Valerie P Denney
- Title
- Associate Professor, College of Business
- Valerie.Denney@erau.edu Email
- Department
- Department of Decision Sciences
- College
- College of Business
Office Hours
flexible--- please contact the professorAreas of Expertise
Research focus:
Complex decision making in industry and academia. Specific topics of interest include project management risk and opportunity management, stakeholder engagement, business ethics and success criteria, and academic integrity. I provide a bridge between academia and industry by formalizing my 30+ years of industry experience through academic rigor.
Biography
Dr. Denney is a tenured Associate Professor of Decision Sciences in the College of Business at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University- Worldwide. Dr. Denney teaches Bachelor and Master’s degrees in Project Management (BSPM and MSPM) and the Master's in Engineering Management (MSEM). She on the Board of Directors for the International Center for Academic Integrity (ICAI) as serves as the Vice-President.
Dr. Denney has a Doctorate of Business Administration with a specialization in Management of Engineering and Technology from Northcentral University; a Master’s of Science in Technical Program Management from the Johns Hopkins University, Whiting School of Engineering; and a Bachelor’s of Science in Mechanical Engineering, from the University of Rochester. She received her Project Management Professional (PMP)® in 2003.
Dr. Denney’s research interests are in complex decision making using qualitative methods. Specific topics of interest include business ethics and success criteria, risk management (with a focus on opportunity management), stakeholder engagement, and academic integrity. She has a passion for spreading her knowledge and excitement about everything project management.
Dr. Denney is a Navy veteran and was commissioned through the NROTC program. Dr. Denney retired from Lockheed Martin after a demonstrated 30-year record of accomplishment of winning executable business, planning to assure program success, risk management and project execution with solid financial acuity. As a 20+-year project and program manager, she managed a wide variety of domains including satellite development, ground control stations, surface ships, electronic warfare, and unmanned underwater vehicles. She was responsible for a portfolio of over US$500 million.
Dr. Denney lives in upstate South Carolina with her husband of over 40 years, and a few fur babies. She is the mother of 2 outstanding young adults.
Education
- D.B.A. - Doctor of Business Administration in Management of Engineering and Technology, Northcentral University
- M.S. - Master of Science in Technical Management, Johns Hopkins University
- B.S. - Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering, University of Rochester
Ratings and Certificates
Currently Teaching
- PMGT 613: Assessing & Managing Proj Risk
- PMGT 530: Fundamt'ls of Project Quality
- EMGT 505: Professional Standards
- EMGT 510: Project Scheduling
- EMGT 520: Quality for Projects & Ops
Courses Taught
- Project Planning 1(PMGT 391)
- Project Planning 2 (PMGT 394)
- Ethics and Professional Standards (EMGT 505)
- Project Scheduling (EMGT 510)
- Foundations of Project Management (PMGT 500)
- Fundamentals of Project Management, (PMGT 501) [Retired]
- Effective Communications for Managing Projects (PMGT 502) [Retired]
- Fundamentals of Project Scope, Schedule, Cost and Resource Management (PMGT 520)
- Fundamentals of Project Quality, Communication, Stakeholder, Resource and Procurement Management (PMGT 530)
- Anatomy of Project Organizations (PMGT 611) [Retired]
- Leading Projects Across Boundaries (PMGT 612) [Retired]
- Assessing and Managing Project Risk (PMGT 613)
- Directing and Controlling Projects (PMGT 614)
- Concept and Practices of Project Management (PMGT 652)
- Project Management Capstone (PMGT 690)
Publications
- Optimization of Lean and Agile Supply Chain Management Practices in the Aviation Industry International Journal of Aviation, Aeronautics, and Aerospace (2022)
- Project Management Leadership and Interpersonal Skills: The Past, Present, and Future Publications (2020)
Publications
PUBLICATIONS
Denney, V. P. & Roberts, C.J. (Eds.)(2023) Building honor in academics: Case studies in academic integrity. Jossey-Bass.
Denney, V. P. (2023). Baiting the Offender. In Denney, V. P. & Roberts, C. J. (Eds)., Building honor in academics: Case studies in academic integrity. (pp. 132-133). Jossey-Bass.
Watkins, D. V. & Denney, V. P. (2020, December). Feature Article: The intelligent risk equation: When opportunities outweigh threats. Chronicle of Leadership and Management. 1 (1), 37-54.
