Optimizing Group Projects for Practicing Engineers in an Online...
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Optimizing Group Projects for Practicing Engineers in an Online Environment: Lessons Learned Wayne Pferdehirt, Jeffrey S. Russell, Jeff Haught, Dave Pagenkopf CIEC, February, 2012
Transcript of Optimizing Group Projects for Practicing Engineers in an Online...
Optimizing Group Projects for Practicing Engineers in an Online Environment: Lessons Learned
Wayne Pferdehirt, Jeffrey S. Russell, Jeff Haught, Dave Pagenkopf
CIEC, February, 2012
The Question
Is online learning an impediment to meaningful group projects? or … Can the format be exploited to enhance collaboration and applied learning?
Our Panelists Jeffrey Russell
UW Vice Provost of Lifelong Learning Course Co-Instructor
David Pagenkopf Director, UW Div. of Info. Technology Former Dir. App. Dev. & Mgt., TDS
Jeff Haught Project Manager, NASA
Wayne Pferdehirt Dir. of Eng. Grad. Dist. Degrees Course Co-Instructor
Context: What is MEPP?
Master of Engineering in Professional Practice
Two-Year Cross-Disciplinary Graduate Degree for Engineers
Focus is Leadership and Management of Technical Projects and Teams
Alternative to an MBA for Engineers
Context: The Students Mid-career engineers
All work full-time
4 to 35 years experience
Project managers to CEOs
Focused on growing as effective leaders
Example Employers of MEPP Students
3M BAE Systems Boeing Cap Gemini Caterpillar Cummins GE Genentech General Motors Google Hamilton-Sundstrand Harley-Davidson IBM Intel John Deere
Kimberly-Clark
Kohler
Kraft/Oscar Mayer
Lockheed Martin
Mercury Marine
Micron
Monsanto
Motorola
NASA
Navistar
Qualcomm
Rockwell Automation
Trane
US Armed Forces
MEPP Distinguishing Characteristics: Program Design
Fixed, two-year curriculum
Cohort model: a stable, supportive learning community of peers
Only 30 students admitted per year
One week on-campus residency each year
Course Content and Format Optimized for Mid-Career, Practicing Engineers
Collaborative, problem- and project-based learning
Intentionally engages the experience and real-world project responsibilities of the students
Taught via creative mix of asynchronous and synchronous distance education technologies
MEPP Courses
First Year Curriculum
Network Skills for Remote Learners Residency I
Technical Project Management Management Accounting
Communicating Technical Information Engineering Problem Solving with Computers
Summer Fall Spring
MEPP Courses Second Year Curriculum
Independent Reading and Research Residency II
Engineering Applications of Statistics International Engineering Strategies and Operations
Applied Leadership and Management of Engineering Organizations
Quality Engineering and Quality Management
Summer Fall Spring
Technical Project Management: Course Topics
Projects and Management
Project Evaluation and Selection
Project Initiation, Scope and Structure
Proposals and Contracts
Team Formation, Team Management and Project Leadership
Project Planning and Scheduling
Project Network Analysis
Project Risk Management
Project Budgeting
Resource Allocation and Management
Project Monitoring and Control
Engineering for Sustainability Applied to Project Management
Project Audits and Closure
Project Reports and Presentations
Typical Weekly Rhythm of MEPP Courses
Listen to
Recorded
Introduction
of Content
Online
Discussion
Web
conferences Homework
Monday
Tuesday
Wednesday AM
or Thursday PM
Friday
Saturday
Sunday
Goals of Team Project
Learn by doing
Authentic, real-world opportunity for applying project management strategies
Analysis, decisions and communication to achieve real results
Hone project teamwork skills under pressure
Develop effective collaboration skills for globally dispersed teams
Major Team Project: Elements
1. Proposal to Project Team
2. Team Project Plan
3. Strategic Analysis of Project
4. Project Organization, Schedule & Budget
5. Project Crash Analysis
Major Team Project: Elements
6. Project Monitoring & Control Plan
7. Team Project Presentation
8. Team Final Report
9. Team Self Evaluations
Examples of Team Projects
Examples of Team Projects
Electronic Control Unit form Electric Lawn Tractor
Shovel with AC Drive Technology
Team Discussion Forums (Moodle)
Asynchronous, threaded discussion Access limited to team members
Web Conference (MS LiveMeeting)
“Meet Now” rooms for teams to meet and work
Document Management (DocuShare)
Version-controlled document sharing
Telephone
Instant Messaging
Collaboration Tools Support Work of Project Teams
Lessons Learned
Course Context Combine traditional and contemporary
Authentic, collaborative application
Enable and value sharing of experience, insights, best practices
PM tools: support, within context
Lessons Learned
Project Progressive, authentic deliverables
Detailed, seasoned, timely feedback
Provide and support industrial-strength collaboration tools
Require professional quality of all work products
Have teams develop detailed work plan
People Set and support high expectations for
professional work
Goal is excellence for all
Value of team self-assessments
Teach, enable, support effective collaboration
Support learning within and across teams
Lessons Learned
Thank you! We welcome any follow-up questions and discussion
Jeff Haught [email protected]
Dave Pagenkopf [email protected]
Wayne Pferdehirt [email protected]
Jeffrey Russell [email protected]
