OPIM 3801:Principles of Project Management

Instructor:Bob Day

Associate ProfessorOPIM Dept.

Greetings from Pr. Day:

• I apologize that I cannot be here for the first day of class.• I have been invited to the International Conference on

Operations Research in Vienna, Austria. • Because I am presenting my research on Wednesday, this

requires missing both of our first two classes.• Don’t worry! I have adjusted the schedule for our class so that

there is practically no negative consequence.• Further, it is going to let us do a fun and productive activity

we have never tried before in this class.• Today, my PhD student, Hoda, will lead you through a game

to help you guys get to know one another better.

Typical OPIM 3801 First Day:• Typically on the first day of class, we do this:– To begin, please close your laptops, so that we are all focused

on paying attention to one another.– When I call on you, first give your name slowly and clearly, and

then please be prepared to discuss your major, career goals, where you’re from, and/or other expectations you might have for the class.

• My hope has always been that students learn an important point about project management from this exercise on the first day of class:– Engaging people and showing them respect is perhaps the most

important part of project management.

Typical OPIM 3801 First Day

• When a project begins, one of the most important first steps is identifying and engaging all stakeholders (anyone affected by the project’s activities).

• When possible, it is good form to begin a project with a face-to-face meeting of stakeholders, asking each to express both their objectives and what they have to offer to the project.

• In your case I’d like to know why you’re taking this class, what you’d like to get out of it, and a fact or two about you to help me remember who you are and what you bring to the table in terms of project-relevant skills.

First Assignment (after a few more slides)

• Face-to-face is best, but today it is impossible for me to be there.

• So your assignment is to fill out the relevant information about yourself on the form about to go around, and turn it in to Hoda for today’s participation grade.

• This information will help me remember who you are and why you are taking this class.

• But first, I’ll give my expectations for the class:

Bob’s Goals for the Class:• Give you formal knowledge about Project Management in an

innovative format.– Two midterms; 5 quizzes to help you keep up on Homework material– Every student formally proposes a group project, with a complete detailed

plan developed in MS Project and as a written proposal.– Students rate and cross-evaluate proposals.– Best projects become implemented in small project teams.

• Challenge you to apply an analytical perspective to PM topics, such as scheduling tasks, assigning people to jobs, and tracking project performance. (My PhD is in Math.)

• Help you get an awesome job! (At least five students in the last two years have emailed me that it has!)

• Have Fun! (Because then you’ll remember this stuff better!)

How we will communicate

• You are expected to come to every class and are responsible for any material communicated in your absence

• I will email you at your @uconn.edu address.• You can visit my office hours or schedule an

appointment at a different time.• My Website:(google: bob day uconn)(Hoda, bring up the website)

After class today…

• Be sure to buy the book.• Visit and bookmark the website.• Click on the link with instructions for getting a

MS Project 2013 Product Key.• If you will use a Mac laptop, be sure you can

boot it as a PC. Ask for help at the IT service desk if you need it. Google “boot camp for macs.” Hurry!

For Thursday’s class

• Hoda will be here in the classroom with several discs for Microsoft Project 2013 installation.

• Once you have your Product Key (see website) you can use the disc to install Project on a PC.

• Hoda will have an external hard drive USB device in case you don’t have a disc drive for installation.

Project Management BINGO!

• One piece of feedback I’ve had from former students is that we have to pick and work in teams, but we are never given a chance to meet everyone in the class.

• So today we’re fixing that with an activity I hope is fun and will give you all a chance to meet one another.

• I’ll give out a prize based on participation when I’m back.

Project Management BINGO!

• First, fill out your personal info sheet, circling the answer that applies to you in each category.

• Turn it in.• Mingle among your fellow students. Talk to them and

ask them about their answers to these questions.• If a person’s answer falls in a BINGO cell, write in their

name. Don’t write the same person’s name more than two times on your BINGO sheet.

• Try to get six across, six down, or six diagonally for more chances to win; more times = more chances.