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What role does project assurance play in risk management?
What role does project assurance play in risk management?
Project assurance verifies the adequacy of project controls to identify unknown risks, ultimately enhancing confidence in project execution.
How do milestones or stage gates contribute to project lifecycle management?
How do milestones or stage gates contribute to project lifecycle management?
Milestones serve as critical decision points to assess the quality and completeness of deliverables, guiding the project's direction through its lifecycle.
Explain the significance of the concept of a 'value promise' in project management.
Explain the significance of the concept of a 'value promise' in project management.
A value promise articulates the expected benefits and outcomes of a project, ensuring robust strategic alignment throughout the project's lifecycle.
What common challenges are associated with intra-team conflicts within project teams?
What common challenges are associated with intra-team conflicts within project teams?
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How can stage gate reviews influence the effectiveness of a project?
How can stage gate reviews influence the effectiveness of a project?
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What is meant by residual risk in risk management?
What is meant by residual risk in risk management?
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Describe the importance of the TECOPS checklist in project management.
Describe the importance of the TECOPS checklist in project management.
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What are the four main strategies for risk mitigation?
What are the four main strategies for risk mitigation?
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What is the significance of having intent and capacity in the formation of a contract?
What is the significance of having intent and capacity in the formation of a contract?
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How does probabilistic risk management aid in project planning?
How does probabilistic risk management aid in project planning?
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What does Value of Work Done (VOWD) indicate in project management?
What does Value of Work Done (VOWD) indicate in project management?
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In what ways can risk transfer be achieved in project management?
In what ways can risk transfer be achieved in project management?
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Why is risk management considered a continuous activity throughout the project lifecycle?
Why is risk management considered a continuous activity throughout the project lifecycle?
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What are the key responsibilities of the contractor in a lump sum contract?
What are the key responsibilities of the contractor in a lump sum contract?
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Describe the primary purpose of project estimates.
Describe the primary purpose of project estimates.
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What does EPCM stand for and what does it entail?
What does EPCM stand for and what does it entail?
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In procurement and construction, how do unit rate contracts manage productivity risk?
In procurement and construction, how do unit rate contracts manage productivity risk?
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What are the direct costs associated with a project?
What are the direct costs associated with a project?
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Explain the difference between cost plus fixed fee and cost plus percentage fee contracts.
Explain the difference between cost plus fixed fee and cost plus percentage fee contracts.
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List two reasons why project monitoring and control are vital during the project lifecycle.
List two reasons why project monitoring and control are vital during the project lifecycle.
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What type of cost is associated with general and administrative expenses in a project?
What type of cost is associated with general and administrative expenses in a project?
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What is the role of a portfolio sponsor in portfolio management?
What is the role of a portfolio sponsor in portfolio management?
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Name two criteria used to evaluate projects in a portfolio.
Name two criteria used to evaluate projects in a portfolio.
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How does organizing projects as sub-units within functional units benefit project managers?
How does organizing projects as sub-units within functional units benefit project managers?
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What are the responsibilities of a portfolio manager?
What are the responsibilities of a portfolio manager?
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Why is market type an important criterion in project selection?
Why is market type an important criterion in project selection?
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What is one challenge faced during the portfolio management process?
What is one challenge faced during the portfolio management process?
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What does a portfolio analyst provide in the context of portfolio management?
What does a portfolio analyst provide in the context of portfolio management?
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How does understanding competitive impact inform project selection?
How does understanding competitive impact inform project selection?
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What are the three key characteristics that define a project?
What are the three key characteristics that define a project?
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What does PMBoK stand for and who delivers it?
What does PMBoK stand for and who delivers it?
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In the project life cycle, what activities are typically involved during the initiation phase?
In the project life cycle, what activities are typically involved during the initiation phase?
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What is the primary focus of the PRINCE2 methodology in project management?
What is the primary focus of the PRINCE2 methodology in project management?
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What is meant by a project being temporary?
What is meant by a project being temporary?
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Describe the importance of the relationship between influence and cost during a project's lifetime.
Describe the importance of the relationship between influence and cost during a project's lifetime.
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What is a key activity during the design phase of the project lifecycle?
What is a key activity during the design phase of the project lifecycle?
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How does having defined roles and responsibilities impact project management?
How does having defined roles and responsibilities impact project management?
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What is the primary objective of developing an assurance plan?
What is the primary objective of developing an assurance plan?
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How does product quality differ from process quality in project management?