Denney, V. P., Haley, G. R., Rivera, E., & Watkins, D. V. (2020, November). Project management leadership and interpersonal skills: The past, present, and future. Global Journal of Management and Marketing. 4(1), 135-148. https://www.igbr.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/GJMM_Vol_4_No_1_2020.pdf
Denney, V. P. & Merritt, D. M. (2020, September/December). Improving ethical decision making: Through the lens of graduate project management students. Journal of Modern Project Management 8 (24), 138-141. https://doi.org/10.19255/JMPM02411
Denney, V. P. & Powell, S. (2020, May- August). Identifying project opportunity gaps using a descriptive literature review: 2010-2019. Journal of Modern Project Management 8 (23), 216-238. https://doi.org/10.19255/JMPM02312
Denney, V. P. (2020, May-August). Exploring the upside of risk in project management: A Phenomenological inquiry. Journal of Modern Project Management, 8 (23), 278-299, https://doi.org/10.19255/JMPM02311
Denney, V. P., Dixon, Z.; Gupta, A., & Hulphers, E. (2020, May 5). Exploring the perceived spectrum of plagiarism: a Case study of online learning. Journal of Academic Ethics, http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s10805-020-09364-3
Denney, V. P. (2018). Business value: Is ethics truly part of the equation? Global Journal for Business Disciplines. 2(1), 1-14. https://www.igbr.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/GJBD_Vol_2_No_1_2018.pdf
Denney, V. P. (2018). Achieving business performance through ethical business practices. Global Journal for Business Disciplines. 2(1). 15-44. https://www.igbr.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/GJBD_Vol_2_No_1_2018.pdf
Marion, J. & Denney, V. P. (2016). Using PERT analysis to negotiate product development schedules. Proceedings of the American Society for Engineering Management 2016 Annual Conference.
Denney, V. P. (2014). Achieving a competitive advantage through ethical business practices: An Ethnographical case study. [Doctoral dissertation, Northcentral University]. ProQuest One Academic. (3579945).
BOOK AND STANDARDS REVIEWS
Project Management Institute. (2021). SME Reviewer for A Guide to the project management body of knowledge (7th ed.). Contributor and Reviewer
Project Management Institute. Standard for risk management in portfolios, programs and projects (2nd ed.) (2018). Subject Matter Expert (SME) and Significant Contributor
American Society for Engineering Management. (2018). A guide to the engineering management body of knowledge (5th ed.). SME Reviewer for domain 11: professional code of conduct and ethics
Project Management Institute. (2017). Guide to the project management body of knowledge (6th ed.). Contributor and Reviewer
REFEREED AND INVITED PRESENTATIONS
Roberts, C., Denney, V. P., & Orr, J. (2023, March 10). Fundamental Values of Academic Integrity. [Conference session]. International Center for Academic Integrity 2023 Conference].
Denney, V. P. & Roberts, C.J. (2023, March 9) Global Case Studies in Academic Integrity. [Conference session]. International Center for Academic Integrity 2023 Conference].
McKenzie, A., Denney, V. P., Roberts, C., & Orr, J. (2022, March 8). Fundamental Values of Academic Integrity. [Conference session, virtual]. International Center for Academic Integrity 2022 Conference].
McKenzie, A., Denney, V. P., Roberts, C., & Orr, J. (2021, March 1). Fundamental Values of Academic Integrity. [Conference session, virtual]. International Center for Academic Integrity 2021 Conference].
Bjolobaba, S., Denney, V. P., Eryaman, M. Y, Gaizuskaite, I., Razi, S., O’Riordan, F., & Roberts, C. J. (2020, October 22). Promoting academic integrity for teaching and learning during the pandemic [panel discussion, virtual]. European Network for Academic Integrity (ENAI).
Roberts, C., Denney, V. P. & Orr, J. (2020, October 1). Responding to academic integrity concerns: What can faculty do? [Webinar session, virtual]. International Center for Academic Integrity with University of Maryland.
Denney, V. P. (2020, March 6-8). Proactive use of Turnitin® for educators: A Business school case study [Conference session]. International Center for Academic Integrity Conference 2020, Portland, OR.
Denney, V. P. & Stocks, S. (2020, March 6-8). Preventing academic misconduct through effective assignment design and tool use [Conference session]. International Center for Academic Integrity Conference 2020, Portland, OR.
