The Project Designing course, part of Emmanuel Soji Akintu’s Master’s in Project Management program, is designed to provide students with a comprehensive understanding of the principles and techniques essential for effective project management. Under the mentorship of Dr. Kanbiro Orkaido, the course focuses on several critical aspects of project management, including project initiation, stakeholder identification and analysis, project planning, scheduling, monitoring, and successful implementation.

The course begins with an emphasis on project initiation, where students learn to define project goals and objectives, conduct feasibility analyses, identify key stakeholders, perform risk assessments, and secure necessary resources. This foundational knowledge is crucial for assessing the viability of projects and ensuring alignment with stakeholder expectations.

A significant component of the course is stakeholder management, which is vital for project success. Students are taught to address stakeholders’ expectations and concerns, leading to higher satisfaction rates and reduced risks. The course also covers the development of project schedules, detailing the importance of listing project activities, establishing start and end dates, identifying dependencies, and setting milestones.

Additionally, the course introduces various project management methodologies, including the Agile and Waterfall models. Students learn to compare these approaches, understanding Agile’s iterative and flexible nature versus Waterfall’s sequential structure. The critical path method (CPM) is also explored, helping students identify the longest sequence of dependent activities that dictate the project’s overall duration.

As the course progresses, students engage in hands-on exercises and case studies, allowing them to apply theoretical concepts in practical scenarios. This experiential learning approach enhances their ability to manage projects effectively across different industries.

Finally, the course culminates in the project closure phase, where students learn to finalize documentation, conduct project reviews, assess success, capture lessons learned, and transition deliverables. By the end of the course, participants are equipped with the knowledge and skills necessary to design and manage projects successfully, preparing them for real-world challenges in project management.