How does product quality differ from process quality in project management?
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In the PDCA cycle, what is the purpose of the 'Check' phase?
In the PDCA cycle, what is the purpose of the 'Check' phase?
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What is the significance of a Work Breakdown Structure (WBS) in project management?
What is the significance of a Work Breakdown Structure (WBS) in project management?
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What are the essential components to define for each work package?
What are the essential components to define for each work package?
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What role does project assurance play in assessing decision quality?
What role does project assurance play in assessing decision quality?
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Describe the importance of having agreement on project scope between you and your client.
Describe the importance of having agreement on project scope between you and your client.
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What is the goal of planning assurance reviews?
What is the goal of planning assurance reviews?
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In project planning, what is the value of using a combination of top-down and bottom-up structuring techniques?
In project planning, what is the value of using a combination of top-down and bottom-up structuring techniques?
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What should be included in a project proposal to effectively communicate the project's intentions?
What should be included in a project proposal to effectively communicate the project's intentions?
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What activities are typically included in the front end of project engineering design?
What activities are typically included in the front end of project engineering design?
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How does a lump sum contract differ from a cost plus fee contract?
How does a lump sum contract differ from a cost plus fee contract?
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What are the advantages of using cost estimates in project management?
What are the advantages of using cost estimates in project management?
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Describe the meaning of EPCM in project management.
Describe the meaning of EPCM in project management.
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What is the purpose of project monitoring and control?
What is the purpose of project monitoring and control?
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What factors are considered in unit rate contracts?
What factors are considered in unit rate contracts?
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Explain the difference between direct and indirect costs in a project.
Explain the difference between direct and indirect costs in a project.
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What is a Cost Plus Incentive Fee contract?
What is a Cost Plus Incentive Fee contract?
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What factors contribute to the effectiveness of value added in projects?
What factors contribute to the effectiveness of value added in projects?
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How does benchmarking support project management?
How does benchmarking support project management?
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Why is integrated teamwork important in project management?
Why is integrated teamwork important in project management?
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Define risk management in the context of project management.
Define risk management in the context of project management.
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What are the key elements that define a risk in project management?
What are the key elements that define a risk in project management?
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How do safety and sustainability factor into modern project management focus areas?
How do safety and sustainability factor into modern project management focus areas?
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What is the Project Definition Rating Index (PDRI) used for?
What is the Project Definition Rating Index (PDRI) used for?
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Explain the importance of lessons learned in project management.
Explain the importance of lessons learned in project management.
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Study Notes
Risk
- Risk is the chance, high or low, that any hazard will actually cause somebody harm.
- TECOPS checklist: Technical, Economical, Commercial, Environmental, Political and Sustainable.
- Because of a cause (fact), an event might happen (the actual risk), which will have potential effect(s) on project promises (likelihood & impact)
- Likelihood (probability) is the most difficult element to estimate
- Effect/impact (consequence) is often easier to estimate
- Probabilistic risk management includes determining:
- Who owns the risk?
- What will be the risk response strategy?
- When to be executed?
- Residual risk à likelihood or consequence reduced, not zero
- Secondary risk à a result of the risk response strategy chosen
Mitigation
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Treat or Reduce
- Changing design, concepts, contracting
- Treat à make the solution part of the scope
- Taking à develop contingency (who to do, if)
- Risks management starts in early project phases: it is affecting your scope/planning
- Choice in risk management have to do with own preferences/behavioural style/attitude towards risks
-
Take or Accept
- May be justified by expected return; e.g. recovery plans, financial reservation
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Transfer
- E.g. insure, share, contract out, diversify, hedge
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Terminate or avoid
- E.g. Ceasing activity, sale recalibrate, reduce scale
Project Activities
- Risk management should be part of the project activities from start
- It helps to define the project
- It helps to focus in project execution
- It should not be a “tick the box” exercise
Contract
- A contract is a legally binding, enforceable and reciprocal commitment governing the collaboration between two (or more) parties
Essential Elements of Contract Formation
- Intent to create a legal relationship and legal capacity to act
- Offer and acceptance
- Compliance established practice and the law
Value of Work Done (VOWD)
- Value of goods and services received, measuring the technical/physical progress per control item and converting it into money
- Break down the scope into contract packages
- Marketability and commerciality of the packages
- Project management consideration
- (Adjourning à The team disbands )
Leading the team
-
Storming
- Soldiering
- Intra-team conflicts
- Disagreements among team member
- Inter-team conflicts
- Difficulties dealing with other related team
- Not delivering on time
- Lame excuses for not delivering
Assurance
- A positive declaration intended to give confidence
- Promise or pledge; guaranty; surety
- Full confidence; freedom from doubt; certainty
Project Controls
- Project internal processes executed by project controlled resources
- They assist the project manager to know project performance against plan, budget, quality
- They can trend the future
Project Assurance
- Verifying the adequacy and completeness of project controls by a respected and credible party that is external to the project team
- There is no hard data to demonstrate effectiveness of assurance activities on project outcomes, however it may assist in avoiding risk by identifying ‘unknown unknowns’.
