PARTICIPANT’S GUIDE

PROJECT MANAGEMENT FOR DEVELOPMENT

Learning Guide’s Table of Contents

1. GENERAL CHARACTERISTICS OF THE COURSE.............................................. 4
1.1 Course Contents............................................................................................. 4
1.2 General Objective........................................................................................... 5
1.3 Specific Objectives ......................................................................................... 5
1.4 Participant Profiles and Prerequisites ............................................................ 6
1.5 Duration 7
1.6 Key Dates 7
2. METHODOLOGICAL FRAMEWORK ...................................................................... 7
2.1 Course Methodology ...................................................................................... 7
2.1.1 Videos ....................................................................................................................... 7
2.1.2 Readings ................................................................................................................... 7
2.1.3 Case Study ............................................................................................................... 8
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2.1.4 Discussion Forums ................................................................................................. 8

2.2 Performance Assessments ............................................................................ 8
2.2.1 Quizzes ..................................................................................................................... 8
2.2.2 Case Study ............................................................................................................... 8
2.2.3 Forum Participation ................................................................................................ 9
2.3 Grading 9
2.4 Course Certificates and Letters of Certification ............................................. 9
2.4.1 Verified Certificate ................................................................................................... 9
2.4.2 Professional Development Unit (PDU) Certificate .............................................. 9
2.4.3 Time Commitment Letter of Certification for the Course ................................ 10
3. COURSE INSTRUCTORS ...................................................................................... 10
4. POLICIES ................................................................................................................ 10
4.1 IDBx Accessibility Policy .............................................................................. 10
4.2 Academic Integrity Policy ............................................................................. 10
4.3 Privacy Policy ............................................................................................... 11
4.4 Late Submission Policy ................................................................................ 11
5. TECHNICAL INFORMATION YOU NEED TO TAKE INTO ACCOUNT .............. 11
5.1 How do I change the language in the edX platform? .................................. 11
5.2 What are the technical requirements for taking a course on edX? ............. 11
5.3 Can I access the course on a smartphone or tablet? ................................. 11
6. PARTICIPANT SUPPORT SERVICES .................................................................. 12
6.1 edX Help Center ........................................................................................... 12
6.2 Frequently Asked General and Technical Questions .................................. 12
6.3 Participant Support ....................................................................................... 12
7. HOW CAN I TAKE THE MOST ADVANTAGE OF THIS COURSE? ................... 13
7.1 Follow a Syllabus ......................................................................................... 13
7.2 Take Advantage of All Learning Resources ................................................ 13
7.3 Complete All Quizzes ................................................................................... 13
7.4 Participate in All Course Forums ................................................................. 13
7.5 Get a Study Partner...................................................................................... 14
7.6 Put What You Have Learned into Practice .................................................. 14

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 PARTICIPANT’S GUIDE

Dear participant,

One of the challenges faced every day by public organizations, nongovernmental

organizations, development agencies, and other stakeholders that promote economic and
social development in Latin America and the Caribbean is transforming proposals into
concrete realities that improve society’s well-being and ensure that these results are
obtained within the time frames and resources available.

This course introduces concepts and tools that can be applied to project management
and can generate material changes toward meeting expected objectives. Therefore, this
Massive Open Online Course (MOOC) seeks to strengthen the management of
development projects in the region, so that they are executed efficiently and effectively.

Course contents are aligned with the guidelines and standards of best project
management practices presented in A Guide to the Project Management Body of
Knowledge, Sixth Edition, 2017, of the Project Management Institute (PMI)®. The
conceptual basis of this course is the Project Management for Results (PM4R)
methodology, developed by the IDB’s Inter-American Institute for Economic and Social
Development (INDES), which is accredited as a PMI® Registered Education Provider
(R.E.P.). The PM4R methodology adapts international best practices to development
project management.

The course includes case studies that help understand key project management concepts
and tools; explanations by experts with extensive experience in the subject, and who are
Project Management Professionals (PMPs), certified by PMI®; discussion forums; and
selected readings, among other activities.

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1. GENERAL CHARACTERISTICS OF THE COURSE

1.1 Course Contents

Course contents are based on the PM4R methodology, which was developed by
the IDB based on its operations experience and adopting best international
practices, tools, and standards on project management to the world of
development. Best practices include those from the following entities: Project
Management Institute (PMI)®, Projects in Controlled Environments (PRINCE2),
International Project Management Association (IPMA), and Association for Project
Management (APM).

Course contents span nine modules and have the following structure:

• Module 1: Project Charter

• Module 2: Scope Planning Tool
• Module 3: Time Management Tool (Schedule)
• Module 4: Cost Management Tool (S-Curve)
• Module 5: Procurement Management Tool
• Module 6: Risk Management Tool (Risk Matrix)
• Module 7: Communications Matrix Tool
• Module 8: Human Resources Management Tool
• Module 9: Project Control Tool

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1.2 General Objective

By the end of the course, the participant will be

able to:

Identify the seven (7) steps of the IDB’s Project Management for Results (PM4R)
methodology.

