1. COSC609 Software Project Management
Dr. Robert J. Hammell II

2. Software Project Management
COSC609 – Fall 2014
Meeting Times: Tuesday, 7:00 – 9:40 pm, YR401
Professor: Dr. Robert J. Hammell II
Office: 462YR
Phone:
Office Hours: Tues: 4:00 pm – 5:00 pm
6:15 pm – 7:00 pm
Thur: 4:00 pm – 5:00 pm
Other times by appointment

3. Course Description:
This course examines the factors necessary for the successful management of information systems development or enhancement projects.
Both technical and behavioral aspects of project management are discussed. Topics include project management concepts, needs identification, the software project manager, software teams, software project organizations, project communications, software project planning, scheduling, control and associated costs.
Project management software tools will be an integral part of the course.

4. Upon completion of this course, students will be able to:
Course Objectives:
Upon completion of this course, students will be able to:
Define a project
Describe the project life cycle
Explain the project management process
Analyze and evaluate a request for proposal
Develop a project proposal
Formulate a plan and schedule for an IT project
Perform cost performance analysis for a project
Discuss the responsibilities and required skills of a project manager
Explain project team development, effectiveness, and communication
Operate as part of a project team
Identify the characteristics of each type of project organization structure

5. COSC Graduate Program Objectives
Students can apply advanced skills in theoretical and applied computing principles and practices to solve a variety of problems.
Students will demonstrate a breadth of knowledge in a choice of application areas in Computer Science, including databases, networks, software engineering, security, and E-commerce.
Students can work effectively in teams and communicate effectively.
Students can design, develop, analyze, and evaluate software, software systems and algorithmic approaches.
Students will be well prepared for research and development in Computer Science in industry or academia.

6. IT Doctoral Program Objectives:
Students will demonstrate a comprehensive knowledge of the fundamentals in four of the following seven areas: data structures and algorithms, operating systems, computer networks, database systems, project management, software engineering, and human computer interaction.
Students will conduct and document scholarly research.
Students will present scholarly research.

7. Textbook:
Gido, J. and Clements, J., Successful Project Management, 5th Edition, South-Western Publishing, (ISBN: )

8. References: Journals:
PMI, A Guide to the Project Management Body of Knowledge: PMBOK(R) Guide, Project Management Institute, 2013
Kerzner, H., Project Management: A Systems Approach to Planning, Scheduling, and Controlling, 11th edition, Wiley, 2013
Thamhain, H., Managing Technology-Based Projects: Tools, Techniques, People and Business Processes, Wiley, 2014.
Schwalbe, K., Information Technology Project Management, Cengage Learning, 2013.
Richardson, G., Project Management Theory and Practice, 2nd edition, Auerbach Publications, 2014.
Brewer, J. and Dittman, K., Methods of IT Project Management, 2nd edition, Prentice Hall, 2013.
Journals:
• International J. of Project Mgmt • MIS Quarterly
• Project Management Journal • PM Network

9. Prerequisite: COSC 501 or equivalent Grading: Assignments
Grading Scale
In-Class Presentation 5% A
93 – 100
Homework/Quizzes*
10% A-
90 – 92
Project
25% B+
87 – 89
Deliverables: 15% B
80 – 86
Presentation: 10% C
70 – 79
Exam 1
20% F
Less than 70
Exam 2
Final Exam

10. Exams:
The exams will include questions from the lectures, readings, presentations, and projects.
Note that, under most circumstances, makeup exams will not be given. Please ensure your attendance on the scheduled exam dates.

11. Presentations:
Each student will be required to present a published paper on an IT project management topic. The presentations will be conducted as follows:
3 or 4 papers will be assigned to be read outside of class.
During the next class, students will form into groups. Each group will be assigned responsibility for preparing the discussion for one paper
After the group work period, one person per paper will be selected to present the paper to the class
The format for the presentation will be provided
The presentation should last 5-7 minutes, plus questions
Not all groups will present each week
During the semester, every person will present at least once
Information from the papers is testable
The process for conducting the presentations may be changed or refined as the semester progresses.

12. Homework:
Numerous homework assignments will be given throughout the semester to reinforce the topics discussed in class.
Most will be individual assignments; unless the assignment is specifically and clearly indicated to be a team assignment it must be completed by individual effort only.
**Note: I reserve the right to add announced or unannounced quizzes as needed to gauge and/or motivate class involvement and comprehension. These will be counted as additional homework assignments.

13. Term Project:
Students will be required to work in teams on a major IT term project. Note that this project comprises 25% of the course grade!
The project will entail completing all steps of the systems development life cycle (except for actual implementation) for a given scenario. The deliverables for the project are a comprehensive report and an in-class presentation.
Details on the specific scenario will be provided when the project is assigned.

14. Note that students are expected to arrive at class on time!
Attendance:
Attendance will be taken in every class session.
Absences are considered “excused” if they are for an illness, an illness or death of a relative, or a religious observance. If documentation is provided for an “excused” absence, it will not count against you and you will be given an opportunity to make up any in-class graded exercises that were missed; unexcused absences will cause the loss of any in-class exercise/quiz points that were missed.
It is the student’s responsibility to seek out the instructor and provide documentation regarding any absence – absences will be presumed to be unexcused unless the student establishes otherwise.
Note that students are expected to arrive at class on time!

15. Assignments:
Assignments are due at the beginning of class on the due date.
Any assignments that are submitted late will have 10% deducted from the total grade for each day that the assignment is late. Assignments submitted after the start of the class period count as one-day late.
The normal procedure is to turn in completed assignments as a hardcopy at the beginning of the class for which they are due (there may be cases when ed assignments are preferred – these will be announced). ed assignments are permitted if you will miss the class for which they are due, or to submit late assignments.

16. Academic Dishonesty:
The Towson University policy on academic integrity is in Appendix F of the Undergraduate Catalog and at Academic dishonesty specifically includes acts of plagiarism, fabrication and falsification, cheating, complicity, and multiple submissions.
Especially note that students may not re-use research papers submitted in other classes, group projects submitted in other classes, or work performed by someone else. Academic dishonesty is disrespectful to your fellow students and your professor.
If an incident of academic dishonesty is discovered, the student or students involved will, at a minimum, receive a zero (0) on the related assignment(s). All occurrences of academic dishonesty will also be reported to the appropriate university officials. There will be no exceptions.

17. Repeating a course: Posting of grades:
University policy requires that we inform you that students may not repeat a course more than once without prior permission of the Academic Standards Committee.
Dropping this course:
Sep 5: Last day to drop with no grade posted
Nov 5: Last day to drop with a grade of “W”
Posting of grades:
Please note that it is university and departmental policy not to post grades in a public place after the semester is completed. It is also departmental policy that the departmental office cannot distribute individual grades. If you would like to receive your individual grade at the end of the semester, please make arrangements with me.

18. Web site: A link to the COSC609 web site can be found at:
Cell phones, laptops, etc.: Please ensure that all cell phones, beepers, and any other devices that can potentially disrupt the class are turned off each day upon entering the classroom. Such devices must also be in pockets, purses, bookbags, etc. and not out on the desk during class. Laptops are to be turned off and closed during class lectures.
Web site: A link to the COSC609 web site can be found at:
Students should check the site frequently for updates on assignments, assignment due dates, the day-to-day schedule, readings, and other announcements.

19. ABSOLUTELY NO FOOD IS ALLOWED IN THIS ROOM!
*Drinks are ok…clean up after yourself!

20. Initial Project Information
Day-to-day schedule
Web site
Initial Project Information