John Doh

Online Project Management

Chapter 1 Review Question

What is a project?

A project is a temporary endeavor undertaken to create a unique product, service or

result. It requires an organized set of work efforts that are planned in a level of detail

that is progressively elaborated upon as more information is discovered. Projects are

subjected to limitation(s) of time and resources such as money and people.

What is project management?

Project Management is the application of knowledge, skills, tools and techniques to

project activities to meet project requirements. This includes work processes that

initiate, plan, execute, control and close work. During these processes, trade-offs must

be made among the: Scope (Size), Quality, Costs, and Schedule.

At what stage of a project life cycle are the majority of the “hands-on”

tasks completed?

The execution stage is the time when the majority of the “hands-on” project tasks

are accomplished.

Chapter 1 Discussion Questions

Name and describe each of the nine project management knowledge

areas.

Scope Management determines all the necessary work for project completion

defining, sequencing, estimation duration, and resourcing work

Time Management
activities as well as developing and controlling the schedule.

Cost Management planning, estimating, budgeting, and controlling costs

Quality Management quality planning, assurance and control

 John Doh
Online Project Management

HR Management acquiring, developing, and managing the team

generating, collecting, disseminating, storing and disposing of timely

Communications Management
and appropriate project information

risk identification, analysis, response planning, and monitoring and

Risk Management
control

Purchasing, or acquiring product and services as well as contract

Procurement Management
management

Unifying and coordinating the other knowledge areas by creating and

Integration Management
using tools such as charters, project plans, and change control

Chapter 2 Review Questions

In addition to short- and long-term results, what should strategic

objectives include?

Objectives should include a focus on decisions regarding which projects to select and

how to prioritize them since they are an expression of the organizational focus. Many

writers have stated, that for objectives to be effective, they should be “SMART”- that

is specific, measurable, achievable, results-based, and time-specific.

What is the primary method of implementing organizational objectives?

Objectives need to be enforced. Some objectives may be implemented by work in

ongoing operations. However, projects tend to be the primary method for

implementing many objectives.

Chapter 3 Review Questions

List advantages and disadvantages of functional, projectized, and matrix

forms of organization.
 John Doh
Online Project Management

i. Functional Organization – “hierarchial” each employee has one direct

supervisor and is a traditional approach.

1. Advantages: “unity of command”, one boss, learn from each other,

and know there is more work after a project.

2. Disadvantages: slow communication process

ii. Projectized Organization – a structure whereas project manager has full
authority to assign projects, apply resources, budgets, and decision making.

1. Advantages: department barriers are reduced, response is quick.

2. Disadvantages: costly, some projects may develop own methodologies,
and may worry what projects are next; susceptible to downsizing.

iii. Matrix Organization – Hybrid composition of both functional & projectized.

Project manager shares responsibilities with functional manager.

1. Advantages: visibility, shared resources, departmental cooperation,

Employee report to functional manager, and is flexible.

2. Disadvantages: having two bosses,

Chapter 3 Discussion Questions

Define your project code of ethics.

Aside from the creation of project culture, project sponsor and manager also determine

how people should act. They learn that they need to act in the best interests of three

constituencies: the project itself – delivering what is promised; the project team –

encouraging and developing all team members; and the other project stakeholders –

satisfying their needs and wants. Ethical project managers make decisions so that of
 John Doh
Online Project Management

the three do NOT suffer unfairly when satisfying the other two. Project managers

exhibit the following: responsibility, respect, fairness, and honesty.