1.3 Specific Objectives

Module
Module 1: Project Charter
Module 2: Scope Planning Tool
Module 3: Time Management Tool
(Schedule)
Objective
Identify the project charter’s
objectives and its main
characteristics.
Identify the parts that make up a
Work Breakdown Structure.
Identify the steps and tools for
preparing a project schedule.

Prepare the schedule network

diagram.

Calculate a project’s critical path.

Module 4: Cost Management Tool (S- Plot a project’s S-Curve.
Curve)

Module 5: Procurement Management Tool Identify the information needed to

complete a project’s procurement
matrix correctly.

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Module Objective
Module 6: Risk Management Tool (Risk Identify the information needed to
Matrix) complete a project’s risk matrix
correctly.

Identify the impact level and the

probability that a given risk will
occur.

Identify response strategies to

identified risks.
Module 7: Communications Matrix Tool Identify the information needed to
complete a project’s
communications matrix correctly.
Module 8: Human Resources Identify the information needed to
Management Tool complete a project’s RACI matrix
correctly.
Module 9: Project Control Tool Apply the earned value
methodology to analyze a
project’s performance.

For more information about the course’s contents, please read the Syllabus (PDF).

1.4 Participant Profiles and Prerequisites

This course is aimed at professionals who are involved in project management.

These include professionals from the public sector, non-governmental
organizations, or development agencies.

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Persons interested in the course can participate free of charge, without conditions
or prerequisites.

1.5 Duration

The course will be open for four months and it will only take you thirty hours to
complete. You will have access to all contents as of the course start date.

1.6 Key Dates

Course start date: April 2, 2020.

Deadline for selecting the verified certificate option: December 8, 2020.
Course end date: December 18, 2020.

2. METHODOLOGICAL FRAMEWORK

2.1 Course Methodology

To enhance your learning experience, the course features a series of learning

activities and educational tools. The main tools and activities are described below.

2.1.1 Videos

Through short videos, experts with extensive experience in the subject and who
are Project Management Professionals (PMPs), certified by PMI®, explain the
steps of the IDB’s Project Management for Results (PM4R) methodology.

2.1.2 Readings

Readings will enable you to understand each of the tools of the PM4R
methodology in greater detail. At the end of each reading, you will also find
bibliographical references that will enable you to deepen your knowledge about
the topic presented in each module.

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2.1.3 Case Study

This activity promotes the analysis of the issues addressed in the course, based
on a case study that was developed from a real project financed by the Inter-
American Development Bank. The case study enables you to put into practice
each of the tools presented in the PM4R methodology.

To facilitate your learning process, you will be provided with a partial solution
to the exercise that you will have to complete. After performing the practical
exercise and answering the multiple-choice questions, you will be able to
compare your answers with the answers suggested by course tutors.

2.1.4 Discussion Forums

Through the exchange of ideas and experiences, participants will discuss the
application of the PM4R methodology tools within the context of their projects.

For more details, please read the Discussion Forum Guide (PDF).

2.2 Performance Assessments

2.2.1 Quizzes

Quizzes include multiple-choice questions related to the topics introduced on

the videos and the assigned readings. You have two opportunities to answer
each question.

2.2.2 Case Study

Once you have performed the practical exercise about the Haiti or Bolivia case
study that is included in each of the modules of the course, you will have to
answer some multiple-choice questions associated with the exercise. You have
two opportunities to answer each question.

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2.2.3 Forum Participation

After participating in the forum, you will have to answer a verification question.

2.3 Grading

To pass the course, you will need to have at least 65 points by the end date of the
course. For more details, please read the Syllabus (PDF).

You will be able to monitor your academic performance on the Progress tab within
the course.

2.4 Course Certificates and Letters of Certification

2.4.1 Verified Certificate

The verified certificate costs $49 and must be paid through the edX platform by
credit or debit card or via PayPal (edX does not accept cash, checks, transfers,
bank deposits, or money orders).

If you choose to receive a verified certificate, your computer must have a

webcam in order for you to send photographs of both yourself and your ID at
the time of payment. This certificate provides greater credibility and may be
used as proof of studies, as well as for job applications or promotions.

If you reach the minimum 65-point score by the end of the course and you pay
the $49 fee, then you will be able to download your certificate from the edX
platform once you have finished the course. Before that date, it is important that
you ensure that your name is spelled correctly in the registration information on
the edX platform because that is how it will appear on your certificate.

2.4.2 Professional Development Unit (PDU) Certificate

Participants who obtain the verified certificate will be able to download a PDU
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certificate from “Course Handouts” under the “Course” tab in edX. The
document includes thirty-five (35) professional development units (PDUs) in the
technical area of the Project Management Institute (PMI)®, since INDES is a
PMI® Registered Educational Provider (R.E.P).

