Project Management Unit 1
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Questions and Answers

What is project management seen as in terms of delivering products and services?

  • A costly overhead
  • A time-consuming obstacle
  • A powerful tool to deliver products and services on time, within budget and according to quality specifications (correct)
  • An unnecessary investment

    • Why do businesses and employees need to continually evolve and reinvent themselves?

  • To reduce costs
  • To stay ahead of the competition
  • To increase profits
  • To improve their methods of operation to remain abreast of rapidly changing business conditions (correct)

    • What is unique about projects?

  • They are the same as organisational processes
  • They differ vastly in scope, objectives, organisational settings, stakeholders, and fields of application (correct)
  • They are all similar in scope and objectives
  • They are only applicable in specific industries

    • What will be critical for the future?

    <p>Distinguishing project management as a core competence for both organisations and individuals</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the purpose of this unit?

    <p>To provide an overview of project management and set the scene for the theory and foundation principles</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What will be analysed at the conclusion of this unit?

    <p>The critical success factors of a project</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the primary objective of project management?

    <p>To meet project requirements</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is a key characteristic of a project?

    <p>Has a specified life span</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the purpose of the project management triple constraint?

    <p>To balance project constraints</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is a milestone in project management?

    <p>A task of zero duration</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is a deliverable in project management?

    <p>A tangible or intangible project outcome</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the role of a project manager according to the Project Management Institute (PMI)?

    <p>To apply knowledge, skills, tools, and techniques</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the purpose of the Project Management Body of Knowledge (PMBOK)?

    <p>To provide project management guidelines</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is a project charter?

    <p>A summary or detailed document that authorises the project</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What are the components of a project?

    <p>Milestones, activities, and deliverables</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the definition of project management according to Van der Waldt and Fox (2015)?

    <p>The means by which projects are managed and change is achieved</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the primary purpose of the PMBOK?

    <p>To promote a common vocabulary within the project management profession</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What are the three factors that projects are typically carried out under?

    <p>Cost, time, and scope</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the primary reason for classifying projects based on their characteristics?

    <p>To understand the level of uncertainty and risk involved</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the main difference between a manufacturing project and a research project?

    <p>The degree of new technology involved</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the purpose of the project hand-off method?

    <p>To ensure that each team assumes ownership of the project</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the primary goal of project management?

    <p>To balance the triple constraints</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the main characteristic of a new product development project?

    <p>High degree of uncertainty and risk</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the purpose of the triple constraints triangle?

    <p>To illustrate the relationship between cost, time, and scope</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the main difference between a construction project and a systems project?

    <p>The degree of new technology involved</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the primary benefit of using the PMBOK?

    <p>It promotes a common vocabulary within the project management profession</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the main objective of the South African Airways (SAA) Aircraft Procurement Programme?

    <p>To meet the company's strategic objectives</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the role of a Programme Manager in the SAA Aircraft Procurement Programme?

    <p>To oversee the entire programme</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is a portfolio in the context of project management?

    <p>A collection of programmes and projects</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the main difference between a project and a programme?

    <p>The level of strategic focus</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the main benefit of generating energy from renewable sources in the local economy?

    <p>Money remains in the local economy</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the purpose of the EOS Program?

    <p>To promote the use of rooftop solar PV generation</p> Signup and view all the answers

    How much PV will be installed under the EOS contract?

    <p>500 kW</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the benefit of the Municipality getting first-hand experience in understanding the barriers to PV?

    <p>To test its own policies and practices</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is an example of a programme under the SAA portfolio?

    <p>International Route Expansion Programme</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the main goal of the eThekwini Municipality in terms of renewable energy?

    <p>To increase the amount of locally produced renewable energy</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the primary aim of the project in the case study?

    <p>To provide opportunities for learning about photovoltaic installations for municipal officials and the public</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the project implementation timeframe for the case study?

    <p>2015/2016 municipal financial year</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the purpose of the EOS – Technical Assessment project?

    <p>To complete a detailed technical assessment of each building for PV systems</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the last stage of the project implementation outlined in the case study?

    <p>Learning and Outreach</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is one of the critical success factors over the stages in the project life cycle, according to Pinto and Prescott (1988)?

    <p>Project Mission</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the benefit of the project in terms of reducing carbon emissions?

    <p>To reduce the carbon emissions of eThekwini Municipality</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the timeframe for the Project Scoping stage of the project?

    <p>Feb 2014 – April 2014</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the purpose of the Consultants in the EOS – Technical Assessment project?

    <p>To carry out detailed designs for all PV systems and provide generation/yield forecasts and cost estimates</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is one of the reasons why projects fail, according to page 12-14 of the prescribed book?

    <p>Lack of project mission</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the focus of the Learning and Outreach stage of the project?

    <p>Providing opportunities for learning about photovoltaic installations</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the primary purpose of Client Acceptance in project management?

    <p>To obtain client approval of completed project work</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the main benefit of using project management tools and techniques?

    <p>To deliver projects on time, within budget, and according to scope</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is a critical factor in achieving a successful project?

    <p>Having a motivated team with high morale</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the purpose of Monitoring and Feedback in project management?

    <p>To provide comprehensive information during project implementation</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is a common consequence of ineffective project management?

    <p>Waste of project resources</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the primary purpose of Communication in project management?

    <p>To provide an appropriate network and necessary data to all key actors</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the primary objective of a project?

    <p>To deliver a product or service on time and within budget</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is a critical project success factor?

