Podcast
Questions and Answers
What is a primary necessity for sustainable competitive advantage in a company?
What is a primary necessity for sustainable competitive advantage in a company?
Which of the following is essential for creating a unique and valuable market position?
Which of the following is essential for creating a unique and valuable market position?
Who holds the power to moderate conflicts among project participants?
Who holds the power to moderate conflicts among project participants?
Which type of project risk includes socioeconomic factors?
Which type of project risk includes socioeconomic factors?
Signup and view all the answers
Effective alignment of strategies in projects requires managers to focus primarily on what?
Effective alignment of strategies in projects requires managers to focus primarily on what?
Signup and view all the answers
What role does top management play in a project?
What role does top management play in a project?
Signup and view all the answers
What can be classified under technological problems in construction project risks?
What can be classified under technological problems in construction project risks?
Signup and view all the answers
One key organizational relationship risk in construction projects is?
One key organizational relationship risk in construction projects is?
Signup and view all the answers
What role does the architectural/engineering (A/E) firm primarily play in the traditional designer-constructor sequence?
What role does the architectural/engineering (A/E) firm primarily play in the traditional designer-constructor sequence?
Signup and view all the answers
Which mode of project contracting is public agencies required to use?
Which mode of project contracting is public agencies required to use?
Signup and view all the answers
When using competitive bidding, what must be prepared before inviting bidders to submit their bids?
When using competitive bidding, what must be prepared before inviting bidders to submit their bids?
Signup and view all the answers
What is one way a general contractor may manage construction work?
What is one way a general contractor may manage construction work?
Signup and view all the answers
What typically happens if an owner opts for a negotiated contract?
What typically happens if an owner opts for a negotiated contract?
Signup and view all the answers
What is the primary characteristic of sequential processing in project management?
What is the primary characteristic of sequential processing in project management?
Signup and view all the answers
What limit exists for subcontractors when a general contractor wins a bid?
What limit exists for subcontractors when a general contractor wins a bid?
Signup and view all the answers
Which of the following best describes integration of organizations in project implementation?
Which of the following best describes integration of organizations in project implementation?
Signup and view all the answers
In what capacity do field inspectors generally operate after the design is completed?
In what capacity do field inspectors generally operate after the design is completed?
Signup and view all the answers
What is a significant feature of a project-oriented organization?
What is a significant feature of a project-oriented organization?
Signup and view all the answers
What is a major concern for the A/E firm in relation to contractors during the design phase?
What is a major concern for the A/E firm in relation to contractors during the design phase?
Signup and view all the answers
In a matrix organization, what is required from each project manager?
In a matrix organization, what is required from each project manager?
Signup and view all the answers
Which of these is a characteristic of staggered processing in project management?
Which of these is a characteristic of staggered processing in project management?
Signup and view all the answers
What is the primary disadvantage of separation of organizations in project management?
What is the primary disadvantage of separation of organizations in project management?
Signup and view all the answers
Which of the following operations involves contracting all work to a vendor responsible for project completion?
Which of the following operations involves contracting all work to a vendor responsible for project completion?
Signup and view all the answers
Which project management approach is typically associated with a traditional sequence of design and construction?
Which project management approach is typically associated with a traditional sequence of design and construction?
Signup and view all the answers
What is a key characteristic of a turnkey operation?
What is a key characteristic of a turnkey operation?
Signup and view all the answers
Which power is based on the project manager's official capacity?
Which power is based on the project manager's official capacity?
Signup and view all the answers
In a matrix organization, who is responsible for priorities and final decisions?
In a matrix organization, who is responsible for priorities and final decisions?
Signup and view all the answers
What role does the project manager play in a project's success?
What role does the project manager play in a project's success?
Signup and view all the answers
Which type of power relies on the project manager's special knowledge or expertise?
Which type of power relies on the project manager's special knowledge or expertise?
Signup and view all the answers
What potential issue might arise in a matrix organization?
What potential issue might arise in a matrix organization?
Signup and view all the answers
What is typically the owner's involvement in an owner-builder approach?
What is typically the owner's involvement in an owner-builder approach?
Signup and view all the answers
What motivates the project team according to the project manager's influence?
What motivates the project team according to the project manager's influence?
Signup and view all the answers
What determines the leader of the project team in a matrix organization for small scale projects?
What determines the leader of the project team in a matrix organization for small scale projects?
Signup and view all the answers
In the context of the Electric Power and Light Company, what is the role of the engineering division during small scale projects?
In the context of the Electric Power and Light Company, what is the role of the engineering division during small scale projects?
