There are three sources for this Module's Paper: Pone, R. (2010) Project Management: 4 Steps to Get Flagging Projects Back on Track. CIO.com Retrieved on June 8, 2012, from http://www.cio.com/article/

There are three sources for this Module's Paper:

Pone, R. (2010) Project Management: 4 Steps to Get Flagging Projects Back on Track. CIO.com Retrieved on June 8, 2012, from http://www.cio.com/article/598822/Project_Management_4_Steps_to_Get_Flagging_Projects_Back_on_Track?taxonomyId=3198

Resource Index to Project Management Know-How. Project. Connections.com. Retrieved on June 8, 2012 from http://www.projectconnections.com/knowhow/index.html

Finally, the Standish Group publishes annual descriptions of systems failures:

Standish Group (2013) Chaos Manifesto:https://larlet.fr/static/david/stream/ChaosManifesto2013.pdf ORhttps://www.versionone.com/assets/img/files/CHAOSManifesto2013.pdf

You can also use other related materials you find yourself (be sure to reference properly whatever specific sources you draw on).

The basic question posed in this Module's Paper is whether project management is sufficiently controllable according to good design principles that we should expect routine successes, or so inherently unpredictable and political that our expectations should be lowered. It's probably something in between, of course, but just where is debatable. You're invited here to read about both success and failure, think about the advice being offered, and ponder their implications for yourself.

Case Assignment

Use information from the modular background readings as well as any good quality resource you can find. Please cite all sources and provide a reference list (use APA format) at the end of your paper.

LENGTH: 3-5 pages typed and double-spaced.

Your answer to the following question will be assessed:

"Is project management more of a science or more of an art form?"

The following thoughts are suggested as things to think about, not necessarily as points to be answered specifically in your paper:

·        "Science" is generally defined by replicable, learnable procedures that tend toward success, art by the unpredictable, capable of being carried out by skilled practitioners but in ways that they are not always able to explain

·        What do we mean by "success"?

·        Is failure always a bad thing?

·        What do we really know about the project management process?

Be sure to include appropriate citations from the cases you choose, including B&W, as well as your general conclusions and advice to others; you should try to have at least five to seven specific guidelines, together with your justification for them.

Assignment Expectations (50 points total)

Length: Follows the number of pages required in the assignment (excluding cover page and references). Each page should have about 300 words.

The following items will be assessed in particular:

1.   Your ability to apply your understanding of complex issues involved in the case question.

2.   Your support for assertions using examples, citations (use Required Reading), and elaboration to support assertions. Evidence that you have read the required background materials.

3.   Discussion of the art or science of project management.

4.   Description of what project failure means.

5.   Explanation of the project management process.

6.      Evidence of your thinking about the issues, and going beyond the obvious to develop an analysis reflecting your own critical thinking.