Project Management Concepts
29 Questions
0 Views

Choose a study mode

Play Quiz
Study Flashcards
Spaced Repetition
Chat to lesson

Podcast

Play an AI-generated podcast conversation about this lesson

Questions and Answers

What is one of the main characteristics of a project as defined by Meredith & Mantel?

  • Limited lifespan
  • Involvement of multiple stakeholders
  • Pre-defined budget
  • Clearly defined outcomes (correct)
  • What does project management primarily aim to achieve?

  • Maximizing project complexity
  • Meeting stakeholder needs and expectations (correct)
  • Minimizing resource utilization
  • Standardization of processes
  • According to J.R. Turner, what is essential for a project to deliver beneficial change?

  • Organizing resources in a unique way (correct)
  • Involvement of government regulations
  • Unrestricted budget and time
  • Utilizing only human resources
  • What does 'interdependencies' in project characteristics refer to?

    <p>Links to other projects and daily operations</p> Signup and view all the answers

    How is project management defined according to PMBOK?

    <p>Application of knowledge and skills to project activities</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which phase of the project life cycle focuses on determining management style and obtaining client acceptance?

    <p>Define</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the primary purpose of the 'Control' phase in the project life cycle?

    <p>To monitor and evaluate project progress</p> Signup and view all the answers

    In the context of a waterfall approach, which stage directly follows the 'Plan' phase?

    <p>Organise</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following is a key activity in the 'Implement' phase of a project?

    <p>Assign work packages</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the main focus during the 'Planning' phase of the project life cycle?

    <p>Developing the project scope</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which characteristic is most often associated with agile project management?

    <p>Quick and dirty execution</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the role of the project manager during the 'Organise' phase?

    <p>Recruiting the project team</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Identifying critical activities is primarily done during which project phase?

    <p>Plan</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the first step in Lewin's model of change?

    <p>Unfreezing</p> Signup and view all the answers

    In the Project Objectives 'Iron' Triangle, what are the three main constraints?

    <p>Quality, Cost, Time</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following describes a feature of S.M.A.R.T. goals?

    <p>Goals should be trackable.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What do the concepts of Core / Marginal and Novel / Familiar signify in change initiatives?

    <p>The complexity and impact of the change</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What does the phrase 'Good, cheap, fast - you can have any two!' imply in project management?

    <p>Trade-offs must be made among quality, cost, and time.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    When analyzing project teams, what direction is NOT emphasized in managing?

    <p>Managing outside stakeholders</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is a potential outcome when transitioning from one project to another?

    <p>Transferring relevant skills and knowledge</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What does 'refreezing' signify in Lewin's model of change?

    <p>Successful implementation of change</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is one reason projects are becoming more necessary in modern contexts?

    <p>Increased complexity and change in the environment</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which type of project typically has the highest level of uncertainty?

    <p>Military campaign</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is a characteristic of ‘impatient consumers’ as described by Richard Sennett?

    <p>Expecting faster product innovation and responses</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What does the term 'Project Life Cycle (PLC)' refer to?

    <p>The time distribution of project effort over its duration</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which scenario represents high complexity and uncertainty in projects?

    <p>Military expeditions with global implications</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which factor contributes to shorter product life cycles?

    <p>Increased global competition</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What does 'risk' in project management entail?

    <p>The inherent uncertainties present in any project</p> Signup and view all the answers

    In the context of project complexity, what does a high complexity level indicate?

    <p>Multiple interdependent tasks and changing requirements</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Study Notes

    Project Management

    • A project requires human, material, and financial resources to undertake a unique scope of work with a defined specification within a time and cost constraint to deliver beneficial change.
    • Project management involves applying knowledge, skills, tools, and techniques to project activities to meet stakeholder needs and expectations.
    • Project Management is a structuring method that brings together independent variables of time, cost, resources, and human behavior.

    Project Life Cycle

    • The Project Life Cycle (PLC) is the time distribution of project effort
    • The 5 Phase Project Life Cycle (Burke 1999) includes:
      • Define
      • Plan
      • Organize
      • Control
      • Close
    • The Waterfall Approach involves a sequential process through the phases of the PLC.
    • The Agile Project Management approach offers a quicker and dirtier approach.
    • The Scrum Framework is an example of Agile Project Management.

    Project Characteristics

    • Projects can be characterized by conflict, competing resources, and inherent risks.
    • Conflict can arise when resources are scarce.
    • Risk is a factor in all projects.

    Complexity & Uncertainty

    • Complexity and uncertainty are factors that influence different project situations.
    • Complex projects with high uncertainty include basic research, Antarctic expeditions, military campaigns, and oil & gas exploration.
    • Projects with moderate complexity and uncertainty include airport construction, product development, advertising campaigns, Airbus production, Thames barrier construction, and chemical plant construction.
    • Less complex projects with low uncertainty include weddings, oil tanker design, company audits, motorway construction, car plant design, and individual, group, and organization-level initiatives.

    Project Management Need

    • The need for projects arises due to increased complexity and change.
    • There is a growing demand for sophisticated products and services.
    • Consumers are more impatient due to global markets and competition which leads to shorter product life cycles.
    • Products and processes need to respond quickly to market changes.

    Project Objectives

    • The project objectives triangle includes quality, cost, and time.
    • The ideal is to achieve good quality, low cost, and fast completion in the project.
    • However, it is usually possible to achieve only two of the three objectives.
    • S.M.A.R.T. goals are specific, measurable, attainable, relevant, and trackable.

    Models of Change

    • Lewin's Model of Change outlines three stages:
      • Unfreezing - Moving from the current state
      • Change - Transitioning to the desired state
      • Refreezing - Stabilizing the desired state
    • Forces driving change are opposed by resisting or restraining forces.
    • A transition is achieved over time.

    Managing Project Teams

    • Team management requires influence in four directions:
      • Up – Managing the project manager
      • Down - Managing the staff
      • Across - Managing other teams/departments
      • The Team - Managing the team

    Learning from Projects

    • Building upon previous project knowledge is crucial for success.
    • By learning from past projects, organizations can avoid repeating mistakes and improve efficiency.

    Studying That Suits You

    Use AI to generate personalized quizzes and flashcards to suit your learning preferences.

    Quiz Team

    Related Documents

    Description

    Test your knowledge on the fundamentals of project management, including the project life cycle and various approaches like Waterfall and Agile. This quiz covers essential definitions, phases, and characteristics that define successful project execution. Perfect for students or professionals looking to reinforce their understanding of project management principles.

    More Like This

    Software Development Life Cycle Models
    16 questions
    Project Management Concepts
    24 questions

    Project Management Concepts

    LeadingCharoite7140 avatar
    LeadingCharoite7140
    Use Quizgecko on...
    Browser
    Browser