Course One: Foundations of PM Flashcards
Agile
A project management approach in which project phases overlap and tasks are completed in iterations
Authority
Refers to one’s ability to make decisions for the project that impact the organization
Barrier
Something that can get in the way of project progress
Change agent
A person from inside an organization who helps the organization transform by focusing on improving organizational effectiveness and development
Change Management
The process of delivering a completed project and getting people to adopt it
Classic structure
(TTDRH)
An organizational structure with a traditional, top-down reporting hierarchy
Closing
The phase at the end of a project during which team members’ work is celebrated and how the project went is evaluated
Contract work
Work done for a company by non-employees on a project-by-project basis
Corporate governance
The framework by which an organization achieves its goals and objectives
Cross-functional team
Team members who have different skill sets and may even work in different departments but are all working towards the successful completion of a project
Delegation
Assigning tasks to individuals or resources who can best complete the work
Deliverable
A specific task or outcome
DMAIC
A strategy for process improvement; refers to the five phases in the Lean Six Sigma approach: define, measure, analyze, improve, and control
Effective communication
Refers to being transparent, upfront with plans and ideas, and making information available
Escalation paths
Refers to the courses for communicating risks to the right people at the right time
Executing
Completing the tasks necessary to achieve the project goals
Feedback mechanism
A tool that can capture input from stakeholders, such as a survey
Floating task
A task for which a change in its delivery would not affect the project’s overall success or impact its timeline
Flowchart
A tool that can visualize a project’s development process
Functional manager
The leader of a department in a functional (Classic) organization
Governance
The management framework within which decisions are made and accountability and responsibility are determined
Influencing without authority
Refers to a project manager’s ability to guide teammates to complete their assigned work without acting as their direct managers
Initiation
The project phase that is the launchpad for the entire project; project goals, deliverables, resources, budget, and people are identified at this stage
Internship
A short-term way to get hands-on experience in an industry
Interpersonal skills
The behaviors used to interact with others; skills than can help one influence without authority, including communication, negotiation, conflict mediation, and understanding motivations
Iterative
Refers to phases and tasks that overlap or happen at the same time that other tasks are being worked on
Kanban
An Agile approach and a tool that provides visual feedback about the status of the work in progress through the use of Kanban boards or charts.
Lean
A methodology in which the main principle is the removal of waste within an operation
Lean Six Sigma
(MQQ)
A combination of two “parent” project management methodologies: Lean and Six Sigma; used for projects that have goals to save money, improve quality, and move through processes quickly
Linear
A project structure in which the previous phase or task has to be completed before the next can start
Matrix structure
A hybrid organizational structure that is like a grid; includes direct higher-ups to report to, as well as stakeholders from other departments or programs
Mission
Clarifies what the “what,” “who,” and “why” of the organization
Organizational culture
Employees’ shared values and the organization’s values, mission, history, and so on; a company’s personality
Organizational structure
The way a company or organization is arranged
Ownership
When people feel like they are empowered to take responsibility for the successful completion of their tasks
Planning
Making use of productivity tools and creating processes; creating and maintaining plans, timelines, schedules, and other forms of documentation to track project completion
Program manager
A project manager who manages multiple projects for specific products, teams, or programs
Project
A unique endeavor which usually includes a set of unique deliverables; a series of tasks that need to be completed to reach a desired outcome
Project governance
The framework for how project decisions are made
Project life cycle
(IMEC)
The basic structure for a project; consists of four different phases: initiate the project, make a plan, execute and complete tasks, and close the project
Project management
(KSTT)
The application of knowledge, skills, tools, and techniques to project activities to meet the project requirements
Project management methodology
(GPP)
A set of guiding principles and processes for owning a project throughout its life cycle
Project management office
(aka PMO)
An internal group at a company that defines and maintains project management standards across the organization
Project manager
(SGOI)
Individual who shepherds projects from start to finish and serves as a guide for their team, using their impeccable organizational and interpersonal skills every step of the way
Reporting chart
A diagram showing the relationships among people and groups within the organization and who each person or group reports to
Resource availability
(PEB)
Knowing how to access the people, equipment, and budget needed for a project
Resources
(PESVS)
Anything needed to complete a project, such as people, equipment, software programs, vendors, and physical space or locations
Retrospective
(BM)
A workshop or meeting with the project team to note best practices and learn how to manage a project more effectively the next time
Risk
(ECI)
A potential event which can occur and have an impact on a project
Scrum
(AFD
TI
WSLD)
An Agile framework that focuses on developing complex projects through collaboration and an iterative process. Work is completed by small, cross-functional teams led by a Scrum Master and is divided into short Sprints with a set list of deliverables.
Six Sigma
(MRV
EQP)
A methodology used to reduce variations by ensuring that quality processes are followed every time
Sprint
(ADS)
A phase in the Agile project management approach which has a defined duration with a set list of deliverables
Stakeholder
(IAP)
People who are interested in and affected by the project’s completion and success
Steering committees
(GDP
MGC)
A group that decides on the priorities of an organization and manages the general course of its operations
Transferable skill
An ability that can be used in many different jobs and career paths.
Urgency
(UI)
Getting team members to understand that the project is important and to identify what actions need to be taken to move the project along
Values
(PH)
Principles that describe how employees are expected to behave
