Project Management Budgeting

3 Credits · Level: Graduate

This course teaches students to manage all phases of a communication project and provides practical information on managing project scope, teams, schedule, resources, and contracts. Students learn how to translate a communication project plan into a budget. Concepts, such as the definition of a project, the nature of the project team, and the role and function of the project manager, are presented. Students gain experience with spreadsheets, Gantt charts, and S curves, and apply techniques and tools to a project simulation of their own, from initiation to close. Guest lecturers offer insights on real-world management issues and costs (e.g., with respect to professional staff, opinion research, and advertising). Learning Objectives: Upon completion of this course, students should be able to: 1. Understand the Project Life Cycle and the language of project management and budgeting; 2. Define the scope of a project and effectively manage changes in scope; 3. Establish and track schedules; 4. Form, lead, and serve on effective communication project teams; 5. Develop accurate, comprehensive budgets; 6. Negotiate and manage contracts; 7. Evaluate and achieve project success; and 8. Apply techniques and tools to a communication project simulation. Note: Students must have completed the courses MPMC 500 Ethics, MPMC 600 Research, MPMC 602 Campaign Planning and MPMC 603 Brand Concept to register for this elective course. This course is cross listed with MPPR-837 and MPDC-837.