Project Environments Flashcards
Enterprise Environmental Factors (EEFs)
Enterprise environmental factors (EEFs) refer to conditions, not under the control of the project team, that influence, constrain, or direct the project. These conditions can be internal and/or external to the organization. EEFs are considered as inputs to many project management processes, specifically for most planning processes. These factors may enhance or constrain project management options. In addition, these factors may have a positive or negative influence on the outcome.
Internal Enterprise Environmental Factors (EEFs)
-Organizational culture, structure, and governance. Examples include vision, mission, values, beliefs, cultural norms, leadership style, hierarchy and authority relationships, organizational style, ethics, and code of conduct.
-Geographic distribution of facilities and resources. Examples include factory locations, virtual teams, shared systems, and cloud computing.
-Infrastructure. Examples include existing facilities, equipment, organizational
telecommunications channels, information technology hardware, availability, and capacity.
-Information technology software. Examples include scheduling software tools, configuration management systems, web interfaces to other online automated systems, and work authorization systems.
-Resource availability. Examples include contracting and purchasing constraints, approved providers and subcontractors, and collaboration agreements.
-Employee capability. Examples include existing resources expertise, skills,
competencies, and specialized knowledge.
External Enterprise Environmental Factors (EEFs)
-Marketplace conditions. Examples include competitors, market share brand recognition, and trademarks.
-Social and cultural influences and issues. Examples include political climate, codes of
conduct, ethics, and perceptions.
-Legal restrictions. Examples include country or local laws and regulations related to security, data protection, business conduct, employment, and procurement.
-Commercial databases. Examples include benchmarking results, standardized cost estimating data, industry risk study information, and risk databases.
-Academic research. Examples include industry studies, publications, and benchmarking results.
-Government or industry standards. Examples include regulatory agency regulations and standards related to products, production, environment, quality, and workmanship.
-Financial considerations. Examples include currency exchange rates, interest rates, inflation rates, tariffs, and geographic location.
-Physical environmental elements. Examples include working conditions, weather, and
constraints.
Organizational Process Assets (OPAs)
Organizational process assets (OPAs) are the plans, processes, policies, procedures, and knowledge bases specific to and used by the performing organization.
The OPAs also include the organization’s lessons learned from previous projects and historical information. OPAs may include
completed schedules, risk data, and earned value data.
They may be grouped into two categories:
- ) Processes, policies, and procedures
- ) Organizational knowledge bases
Characteristics of Systems
A system is a collection of various components that together can produce results not obtainable by the individual components alone.
A component is an identifiable element within the project or organization that provides a particular function or group of related functions. The interaction of the various system components creates the organizational culture and capabilities. There are several principles regarding systems:
- Systems are dynamic
- Systems can be optimized
- System components can be optimized
- Systems and their components cannot be optimized at the same time
- Systems are nonlinear in responsiveness (a change in the input does not produce a predictable change in the output).
Governance
Organizational or structural arrangements designed to determine and influence the behavior of the organization’s members.
- Rules
- Policies
- Procedures
- Norms
- Relationships
- Systems
- Processes
Project Governance
Project governance refers to the framework, functions, and processes that guide project management activities in order to create a unique product, service, or result to meet organizational, strategic, and operational goals. There is no one governance framework that is effective in all organizations. A governance framework should be tailored to the organizational culture and types of projects.
Project Management Office (PMO)
An organizational structure that standardizes the project-related governance processes and facilitates the sharing of resources, methodologies, tools, and techniques. The
responsibilities of a PMO can range from providing project management support functions to the direct management of one or more projects.
Types of PMOs
-Supportive PMOs provide a consultative role to projects by supplying templates, best practices, training, access to information, and lessons learned from other projects. The degree of control provided by the PMO is low.
- Controlling PMOs provide support and require compliance through various
means. The degree of control provided by the PMO is moderate. Compliance may involve: - Adoption of project management frameworks or methodologies
- Use of specific templates, forms, and tools;
- Conformance to governance frameworks
-Directive PMOs take control of the projects by directly managing the projects. Project managers are assigned by and report to the PMO. The degree of control provided by the
PMO is high.
Primary Function of the PMO
- Make recommendations
- Lead knowledge transfer
- Terminate projects
- Manage shared resources across all projects administered by the PMO
- Identify and develop project management methodology, best practices, and standards
- Coach, mentor, train, and provide oversight
- Monitor compliance with project management standards, policies, procedures, by means of project audits
- Develop and manage project policies, procedures, templates, and other shared documentation (OPAs)
- Coordinate communication across projects
