Teaching

 

Courses

MLD-411 - Introduction to Budgeting and Financial Management (fall module 2)


Budget concepts and techniques are central to the successful operation of government, nonprofit, and for-profit organizations. This rigorous introductory course aims to demystify the budget process for those who are new to the world of budgeting. It covers the entire budget process, including budget formulation and execution, program development, cost and revenue estimation, budget strategies and tactics, and budget evaluation. The course will include performance-based budgets, performance measurement, variance analysis, activity-based costing, cost accounting, capital budgeting, and finance. The course will use case discussions, problem sets, online tutorials, and individual and group exercises. Students taking this course may enroll in MLD-412M, a follow-on course in "applied budgeting" in the spring. Students who complete the course successfully may participate in the MLD-411 alumni program. Prerequisite: Students should be familiar with Microsoft Excel.

(Click here for a previous syllabus)

MLD-412:  Advanced Applied Field Lab in Budgeting and Operations (Spring semester) 

Permission of instructor required. This course will enable students to work on the actual budgets and financial operations of local municipalities and school districts in the areas of cost accounting, activity budgeting, and performance budgeting. Prerequisite: Basic financial knowledge (demonstrated through course work such as MLD-411, 411M, 417M, API-401, or similar) or MBA program; and permission of the instructor. Applicants will be required to submit a short statement of interest. 

Professor Linda Bilmes and the Greater Boston Applied Field Lab are the subject of a short video feature by made by Harvard Kennedy School: The Harvard Kennedy School Field Lab Experience.

Professor Linda Bilmes was profiled by the Harvard Initiative for Learning and Teaching due to the success of MLD-412 that provides students with engaging educational instruction while serving communities at the same time: "Into Practice"

(Click here for a previous syllabus)

 

Senior Managers in Government Executive Program

This is HKS flagship executive program for SES-level, flag officers and international senior officials. The program runs for two weeks from October 8th-20th, 2023.

Watch short video description of the program: 

https://f.io/JnkLP8qg