- Line of defense
- Milestones/stage gates are moments at which you make a decision à assurance of quality and completeness of deliverables supporting the decision just prior to reaching milestone.
Stage Gate Reviews
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Value assurance: are we doing the right project?
- Value focus dominant at identify & conceptual design
- Is there a robust (life cycle ) value promise?
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Project assurance: are we planning and executing the project right?
- Project focus dominant during executing
- Is the life cycle value promise still robust?
Project Management Consideration
Broken down project activities
- Front End Engineering Design (FEED)
- Detailed design and engineering
- Procurement of materials and equipment
- Fabrication and construction
- Commissioning and start-up
Contracts
- EPC = Procurement and Construction
- EPCM = Engineering, Procurement and Construction Management
Contract Types
- Lump sum/Fixed Price à the contractor is responsible for executing and completing the work as defined in the scope of work for a fixed price. Risks borne by the contractor.
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Reimbursable/ Cost Plus Fee à The owner reimburses the contractor for all costs, reasonably incurred and directly associated with the project. Plus a certain fee for the services provided. Payment to the contractor is made on the basis of work actually done.
- Cost Plus Percentage Fee
- Cost Plus Fixed Fee
- Cost plus Incentive Fee à (make the fee (in part) subject to performance against a number of criteria defined at the start
- Unit rate à The contractor carries the ‘productivity risk’ of executing the work as the owner is paying a fixed price for each unit.
Project Monitoring & Control
Why Estimating
- Basis for control
- Assess project viability
- Obtain funding
- Manage cash flows
- Allocate resources
- Estimate durations
- Prepare tenders
Types of estimates/Timing
- Order of magnitude
- Preliminary
- Definitive
- Control
Structure
-
Direct Cost
- Labour cost
- Direct labour cost (measured in cost for a staff member per hour)
- Direct non-labour cost (e.g.
- Labour cost
-
Indirect Cost
- General and administrative cost
- Cost of administering labour
- Transportation, training
- General and administrative cost
Project Management Basics
- Project Management is crucial for better control, customer relations, increased return on investment (ROI), shorter development time, lower costs, higher quality, and reliability, increased results, and higher worker morale.
- Project - a unique and temporary endeavor with specific goals that utilizes human, financial, and material resources to achieve change.
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Three key characteristics of a project:
- Unique: No routines, uncertainty, only long-term feedback
- Temporary: Has a beginning and an end, involves a group of people
- Focused: Delivers a product, service or result with defined boundaries
- Project Management Body of Knowledge (PMBoK) is a global standard for project management by the Project Management Institute (PMI).
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PRINCE2 (Projects IN Controlled Environments) is a project management methodology that emphasizes:
- Continued business justification
- Manage by exception
- Learning from experience
- Focus on products
- Defined roles and responsibilities
- Tailoring to suit the project environment
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Project Life Cycle Stages:
- Initiation: Develop proposals, gather information, conduct feasibility studies, estimate design, and establish initial costs.
- Design: Develop design, estimate costs and returns, assess viability, obtain funding, refine the plan.
- Execution: Detailed design, baseline estimates, manage costs (typically 95% of total project costs), and implement project plans.
- Closure: Finish project, handover deliverables, evaluate project performance, and capture lessons learned.
- Portfolio Review: Regularly review project portfolios for strategic alignment and performance assessment.
- Project Funnel: Effectively manage project flow, prioritize ideas, and ensure focus on strategic initiatives.
Portfolio Management Criteria
-
Criteria for portfolio management:
- Fit with business strategy
- Durability of competitive advantage
- Benefits (ROI, market impact)
- Time to completion
- Investments required
- Market or market type
- Project type
- Risk profile
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Portfolio Management Roles:
- Sponsor: Senior manager representing the highest levels of the organization.
- Manager: Organizes and manages the portfolio process.
