Thank you for registering for Project Management 101: Laying the Foundation for Superior Project Managers. We’re excited to have you join us for the next nine weeks as you build your project management expertise. Please read below for a summary of the course format and expectations.
Online Resource Center and Course Materials:Each week, the latest module’s materials – including the pre-recorded presentations, copies of the slideshows, and group case studies – will be uploaded to the program library. To access them, you can sign into ACEC.org and click on Education & Events and then My Education.
If you have any trouble logging in or need assistance resetting your account password, please email Maureen Brown at mbrown@acec.org.
Presentations:Each week you’ll watch a pre-recorded presentation. The presentations vary in length, with some as short as 30 minutes and others up to 90 minutes. It’s up to you to when you view these presentations, but we recommend completing them as soon as possible each week so that you will still have time to complete any small group case studies before the weekly live discussion with the instructor.
Small Group Assignments:Nearly every week, there will be a case study and two to three related questions for you to discuss and answer with your small group. All attendees will be assigned to small groups based on their time zone to make it easier for members to coordinate a time to meet. You can check the Small Group document (which will be available by January 27th at the latest) to see who is in your group. You will not need to meet with your group before the first live discussion.
Live Discussion:Every Tuesday at 1:30 PM eastern, the instructor will host a live discussion to review the case studies and answer any questions regarding the recorded presentations. The discussion will last about 30-45 minutes, and it will be hosted on Zoom. Instructions on how to login to each meeting can be found in your course materials in the online resource center. A calendar invite will be sent to all participants.
We encourage you to attend every live discussion, but in the case of a conflict, they will be recorded and available for you to review at a later time.
Final Exam:At the end of the course, you’ll have a final exam that can be accessed through the online resource center. The final exam will be due April 3, 2026 and you must pass it in order to receive PDHs and the certificate of completion for the course.
Program Schedule:Module 1
- Pre-Recorded Presentation: Introduction
- Case Study: Montgomery, Cook & Hauser (MCH)
- Live Discussion: January 27, 2026 at 1:30 PM Eastern
Module 2
- Pre-Recorded Presentation: Project Management Team and Process Management Concepts
- Case Study: A Show Piece Turned Sour Triggers Change for Future Jobs
- Live Discussion: February 3, 2026 at 1:30 PM Eastern
Module 3
- Pre-Recorded Presentation: Planning and Management Concepts for Project Managers
- Case Study: Saunders Thomas Architects
- Live Discussion: February 10, 2026 at 1:30 PM Eastern
Module 4
- Pre-Recorded Presentation: The Project Team Manager
- Case Study: Continental Bank
- Live Discussion: February 17, 2026 at 1:30 PM Eastern
Module 5
- Pre-Recorded Presentation: Soft Skills
- Case Study: International Potato Corporation
- Live Discussion: February 24, 2026 at 1:30 PM Eastern
Module 6
- Pre-Recorded Presentation: Working with Engineering/Architectural Firms
- Case Study: Federal Design Work
- Live Discussion: March 3, 2026 at 1:30 PM Eastern
Module 7
- Pre-Recorded Presentation: Scoping/Budgeting/Monitoring/Billing
- Case Study: Loop Architects
- Case Study: Managing Multiple Projects
- Live Discussion: March 10, 2026 at 1:30 PM Eastern
Module 8
- Pre-Recorded Presentation: Project Quality/Risk Management/Other Topics
- Case Study: Dartmouth Halts $200M Engineering Building Project After Excavation Goes Awry
- Live Discussion: March 17, 2026 at 1:30 PM Eastern
Module 9
- Pre-Recorded Presentation: Staffing and Scheduling
- Live Discussion: March 24, 2026 at 1:30 PM Eastern
- Final Exam Due April 3, 2026
About the Instructor:
Howard Birnberg is president of Birnberg & Associates, a management consulting, association management and publishing firm serving the design and construction industry. He served as an instructor on project management in the Office of Executive Education at the Harvard University, Graduate School of Design for six years and also formerly served as a lecturer on project management for the University of Wisconsin, Department of Engineering Professional Development for nearly twenty years. He is the author of “Project Management for Designers and Facilities Managers, 4th edition,” (J. Ross Publishing, 2015), “Project Management for Building Designers and Owners” (CRC Press, 1998), “Project Management for Small Design Firms” (McGraw-Hill, 1992) and as general editor of “New Directions in Architectural and Engineering Practice” (McGraw-Hill, 1992). Mr. Birnberg is the executive director of the Association for Project Managers, an international organization of project managers in the design and construction industry. He is a frequent speaker on project management for many industry professional associations and design and facilities firms.
hbirnberg@gmail.com
312-664-2300 (office)
312-560-6651 (direct)