Framework

Question 1

A project is a …

Answer 1

• Temporary endeavor to create a unique product, service or result
• Has a definite beginning and ending
• Unique because the deliverables are different in nature from status quo

Question 2

Progressive elaboration is

Answer 2

• Continuously improving and detailing

​

• Also called “rolling wave planning”

Question 3

Name the 6 constraints I need to balance

Answer 3

• Scope
• Quality
• Schedule
• Budget
• Resources
• Risks

Question 4

At the beginning of a project:

Cost and staffing levels are…

Cost of change is…

Stakeholder’s influence is…

Risk is…

Probability of successfully completing the project is…

Answer 4

Cost and staffing levels are low.

Cost of change is lowest.

Stakeholder’s influence is highest.

Risk is highest.

Probability of successfully completing the project is lowest

Question 5

Name the 6 project drivers

Answer 5

1. Market demand (fuel efficient cars)
2. Strategic opportunity (new course)
3. Technological advance (faster laptop)
4. Legal requirement (toxic waste disposal)
5. Social needs (potable water project)
6. Customer request (new website)

Question 6

What is difference between a project vs. operations?

Answer 6

Projects are temporary and unique. The purpose is to attain objectives and transfer to operations.

Operations are on-going, permanent, and repetitive. The purpose is to sustain or maintain the business.

Question 7

What is a deliverable?

Answer 7

A unique, tangibe, and verifable product, result, or capability

Requires approval from sponsor or customer.

Examples: a car part, a design document, or a service target

Question 8

What is Integration?

Answer 8

Identify, define, combine, unify and coordinate processes

Question 9

What is Scope?

Answer 9

Includes all the work and only the work required

Question 10

What is Time?

Answer 10

Timely completion of the project

Question 11

What is Cost?

Answer 11

Complete the project within approved budget

Question 12

What is Quality?

Answer 12

Satisfy needs for which the project was undertaken

Question 13

What is Human Resources?

Answer 13

Organize, manage, and lead project team or staff

Question 14

What is Communications?

Answer 14

Timely and appropriate project information to stakeholders.

Question 15

What is Risk?

Answer 15

Maximize opportunities and minimize threats

Question 16

What is Procurement?

Answer 16

Purchase or acuire products/services needed from the outside

Question 17

What is Stakeholder?

Answer 17

Identify stakeholders, engage them, manage expectations

Question 18

Name the three types of phase lifecycles

Answer 18

1. Predictive or Plan-Driven
   
   1. Scope, time, etc. defined early
   2. Product well understood
   3. Good industry base knowledge
   4. Product to be delivered in full
2. Iterative & Incremental
   
   1. Changing objective & scope
   2. Iterative = repeated cycle
   3. Incremental = add functionality
3. Adaptive or Change-Driven
   
   1. Scope difficult to define in advance
   2. High levels of change - Agile
   3. Rapid iterations - 2 to 4 weeks

Question 19

Describe a Sequential phase

Answer 19

Sequential phase means one phase after another.

• Lower risk.
• Difficult to reduce the schedule.

Question 20

Describe an Overlapping phase

Answer 20

Overlapping phases means a phase starts prior to completion of the previous phase.

• Increased risk.
• Fast tracking.
• My require extra resources.
• May result in rework.

Question 21

What is Project Life Cycle?

Answer 21

• Project phases are collectively known as the project life cycle.
• Defines the beginning and end of a project
• Part of the Product Life Cycle.

Question 22

Phase End

Answer 22

Reassess work or terminate project:

• Phase exits
• Toll gates
• Phase gates
• Kill points

Question 23

Phase Closure involves

Answer 23

• Approval
• Some form of transfer or hand-off

Question 24

Portfolio Management

Answer 24

Management of projects, programs, and operations grouped together to meet strategic business objectives.

Example: Infrastructure company’s portfolio of power, oil, and gas, transportation, and security.

Question 25

Program Management

Answer 25

Group of **related projects** managed in a **coordinated way** to obtain benefits and control unavailable by managing them individually. * Example*: New communications system program with projects: satellite design, construction, and launch. * Example*: New transportation program with bus, rail, subway, and airport

Question 26

## Footnote Project Management

Answer 26

Application of **knowledge**, **skills**, **tools**, and **techniques** to **meet project requirements**.

Question 27

What is a PMO?

