Course

Course Summary
Credit Type:
Course
ACE ID:
VAQA-0001
Organization:
VA Acquisition Academy
Location:
Classroom-based
Length:
123.5 -- 130 hours
Dates Offered:
Credit Recommendation & Competencies
Level Credits (SH) Subject
Upper-Division Baccalaureate 3 Project Management
Upper-Division Baccalaureate 2 Program Management
Upper-Division Baccalaureate 2 Strategic Planning
Upper-Division Baccalaureate 1 Leadership or Applied Management
Upper-Division Baccalaureate 1 Contract Management, Purchasing or Acquisition
Description

Objective:

The course objective is to provide the student with mid-level knowledge and application of project management across the entire lifecycle of a project.

Learning Outcomes:

  • Lead teams to achieve program/project goals and achieve desired strategic objectives
  • Develop various program cost estimates including initial costs, program life cycle costs, and cost and price analysis
  • Develop appropriate project management plans, e.g. acquisition, logistics, risk management, test and evaluation, and quality control
  • Organize program/project activities around a federal program/project management life cycle
  • Establish a performance baseline for Earned Value Management (EVM) as it pertains to the program/project
  • Integrate and manage projects within the concept definition, planning, development and implementation operations and maintenance phases
  • Compile business requirements, prioritize gaps, deficiencies and capabilities, identify solutions, and select best concepts to support business need
  • Integrate program/project roles and responsibilities including development of requirements packages, stakeholder management, and program review
  • Develop an integrated master schedule that identifies the tasks and resources required to accomplish the scope of the program
  • Relate project solutions to concept definition and their impact on the strategic statement of need
  • Develop a product-oriented work breakdown structure (WBS) and requirements
  • Manage agency programs and projects in accordance with applicable federal, state, and local standards
  • Apply best practices in management and execution of a project management plan
  • Complete the process for project closeout

General Topics:

  • Project/program integration
  • Techniques and tools to manage teams
  • Program, project and acquisition planning and management
  • Strategy, requirements and scope management
  • Scheduling and control
  • Vendor selection
  • Risk and cost management
  • Work breakdown structure, earned value management, and cost estimating
Instruction & Assessment

Instructional Strategies:

  • Audio Visual Materials
  • Case Studies
  • Classroom Exercise
  • Discussion
  • Learner Presentations
  • Lectures
  • Practical Exercises

Methods of Assessment:

  • Case Studies
  • Performance Rubrics (Checklists)
  • Presentations
Supplemental Materials