People have been undertaking projects since the earliest days of organized human activity. The hunting parties of our prehistoric ancestors were projects. Large complex projects such as the pyramids and the Great Wall of China were also projects. Even something as simple as creating a dinner is considered a project. We use the term “project” frequently in our daily conversations. This book covers the basics of project management. This includes the process of initiation, planning, execution, control, and closeout that all projects share.
Type of Material:
Open (Access) Textbook
Recommended Uses:
In class,
homework,
supplemental reading,
individual projects or assignments,
personal development
Technical Requirements:
Adobe Reader
Mozilla Firefox 108.0.1, Internet Explorer
Identify Major Learning Goals:
Provide an overview of project management
Describe project life cycles or phases
Describe the framework for project management
Implement a project
Target Student Population:
Upper level managment students
Graduate level management students
Project management students
Prerequisite Knowledge or Skills:
OER textbook provides foundational knowledge of project planning.
Content Quality
Rating:
Strengths:
The introductory chapter provides occupations that use project management and examples and discusses the past and present of project management.
Chapter 2 provides an overview of project management, defines a project and provides characteristics of a project.
There is a button available at the bottom of each chapter to compare information with the original version.
Concerns:
There are no references available at the end of the chapters,
No chapter summaries,
No learning objectives per chapter.
Readers may need to refer to the original version of the book for additional information as needed.
Potential Effectiveness as a Teaching Tool
Rating:
Strengths:
The author provides PowerPoints for in-class presentation
Textbook for foundational knowledge and learning
Audio files are included
Scenarios are provided such as the one in chapter 3 about a multinational project.
The book is easy to read and explains concepts well.
Appendix 2 contains questions on content for each chapter,
Appendix 3 contains audio files for the book.
Concerns:
Although this is good for general information on project management at an introductory level, is a textbook alone this it may not be adequate because of the lack of objectives in each chapter, although chapter questions are available in Appendix 2.
Access to the audio files in Appendix 3 is blocked.
Ease of Use for Both Students and Faculty
Rating:
Strengths:
Access to book chapters is easy, with the drop-down menu on the left-hand side of the screen in the online version.
Multiple versions are available, including a complete download, the online version, and others.
Appendices include PowerPoints
Concerns:
There is no way to access the audio files for each chapter (in Appendix 3).
The original book may have to be consulted if the instructor or reader needs access to references used to develop the book, as references are not available
Creative Commons:
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