The design and implementation of information and communication technology (ICT) in the health care environment is complex and many projects fail because of poor attention to project management fundamentals. This course provides a basic methodology for understanding and defining the scope of the project, planning and running it, as well as post-implementation assessment. It provides a framework for gathering and monitoring key indicators, and taking action to keep the work on track. It examines successful techniques for planning, organizing, scheduling, and budgeting a project before implementation, and techniques for controlling and reporting progress during project implementation. The course will examine the relationship between theory and practice in managing organizations with case studies in health care. The course will focus specifically on some of the special issues surrounding the management of software projects and managing technical professionals. Some issues of strategic planning, motivation and employee development, change management, uncertainty, conflict, ethics and social issues are also covered.
The course has a practical component where students work either individually or in groups to practise project planning control and producing project management documentation, with hands-on experience using project management software.