3. Understanding Project Context

Question 1

Projects Characteristics

Answer 1

• Unique
• Finite Time-Bound
• Revolutionary
• Risk & Uncertainty
• Specially Assembled Team
• Dynamic Environment
• Temporary
• Stakeholders
• Change
• Transformational Authority

Question 2

Business as Usual (BAU) Characteristics

Answer 2

• Repetitive
• Ongoing
• Evolutionary
• Based on Experience
• Permanent Workforce
• Stable
• Permanent
• Shareholders
• Maintenance
• Transactional Authority

Question 3

Benefits of Programme Management

Answer 3

• Resource Management
• Project Coordination
• Stakeholder Management
• Business Operations
• Effective Configuration Management

Question 4

Key Programme Management Roles

Answer 4

• Programme Sponsor
• Programme Managers
• Business Change Managers

Question 5

Challenges of Programme Management

Answer 5

• Planning coordination
• Complacency
• High level stakeholder management
• Mistakes can threaten organisational viability
• Complex communications
• Significant impact on BAU
• Competing project managers

Question 6

Purpose of Portfolio Management

Answer 6

• Firms face more difficultie with implementation of strategies than with their formation
• It is easy to articulate a vision, to have a mission, and to create a strategy in the boardroom

Question 7

Benefits of Portfolio Management

Answer 7

1. Providing better decision making
2. Reducing risks
3. Optimal allocation of resources
4. Improved capability to undertake more projects
5. Creates project comparability

Question 8

Challenges of Portfolio Management

Answer 8

1. Difficult to implement
2. How is data delivered to Portfolio Managers?
3. Are resources fairly optimised?
4. Portfolio management failure can lead to business failure
5. Are all projects suitable for inclusion within portfolios?

Question 9

PESTLE

Answer 9

Political
Economic
Sociological
Technological
Legal
Environmental

Question 10

Key Steps in Context Analysis

Answer 10

1. Gathering Data
2. Analyse and Assess
3. Plan response
4. Monitor and Contol

Question 11

PM needs for Health & Safety Legislation

Answer 11

• Establish a health and safety policy and mechanism to implement it
• Utilise performance measures such as KPIs, checks, inspections etc. to gain assurance of compliance
• Measure effectiveness in health and safety performance to enable improvements such as through audits and reviews of data
• Managers also have a moral obligations to protect people from harm and manage safety risks throughout the project lfice cycle.

Question 12

Legislative Duties of PMs

Answer 12

• PM has a legal duty as well as a moral responsibility to protect others from harm
• A duty to ensure the health and safety of the team
• Ensuring that the work is delivered in a way that manages relevant risks
• Ensuring compliance with relevant international health and safety legislation
• Lead by example
• Foster a good H&S culture

Question 13

Legislative Considerations

Answer 13

• Environmental
• Employment
• Contract
• Data Protection
• Freedom of Information