Podcast
Questions and Answers
What is a critical characteristic that distinguishes a project from ongoing operational work?
What is a critical characteristic that distinguishes a project from ongoing operational work?
- Projects usually have a larger budget compared to ongoing work.
- Projects have a defined start and end, while operational work is continuous. (correct)
- Projects always require more complex technology than operational work.
- Projects are typically managed by a team, while operational work is managed by individuals.
Which of the following best describes the nature of deliverables in a project?
Which of the following best describes the nature of deliverables in a project?
- Results in a unique product, service or result each time. (correct)
- Deliver the same output with minor variations.
- Focus on improving the efficiency of existing processes.
- Produce standardized outputs that can be used by other teams.
How does an environmental cleanup project demonstrate the uniqueness of project outcomes?
How does an environmental cleanup project demonstrate the uniqueness of project outcomes?
- The legal requirements are the same for all cleanup sites.
- The nature of contaminants and site characteristics ensures each cleanup is unique. (correct)
- The process is generally standardized based on previous projects.
- The cleanup process uses the same materials for each site.
What is the main difference between environmental risk assessment reports and air quality monitoring?
What is the main difference between environmental risk assessment reports and air quality monitoring?
How is project work contrasted with routine operational activities within an organization?
How is project work contrasted with routine operational activities within an organization?
What managerial implication results from the variation between project work and operational activities?
What managerial implication results from the variation between project work and operational activities?
What is a key factor that can influence the duration of a project?
What is a key factor that can influence the duration of a project?
What is the primary characteristic of an operational task like air quality monitoring?
What is the primary characteristic of an operational task like air quality monitoring?
What is the term used to describe the difference between planned and actual completion dates or costs in a project?
What is the term used to describe the difference between planned and actual completion dates or costs in a project?
Why is it important for a project manager to be aware of project variances?
Why is it important for a project manager to be aware of project variances?
What is the primary role of monitoring and controlling in project management?
What is the primary role of monitoring and controlling in project management?
Besides oil and gas, what's another sector that could require environmental projects?
Besides oil and gas, what's another sector that could require environmental projects?
What is a typical organizational structure for completing environmental projects in Alberta?
What is a typical organizational structure for completing environmental projects in Alberta?
Which of the following is NOT a typical area that an environmental project might address in Alberta?
Which of the following is NOT a typical area that an environmental project might address in Alberta?
What does the text say about an environmental consulting firms' expertise and capabilities?
What does the text say about an environmental consulting firms' expertise and capabilities?
An organization that wishes to cause an impact to the environment would contract a environmental consulting firm for which reason?
An organization that wishes to cause an impact to the environment would contract a environmental consulting firm for which reason?
For a large environmental impact assessment project, which skill would be least essential for an environmental project manager to directly possess?
For a large environmental impact assessment project, which skill would be least essential for an environmental project manager to directly possess?
Which of the following best exemplifies a project manager's use of 'buffering skills'?
Which of the following best exemplifies a project manager's use of 'buffering skills'?
A project manager needs to present findings that indicate a major issue with a project. What is the most critical skill they must demonstrate effectively?
A project manager needs to present findings that indicate a major issue with a project. What is the most critical skill they must demonstrate effectively?
In the context of project management, which scenario best exemplifies the use of 'conceptual skills'?
In the context of project management, which scenario best exemplifies the use of 'conceptual skills'?
A project manager is facilitating a brainstorming session to generate novel ideas. Which conceptual skill is being primarily utilized?
A project manager is facilitating a brainstorming session to generate novel ideas. Which conceptual skill is being primarily utilized?
Which of the following is the best definition of a project manager's 'human resource skills'?
Which of the following is the best definition of a project manager's 'human resource skills'?
Which of the following is a key aspect of a project manager's 'managerial skills' in the context of the team dynamic?
Which of the following is a key aspect of a project manager's 'managerial skills' in the context of the team dynamic?
If a project manager is struggling most with understanding the big picture and how to connect all the different segments of the project, which skill set do they need to improve the most?
If a project manager is struggling most with understanding the big picture and how to connect all the different segments of the project, which skill set do they need to improve the most?
What is a primary responsibility of the project manager in the context of environmental projects, particularly when dealing with potential contamination?
What is a primary responsibility of the project manager in the context of environmental projects, particularly when dealing with potential contamination?
In environmental project management, what challenge arises from the broad nature of the discipline?
In environmental project management, what challenge arises from the broad nature of the discipline?
Why is it crucial for a project manager to document project deliverables, completion dates, and budgets early in an environmental project?
Why is it crucial for a project manager to document project deliverables, completion dates, and budgets early in an environmental project?
What is the specific risk of underreporting contamination levels in environmental projects?
What is the specific risk of underreporting contamination levels in environmental projects?
