In GEOG 871, we'll take a critical look at geospatial project management. Project management is a broad discipline that encompasses technical methods such as system design and analysis and also interpersonal factors that affect professional relationships. Project management is also a discipline that has matured outside of, but can be incorporated into, geospatial technology. By the end of this course, you'll have devised a project plan from a scenario built upon a real-life project involving the city of Metropolis geodatabase. We'll work through each of the components in an organized and logical manner and will incorporate constructive peer review to help everyone achieve the best product possible.

This is a first course in project management, one in which students will learn the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to be an effective project manager. They will learn how to plan, execute, and monitor a project. The course will cover the latest theories and concepts on scoping, stakeholder management, team leadership, budgeting and contracting, scheduling, quality control and assurance, and risk management. Students will have the option to apply their learning to a real-world project. 

This learning module (Lesson 1 of Unit 2) is part of a course called Project Management Fundamentals and may either be completed individually as a stand-alone topic, or part of a trio of learning modules on external management, or as part of the course.

Project planning and delivery is a crucial skill for academic studies as well as the world of work. By participating in this course, adult learners will develop the necessary project planning skills and knowledge to prepare them for continued study and gain specific employability skills- communication and project planning. This lesson will help prepare learners to effectively plan and deliver a project. The lesson aims to teach the terms, concepts and communication skills of effective project planning including the project life cycle, project charter and work breakdown schedule. It is an interactive and informative course, designed to build on learners’ own previous experience and real world examples.

The intended audience are adult learners at grade level D with low literacy and numeracy skills. It is aimed at students studying in the adult education sector, who are studying alongside other commitments, for example family or work. The project planning terms and concepts are taught in an accessible, informal way, connecting to previous knowledge and understanding. Participants will participate in a range of conversations and collaborations with others partners, building on ideas and expressing their own clearly and persuasively. Conversations may be one-to-one, in groups or teacher-led. Learners will develop and demonstrate a variety of communication skills, including posing questions that connect the ideas of speakers, responding to questions and comments, acknowledging information expressed by others and when required, qualifying their own views.

The lesson materials and resources will enable the lesson to taught in a variety of contexts and environment, with minimal access to the internet and other technical resources.