Project Management

Question 1

Project objectives

Answer 1

• Time
• Cost
• Scope/Outcome

Quality Trade offs often needed

Question 2

Role of a project manager

Answer 2

• Ensure Project succeeds
• Control/direct activities/resources/materials
• Review plans and change where necessary
• Leadership, people management, communication, conflict management, time management

Question 3

What does a project plan consist of?

Answer 3

• When work will be done
• Who will do the work
• Equipment needed
• Materials needed
• Costs - when is cash required?

Question 4

Project team

Answer 4

Core team of 5-7 members for core communication

Question 5

What makes a good project plan?

Answer 5

• Use brief to identify goals/objectives
• Define worok to be done -
• Work Breakdown Structure (WBS)
• Define Oder
• Responsibilities/times for tasks
• Length of project
• Resources needed
• Adjust schedule to workloads

Question 6

Critical Success Factors

Answer 6

Things that must be achieved for the project to be a success

Question 7

SMART Objectives

Answer 7

Specific Measurable Achievable Realistic Time Specific

Question 8

Gantt Chart

Answer 8

Graphical representation of project schedule Tasks listed on left top to bottom

Question 9

CPA Node example

Answer 9

Question 10

Project Phases

Answer 10

• Situation assessment and change planning
• Solution design
• Realisation
• Transition Management
• Continuous Improvement

Question 11

Project Phases - Situation Assessment and Change Planning

Answer 11

• Understanding current process and systems
• Project set up
• Production of project initiation document
• Planning next phases inclusing detailed plan for solution design phase

Question 12

Project Phases - Solution Design

Answer 12

• Interviews with business to define detailed requirements
• Production of detailed design in Business Blueprint Document

Question 13

Project Phases - Realistion

Answer 13

• Development of solution
• Unit testing
• Quality Assurance

Question 14

Project Phases - Transition Management

Answer 14

• Training for new users/technical team
• Quality acceptance training (QAT)
• Issue resolution
• Go-live approval
• Go live

Question 15

Project Phases - Consolidation and Improvement

Answer 15

• Support
• Handover to support teams
• Lessons learned review
• End of project review

Question 16

Typical risks encountered on a project

Answer 16

• Staff illnesses
• Subcontractors not delivering on time
• Economic influences
• Loss of management support
• Changes in laws/regulations

Question 17

How project risks are monitored

Answer 17

Risk log updated to record potential problems

Question 18

Risk analysis in projects

Answer 18

Used to prioritise risks

Rated from 1-10

• how likely to occur
• How serious the failure would be

Total risk to project = seriousness * liklihood

Question 19

Effective project meetings

Answer 19

• Regular review meetings
  
  • Even when things are going well
  • Focussed
  • Have an agenda + stick to it
  • Chair must control meeting to keep to agenda
  • Must finish with action plan that everyone agrees to

Question 20

Leadership Styles

Answer 20

• Directive
• Participative
• Task orientated

A good PM knows when to use each style

Question 21

Project v Operations

Answer 21

• Project: Temporary and unique
• Operations: ongoing and repetitive