Management Science (MGSC) 205

Overview

“All of mankind’s greatest accomplishments – from building the great pyramids to discovering a cure for polio to putting a man on the moon – began as a project” (Larson & Gray, 2018, p. 3).

More and more companies are realizing that managing projects is a vital part of everyone’s job. As you work through this course, you will develop an introductory-level understanding of project management and its technical and sociocultural dimensions. These project management competences can help you develop a competition edge in the workplace.

The following link provides a brief introduction to the course from the Course Coordinator.

Upon successfully completing this course, you will be able to

• critically evaluate the benefits of project management for organizations and individuals.
• explain the importance of interpersonal skills in project management.
• at a novice level, carry out activities appropriate to the four sequential stages of a project’s life cycle and the specific project management deliverables related to each stage.
• use a conceptual tool kit that you have developed to prepare yourself to participate as an entry level project team member.
• locate, gather, and organize information using appropriate online technologies and resources.
• use self-assessment techniques to monitor personal learning strengths and areas for development.

This course does not

• teach you how to use Microsoft Project.
• prepare you for a project management designation such as the Project Management Professional (PMP®).
• provide project management content that is specific any particular sector, such as information technology. The textbook does include a chapter on agile project management (Chapter 16); however, it is beyond the scope of this course.

Outline

• Lesson 1: Modern Project Management
• Lesson 2: Organization Strategy and Project Selection
• Lesson 3: Organization: Structure and Culture
• Lesson 4: Defining the Project
• Lesson 5: Estimating Project Times and Costs
• Lesson 6: Managing Risk
• Lesson 7: Leadership: Being an Effective Project Manager
• Lesson 8: Managing Project Teams
• Lesson 9: Outsourcing: Managing Interorganizational Relations
• Lesson 10: Project Closure

Evaluation

To receive credit for MGSC 205, you must complete and submit two assignments and receive a grade of at least D (50 percent) on each examination and an overall course grade of at least D (50 percent).

To learn more about assignments and examinations, please refer to Athabasca University's online Calendar.

Course Materials

Textbook

Registration in this course includes an electronic textbook. For more information on electronic textbooks, please refer to our eText Initiative site.

A print version of the eText may be available for purchase from the publisher through a direct-to-student link provided on the course website; you can also acquire the textbook on your own if you wish.

Other Resources

All other learning resources will be available online.

Challenge for Credit Overview

The Challenge for Credit process allows you to demonstrate that you have acquired a command of the general subject matter, knowledge, intellectual and/or other skills that would normally be found in a university-level course.

Full information about Challenge for Credit can be found in the Undergraduate Calendar.

Challenge Evaluation

To receive credit for the MGSC 205 challenge registration, you must achieve a grade of at least D (50 percent) on the examination.

Online Exam

Undergraduate Challenge for Credit Course Registration Form

• Challenge for Credit Form