WEEK 3 - scoping, project charter & concept of project creep

Question 1

Define project management lifecycle.

Answer 1

Refers to the 4 defines stages of concept, planning, executing and finalisation that allows for a structures means of approaching and delivering a project.

Question 2

List and explain the 4 stages of project management lifecycle.

Answer 2

1. CONCEPT STAGE: most important stage, all key information need to be collected and the project scope is identified and is comprehendible.
2. PLANNING: all aspects of the project are planned for and any needs established from the concept stage Is executed.
3. EXECUTING: the event goes ahead.
4. FINALISATION: the event ends, all reports are written.

Question 3

what is the most important stage of the project lifecycle.

Answer 3

the concept stage as this stage clarifies and documents any important and relevant information. It forms the foundation of a project and needs to be accurate for the success of the other three stages.

Question 4

What is the relationship between the concept of time, cost, specification and resources within the project concept?

Answer 4

All these areas are interlinked as they ensure the success and sustainability of the project.

TIME: the time parameter decisions which will guide the project.

COST: highlight the financial tolls of the components within the project.

SPECIFICATION: involve quality requirements as well as audits and assessments within the project.

RESOURCES: planning considerations relate to the allocation of resources within the project specifically the ability of the team to deliver the project. (involves allocation of additional training if required).

Question 5

How does the principle of ‘quality’ affect the elements of time, cost and resources aspect of a project?

Answer 5

Having a good quality project/product is one of the major trade-offs in project management.
the principle of quality can affect the time, cost and resource elements. for example a high quality product can delay time, can become more expensive and need more quality resources.

Question 6

What is a project charter?

Answer 6

it is a document issues by the project initiator or sponsor that formally authorises the existence of a project and provides the project manager with authority to apply organisational resources to project activities.

wishing the document it will list:

• objective of project
• stakeholder involved
• overview of the budget
• risk and constraints

Question 7

Outline the core elements of a real-life charter.

Answer 7

metro rail project charter:
- description of the project
the purpose and reason behind undertaking the project
- the benefits from completing the project
- the different elements of the project that need to be constructed.
- a timeline of the project
- the method of identifying issues and solving them.

Question 8

what is project creep? and how does it affect a project?

Answer 8

it is the possibility of the projects scope changing due to over-runs, delays, increases in costs and the poor defining of a project.

it can impact the success of a project, with over-runs and delays the project could not be completed in time or not to the standard it should be.

Question 9

Give 4 examples of project creep.

Answer 9

• over-runs
• delays
• financial and administrate issues.
• poorly defining the project.
• lack of resources

Question 10

Define and discuss the concept of the ‘work breakdown structure’.

Answer 10

the WBS is a visual representation of what tasks are involved and need to be completed for a project. it is a map of the project and outlines the project with different levels. WBS helps assure project managers identify all work elements and establish a basis for control.