APMPMQ Flashcards
Topic 1: Life Cycles
What are the three main types of project life cycles?
Linear
Iterative
Hybrid
Topic 1: Life Cycles
What is a linear life cycle?
The project progresses through sequential stages, each with defined outputs.
It is suitable for projects with well-defined requirements and minimal changes expected.
Topic 1: Life Cycles
What are the potential stages in a linear extended lifecycle?
Concept: Define the project’s purpose and scope
Definition: Develop detailed plans
Development: Execute the project plan and create the deliverables.
Transition: Deploy the deliverables and initiate implementatipon
Extended lifecycle…
Adoption/Benefits Realization: Ensure the change is embedded in the organization and the benefits are realized.
Closure: Formally close the project and evaluate its success
Topic 1: Life Cycles
What is an iterative life cycle?
The project involves repeating phases, allowing for evolving objectives or solutions.
It is suitable for projects with uncertain requirements or where flexibility is needed.
Topic 1: Life Cycles
What are the typical stages or phases in an iterative project lifecycle?
Initiation: The project’s vision and initial scope are defined, and the team is formed.
Iteration/Sprint Planning: The team plans the work to be completed in the upcoming iteration or sprint, typically with a fixed duration.
Development and Testing: The team works on the planned tasks, developing and testing the product incrementally.
Review and Feedback: The team demonstrates the completed work to stakeholders, gathers feedback, and incorporates it into the next iteration.
Deployment (if applicable): If the product increment is ready, it may be deployed to a production environment.
Closure: The project concludes when all iterations are complete, the product is fully developed, or the project is terminated.
Topic 1: Life Cycles
What is a hybrid life cycle?
It combines elements of both linear and iterative life cycles.
It is suitable for projects that require a balance of structure and flexibility.
Topic 1: Life Cycles
What factors influence the choice of a project life cycle?
The context and culture of the organization
The specific needs of the project
The level of uncertainty and complexity
Topic 2: Governance
What are the three main types of organizational structures?
Functional
Matrix
Project
Topic 2: Governance
What is a functional organizational structure?
The organization is structured around functional departments (e.g., marketing, finance, operations).
Project work is typically managed within these departments.
Topic 2: Governance
What is a matrix organizational structure?
The organization has a dual structure, with project teams reporting to both functional managers and project managers.
It allows for better resource sharing and coordination across departments.
Topic 2: Governance
What is a project organizational structure?
The organization is structured around projects, with project managers having full authority over their teams.
It is suitable for large, complex projects that require dedicated resources
Topic 2: Governance
What are the key roles in project governance?
Project sponsor
Project manager
Project steering group/board
Product owner (in iterative/Agile projects)
Users
Project team members
Topic 2: Governance
What is the primary responsibility of the project sponsor?
To define and realize the project benefits
Topic 2: Governance
What is the primary responsibility of the project manager?
To deliver the project outputs to time, cost, and quality
Topic 3: Sustainability
What are the four elements of sustainability?
Social
Economic
Environmental
Administrative
Topic 3: Sustainability
What are some examples of sustainability frameworks?
17 UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)
B-Corp Certification
ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) criteria
Topic 3: Sustainability
How can sustainability be measured in a project?
Environmental impact assessment
Social impact assessment
Economic impact assessment
Consideration of administrative concerns
Topic 4: Business Case
What is the main purpose of the business case?
To justify the reason for the project (the “why”)
Topic 4: Business Case
What are the five dimensions of a business case (5-case model)?
Strategic context
Economic analysis
Financial case
Commercial approach
Management approach
Topic 4: Business Case
What are some tools and techniques used to determine factors that influence a project’s business case?
PESTLE analysis
SWOT analysis
VUCA analysis
Topic 4: Business Case
What is PESTLE analysis?
It is a tool used to analyze the external macro-environmental factors that can affect a project.
PESTLE stands for Political, Economic, Sociological, Technological, Legal, and Environmental.
Topic 4: Business Case
What is SWOT analysis?
It is a tool used to analyze the internal and external factors that can affect a project.
SWOT stands for Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, and Threats.
Topic 4: Business Case
What is VUCA analysis?
It is a concept that describes the volatile, uncertain, complex, and ambiguous nature of the modern business environment.
It highlights the need for adaptability and resilience in project management.
Topic 5: Procurement
What is the purpose of a procurement strategy?
To outline the approach for acquiring goods and services from external suppliers
Topic 5: Procurement
What are the typical contents of a procurement strategy?
Make-or-buy decision
Supplier selection process
Use of single, integrated, or multiple suppliers
Negotiation plan
Contract conditions
Reimbursement terms
Topic 5: Procurement
What are the stages of a supplier selection process?
Research the market
Define requirements and review the number of potential suppliers
Pre-qualify suppliers
Issue an Invitation to Tender (ITT)
Respond to queries from bidders
Receive and evaluate bids
Award a contract to a successful bidder
Enter into contract and contract administration
Topic 5: Procurement
What are some common supplier reimbursement terms?
Fixed price
Cost plus fee
Time and materials (T&M) / per unit quantity
Target cost
Topic 5: Procurement
What are some key factors to consider when choosing a supplier reimbursement method?
Risk allocation
Scope definition and flexibility for change
Understanding of requirements
Urgency of work
Effort required to manage the supplier
Topic 6: Assurance
What is the purpose of assurance in a project?
To provide confidence to stakeholders that the project will achieve its objectives.
Topic 6: Assurance
What are some examples of assurance activities?
Risk assessments
Quality audits
Independent reviews
Internal/external audits
Topic 6: Assurance
What are the key criteria for an effective assurance plan?
Independent, objective, and proportionate
Targets the greatest risks
Identifies clear assurance accountabilities
Defines the timing of activities
Shows a clear governance route for reporting outcomes and issue resolution
Topic 7: Transition Management
What are the basic requirements for a successful transition?
Manage expectations from the outset
Align needs with outputs
Familiarize users with outputs
Clear communication
Topic 7: Transition Management
What is the purpose of change impact analysis?
To identify and evaluate the impact of the project’s outputs on different areas, such as processes, people, and culture.
Topic 7: Transition Management
What are the key elements of transition planning?
Formal deliverable acceptance
Transfer of ownership
Supporting information
Training and knowledge transfer
Topic 8: Benefits Management
What is benefits management?
The process of identifying, defining, planning, tracking, and realizing the benefits of a project.
Topic 8: Benefits Management
What are the stages of the benefits management life cycle?
Identification
Definition
Planning
Tracking
Realization
Review
Topic 8: Benefits Management
What is the difference between an output, an outcome, and a benefit?
Output: A tangible or intangible product delivered by a project.
Outcome: A changed circumstance or behavior resulting from the use of an output.
Benefit: A positive and measurable impact of change.
Topic 9: Stakeholder Engagement and Communication
What is the purpose of stakeholder analysis?
To identify and assess the needs and expectations of stakeholders.
Topic 9: Stakeholder Engagement and Communication
What are the key stages in the stakeholder engagement and communication process?
Identify Stakeholders
Analyse Stakeholders
Plan
Engage Stakeholders
Monitor and Review