Wk 1 Discussion 1

Prior to beginning work on this discussion, please read the assigned page ranges in Chapters 1, 2, and 3 in your textbook and the Weekly Lecture for this week.

• Explain what a project is and how projects differ from operations.
• Describe the five project management process groups, and name at least one task that is done within each process group.

Your initial response should contain at least 200 words and be supported by at least one additional Scholarly, Peer-Reviewed, and Other Credible Sources  (Links to an external site.)(other than the textbook or required reading). Your post should add new information to the discussions. Posting early in the course week and adding outside sources, examples, and expanding on information are good ways to do this.

Required Resources

Text

Schwalbe, K. (2017). An introduction to project management (6th ed.). Retrieved from https://redshelf.com

• Chapter 1: An Introduction to Project, Program, and Portfolio Management (read pages 1-18, 26-28)
• Chapter 2: Project, Program, and Portfolio Selection (read pages 37-43)
• Chapter 3: Initiating Projects (read pages 71-85; 98-102)3

Multimedia

Bradley, H. [Helen Bradley]. (2015, July 11). Learn the basics of ProjectLibre—Your quick start to project management with ProjectLibre (Links to an external site.). [Video file]. Retrieved from https://youtu.be/oiVnWX-J5Mo

• This video provides an overview of how to set up and use ProjectLibre. This resource will assist you with your Project Selection for Learning Activities Interactive and your ProjectLibre Installation learning activities this week and in understanding how you will be using ProjectLibre throughout this course. This video has closed captioning and a transcript.
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Recommended Resources

Book

Project Management Institute (PMI). (2017). A guide to the project management body of knowledge (PMBOK® Guide) (6th ed.). Retrieved from http://ebookcentral.proquest.com

• The full-text version of this book is available through the eBook Central database in the Ashford University Library. It provides detailed information about the PMI’s standards for project management. The PMBOK® Guide supports the text and the learning objectives in the course and is a useful resource for your weekly learning activities. Additionally, the PMBOK® Guide reflects the standards in the project management industry. This source may assist you with your Project Management and Project Process Groups Reflection discussion this week.

Web Page

Project Management Institute (PMI). (2018). Student membership (Links to an external site.). Retrieved from https://www.pmi.org/membership/student

• The Project Management Institute (PMI) is the leading project management organization in the world. This web page provides information on obtaining student PMI membership at a discounted rate. PMI members also receive a free encrypted PDF copy of the PMBOK® Guide. Those majoring in project management or planning on going for any of PMI’s certifications should consider joining PMI as a student. This resource may assist you with this week’s Project Management and Project Process Groups Reflection discussion and in completing the Project Selection for Learning Activities Interactive assessment.
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Website

Project Management Institute (Links to an external site.) (2019). Retrieved from https://www.pmi.org

• This website allows students to discover the depth and breadth of the Project Management Institutes (PMI)’s work to advance the science and practice of project management, the skills and opportunities for practitioners, and the results for organizations. Certain parts of this website are only accessible to PMI members. This source may assist you with your Project Management and Project Process Groups Reflection discussion thread.
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Required Technology

ProjectLibre—Project Management (Links to an external site.) [Software download]. (https://sourceforge.net/projects/projectlibre)

• ProjectLibre is a popular free open source software alternative to Microsoft Project. Compatible with legacy versions of Microsoft Project, ProjectLibre is the project management software used for various discussions, learning activities, and assignments in this course. This website provides the link to download a free copy of ProjectLibre. The instructions for this course are all geared towards the downloadable version of ProjectLibre. This resource will assist you with your ProjectLibre Installation Interactive learning activity this week.
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