project management

Question 1

What are the advantages of formal project management?

Answer 1

Better control of financial, physical and human resources
Improved customer relations
Shorter development times
lower costs
higher quality and reliability
better profit margins
better productivity
better internal coordination
higher worker morale

Question 2

what is a project?

Answer 2

“a temporary endeavor undertaken to accomplish a unique product or service”

Question 3

What are attributes of a project?

Answer 3

unique purpose
temporary
require resources
should have primary sponsor/customer
involve uncertainty

Question 4

What is the triple constraint?

Answer 4

scope goals: What is the project trying to accomplish?
Time goals: how long should it take to complete?
Cost goals: what should it cost?

Question 5

What is project management?

Answer 5

the application of knowledge, skills, tools and techniques to project activities in order to meet project requirements

Question 6

What are some examples of stakeholders?

Answer 6

the project sponsor and project team
* support staff
* customers
* users
* suppliers
* opponents to the project

Question 7

What are the 9 knowledge areas that describe key competency for a project manager

Answer 7

4 core knowledge areas lead to specific project objectives (scope,time,
cost,and quality)
* 4 facilitating knowledge areas are the means through which the project
objectives are achieved (human resources,communication, risk,and
procurement management)
* 1 knowledge area (project integration management) affects and is
affected by all of the other knowledge areas

Question 8

what are some Examples of project management tools

Answer 8

Project Charter,scope statement,andWBS“work breakdown
structure” (scope)
* Gantt charts,network diagrams,critical path analysis,critical
chain scheduling (time)
* Cost estimates and earned value management (cost)

Question 9

What are other key examples of experience required for a project manager?

Answer 9

• general management
• the application area of the project
• leading groups of individuals
• Adaptable communication skills

Question 10

What are three types of management software used in the industry?

Answer 10

Low-end: handles small projects worth around 200$
mid-range: handles multiple projects and users worth around 200-500 per user
high-end: more expensive, used for big corporations

Question 11

Can projects be run in isolation?

Answer 11

projects must operate in a broad organizational environment
project managers must be able to see the big picture within the larger organization

Question 12

What is the systems view of project management

Answer 12

Systems philosophy: View things as systems,interacting
components working within an environment to fulfill some
purpose
* Systems analysis: problem-solving approach
* Systems management: Address business,technological,
and organizational issues before making changes to
systems

Question 13

What are the different phases involved in a project?

Answer 13

concept
development
build
implementation
support

Question 14

What is the name of the framework for describing phases of a project?

Answer 14

the systems development life cycle (SDLC)

Question 15

What is the difference in project life cycles and product life cycles?

Answer 15

the project life cycle applies to a ll projects regardless of the products being produced
while product life cycle models vary considerably based on the nature of the project

Question 16

Why have project phases and management reviews?

Answer 16

a project should succesfully pass through each of the project phases in order to continue on to the next, management review should occur after each phase to evaluate the projects progress and likely success

Question 17

What is the structural frame?

Answer 17

Focuses on roles and responsibilities coordination and control. Organization charts help define this frame.

Question 18

What is the human resources frame?

Answer 18

Focuses on providing harmony between the organization and the people within

Question 19

What is the politcal frame?

Answer 19

Assumes organizations are coalitions composed of varied individuals and interest groups. Conflict and power are key issues.

Question 20

What is the symbolic frame?

Answer 20

Focuses on symbols and meanings related to events. Culture is important.

Question 21

What are the three basic organization structures?

Answer 21

functional, project and matrix

Question 22

What is the importance of project stakeholders?

Answer 22

recognize stakeholders are also a piece in the project, relationships with stakeholders need to be upheld, senior executives are very important stakeholders

Question 23

According to Standish Groups report what helps a project succeed?

Answer 23

Executive support
* User involvement
* Experience project manager
* Clear business objectives
* Minimized scope
* Standard software infrastructure
* Firm basic requirements
* Formal methodology
* Reliable estimates

Question 24

What are the fifteen project management job functions?

Answer 24

Define scope of project
* Identify stakeholders,decision-makers,
and escalation procedures
* Develop detailed task list (work
breakdown structures)
* Estimate time requirements
* Develop initial project management
flow chart
* Identify required resources and budget
* Evaluate project requirements
* Identify and evaluate risks Prepare
contingency plan
* Identify interdependencies
* Identify and track critical milestones
* Participate in project phase review
* Secure needed resources
* Manage the change control process
* Report project status

Question 25

What are some suggested skills for a project manager?

Answer 25

communication skills, organizational skills, team building skills, leadership skills
coping skills
technological skills