Abstract

We explain the journey that led to our development of a course for all undergraduate business majors that combines the teaching of “hard” and “soft” skills needed in projects. In this class, we use group projects to provide a practice field for the project management skills (e.g., developing a scope statement, creating and assigning tasks, tracking and reporting progress) as well as the interpersonal skills needed for successful projects. Interpersonal skills taught are those typically found in an organizational behavior class, for example: active listening, managing diversity, managing conflict, communication, effective team meetings, and dealing with underperforming team members. We share our course syllabus, strategies for course materials and staffing the class, as well as outcomes and lessons learned from our first time teaching the course in Summer 2012. We also share our vision for further elements that can be developed to support our mission of “interpersonal and project skills for all” students, faculty, and staff.

Share

COinS
 

“… with interpersonal and project skills for all”: Integrating Project Management and Organizational Behavior Instruction

We explain the journey that led to our development of a course for all undergraduate business majors that combines the teaching of “hard” and “soft” skills needed in projects. In this class, we use group projects to provide a practice field for the project management skills (e.g., developing a scope statement, creating and assigning tasks, tracking and reporting progress) as well as the interpersonal skills needed for successful projects. Interpersonal skills taught are those typically found in an organizational behavior class, for example: active listening, managing diversity, managing conflict, communication, effective team meetings, and dealing with underperforming team members. We share our course syllabus, strategies for course materials and staffing the class, as well as outcomes and lessons learned from our first time teaching the course in Summer 2012. We also share our vision for further elements that can be developed to support our mission of “interpersonal and project skills for all” students, faculty, and staff.