Denney, V.P. (2019, May 17). To fear or not to fear? Change and you. [Keynote Conference session]. Project Management Institute, Columbia, SC.
Denney, V.P. (2019, May 17). Preventing the crisis: Practical threat and opportunity management. [Conference session]. Project Management Institute, Columbia, SC
Denney, V.P. (2019, May 17). How to deal with stressful projects …. and survive. [Conference session]. Project Management Institute, Columbia, SC.
Denney, V. P. (2019, May 8) How to deal with stressful projects…and survive [Webinar session]. Project Management Institute. https://www.projectmanagement.com/videos/548219/How-to-Deal-with-Stressful-Projects----And-Survive
Denney, V. P. & Dixon, Z. (2019, March 8-10). Plagiarism: Are all actions created equal? [Conference session]. International Center for Academic Integrity Conference 2019, New Orleans, LA.
Denney, V. P. (2019, March 14) How to deal with the complexities of project management… and survive [Lecture]. Project Management Institute, Charlotte, NC.
Denney, V. P. (2018, October 18-22). Stakeholder management in engineering projects: Lessons learned [Conference session]. American Society for Engineering Management International Conference, Couer d’Alene, ID.
Denney, V. P. & Boccuzzi, T. (2018, October 5-8). Disciplined decision making: Experiences in using the Ethical Decision Making Framework (EDMF) [Conference session]. Project Management Institute: Global Conference 2018, Los Angeles, CA.
Denney, V. P. (2018, September 22). Preventing the Crisis: Practical threat and opportunity management [Conference session]. Project Management Institute Metrolina, Charlotte, NC.
Denney, V. P. & Boccuzzi, T. (2018, September). Disciplined decision-making: Experiences in using the Ethical Decision Making Framework (EDMF) [Webinar session]. Project Management Institute. https://www.projectmanagement.com/webinars/489320/Disciplined-Decision-Making--Experiences-in-Using-the-Ethical-Decision-Making-Framework--EDMF-
Denney, V. P. (2018, January). Business value: Is Ethics truly part of the equation? [Lecture]. Project Management Institute, Leadership Institute, Philadelphia, PA.
Denney, V. P. (2017, October 18-21). Exploring positive risk through organizational culture [Conference session]. American Society for Engineering Management International Conference, Huntsville, AL.
Denney, V. P. (2017, October 18-21). Business conflict and ethical behavior in the workplace: A practical approach [Conference session]. American Society for Engineering Management International Conference, Huntsville, AL
Denney, V. P. (2017, February 21). Practical business ethics: Making real-world decisions [Lecture]. Project Management Institute, Charlotte, NC.
Denney, V. P. (2016, October 4). Practical business ethics [Lecture]. Project Management Institute, Ballantyne, NC.
Professional Experience
Summary: Experienced in teaching project, program and engineering management courses in academia and industry. As an associate professor taught bachelor and master’s level courses for a Project Management Institute (PMI) approved curriculum and have taught 15 different courses to date. In industry, was the faculty lead and subject matter expert for over 200 course deliveries of 19 discrete leadership, management, program management, subcontract program management, and business development courses. In industry, delivered classroom and online instruction to over 4700 students over an 9-year period. Demonstrated expertise in teaching project, program, and portfolio management topics including:
- Business ethics and decision making
- Risk management, including threat and opportunity management
- Stakeholder and relationship engagement
- Leadership and management
- Managerial Economics
- Competitive analysis
- Business Development
- Proposal development and management
- Contract, financial, and business acumen
- Program planning including scheduling and budgeting
- Earned Value Management (EVM)
- Program Startup and Program Performance
- Quality Assurance and Management
- Subcontract and Supplier Management
- CPARs (Contractor Performance Assessment Report)
Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, College of Business, Worldwide Campus
- Associate Professor 2016-current
Professor in the decision sciences department teaching bachelor and master’s level project management courses and master's level engineering management courses.. Taught various online courses and received end of course evaluation scores higher than the median for the College of Business.
