Topic 2: Project, programme, and portfolio management

Question 1

What is project management?

Answer 1

Project management is the application of knowledge, skills, tools, and techniques to project activities to meet the project requirements.

Question 2

What is a project?

Answer 2

A temporary endeavour undertaken to create a unique product, service or result, subject to progressive elaboration.

Question 3

What are the features of a project?

Answer 3

1. Has an established objective
2. Has a defined life span with a beginning and an end
3. Requires across-the-organisational participation
4. Involves doing something never been done before
5. Has specific time, cost, and performance requirements

Question 4

What are the different processes that make up the project management process?

Answer 4

1. Initiation
2. Planning
3. Executing
4. Monitoring and Controlling
5. Closing

Question 5

What is the Plan-do-check-act cycle?

Answer 5

This is a process lifecycle management framework. As the title suggests it involves a circle of activities, with initiation at the start and closing at the end.

Question 6

What do aspects require balancing for a project to succeed?

Answer 6

Time, Scope and Cost

Question 7

What is a programme?

Answer 7

A series of coordinated, related, multiple projects that continue over an extended time and are intended to achieve a goal or that use the same resources.

Question 8

What is a portfolio?

Answer 8

A portfolio is a group of unrelated projects.

Question 9

What is a project management methodology?

Answer 9

The process used for executing the project management plan.

Question 10

What are the unique features of IS projects?

Answer 10

1. Changing technological context
2. Difficulty of hiring IS personnel
3. Managing user involvement
4. Understanding system development methodologies
5. Unique and novel solutions
6. Changing project scope
7. Changing technologies

Question 11

What is a work breakdown structure?

Answer 11

A listing of the activities necessary for the completion of a project.

Question 12

When is a work breakdown structure established?

Answer 12

During the initiation process.

Question 13

What is a gantt chart?

Answer 13

A bar chart showing the start and end dates for the activities of a project.

Question 14

What are the 3 main skill groups of a project manager?

Answer 14

1. Technical Project Management Skill
2. Leadership
3. Strategic and Business Management Skill

Question 15

What are the primary factors that influence project failure?

Answer 15

1. Incomplete requirements
2. Lack of user involvement
3. Lack of resources
4. Unrealistic expectations
5. Lack of executive support
6. Communications failure

Question 16

What are the primary factors that influence project success?

Answer 16

1. Management support
2. User involvement
3. Clear statement of objectives
4. Optimization
5. Skilled resources