Selecting a Project Management Approach

Question 1

Characteristics of a project

Answer 1

produces unique product
temporary (definite beginning and end)
progressive elaboration (don't know all details, not to be confused with scope creep)

Question 2

Operational work vs Project

Answer 2

Operational-
-ongoing and repetitive
-keeps business going
-objectives may change often
Project-
-progressive elaboration (don't know all details)
-meet specific strategic goals

Question 3

PM duties

Answer 3

• accomplish a project’s objectives (within budget/scope)
• balance stakeholder expectations
• update project plans throughout
• balance competing demands
• budget

Question 4

Types of PM Competencies

Answer 4

Knowledge- what you know (ex: phases of projects, processes, tools, requirements)
Performance- what you can do (ex: qualifications, experience, skills)
Personal Competency- what you are like (motives, values, people skills)

Question 5

Portfolio

Answer 5

collection of Programs/projects.

Based on strategic goals

Question 6

Programs

Answer 6

related projects.
Centrally managed for better mgmt of sched/resources
Increased managment controls

Question 7

Project

Answer 7

Discrete, consolidated benefits

Question 8

Project Management Office (PMO)

Answer 8

executive level, coordinate, audit to standards

Question 9

Portfolio Review Board

Answer 9

Review value, risks

respond to external

Question 10

Sponsor

Answer 10

project and organization stakeholder
act as liason
Project governance

Question 11

Organizational Culture

Answer 11

accumulated shared learning
elements: vision and misssion
Company Norms:
-Values (set priorities)
-Rules 
-Standards (beliefs)
-Communication (view of authority will impact)

Question 12

Enterprise Environmental Influences

Answer 12

outside project team control

Question 13

Organization Process Assets

Answer 13

Processes and Procedures
-plans
-company policies
-guidelines
Corporate Knowledge
-past info
-project files and records
-lessons learned

Question 14

Rolling Wave Pattern

Answer 14

Scope determined early, then clarified (agile) vs traditional which is plan all at the start

Question 15

12 principles of agile

Answer 15

satisfy customer
changing requirements
deliver working software frequently
work together (biz & IT)
build projects around motivated people
face-to-face convo
working sofware is measurement of progress
sustainable development
tech excellence and design
simplicity
self organizing
check effectiveness at regular intervals

Question 16

Stages of Agile Project lifecycle

Answer 16

Starting
-PM determines need, sets goals, convince stakeholders, create budget
Organizing/Prep
-research & design prototype, create sched, create targets
Working
- get materials, producing, testing
Completing
-transfer to users, train people to use, reward team

(can be within Product lifecycle or independently)

Question 17

Cost throughout project lifecycle

Answer 17

low at first, then high, then low again

Question 18

Level of uncertainty throughout project lifecycle

Answer 18

highest at start, then decreases

Question 19

Cost of changes throughout project lifecycle

Answer 19

lowest at start

Question 20

Stages of Product Lifecycle

Answer 20

Inception and development
Market Introduction
Market Growth
Market Maturity (peak)
Sales Decline

Question 21

Agile Projects Phase Charachteristics

Answer 21

Sequential
Distinct work
Repeat Project Management processes
Handoff at end (deliverable)
Natural End points

Question 22

Agile Project Phase gates

Answer 22

‘kill points’

can end project

Question 23

types of Project phases

Answer 23

phases complete before next

overlapping