In what scenario would a project manager most likely NOT have expert knowledge on all project tasks?
In what scenario would a project manager most likely NOT have expert knowledge on all project tasks?
What is an important skill a project manager must possess, especially in the environmental field?
What is an important skill a project manager must possess, especially in the environmental field?
In the context of environmental project management, what does satisfying the client mean?
In the context of environmental project management, what does satisfying the client mean?
How does the breadth of environmental science impact the role of a project manager?
How does the breadth of environmental science impact the role of a project manager?
Why might reporting unpleasant results be particularly challenging for project managers in environmental projects?
Why might reporting unpleasant results be particularly challenging for project managers in environmental projects?
What is the primary criterion for reports released by project managers involved in environmental projects?
What is the primary criterion for reports released by project managers involved in environmental projects?
In project management, which activity involves the comparison of actual project results with planned results?
In project management, which activity involves the comparison of actual project results with planned results?
Which project management activity is focused on organizing human and non-human resources to achieve project objectives?
Which project management activity is focused on organizing human and non-human resources to achieve project objectives?
What is the definition of a 'deliverable' in the context of project management?
What is the definition of a 'deliverable' in the context of project management?
What is the purpose of 'controlling' in project management?
What is the purpose of 'controlling' in project management?
What is the meaning of 'variance' in project management?
What is the meaning of 'variance' in project management?
What is the main purpose of the 'Leading' activity in project management?
What is the main purpose of the 'Leading' activity in project management?
What distinguishes a project from operational work?
What distinguishes a project from operational work?
Which statement best describes the ultimate responsibility of a project manager?
Which statement best describes the ultimate responsibility of a project manager?
In a multi-project environment, how does the project manager relate to clients, project teams, and the environmental firm?
In a multi-project environment, how does the project manager relate to clients, project teams, and the environmental firm?
According to the provided PM Circle, which element is least important for project management?
According to the provided PM Circle, which element is least important for project management?
What is suggested by the PM Circle regarding project management activities?
What is suggested by the PM Circle regarding project management activities?
Why is reporting unpleasant project results considered difficult for a project manager?
Why is reporting unpleasant project results considered difficult for a project manager?
If a project manager prioritizes only the financial benefits of the project, what is most likely to be compromised?
If a project manager prioritizes only the financial benefits of the project, what is most likely to be compromised?
What does the need for a project manager address in the context of a project?
What does the need for a project manager address in the context of a project?
Flashcards
What is a project?
What is a project?
A temporary undertaking with a specific goal and defined start and end dates.
What makes projects unique?
What makes projects unique?
A project delivers a unique product, service, or result. Even if it's similar to past projects, it has its own unique characteristics and deliverables.
What is Operational Work?
What is Operational Work?
Ongoing activities with routine deliverables that support the organization's regular operations.
What are routine deliverables in Operational Work?
What are routine deliverables in Operational Work?
Signup and view all the flashcards
What's the key difference between projects and operational work?
What's the key difference between projects and operational work?
Signup and view all the flashcards
How does management differ between projects and operational work?
How does management differ between projects and operational work?
Signup and view all the flashcards
What are some real-world examples of projects and operational work?
What are some real-world examples of projects and operational work?
Signup and view all the flashcards
Why is contaminated site cleanup considered a project?
Why is contaminated site cleanup considered a project?
Signup and view all the flashcards
Variances
Variances
Signup and view all the flashcards
Variance Analysis
Variance Analysis
Signup and view all the flashcards
Re-planning
Re-planning
Signup and view all the flashcards
Monitoring and Controlling
Monitoring and Controlling
Signup and view all the flashcards
Spill Response Project
Spill Response Project
Signup and view all the flashcards
Technology Development Project
Technology Development Project
Signup and view all the flashcards
Site Remediation Project
Site Remediation Project
Signup and view all the flashcards
Environmental Consulting Firms
Environmental Consulting Firms
Signup and view all the flashcards
Project Manager's Responsibility
Project Manager's Responsibility
Signup and view all the flashcards
Transparency in Reporting
Transparency in Reporting
Signup and view all the flashcards
Consequences of Inaccurate Reporting
Consequences of Inaccurate Reporting
Signup and view all the flashcards
Defining Project Deliverables
Defining Project Deliverables
Signup and view all the flashcards
Skills of Environmental Project Managers
Skills of Environmental Project Managers
Signup and view all the flashcards
Team Member Expertise
Team Member Expertise
Signup and view all the flashcards
Complexity of Environmental Projects
Complexity of Environmental Projects
Signup and view all the flashcards
Challenges for Environmental PMs
Challenges for Environmental PMs
Signup and view all the flashcards
What are conceptual skills?
What are conceptual skills?