2.4.3 Time Commitment Letter of Certification for the Course

Participants who obtain the verified certificate will be able to download a letter
of certification from “Course Handouts” under the “Course” tab in edX. The
message includes information about the thirty (30) hours of minimum study time
commitment that is required of participants who pass the course.

3. COURSE INSTRUCTORS

Course instructors are professionals who are also PMPs, certified by PMI®. They
have extensive experience in the practical application of the PM4R methodology.
To read their bios, please go to Meet Your Instructors and the Course Teams.

This is a massive open online course with thousands of registered participants.

Due to the characteristics of the course, instructors do not answer questions about
course contents, nor do they provide feedback on the activities performed.

4. POLICIES

4.1 IDBx Accessibility Policy

Go to the IDBx Accessibility Policy to read it in detail.

4.2 Academic Integrity Policy

Since we use the edX platform for course delivery, we address academic integrity
issues through edX’s Honor Code.

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4.3 Privacy Policy

Since we use the edX platform for course delivery, we also address privacy issues
through edX’s Privacy Policy.

4.4 Late Submission Policy

If you selected this course’s verified certificate option, you must complete the
activities and quizzes no later than the course’s end date. We recommend that you
follow the syllabus in order to maximize your learning experience.

5. TECHNICAL INFORMATION YOU NEED TO TAKE INTO ACCOUNT

5.1 How do I change the language in the edX platform?

Go to https://courses.edx.org/login and start a session using the email address

and password that you used to register in edX. Once you have logged into your
account, your username and a down arrow will appear in the upper right portion of
the window. Click on the arrow and choose the Account option. Then go to the
Site language section to change the platform to your preferred language.

5.2 What are the technical requirements for taking a course on edX?

You need a computer with an Internet connection. We also recommend you use
the most recent version of any of the following web browsers: Chrome, Firefox,
Edge, or Internet Explorer, or Safari.

5.3 Can I access the course on a smartphone or tablet?

You can access the course from your cell phone or tablet by downloading the edX
mobile app from the Google Play Store or the Apple App Store. Alternatively, from
the web browser on your mobile device you can go to https://www.edx.org/ to
access the course and many of its resources. Please keep in mind that because
the IDB does not manage the edX platform, we cannot guarantee that all devices

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will work properly.

6. PARTICIPANT SUPPORT SERVICES

The following services will be available for the duration of the course:

6.1 edX Help Center

At the edX Help Center you will find answers to frequently asked questions about
getting started with your course, basic edX information, certificate information, and
other related topics. You may also send your queries to the edX team through the
edX requests website.

6.2 Frequently Asked General and Technical Questions

Access our Frequently Asked General Questions (General FAQ) site.

Access our Frequently Asked Technical Questions (Technical FAQ) site.

6.3 Participant Support

Use the Participant Support site within the course to ask technical questions and
report issues, errors, or any problem related to the virtual platform’s functionality.

You will also be able to ask questions regarding administrative details of the
course, for example, course end date, verified certificate and PDU certificate
issuance, etc.

Before adding a new question, please visit the Frequently Asked General
Questions (General FAQ) site or the Frequently Asked Technical Questions
(Technical FAQ) site, where you will find answers to the most common queries.

Response time is up to 24 hours from Monday to Friday and up to 48 hours during

the weekend.

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7. HOW CAN I TAKE THE MOST ADVANTAGE OF THIS COURSE?

7.1 Follow a Syllabus

As we mentioned, the estimated course load is thirty hours, so we have provided

a suggested syllabus in which the course load is distributed over five weeks.

Download your Syllabus (PDF).

7.2 Take Advantage of All Learning Resources

Watch, read, and analyze all the videos and documents in the course and
participate in all the activities scheduled during the course. Even though the
concepts and tools that we introduce in each module could be applied
independently, it is essential that you have a comprehensive view of how the
concepts and tools offered overall nine modules are articulated. Remember that
after finishing the course, you will be able to continue watching the videos and
accessing the readings in case you were not able to do so due to lack of time
before the closing date of the course.

7.3 Complete All Quizzes

The questions that appear after videos and readings will enable you to reinforce
your understanding of the topics introduced, as well as check how much
knowledge you are acquiring. You have two opportunities to answer each question.
Answer them all, with the objective of receiving the course certificate.

7.4 Participate in All Course Forums

Interaction with other course participants is essential so you can achieve a broad
perspective on project management, find out what is going on in other countries,
and expand your network. It is a unique opportunity, take advantage of it! Share
your experience and any knowledge you have on the subject.

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7.5 Get a Study Partner

The experience of learning something new is much richer, more fun, and more
effective when it happens in a good company. Invite a friend, neighbor, or coworker
to register for the course and be your study partner. The motivation and
enthusiasm generated when you work as a team will help you reach the end of the
course, obtain the completion certificate, and plan how to put the knowledge you
have acquired into practice.

7.6 Put What You Have Learned into Practice

Apply the knowledge you have acquired to your personal and professional
environment. Only then will you progressively gain more experience and learn
more knowledge on the subject, as well as achieve new and better results in
projects in which you participate.

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