Answer 27

Group that **standardizes project governance**, sharing of **resources** and **methods**. May have **direct or indirect responsibility** for project success.

Question 28

## Footnote Describe 3 types of PMOs

Answer 28

**Supportive** = consultative. **Controlling** = require compliance (the police). **Directive** = directly manage projects

Question 29

## Footnote PMO vs. PMs

Answer 29

1. **PMOs** find opportunities for **collaborated project management**; **PMs** achieve **specific project objectives**. 2. **PMOs optimize shared resources**; **PMs manage assigned resources**. 3. **PMOs manage methodologies & standards**; **PMs manage constraints**.

Question 30

## Footnote Name three types of organization structures and who wields the power

Answer 30

**Functional** (silos) * PM is just an expediter * Functional manager manages budget & decisions. **Matrix** (weak, balanced, strong) * **Weak**: PM is expediter or coordinator. Functional manager manages budget & decisions. * **Balanced**: PM is project manager. PM and functional manager own the budget & decisions. * **Strong**: PM is project manager. PM has more power. **Projectized** (project based only, Accenture) * PM is project manager. PM has full authority.

Question 31

What is project manager responsible for and what are her competencies?

Answer 31

Responsible for **achieving project objectives**. Competencies: * **Knowledge** * **Performance** * **Personality**

Question 32

Negative stakeholders...

Answer 32

## Footnote Impede project progress

Question 33

Key stakeholders...

Answer 33

* Exert influence * Actively involved

Question 34

What does the Sponsor do?

Answer 34

* Provide **resources** and **support** * **Approves** project charter * **Promotes** the project * Serves as **escalation path** * Provides **initial scope** * Authorizes **go / no-go** decisions

Question 35

What does the Customer (User) do?

Answer 35

* Provide clear **requirements** * Defines **scope**, **quality assurance**, and **quality policy** * **Validates scope** * Approve and manage **product**

Question 36

What does Portfolio Manager / Review Board do?

Answer 36

* Performs high-level **governance** of portfolio * Acts as **project selection** panel * Review each project for **ROI**

Question 37

What does Functional Manager do?

Answer 37

Assigns and approves **resources** Receives and evaluates individual **performance reviews** from PM Oversees a **business unit**

Question 38

What does Operations Manager do?

Answer 38

* **Produces and maintains** saleable products or services. * **Incorporates** handed off project into operations.

Question 39

What does Sellers / Biz Partner do?

Answer 39

* External companies * **Vendor, suppliers, contractors** * Provide **special expertise**

Question 40

## Footnote What are EEFs?

Answer 40

**External Environmental Factors (EEF)** External variables that impact project. Examples: * **Market** trends, strategy, conditions * Organizational structures, **culture** * **Government** or **industry** standards * PMIS * Infrastructure, personnel administration * **Work authorization systems** * **Industry-specific** **PM** body of **knowledge**

Question 41

## Footnote What are OPAs?

Answer 41

**Organizational Process Assets (OPA)** Includes assets used int he project's success. Examples: * **Processes** & **procedures** & **templates** * **Corporate knowledge base** (**databases**, **historical info**, lessons learned, project files, etc.)

Question 42

What is PMIS?

Answer 42

**Project Management Information System (PMIS):** Automted tool suite with access to project data. Includes: * Scheduling system * Information gathering system * Configuration management system

Question 43

## Footnote What is a Configuration Management System?

Answer 43

**Configuration Management System (CMS):** * A **subsystem** of **PMIS** * Procedures to identify, control changes to, and support audit of **product characteristics** * Includes **version control** tracking * Focus on both **deliverables** and **processes** * Establishes baselines Configuration management activities include: * **Identification** * **Status accounting** * **Verification and audit**

Question 44

## Footnote What is a Change Control System?

Answer 44

**Change Control System (CCS):** * **Subsystem** of **CMS** * Documents & procedures * How **project deliverables and documentation** are **controlled**, **changed**, and **approved** * Components: **emergency** CCS, **contract** CCS

Question 45

What does the Change Control Board do?

Answer 45

* Reviews, **evaluaes**, **approves** or reject changes. * **PM** has authority to approve **non-critical** change requests. * **Sponsor** or **customer** may be required to approve **critical** changes. * **CCB** has **company** interest; **PM** has **project** interest.