ITMG 533: Managing Technical Project Teams

Fall 2025

Author
Affiliation

Dr Randy Johnson

Hood College

Published

September 29, 2025

1 ITSM 533: Managing Technical Project Teams

Faculty Contact Information

Course Description

Prerequisite: ITMG 527. This course investigates the process of managing a computer-related project. It includes scheduling techniques and automated tools such as scheduling packages. Focus will be on the team environment conducive to successful project completion.

Class Meeting Time:

Tuesdays at 6:15 - 9:00 PM

Location:

Hodson Technology, Rm 114

Course Outline

This tentative outline of course topics and assignments may be modified at the discretion of faculty at any point during the semester AND it is the student’s responsibility to remain abreast of updates. The syllabus on Blackboard and the course website will be updated in the event of changes to this schedule.

Schedule: Due dates for homework will be posted on Blackboard. Readings should be completed BEFORE class on the week it will be discussed.
Date Class Exercises
19-Aug Modern technical project management Case studies
26-Aug Project initiation & defining success Project charter
2-Sep Agile philosophy, Scrum & Kanban Scrum & Kanban simulation
9-Sep Version control with git & GitHub Git practice
16-Sep Managing work with Jira Jira practice
23-Sep Automation with GitHub Actions GitHub actions practice
30-Sep Review and Gemini CLI Building a streamlit app
7-Oct Midterm
14-Oct Fall Break
21-Oct Building & leading high performing teams Team dynamic analysis
28-Oct Effective communication & stakeholder management Bad news
4-Nov Agile estimation & risk management Planning poker
11-Nov Metrics, reporting & forecasting Project forecast
18-Nov Final project Group work
25-Nov Final project Group work
2-Dec Final presentation and exam

Modality

Traditional: This course will be held on-campus in the assigned room, where participants will be expected to participate in class discussions and activities.

Course Materials, Required Textbooks, Technology

  • Required Texts: Required materials will be provided on Blackboard.

You will need regular and dependable access to a computer and the internet. All registered students may use the on-campus computers and printers for this course if necessary. We will use Blackboard for activities, announcements, email, and assignments.

Course Grading Componens

Grade Breakdown
Assignment Grade
Class participation 25%
Homework 25%
Midterm Exam 15%
Final Project 20%
Final Exam 15%

Late Policy

THERE IS NO EXCUSE FOR LATE ASSIGNMENTS. You will have ONE week to work on all the assignments for that week. All assignments are due at the beginning of class on the date listed in Blackboard. Late assignments are generally not accepted, but if you have a special circumstance and will not be able to meet the deadline, let me know before the assignment is due. Only medical excuses, recognized religious holidays, Hood College approved activities, or written work obligations will make a student eligible to hand in an assignment late without penalty.

  • Assignments that are turned in after the scheduled due date but before one week past this date will have their assignment grade reduced by one letter grade.
  • Homework assignments received more than one week late will be reduced by 50% (i.e. will start with a grade of “F”) prior to being graded. Assignments that are more than two weeks late will not be accepted.
Hood College Approved Grading Scale
Grade Weighted %
A [100-93]
A- (93-90]
B+ (89-88]
B (87-83]
B- (82-80]
C+ (79-78]
C (77-73]
C- (72-70]
F (69-0]

Course Objectives

Upon successful completion of this course, students will be able to:

  • Analyze and apply project management methodologies: Differentiate between and apply key project management frameworks, including Agile methodologies (Scrum and Kanban), and traditional approaches, to determine the most suitable strategy for various technical projects.

  • Utilize industry-standard tools: Demonstrate proficiency in using essential project management tools like Jira for tracking work, GitHub for version control and collaborative development, and GitHub Actions for automating workflows.

  • Manage the project life cycle: Execute the core phases of a technical project, from defining a project charter and identifying stakeholders to creating a risk register and implementing effective communication plans.

  • Lead and grow teams: Develop the skills necessary to manage the human element of projects, including fostering psychological safety, resolving team conflicts, and delivering constructive feedback to lead high-performing teams.

  • Evaluate project performance: Use agile metrics such as Velocity, Cycle Time, and Lead Time, and create visual representations like Burndown and Burnup charts to track project progress, report on performance, and forecast completion dates accurately.

  • Synthesize and present project plans: Synthesize all course concepts to develop and present a comprehensive project plan, articulating the chosen methodology, risk mitigation strategies, and communication approach to a simulated team and stakeholders.

Attendance Policy

Students are required to attend every session and are expected to log on frequently to Blackboard and review the week’s course material. Attendance will be taken based on your participation in the class. Make up work may be assigned for excused absences.

In the event of severe weather resulting in the closure of Hood College and the cancellation of an in-person meeting, a meeting link will be shared on Blackboard and the class will be held virtually.

Professionalism

Professionalism is expected and required in all graduate courses; it is also one of the six core outcomes for all graduate degrees at Hood College. All students are expected to be prepared for class and to participate in activities or discussions in accordance with the course code of conduct.

In accordance with the College Catalog, the College generally permits the use of generative artificial intelligence (AI) tools for uses outlined in assignment descriptions for this course. See the course code of conduct for more information.

Accessibility Services and Wellness

This course is intended to be accessible for all students, including those with mental, physical, or cognitive disabilities, illnesses, injuries, impairments, or any other condition that tends to negatively affect one’s equal access to education. If at any point in the term, you find yourself not able to fully access the space, content, and experience of this course, you are welcome (and not required) to contact me by email, phone, or during office hours to discuss your specific needs. I also encourage you to contact the Office of Accessibility Services (301-696-3569 or accessibilityservices@hood.edu. If you have a diagnosis or history of accommodations at a previous postsecondary institution, Accessibility Services can help you document your needs and create an accommodation plan. By partnering with Accessibility Services, you can ensure appropriate accommodations without disclosing your condition or diagnosis to course instructors.

Academic Success Services

Your success in my class is a priority. For this reason, I will be using the Beacon alert system as an early identification and intervention tool. If I notice you are struggling with issues such as attendance, class participation, or assignment/test performance, I may choose to send an Academic Alert through Beacon to connect you with appropriate campus resources. These referrals are designed to maximize your chances for success at Hood College, not as a reprimand or punishment. Please respond to any communications you may receive from me, your academic advisor, the graduate school or other campus offices regarding your academic progress in this course.

Holistic Wellness

Your holistic wellness is important to me. Consult College supports curated for you around the Eight Dimensions of Wellness at www.hood.edu/GradCare. If you are feeling anxious, stressed, worried or down during the semester or if you notice signs of emotional distress in someone else, please lean on support services freely available to all Hood students. Many campus resources are available including:

  • Hood Counseling Services – open M-F, 8:30AM-5:00PM, Apple Resource building, 1st floor, Room A. Make your appointment online at hood.edu/counseling, or drop in for a walk-in session on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays between the hours of 11:00AM – 12:00PM. If you have questions about Counseling Services, email counselingservices@hood.edu.
  • Hood also has several connections to other mental health resources including the NeighborHood Counseling Training Center and Thriving Campus.
    If you or someone you know needs to talk to someone right now, text or call 9-8-8 for a free, confidential conversation with a trained counselor 24/7.

Important Contacts