Getting Started Flashcards
What is a project?
Temporary organisation, created to deliver one or more business products, according to an agreed business case.
What are characteristics of a project that separate it from Business As Usual (BAU)?
Change - Introduce change
Temporary - Defined start and end
Cross-functional - Crosses normal divisions
Unique - Different customer, team, location etc.
Uncertainty - More risky than BAU (threats and opportunities)
What are the key duties of a Project Manager?
Planning the work
Delegating some or all of the work to others
Monitoring the progress of that work against the plan
Controlling in response to any problems or opportunities
What are the six variables of project performance?
Timescales Cost Quality Scope Benefits Risk
What is the key message of PRINCE2?
Right information, right time, right people, right decisions about project.
Decisions: Corrective action - Measures to improve performance
Why is PRINCE2 a valuable framework?
Proven best practice Product focus Business case focus Improved communication and control through plan levels Learning and continuous improvement Any project Common language Explicit project responsibilities
What are some reasons projects fail?
Poorly understood objectives
Products not defined
No system for changes
No measurable acceptance criteria
How can you avoid project failure?
Define: WHAT is to be achieved? WHY (benefits and risks) HOW will the work be done? WHO needs to be involved? WHEN do people need to be involved? HOW long will it take? HOW much will it cost? WHAT external resources are needed?
What is a programme?
Temporary organisation structure to oversee implementation of set of related projects, to deliver outcomes related to organisations strategic objectives.
Likely spans several years.
What is a Portfolio?
Totality of organisations investment in the changes required to achieve strategic objectives:
Projects
Programmes
Other work
