Assignment Directory.

Assignments will be "peer-assessed", so make sure that you present your results in a clear and logic way that is understandable for others! Criteria for assessing assignments is given in the Assignment Submission & Peer Assessment section below.

Please note: This module will show as completed in your "Self-Print Certificate" only when you have submitted your Assignment.

2 Module Activities

This module is divided into 4 activities, taking in total 15 hours to complete. You may also want to allow additional time for IRC chats or other live interactions, depending on how many there are, perhaps around an hour a week.

2.1 Week 1

Activity 1: Understand the work of Metaplan Technique (1,5 hours)

1. Read the section 1 of the learning resources (English version / Greek version). This document provides information about how the Metaplan technique works and about the advantages in using it. Especially in this session you will find the answers on the questions:
   1. Why team spirit is essential for success in team work?
   2. In which cases during the implementation of a project can be used?
   3. What is the role of a facilitator?

You will have the opportunity to apply this technique in forming groups and elaborating the case studies that are included in the following activities (risk- and problem analysis).

Activity 2: How to conduct a Risk Analysis in a practicable way (5 hours)

1. Read the section 2 of the learning resources (English version / Greek version). Reading this section you would learn and understand:
   1. What are the categories of risks
   2. Which are the steps for analyzing risks
   3. How could be measures planned in order to address risks
   4. How to use Metaplan Technique in a team oriented approach

Connected to the theoretical part you have the opportunity to apply your gained knowledge on a case study in building up a risk analysis.

2. Form a group with other 2 or 3 friends/colleagues and follow the steps to implement Metaplan technique in a team work that are described in the learning session.
3. Please upload your case study to a public space, this might be slideshare, scribd, the Module 5 P2 forum, or any other place you know about. Then discuss your findings with your peers at the Module 5 P2 forum.

Activity 3: How to conduct a Problem Analysis in a practicable way (5 hours)

1. Read the section 3 of the learning resources (English version / Greek version). Reading this section you would learn and understand:
   1. What are the steps of analyzing problems
   2. How could be measures planned in order to address problems
   3. How to use Metaplan Technique

Connected to the theoretical part you have the opportunity to apply your gained knowledge on a case study in elaborating a problem analysis. 

2. Form a group with other 2 or 3 friends/colleagues and follow the steps to implement Metaplan technique in a team work that are described in the learning session.
3. Please upload your case study to a public space, this might be slideshare, scribd, the Module 5 P2 forum, or any other place you know about. Then discuss your findings with your peers at the Module 5 P2 forum.

Congratulations! You have now finished Week 1. Please complete the learning reflection form for this week.

2.2 Week 2

Activity 4: Project Controlling Techniques (3,5 hours)

1. Read the section 4 of the learning resources (English version / Greek version) in order to learn how to use project controlling techniques in the implementation phase of a project and especially:
   1. Earned Value Technique is less complex as it at the beginning seems. The aim is to understand the terms and indicators of the technique and then how to use them in order to know in time the current status of the project and to be able to forecast the two main parameters: time and money;
   2. Critical Path Analysis helps to understand which are the most important activities that have a direct influence to the duration of the project. The aim of this section is to understand how it works.
2. After reading these sessions, please elaborate the practical exercises in Earned Value Technique and in Critical Path Analysis in calculating the solutions according to the explained formulas.
3. Please upload the results of your Exercise on Critical Path Analysis to a public space, this might be slideshare, scribd, the Module 5 P2 forum, or any other place you know about. Then discuss your findings with your peers at the Module 5 P2 forum.

Congratulations! You have now finished Week 2. Please complete the learning reflection form for this week.

3 Assignment Submission & Peer Assessment

1. Write your Assignment as explained in the Assignment section above.

Assignments will be "peer assessed", so make sure you present your results in a clear and logic way that is understandable for others!

Don't forget to indicate your role in the team's project, otherwise it won't be clear how much of it you can actually gain credit for.

2. Upload your Assignment to the Module 5P2 Assignment Directory.

Please note: This module will show as completed in your "Self-Print Certificate" only when you have submitted your Assignment.

3. Assess others' assignments by giving marks for each of the parts of the task.

1. We kindly ask you to take the time and to provide at least one peer assessment. We can not force you to do this - but the idea of this course is to work together as peers and to help one the other!
2. Please use the Rating and Review function below each assignment for your peer review. You should rate as follows: 100% of marks = 5 Stars | 92% of marks = 4 Stars | 85% of marks = 3 Stars | 70% of marks = 2 Stars | 60% of marks = 1 Star | Less then 60% of marks = no Star. Your written review should include information on the marks you have been accredited for an assignment ***AND*** information how you have calculated such marks.
3. For each part of the task, high marks should be awarded to answers that are accurate, comprehensive, convincing, insightful and scholarly.
4. Being "scholarly" means using logical arguments; avoiding non sequiturs; substantial claims; and using accurate spelling, grammar and referencing.
5. Furthermore, each part of the task also has a specific criterion for achieving the highest marks:

4 References

1. Ralph L. Kleim and Irwin S. Ludin, Project Management Practitioner's Handbook, AMACOM Books, ISBN: 0814403964, 01/1998
2. Verzuh, Eric, The fast forward MBA in project management / Eric Verzuh.—2nd ed, ISBN 0-471-69284-0 (pbk.), 2005
3. PMBOK Guide, 3rd edition, an American National Standard ANSI/PMI 99-001-2004

5 Acknowledgements

The first draft of this module was created in May 2010 by Babis Grammatikopoulos, Managing Partner by PCM Ltd., Athens