Return to Mars: Leading a Complex Project - Simulation
Return to Mars, an online simulation-based project leadership course was developed for NASA by the Palatine Group.
This case-based interactive, media-rich learning experience recreates NASA's innovative Pathfinder Mission to Mars (PMI's Project of Year).
Learning Design: Return to Mars blends 40 flash movies, 350 screens, state-of-the-art sound, animation, interface facility - and even Leonard Nimoy - into 14 powerful modules.
Overview: The course uses an advanced project to create a dramatic context for a learner to build skills and practice project management techniques within a subsystem of the Pathfinder mission/project and puts you in the hot-seat of a bold attempt to land a spacecraft on Mars. The budget is tight: $150 million, though the last mission to Mars cost over $1 billion. The schedule is rigid: do it in 3.5 years, or you'll miss the launch window. Since participants get to simulate a real project, they come away with skills and information they can immediately apply to their own projects.
Performance Focus: The courseware gives participants a clear understanding of the dynamics and challenges of project management, and provides the tools and techniques to manage the entire life cycle of a project.
The course develops essential soft skills by immersing the participant in a simulation of Pathfinder's unique project environment, stressing performance and creativity, as well as innovation under tight budget and schedule restraints. Alongside its critical insights into the value of such skills as leadership, teamwork, and communication, Return to Mars provides practical tools such as work breakdown structures, lessons learned, and a 60-day scheduling software.
Participants simulate a real project, gaining information and skills they can immediately apply to their own projects.
Note: Receive 14 PDUs for successful completion of this simulation.
This course is self-paced and online. You will have access to this course for 60 days. (Most project managers complete in a week).
Target Audience: This course is designed for experienced project managers interested in enhancing their project management skills.
Level: Intermediate to Advanced
Prerequisites: Learners should have experience in project management.
Estimated time to complete: 14 hours of online course work