Managing projects Flashcards
What is your overarching role as project manager?
To manage the project team and drive the successful completion of the project and its objectives.
Are you aware of any guidance issued by RICS associated with the employer’s agent role?
Employer’s agent: design and build, 1st edition, October 2017.
How did you evaluate your team’s performance on your last project?
-Performance appraisals.
-Reviewing key performance indicators (KPIs).
-Monthly project reviews to assess progress and identify shortcomings in delivery.
-Reviewing outputs against the scope of service, project quality plan and project execution plan (PEP).
What is ISO 9001?
ISO 9001 is a certified quality management system (QMS) for organisations who want to prove their ability to consistently provide products and services that meet the needs of their customers and clients.
In simple terms, it provides the basis for effective processes and effective people to deliver an effective product or service time after time.
What is the purpose of a project audit?
A project audit is a review of how closely the key areas of your project quality plan are being followed. It’s basically a fact-finding mission and should be undertaken on a regular basis.
The audit provides an opportunity to review project challenges, risks, processes etc. and reflect if the project is still meeting its core objectives.
What is a Project Execution Plan (PEP)?
A PEP is a governing document that defines how a project is to be executed, monitored and controlled. It could be described as the methodology to deliver the project.
What sort of information might be included in the PEP?
A PEP might include:
Project definition and a summary of the strategic objectives.
Project programme and key dates.
Roles, responsibilities and authorities.
Team organogram chart.
Stakeholder and management strategy.
Communication protocol.
Quality assurance and reporting strategy.
Processes for approvals (at the end of each RIBA Stage for example).
Change control process.
Soft landings and handover strategy.
Technology strategy (BIM, contract administration software etc.)
Health and safety strategy.
Sustainability strategy.
How often should the PEP be updated?
The PEP is typically reviewed every month at a minimum; or,
After significant change to the project; for example, a budget increase or changes to the project team.
An external stakeholder wants to change a room layout, how do you manage this type of change on your project?
Implement change control procedures.
What is the purpose of change control?
Change control is a methodology used to manage change requests that impact the baseline of the project.
It’s a way to capture that change from the point where it’s been identified through every step of the project cycle. That includes evaluating the request and then approving, rejecting or deferring it.
Talk me through a change control procedure you have operated, what are the key stages?
1)Propose change
2)Impact summary
3) Make a decision
4)Make the change
5)Closure
What is a project stakeholder?
Stakeholders are those with an interest in the project’s outcome.
They are typically members of a project team, end users, customers, project sponsors, authorities or somebody with an interest with the project delivery and conclusion.
How do you identify project stakeholders?
The process typically starts with a brainstorm session to identify parties connected with the project (individuals, groups, or organisations) that could impact or be impacted by a decision, activity, or outcome of the project.
Identified stakeholders should then be recorded which is the start of the stakeholder management plan.
Stakeholder identification is an ongoing process and should be reviewed on a regular basis.
Now that you have identified your project stakeholders, how would you prioritise them?
I would first analyse the stakeholders against two key criteria:
-How much influence does the stakeholder hold.
-How much interest does the stakeholder have in the project.
Each project stakeholder is then placed in an influence/interest matrix which reflects their relationship with the project.
Stakeholders are then prioritised according to the quadrant into which they fall. If the stakeholder has low interest and low influence, they will naturally be a lower priority in engagement. The opposite is true for those who have high interest and high influence.
What is value engineering (VE)?
VE is a method used to eliminate unnecessary costs and/or increase the ‘value’ of the item or product in question.
‘Value’ is not necessarily related to cost, value could be increased efficiency, functionality, appearance, sustainability etc.
