This is a graduate level course and students need to apply and be approved to one of the graduate programs or as a non-program School of Computing and Information Systems graduate student in order to take this course. Minimum admission requirements must be met. Undergraduate students who do not meet admission requirements will not normally be permitted to take this course.
Computer Science 605 provides practitioners who have current information technology skills with an understanding of the theory and practice of project management through an integrated view of the concepts, skills, tools, and techniques involved in the management of information technology projects. Much of the knowledge needed to manage projects is unique to the discipline of project management. Project managers must also have knowledge and experience in general management and must understand the applicability of the project in order to work effectively with specific industry groups and technologies.
COMP 605 focuses on information technology projects. While IT project managers are generally selected because of their expertise in information technology, they generally spend more time becoming better project managers, and less time being information technology experts.
Outline
Unit 0: Overview of the Course
Unit 1: Project Management Framework
Module 1.1—Introduction to Project Management
Module 1.2—Project Management Context
Module 1.3—Project Management Processes
Unit 2: Project Management Knowledge Areas
Module 2.1—Project Integration Management
Module 2.2—Project Scope Management
Module 2.3—Project Time Management
Module 2.4—Project Cost Management
Module 2.5—Project Quality Management
Module 2.6—Project Human Resource Management
Module 2.7—Project Communications Management
Module 2.8—Project Risk Management
Module 2.9—Project Procurement Management
Module 2.10—Project Stakeholder Management
Learning outcomes
Many of the students of COMP 605 will be well-versed in various information technologies. This course is modeled after the Project Management Body of Knowledge (PMBOK), and discusses project management issues and skills from an integrated organization or management point of view. After completing this course, students will be able to:
manage information technology projects from a new perspective, in addition to their technical view;
integrate and apply management and technology skills to lead or participate in successful information technology projects;
analyze the general issues and skills involved in information technology projects;
demonstrate the impact of the current trends in information technology on project management;
identify the Project Management Body of Knowledge, as agreed upon by established practitioners;
prepare to pursue a PMP designation;
master a software tool to assist in project management, for example MS Project software; and
practise collaborative work in preparation for information technology projects
Evaluation
To receive credit for COMP 605, you must achieve a cumulative course grade of B- (70 percent) or better, and must achieve an average grade of at least 60% on the assignments. Your cumulative course grade will be based on the following assessment.
Activity
Weight
Assignment 1—Literature Review Paper
20%
Assignment 2—Presentation and Discussion about Literature Review Paper
20%
Assignment 3—Project Management Tool Exercise
10%
Assignment 4—Discussions on Real-Life Project Management Experiences
15%
Assignment 5—Group Project
35%
Total
100%
Materials
Schwalbe, K. (2018). Information technology project management (9th ed.). Boston, MA: Course Technology, Cengage Learning. (eText)
Project Management Institute. (2017). A guide to the project management body of knowledge (PMBOK® Guide) (6th ed.). Newton Square, PA: Project Management Institute. (eBook)
Athabasca University’s learning management system (LMS) will deliver the remaining learning materials for COMP 605 through Moodle. Online course materials include:
Computer Science 605 Study Guide
Detailed descriptions of the requirements for the assignments
Discussion forums
A course evaluation form
Links to resources of the World Wide Web and digital libraries.
Course Workload
This course schedule is based on working approximately 15–20 hours per week, which would best translate into:
COMP 605 is offered in computer-mediated communications (CMC) mode, and can be completed at the student’s workplace or home. It is a required course in the MSc in Information Systems program and an elective course in the Graduate Certificate in Information Technology Systems program.
Special Note
Due to the nature of the course activities, students registered in this course will NOT be allowed to apply for a course extension.
Athabasca University reserves the right to amend course outlines occasionally and without notice. Courses offered by other delivery methods may vary from their individualized study counterparts.