Signup and view all the answers
What is the main reason the Electric Power and Light Company engages a construction management consultant for major projects?
What is the main reason the Electric Power and Light Company engages a construction management consultant for major projects?
Signup and view all the answers
How does the project team assigned to coordinate with the construction management consultant maintain their relationship with the Engineering Department?
How does the project team assigned to coordinate with the construction management consultant maintain their relationship with the Engineering Department?
Signup and view all the answers
Which professional skill would likely dictate the team's leader when designing a transmission tower?
Which professional skill would likely dictate the team's leader when designing a transmission tower?
Signup and view all the answers
What is a major benefit of the coordination between the owner and the construction management consultant?
What is a major benefit of the coordination between the owner and the construction management consultant?
Signup and view all the answers
In a matrix organization, how are the team members for a project selected?
In a matrix organization, how are the team members for a project selected?
Signup and view all the answers
Why is it important for the staff of the Electric Power and Light Company to monitor the design and construction of the nuclear power plant?
Why is it important for the staff of the Electric Power and Light Company to monitor the design and construction of the nuclear power plant?
Signup and view all the answers
Study Notes
Importance of Human Factors in Management
- Effective management requires understanding human factors: needs, motivation, leadership, personality, behavior, and work groups.
- Human factors significantly influence project outcomes and team dynamics.
Sustainable Competitive Advantage
- Derived from robust management strategy and integration of activities.
- Success hinges on aligning multiple processes to a strategic vision.
- Requires creating unique positions, making competitive trade-offs, and ensuring cohesive activity fit.
- Project managers must align their organization’s goals with those of other stakeholders.
Project Risks and Organizational Challenges
- Construction project uncertainties stem from many sources and involve multiple participants.
- Individual risk minimization efforts can lead to conflicts detrimental to project success.
- Owners have the unique power to assign risk through contractual relations.
- Construction project risks can be classified into categories:
- Socioeconomic Factors: Environmental protection, public safety regulations, economic instability, exchange rate fluctuations.
- Organizational Relationships: Contractual relations, participant attitudes, communication.
- Technological Problems: Design assumptions, site conditions, construction procedures, occupational safety.
Organization of Project Participants
- Top management dictates project policies and selects organizational frameworks.
- Project life cycles can be divided in various ways, including:
- Sequential processing: Stages carried out successively.
- Parallel processing: Independent parts conducted simultaneously.
- Staggered processing: Overlapping stages with phased designs for efficiency.
Organizational Approaches for Project Implementation
-
Separation of Organizations: Distinct organizations handle design and construction.
- Examples include traditional designer-constructor sequences and professional construction management.
-
Integration of Organizations: A joint venture handles both design and construction under a unified command.
- Examples range from owner-builder operations to turnkey contracts for complete project delivery.
Matrix Organization
- Project managers negotiate resource allocation within an existing organizational framework.
- Team leaders are chosen based on the required expertise for specific projects.
Project-Oriented Organization
- Central functional staff exclusively supports various projects, allowing autonomy for project managers.
Case Examples of Project Management Organizations
- Matrix Organization: Utilized for small-scale projects, with project leaders selected based on required professional skill.
- Construction Management Consultant Organization: Coordination between owner and consultant to assure quality and familiarize with designs for future operations.
Traditional Designer-Constructor Sequence
- Owners employ designers to create detailed plans and oversee implementation.
- General contractors manage construction, working predominantly with specialty subcontractors.
- Two main selection methods: competitive bidding (required for public agencies) and negotiation.
Turnkey Operation
- Owners delegate design and construction responsibilities to outside contractors, who deliver the completed facility based on performance specifications.
Leadership and Motivation for Project Teams
- Project managers are crucial for project success, responsible for planning, organizing, and controlling projects.
- Influential leadership relies on the ability to exercise:
- Formal Authority: Empowered to issue orders.
- Reward/Penalty Power: Influencing through rewards or penalties.
- Expert Power: Gaining credibility through specialized knowledge.
- Attractive Power: Utilizing personality traits to persuade others.
- Matrix organizations may lead to tensions as project managers coordinate among functional departments with different reporting hierarchies.
Studying That Suits You
Use AI to generate personalized quizzes and flashcards to suit your learning preferences.
Related Documents
Description
This quiz explores the essential elements of effective management, emphasizing the significance of human factors like motivation, leadership, and teamwork. It also examines how a sustainable competitive advantage is achieved through strategic integration of a company's activities. Test your understanding of these critical management concepts.