Chapter 1 - What is project management?

Question 1

Name the 8 features of project management

Answer 1

1. A project manager PM (single person), heads organisation
2. Projects require different skills and resources, performed by people from different functional areas
3. Project manager integrates people from different disciplines into the project
4. Project manager negotiates with different functional managers FM for personnel
   Note: FMs responsible for work tasks, project manager for integration
5. PM focusses on delivering on time, cost, technical requirements. FMs maintains resource pool.
6. Two chains of command: PM and FM (project and functional managers)
7. Decision making, accountability, outcomes, and rewards are shared among members of the project team
8. Project organisation is temporary

Question 2

Name 5 cases where project management is needed. When the work…

Answer 2

• is unfamiliar: different from ordinary and routine
• required effort: more resources
• is in a changing environment
• requires multifunctional effort: requires lateral relationships between different areas
• could impact reputation of stakeholders

Question 3

List 5 forms of project management

Answer 3

1. Basic project management
2. Program management
3. New venture management
4. Product management
5. AD HOC Committees and task forces

Question 4

Explain Basic Project Management

Answer 4

• Most common approach
• PM has authority to plan and control entire project
• PM and FMs at same organisational level
• Implemented in two forms: Matrix and Pure Project

Question 5

Explain the Matrix approach to Basic Project Management

Answer 5

Resources are borrowed from functional units

Question 6

Explain the Pure project approach to Basic Project Management

Answer 6

The project is a complete, self-contained organisation

Question 7

Explain the similarities between programs and projects

Answer 7

• Defined in terms of goals and requirements
• Emphasize time period during which goals should be persued
• Require plans, budgets, and schedules

Question 8

Explain the differences between programs and projects

Answer 8

• Programs extend over longer time horizons
• Programs consist of multiple parallel work efforts (or projects) to meet a program goal
• Projects within a program share resources, and are interdependent

Question 9

Define New Venture Management, without comparing it to Basic Project Management

Answer 9

• Generates new products/services
• Specially created team to find products/markets that fit the organisation’s specialised skills, capabilities, and resources.
• After defining a product, design, develop, market, distribute

Question 10

What are the similarities between project and venture groups?

Answer 10

• Focus on a unifying goal
• Multidisciplinary
• Action oriented
• Temporary

Question 11

What are the characteristics of Product Management?

Answer 11

• Single person has authority (production, inventory, distribution, etc)
• Product manager communicates directly with all levels of organisation
• Product manager coordinates functional units so that total effort is directed at product goal

Question 12

Discuss Ad Hoc Committees and Task Forces

Answer 12

• Short to medium term projects: temporary team assembled with project leader
• Leader and members selected by person responsible for project (CEO, FM)
• Project leader coordinates efforts, may contract work out

Question 13

What does PRINCE2 stand for?

Answer 13

PRojects IN Controlled Environments, v2

Question 14

What is PRINCE2?

Answer 14

• PM Methodology

- Covers management, control and organisation

Question 15

FM?

Answer 15

Functional managers maintain pool of

resources to support organizational goals

Question 16

PMBOK nine areas?

Answer 16

• Project Integration Management
• Project Scope Management
• Project Time Management
• Project Cost Management
• Project Quality Management
• Project Human Resource Management
• Project Communications Management
• Project Risk Management
• Project Procurement Management