Introducing project management theory into a capstone design sequence

The capstone design sequence in the Electrical Engineering Program at Western Kentucky University is a two semester sequence. Student teams design and execute a solution to an industrial or applied research problem during the academic year. In order to improve the capstone sequence, project management techniques have been introduced into this sequence. These techniques include acquainting students with project management theory and teaching students to manage the projects more effectively. This paper will present the basic structure of the sequences, discuss the assessment results which led to this new focus in the sequences, describe the project management techniques incorporated into the courses, and explain the impact the new emphasis has had on the capstone design sequence.