CU Engineering Project Management Discussion

Initial Postings: Read and reflect on the assigned readings for the week. Then post what you thought was the most important concept(s), method(s), term(s), and/or any other thing that you felt was worthy of your understanding in each assigned textbook chapter.Your initial post should be based upon the assigned reading for the week, so the textbook should be a source listed in your reference section and cited within the body of the text. Other sources are not required but feel free to use them if they aid in your discussion.

Also, provide a graduate-level response to each of the following questions:

1. Several years ago, the U.S. Congress canceled funding for the development of a battery-powered electric vehicle. Do you think that was a good decision? Can you imagine what the pros and cons were?
2. Assume that you are working for a computer manufacturer as a software engineer and that you are told abruptly that your project will be canceled within 4 weeks. List the questions that you would have for management. After absorbing the shock, what would you do?

Activity I: As part of your company’s effort to select a project management software package, you have been asked to approach several other companies that presently use such packages.

1. Develop a questionnaire to help collect the relevant information.
2. Fill out two questionnaires, each representing a different software package.
3. Compare the responses of the companies and select the best software of the two.

Activity II: Identify two projects in which you have been involved recently.

1. Describe each project briefly.
2. Suggest criteria that may have been used to identify the start of the termination phase of each project.
3. Give two examples of activities that were performed poorly during the termination phase of either project, and suggest measures that might have been taken to improve the situation.