Lockheed Martin Corporation, Center for Leadership Excellence, Bethesda, MD
- Senior Program Management Faculty Member 2012-2016
Program management faculty lead, corporate subject matter expert, and instructor for 8 courses for 78 offerings for over 1300 students. This is a select corporate position providing program management leadership for a $45B corporation. Classroom courses included: (a) Program Management Fundamentals, (b) Advanced Program Management Workshop, (c) Executive Program Leadership and Management, (d) Performance Contractor Performance Assessment Reports (CPAR) and Customer Relationships, (e) Risk and Opportunity Management, and (f) Program Manager Development Forum. Delivered 2 virtual courses (distance learning) for 7 offerings for 275 students. Virtual courses included (a) Fixed Price Contracting and (b) CPARs and Customer Relations. Received numerous accolades for subject matter expertise, quality of instruction and facilitation skills. Retired after 30 years in 2016.
- Program Management Faculty Member- Course Development 2011-2012
Subject matter expert and lead designer for development of 2 classroom courses (Advanced Program Management Workshop and CPARs and Customer Relations). Developed learning objectives, syllabus, and course structure, delivered pilots, and trained faculty members in effective course delivery.
- Senior Business Development Faculty Member 2009-2011
Capture management (business development) curriculum lead and
professor for 7 classroom courses for a total of 64 offerings for 900 students. Classroom courses included: (a) Introduction to Capture Management, (b) Domestic Capture Management Workshop, (c) International Capture Management Workshop, (d) Proposal Development, (e) Advanced Proposal Development, (f) Capture Management Fundamentals, and (g) Advanced Capture Strategy Workshop. Received numerous accolades for mastery of the subject, delivery style, and in recognition of teamwork.
- Business Development Faculty Member- Curriculum Development 2009-2010
Program Manager for development of 2 classroom courses (Capture Management Fundamentals, and Advanced Capture Strategy Workshop). Developed learning objectives, syllabus, and course structure, delivered pilots, and trained faculty members in effective course delivery.
- Program Management Faculty Member- Course Development 2008
Developer of Program Management for Non-Program Managers classroom course. Co-developer and subject matter expert on Winning Performance Based Logistics (PBL) classroom course. Developed learning objectives, syllabus, and course structure, delivered pilots, and trained faculty members in effective course delivery.
- Program Management Faculty Member 2007-2008
Faculty member for 4 classroom courses for a total of 49 offerings for 925 students. Delivered classroom courses including: (a) Program Management 201, (b) Subcontract Program Management 201, (c) Subcontract Program Management for Program Managers, and (d) Subcontract Program Management 301.
RELATED PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, College of Business, Worldwide Campus
- Program Chair for MS and BS in Project Management degrees 2016-2017
Demonstrated administrative proficiency, leadership and management skills by serving as the Program chair for both the MS and BS in Project Management degrees with an enrollment of over 900. Successfully completed the annual Project Management Institute (PMI) Global Accreditation Center (GAC) recertification. Completed program annual internal assessment for both programs, continuously highlighting opportunities for improvement, developing action plans, and following through on improvements.
Northcentral University, Prescott Valley, AZ (an affiliate of National University System)
- Doctoral Student 2007 – 2014
Demonstrated proficiency in APA and in performing in an online environment.
Lockheed Martin Corporation, Bethesda, MD
- Program Manager 1985- 2007
Directed all phases of programs from business opportunity identification, contract award, transition to performance, and execution. Responsible for the cost, schedule and technical performance of assigned programs and portfolio of over $500M. Coordinated the preparation of proposals, business plans, work statements and specifications, operating budgets and financial considerations with team stakeholders. Acted as primary customer contact for program activities, leading program review sessions with customers to discuss Earned Value Management (EVM), schedule, and technical performance. Established milestones and monitored adherence to program plans and schedules, identified and resolved potential problems through a rigorous risk management program.
Memberships and Credentials
Project Management Institute (PMI) Project Management Professional (PMP) credential # 61534, granted 2/13/2003; Status: In Good Standing
Certified Lean Processing and Six-Sigma Greenbelt, Lockheed Martin 2011
Awards, Honors and Recognitions
Faculty of the Year for Service, Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University-WW, College of Business, 2020
Faculty of the Year for Service, Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University-WW, Department of Decision Sciences, 2018
Nominated for Dissertation of the Year, Northcentral University, 2014
Special Recognition Award for Teaching Excellence, Lockheed Martin Corporation, 2010
Special Recognition Awards for Leadership and Management Excellence (3x), Lockheed Martin Corporation, 2007, 2005, and 2004
Annual Honors Night Gala Recognition, Lockheed Martin Corporation, 2002
Star of Excellence Award, Lockheed Martin Corporation, 2000
Engineer of the Year, Lockheed Martin Corporation, 1988