U.S. Particle Accelerator School
Project Management for Scientists and Engineers*
Sponsoring University:
Texas A&M University Extension
Course Name:
Project Management for Scientists and Engineers*
Instructor:
Kem Robinson, Lawrence Berkeley National Lab Emeritus
Purpose and Audience
Scientists and engineers are well prepared
to develop and execute scientific research, but do not receive the systematic approaches
and training necessary to successfully execute the managerial mechanisms by which such
research must often be realized. Consequently, scientific project management
expertise is often acquired in a random, almost Monte Carlo approach.
Unfortunately, budgets are too tight, reputations too fragile, and careers too short to
rely on such a stochastic approach. Successful project management is NOT the
mere use of narrow fiscal and schedule tools, but involves all aspects of developing,
executing, and controlling a project. The successful manager of scientific projects
understands the need for technical, managerial, and organizational psychology
acumen. This course is designed to present and develop knowledge and
understanding of a number of skills for principal investigators, project scientists,
engineers and group leaders to help ensure successful project outcomes.
Prerequisites
A general background in undergraduate physics or
engineering.
It is the responsibility of the student to ensure that they meet the course prerequisites or have equivalent experience.
Objectives
To understand the basics aspects of project management
as applied to scientific and collaborative projects across all phases of a project and
all of the project management knowledge areas as well particular aspects associated with
funding agencies.
Instructional Method
Matching the diversity of a scientific
project, this course will present and reinforce project management foundations through a
combination of methods. In addition to lectures, readings, and individual
homework assignment, there will be project team activities, interactive sessions, and
project management simulations, as well as students reporting their work in a fashion
similar to the formal project reviews that all major scientific projects undergo.
Course Content
The course is framed on the Guide to the Project Management Body of Knowledge (PMBOK Guide) of the Project Management Institute with emphasis on specific issues and
challenges of scientific collaborative projects within the Department of Energy and the
National Science Foundation. The following general areas will be covered within the
general body of project management knowledge: project initiation and
planning, execution, change control, technical scope management, time/schedule
management, cost management, quality management, human resources considerations,
communications, risk management, and procurement management. Additionally,
aspects of DOE and NSF directives on project management, specific approaches and
resources, and project team ethics and responsibilities will be discussed.
Reading Requirements
(to be provided by the USPAS) "Project Management for Engineering, Business and Technology" 6th edition by John M. Nicholas and Herman Steyn, CRC Press (2020). The instructor will provide materials and
lecture notes.
Credit Requirements
Students will be evaluated on performance:
final exam (30% of final grade), homework assignments (35% of final grade) and in-class
assignments, simulations and presentations (35% of final grade).
*Professional Development Units (PDUs) are available for this course. Please contact the USPAS for more info.
Indiana University course number: Physics 671, Advanced Topics in Accelerator Physics
Michigan State University course number: PHY 963, "U.S. Particle Accelerator School"
MIT course number: 8.790, "Accelerator Physics"