Project Management for Scientists and Engineers*

Sponsoring University:

Michigan State University

Course Name:

Project Management for Scientists and Engineers*
This class is full.

Instructors:

Kem Robinson, Lawrence Berkeley National Lab Emeritus; Michael Geelhoed, Fermilab; Kasey Lund, Nusano

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Purpose and Audience
Scientists and engineers are well prepared to develop and execute scientific research, but do not receive the systematic and necessarily flexible approaches and training necessary to successfully execute the managerial mechanisms by which such research must often be realized. Consequently, scientific and engineering 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 method. Successful project management is NOT the mere use of narrow fiscal and schedule tools, but involves the adaptive use of 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 the knowledge and basic understanding of several of the skills required to help ensure successful project outcomes for principal investigators, project scientists, engineers and group leaders.

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 engineering 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/engineering 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 technical scientific/engineering projects (including collaborative projects) both as independent endeavors and those 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, monitoring and control, execution, requirement and configuration management, technical scope management, time/schedule management, cost management, quality management, human resource and team dynamics, communications, risk management, stakeholder considerations, 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). Specific sections of How Big Things Get Done, Bent Flyvbjerg and Dan Gardner, Currency (2023) will also be given to students. The instructor will also provide class materials, and presentation materials.

Credit Requirements
Students will be evaluated on performance: final exam (20% of final grade), homework assignments (40% of final grade) and in-class assignments, simulations and presentations (40% of final grade).

*Professional Development Units (PDUs) and Continuing Education Units (CEUs) will be available for this course.

USPAS Computer Requirements
There will be no Computer Lab and all participants are required to bring their own portable computer to access online course notes and computer resources. This can be a laptop or a tablet with a sufficiently large screen and keyboard. Windows, Mac, and Linux-based systems that are wifi capable and have a standard web browser and mouse are all acceptable. You should have privileges for software installs. If you are unable to bring a computer, please contact uspas@fnal.gov ASAP to request a laptop loan. Very limited IT support and spare loaner laptops will be available during the session.

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Michigan State University course number:  PHY 905 Special Problems, Section 701 Project Management for Scientists and Engineers
Indiana University course number: Physics 671, Advanced Topics in Accelerator Physics
MIT course number: 8.790, "Accelerator Physics"