- Analyst: Provides strategic overviews of the portfolio.
Project Organization & Management
- Project Organization: Different ways to organize projects within the parent organization—the project as a sub-unit within the functional unit (advantages: flexibility in staff utilization, expert sharing, knowledge continuity, career advancement opportunities for specialists).
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Project Manager Roles:
- Assurance: Verify project deliverables and quality, assess decision quality, identify potential risks, and suggest mitigation strategies.
- Project Manager: Responsible for planning, executing, monitoring, and closing the project according to scope, budget, and timeline.
- Value Drivers: Factors that drive project success and value creation including quality, cost, schedule, scope, risk, communication, stakeholder management, and resources.
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Types of Quality:
- Product: Degree to which a product meets requirements, specifications, customer expectations.
- Process: Ability of the project process to consistently deliver expected outcomes.
- Quality Model (PDCA Cycle): Plan, Do, Check, Act—a cyclical improvement process for continuous quality enhancement.
Project Proposal & Planning
- Project Proposal: A document that outlines the project scope, objectives, methodology, budget, timeline, resources, and stakeholders, seeking approval to proceed.
- Project Plan: A detailed document outlining the project scope, work breakdown structure (WBS), timeline, milestones, deliverables, budget, resources, and risk management strategies.
- Work Breakdown Structure (WBS): A hierarchical breakdown of the project into smaller manageable components.
- Project Organization: Define roles, responsibilities, decision-making authority, and stakeholders, establish effective communication channels, and create an efficient team structure.
Project Risk Management
- Risk Management: A structured process to identify, assess, respond to, and monitor risks that could affect project objectives.
- Why risk management: High uncertainties in projects require proactive mitigation strategies to manage potential threats and opportunities.
- Risk Definition: An uncertain event or set of events with a potential impact on project objectives.
- Risk Assessment: Evaluates the likelihood and impact of each risk, prioritizing potential threats and opportunities.
- Risk Response: Develop strategies to mitigate, enhance, avoid, or accept risks.
- Risk Monitoring: Regularly track risks, identify changes in their likelihood or impact, and adjust mitigation plans as needed.
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Types of risks:
- Technical: Design, engineering, construction, equipment.
- Commercial: Contract disputes, funding problems, stakeholder conflicts.
- Environmental: Permitting, ecological impacts, regulatory changes.
Project Monitoring & Control
- Why Estimating: Provides a basis for control, assesses project viability, helps obtain funding, manages cash flows, allocates resources, estimates durations, assists in preparing tenders, and ensures a realistic project timeline.
-
Types of Estimates:
- Rough order of magnitude (ROM): Early estimates with a wide range of accuracy (+-30%).
- Budgetary: More detailed estimates (+-15-20%).
- Definitive: Highly detailed estimates (+-5-10%)—used for detailed planning and budgeting.
-
Timing:
- Planned schedule: Original project timeline.
- Current schedule: Actual progress status.
- Critical path: Sequence of activities with no slack time—any delays impact project completion.
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Estimating Techniques:
- Bottom-up: Estimating activity durations based on individual tasks within each work package.
- Top-down: Estimating durations based on historical data and expert judgment.
- Analogous: Using historical data from similar projects to estimate durations.
- Parametric: Applying a formula to estimate durations based on predefined parameters.
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Time Management:
- Schedule Development: Create detailed project schedules using tools like Gantt charts or critical path method (CPM).
- Schedule Control: Monitor progress, identify deviations from the schedule, and implement corrective actions.
- Resource Allocation: Allocate resources effectively to ensure that the right people are available for the right tasks at the right time.
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Cost Management:
- Cost Estimating: Estimate project costs based on resources, labor, materials, and other expenses.
- Cost Control: Track actual costs, identify variances, and implement corrective actions to manage budget.
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Project Closure:
- Formal closure: Complete project documentation, evaluate project outcomes, capture lessons learned, and formally close the project.
-
Performance Measurement:
- Key Performance Indicators (KPIs): Metrics used to assess project progress and success, including schedule adherence, budget control, quality, and risk management.
-
Benchmarking:
- Internal: Comparing project performance to other projects within the organization.
- External: Comparing project performance to industry best practices and competitors.
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Description
Explore the fundamentals of risk management, including definitions, likelihood estimation, and the TECOPS checklist. Learn about mitigation strategies and how to effectively treat or reduce risks in project management. This quiz will enhance your understanding of residual and secondary risks.