    <p>Top management support and project schedule plan</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the purpose of a project management tool such as a Gantt chart?

    <p>To simplify complex projects and track progress</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Why is it essential to have a flexible project plan?

    <p>To accommodate changes and variances in the project scope</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the primary reason why the hand-off method is not suitable for large and complex organizations?

    <p>It is not scalable and cannot handle complex product development</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the primary goal of a project in an organization?

    <p>To improve the operation of an organization</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the key difference between organizational processes and projects?

    <p>Organizational processes are ongoing, while projects have a definite beginning and end</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the purpose of a programme in an organization?

    <p>To coordinate the management of a group of related projects</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the primary characteristic of a project?

    <p>It is a temporary endeavour with a definite beginning and end</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the main difference between a project and project management?

    <p>A project is a task, while project management is the process of managing it</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the primary reason why a project manager is assigned to a project?

    <p>To manage a specific phase of the project development</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the goal of project management in an organization?

    <p>To ensure the project achieves its functional, quality, usability, and reliability requirements</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the primary benefit of a programme in an organization?

    <p>It bridges the gap between corporate strategy and projects</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the main difference between a project and an organizational process?

    <p>A project produces a unique output, while an organizational process produces a repetitive output</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Study Notes

    Introduction to Project Management

    • Project management is a powerful tool to deliver products and services on time, within budget, and according to quality specifications.
    • It involves continually evolving and reinventing methods of operation to remain abreast of rapidly changing business conditions.

    Defining a Project

    • A project is a series of activities and tasks with a specific objective to be completed within a specified timeframe, budget, and resources.
    • A project has a defined start and end date, consumes human and other resources, and is multi-functional.

    Attributes of a Project

    • A project has an established objective.
    • It has a specified life span with a specified beginning and end.
    • It may involve something that has never been done previously.
    • It requires across-the-organisation participation and usually involves a group of people with different skill sets and strengths to achieve the desired outcome.
    • It has specific time, cost, and performance outcomes.

    Components of a Project

    • Milestones: tasks of zero duration that show an important achievement in a project.
    • Activities: scheduled phases in a project plan with a distinct beginning and end.
    • Deliverables: tangible or intangible goods or services produced as a result of a project that are intended to be delivered to a customer.

    Defining Project Management

    • Project management is the application of knowledge, skills, tools, and techniques to project activities to meet project requirements.
    • It involves utilising resources effectively by applying relevant management processes and functions.

    Project Management Body of Knowledge (PMBOK)

    • Provides guidelines for managing individual projects and defines project management-related concepts.
    • Describes the project management process groups and its related processes, as well as the project life cycle and its stages.

    Types of Projects

    • Can be classified based on their specific product or end-result, as well as factors such as size, duration, industrial sector, geographical location, complexity, and urgency.
    • Examples of project types include manufacturing, research, administrative, construction, systems, event, and new product development projects.

    The Triple Constraint

    • Projects are carried out under certain constraints – traditionally, they are cost, time, and scope.
    • These three factors are represented as a triangle, and project managers must balance them to deliver projects successfully.

    Organisational Processes and Projects

    • Organisational processes are ongoing, permanent, and have predefined work assignments.
    • Projects are temporary, have a definite beginning and end, and produce unique output or deliverables that improve or amend existing organisational processes.

    Portfolios, Programmes, and Projects

    • A programme is a collection of interrelated projects working together to achieve a common objective.

    • A portfolio is a collection of projects, programmes, and other work grouped together and managed in a coordinated way to achieve strategic business objectives.

    • Portfolios deal with all projects in an organisation, while programmes and projects are subsets of portfolios.### Project Life Cycle

    • The project life cycle is a crucial framework for carrying out projects successfully

    Critical Success Factors

    • Understanding why projects fail is important to ensure project success
    • 10 critical success factors were identified by Pinto and Prescott (1988):
      • Project Mission: Clear objectives and general direction
      • Top Management Support: Provision of fundamental resources for successful project delivery
      • Project Schedule Plan: Comprehensive description of individual tasks and timelines
      • Client Consultation: Communicating with and paying attention to all impacted parties
      • Personnel: Staffing, selection, training, and development of the necessary project team
      • Technical Tasks: Availability of technology and expertise to complete specific technical requirements
      • Client Acceptance: Getting acceptance of completed project work by the client
      • Monitoring and Feedback: Provision of comprehensive information and results during project implementation
      • Communication: Provision of an appropriate network and necessary data to all key actors
      • Trouble Shooting: Ability to handle unexpected crises and deviations from the plan

    Project Management

    • Project management involves delivering projects on time, according to scope, and within budget
    • Effective project management tools and techniques are essential for successful project delivery
    • Projects are implemented to improve organizational operations, and different requirements and milestones can impact project timelines and budgets

    Types of Projects

    • 5 types of projects:
      • Type 1: (example and characteristics)
      • Type 2: (example and characteristics)
      • Type 3: (example and characteristics)
      • Type 4: (example and characteristics)
      • Type 5: (example and characteristics)

    Project Management Tools

    • The project management tool used for planning and scheduling projects is the Gantt Chart
    • A Gantt Chart is a visual presentation of a project, breaking down activities and displaying them on a chart for easy understanding and interpretation

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    Description

    Learn about project management as a field of study and its application in delivering products and services efficiently. Explore how businesses and employees need to adapt to changing conditions.

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