Signup and view all the flashcards
What are managerial skills?
What are managerial skills?
Signup and view all the flashcards
What are human resource skills?
What are human resource skills?
Signup and view all the flashcards
What are problem-solving skills?
What are problem-solving skills?
Signup and view all the flashcards
Why is it important for project managers to understand team expertise?
Why is it important for project managers to understand team expertise?
Signup and view all the flashcards
Why is having a clear project vision important?
Why is having a clear project vision important?
Signup and view all the flashcards
Why is transparent communication essential for project management?
Why is transparent communication essential for project management?
Signup and view all the flashcards
Why is adaptability crucial for project management?
Why is adaptability crucial for project management?
Signup and view all the flashcards
Why is reporting negative findings difficult?
Why is reporting negative findings difficult?
Signup and view all the flashcards
What is the basis for environmental project reports?
What is the basis for environmental project reports?
Signup and view all the flashcards
What challenges do project managers face when reporting negative findings?
What challenges do project managers face when reporting negative findings?
Signup and view all the flashcards
What kind of questions might a project manager need to answer when reporting negative findings?
What kind of questions might a project manager need to answer when reporting negative findings?
Signup and view all the flashcards
How can project managers build confidence in the results?
How can project managers build confidence in the results?
Signup and view all the flashcards
Why is it important for project managers to communicate clearly?
Why is it important for project managers to communicate clearly?
Signup and view all the flashcards
Why do project managers need to be prepared for resistance?
Why do project managers need to be prepared for resistance?
Signup and view all the flashcards
What are the key characteristics of a good environmental project report?
What are the key characteristics of a good environmental project report?
Signup and view all the flashcards
What's the main difference between a project and operational work?
What's the main difference between a project and operational work?
Signup and view all the flashcards
What's the project manager's ultimate responsibility?
What's the project manager's ultimate responsibility?
Signup and view all the flashcards
How does the project manager relate to the client, project team, and environmental firm?
How does the project manager relate to the client, project team, and environmental firm?
Signup and view all the flashcards
What are the key stages of the PM Circle?
What are the key stages of the PM Circle?
Signup and view all the flashcards
Why can reporting bad news be challenging for a project manager?
Why can reporting bad news be challenging for a project manager?
Signup and view all the flashcards
Why is human resource management crucial for project success?
Why is human resource management crucial for project success?
Signup and view all the flashcards
What happens if human resource issues are ignored?
What happens if human resource issues are ignored?
Signup and view all the flashcards
Why are human resource issues important for project managers?
Why are human resource issues important for project managers?
Signup and view all the flashcards
Study Notes
Course Information
- Course title: Environmental Project Management
- Course code: ENVS 238
- Module: 1
- Revised date: July 2007
- Institution: SAIT Polytechnic
- School: MacPhail School of Energy
Rationale
- Project management is crucial in environmental technology
- This differs from operational work, requiring different tools
- This module introduces key differences between operational and project work and key project management concepts
Learning Outcomes
- Define a project and its difference from operational work
- Describe project manager responsibilities
- Describe project management tools
- Outline the structure of environmental projects in Alberta
- Explain project manager skills and knowledge
Learning Objectives
- Define a project and operational work and give examples
- Define project management and list its six main functions
- List and describe project manager responsibilities and tools
- Describe the typical structure of an environmental project in Alberta
- Describe project manager responsibilities with an example
- Describe project manager skills and knowledge
Project vs. Operational Work
- Projects are temporary endeavors with a defined start and end, delivering a unique product, service or result
- Operational work is ongoing, routine and repetitive.
Project Management
- Project management processes: defining, planning, coordinating, leading, monitoring and controlling
- These processes are cyclical and revisited throughout the project life.
Objective Three
- Project manager responsibilities and tools
- Planning often integrates defining project expectations for all stakeholders
- Identifying all stakeholders assists the planning process
- Project plans define the precise deliverables and allocate resources
Objective Four
- Structure of typical environmental projects in Alberta
- Environmental firms specialize in environment aspects providing staff with expertise
- Clients include developers, organizations holding contaminated sites, those wanting to address public concerns
Objective Five
- Project manager responsibilities
- Goal is to determine contamination levels for 20 fuel stations
- Client satisfaction and profit generation are important in the project
- Deliverables should be clearly defined, including timelines and budget
Objective Six
- Project manager skills and knowledge
- Project managers need a variety of skills: conceptual, managerial, human resource, and technical.
- Conceptual: problem-solving, logical, creativity, overall project vision
- Managerial: planning, time management, motivation, and delegation
- Human Resource: communication, conflict resolution, motivation of team members
- Technical: project-specific tasks and specialized knowledge within the project field
Studying That Suits You
Use AI to generate personalized quizzes and flashcards to suit your learning preferences.