Project Cost Management
BUSA-40970
Project Cost Management covers the financial strategies and cost management best practices for successful projects with an emphasis on estimating, budgeting, and cost control. Concepts and tools are studied and applied in practical course work, including group projects. Topics include the role of cost management in project initiation, project cost management planning, project budget development, project cost control, and project financing. The course culminates with an examination of case studies of real projects demonstrating a variety of cost management principles.
This course provides 20 education hours applicable toward Professional Development Units (PDUs). To request an official university transcript, please contact Student Services or click here for more information.
Learning Outcomes:
Upon completion of this course, students will be able to:
- Develop an overall understanding of project cost management.
- Analyze project goals and select appropriate estimation approaches for a point of time in a project.
- Prepare a cost estimate for all project costs, including contingency and management reserves.
- Evaluate types of project costs necessary to draw up a complete cost estimate, and determine the accounting category of each, such as direct, indirect, and capital costs.
- Use project cost estimates and other information to construct a necessary project budget.
- Apply best practices for project cost control and recommend project corrective actions to ensure project cost objectives are met.
- Apply basic Earned Value Management techniques to assess the project progress with respect to scope, cost, and schedule.
- Apply basic Earned Value Management techniques to forecast revised costs.
- Develop a basic understanding of project financing and cash flow management.
Course Information
Individual exceptions may be granted based on prior experience or knowledge. To request an exception, please contact projectmanagement@ucsd.edu.
Course sessions
Section ID:
Class type:
This course is entirely web-based and to be completed asynchronously between the published course start and end dates. Synchronous attendance is NOT required.
You will have access to your online course on the published start date OR 1 business day after your enrollment is confirmed if you enroll on or after the published start date.
Textbooks:
An Introduction to Project Management, Eighth Edition: Predictive, Agile, and Hybrid Approaches with AI 8th
by Schwalbe, Kathy
ISBN / ASIN: 9798246285893
You may purchase textbooks via the UC San Diego Bookstore.
Policies:
- No refunds after: 7/19/2026
- Early enrollment advised
Note:
Schedule:
Instructor:
Alex Hosch, PhD, MBA, MPM
Owner, The Office of Project Management and Coaching
Alex Hosch, Ph.D., MBA, MPM, PMP, is an independent Information Systems Management Consultant and Project Manager. He has worked in the financial services industry for more than 25 years, successfully managing technology, information systems, product development, and operational projects for various financial institutions.
