Chapter 1

Question 1

What is a project?

Answer 1

A project is a temporary endeavor undertaken to create a unique product, service or result.

The definition focuses on the following aspects:
- A project is a temporary endeavor, it has a beginning and end.
- A project creates a unique product or service

Question 2

What is the difference between a routine work and a project?

Answer 2

Routine work is neither temporary nor does it address unique products or services.

A business process will be repeated over and over again and will produce the same outputs each time it is run.

Note:
- projects are more complex than business processes
- projects takes place in uncharted terrain therefore more risky than business processes

Question 3

Is software maintenance a subject of project?

Answer 3

it shouldn’t be considered as a project because it’s not a temporary activity and doesn’t produce any unique products or services.

Question 4

Highlight project constraints according to sneed square

Answer 4

• Quality
• Scope
• Time
• Budget

Question 5

What do you understand by point of diminishing returns in project

Answer 5

It is the point at which adding more manpower to a project does not increase productivity.

Question 6

Highlight the different project sizes

Answer 6

1. Small projects: 5 +- 2 project members, with 4 - 12 months duration. Here the project lead can communicate with all team members
2. Larger project: 20 project members, at least 1 year duration. The project will consist of several teams.
3. Major project: 50, 100 project members or more, duration of 2 years or longer.

Question 7

Highlight the major reasons for different project behavior?

Answer 7

It could be attributed to increasing degree of complexity and communication

Question 8

Communication path formula

Answer 8

f(n) = 1/2n(n - 1)
Communication path grows as team grows