(FALL 2009)

Management of Multiple Projects (Section 1) MGMT X478.6  (2.5)

An elective course in the Certificate Program in Project Management and Business of Teaching Online.
Managing multiple projects typically presents different and additional challenges to the project manager compared with the management of a single large project. This advanced course builds on project managers' previously acquired knowledge and skills in the areas of scope, time, cost, risk, human resources, and leadership and teambuilding through a combination of lecture and team-based learning exercises. Basic knowledge and competence in all of the aforementioned areas is highly recommended. These skills include planning for and delivering appropriate and timely communications and advanced negotiating abilities to effectively manage: multiple stakeholders; task and project prioritization; grouping; and efficient resource allocation utilizing the theory of constraints. We explore scheduling techniques to balance resource utilization with project risks and desired responsiveness that lead to optimal collective stakeholder satisfaction. Personal management techniques are also covered. Team exercises focus on the assessment of project environments through stakeholder analysis and an adaptable multi-project simulation to reinforce the benefits of cooperation for mutual gain. Participants will learn to select the most effective strategies and responses, whether multiple small independent projects, portfolios, or large programs are encountered. Prerequisite: Mgmt X442.28, Introduction to Project Management Principles and Practices. Eligible participants will earn up to 25 hours of general MCLE credit based on attendance. This course is approved for 25 PDUs from PMI.

Jan Birkelbach, PMP, MBA-UCI, has enjoyed training thousands of participants in project management and business analysis in many organizations internationally. Participants benefit from his innovative and energetic advocacy, use of experiential learning techniques, and facilitation of project teams - providing helpful evaluations and effective guidance. He is a frequent speaker and instructor at PMI Symposia and Workshops.