Legal Primer: Contracts and Dispute Reso

Projects operate within a legal and contractual framework that shapes how risk is allocated, decisions are made, and disputes are avoided or resolved. This course provides project managers with a practical introduction to that framework, with an emphasis on understanding and applying legal principles rather than training students to practice law. Topics include the foundations of contract law; contract formation, interpretation, and enforcement; allocation of project risk; scope and changes; schedule, delay, and performance issues; documentation and claims; and the principal methods of dispute resolution, including negotiation, mediation, arbitration, and litigation. Through real-world contracts, case law, and dispute-resolution scenarios, students will examine how legal and contractual issues arise throughout the project life cycle and affect day-to-day project management and decision-making. Students will also participate in mock mediation and arbitration presentations that require them to analyze disputes, develop positions, and advocate for practical resolutions. The course is designed for project management students across industries and does not require prior legal training.