Sample examination question (TRY 1) for PLAN7901 Semester 1 2011 Question 1

Definition
Project management techniques describe the ways in gathering information, communicate and completing projects in the most efficient and effective way.

Component of project management techniques

Project management techniques are divided into 4 main tiers or levels, which are: A. Organisational context: I. Clear goals: orienting teams towards common objectives in order to improve project performance. II. Senior management support: aligning the project support systems with the project team, this provides a key role in project team success by providing political backing. B. Project Team Design I. Cross-functionally integrated project teams: integrated project teams with members from all necessary functional departments in order to significantly shortened cycle times and drive project profitability. II. Autonomous project team structure: lateral team of specialists working under the sole charge of the project manager, with no formal involvement. This will enable a significant contribution to project team for project delivery on time and within budget. III. Office design to facilitate effective communication: effective communication is one of the most frequently emphasized as the main project team success factors. IV. Virtual office usage: using virtual sense via technology and communication system can help to make a better decision rather than face to face teams. C. Project Team Leadership I. Project Manager Continuity: important to accelerating development speed in stable environment . II. Project Manager Incentives: giving the project managers an incentive in order to further motivate the project manager to perform better in delivering a project. D. Project Team Process I. Problem Solving: team problem solving, where an effective problem solving ability is one internal project team process shown to improve project outcomes. Project teams who are able to solve operational and technical problems in a timely manner can greatly improved both speeds and quality of the projects. II. Generalised project team efficacy/potency: team s general collective conviction that together they can be effective. E. Project outcome

I.

Measurement of each project outcomes relative to the industry average outcomes for projects of that particular type.

Examples:
RAND Corporation is one of the corporations that came out with these metric indices, which outlines all the project management techniques. This corporation has successfully handle the project.

Or come out with my own like some mining companies (RIO Tinto)

Conclusion
A proper project management technique will make it ideal for change initiatives as it will be more structured and should there be any changes, it will be easier and more systematic, which makes it more ideal for changes.

Question 2
Definition Project A project in business and science is a collaborative enterprise, frequently involving research or design, that is carefully planned to achieve a particular aim Function Functions are defined as official ceremony or a formal social occasion

Similarities

Differences

Conclusion

Question 3
Structure of PMBoK
The PMBOK Guide is process-based, meaning it describes work as being accomplished by processes. This approach is consistent with other management standards such as ISO 9000 and the Software Engineering Institute's CMMI. Processes overlap and interact throughout a project or its various phases. Processes are described in terms of:
y y y

Inputs (documents, plans, designs, etc.) Tools and Techniques (mechanisms applied to inputs) Outputs (documents, products, etc.)

The Guide recognizes 42 processes that fall into five basic process groups and nine knowledge areas that are typical of almost all projects.
y

The five process groups are: Initiating Planning Executing Monitoring and Controlling Closing The nine knowledge areas are: Project Integration Management Project Scope Management Project Time Management Project Cost Management Project Quality Management Project Human Resource Management Project Communications Management Project Risk Management Project Procurement Management

1. 2. 3. 4. 5.
y

1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9.

Each of the nine knowledge areas contains the processes that need to be accomplished within its discipline in order to achieve an effective project management program. Each of these processes also falls into one of the five basic process groups, creating a matrix structure such that every process can be related to one knowledge area and one process group. The PMBOK Guide is meant to offer a general guide to manage most projects most of the time. There are currently two extensions to the PMBOK Guide: the Construction Extension to the PMBOK Guide applies to construction projects, while the Government Extension to the PMBOK Guide applies to government projects.

Structure/definition of PRINCE2
PRojects IN Controlled Environments 2 (PRINCE2) is a structured project management method endorsed by the UK government as the project management standard for public projects. The methodology encompasses the management, control and organisation of a project. PRINCE2 is also used to refer to the training and accreditation of authorised practitioners of the methodology who must undertake accredited qualifications to obtain certification.

Method of PRINCE2 includes

y y y y y y y

2.1 Starting up a project 2.2 Initiating a project 2.3 Directing a project 2.4 Controlling a stage 2.5 Managing stage boundaries 2.6 Managing product delivery 2.7 Closing a project

Benefits of structured approach towards project management

PRINCE2 is a structured approach to project management. It provides a method for managing projects within a clearly defined framework. PRINCE2 describes procedures to coordinate people and activities in a project, how to design and supervise the project, and what to do if the project has to be adjusted if it doesnt develop as planned. In the method each process is specified with its key inputs and outputs and with specific goals and activities to be carried out, which gives an automatic control of any deviations from the plan. Divided into manageable stages, the method enables an efficient control of resources. On the basis of close monitoring the project can be carried out in a controlled and organised way. Being a structured method widely recognised and understood, PRINCE2 provides a common language for all participants in the project. The various management roles and responsibilities involved in a project are fully described and are adaptable to suit the complexity of the project and skills of the organisation.

Question 4 (refer to assignment)

Definition of leadership Trait in leadership Example of project success of failure due to leadership

Question 5
Definition of WBS
A work breakdown structure (WBS) in project management and systems engineering, is a tool used to define and group a project's discrete work elements in a way that helps organize and define the total work scope of the project.[1] A work breakdown structure element may be a product, data, a service, or any combination. A WBS also provides the necessary framework for detailed cost estimating and control along with providing guidance for schedule development and control. Additionally the WBS is a dynamic tool and can be revised and updated as needed by the project manager.[1]

Example of WBS

Definition of scoping
In project management, the term scope has two distinct uses: Project Scope and Product Scope. Project Scope "The work that needs to be accomplished to deliver a product, service, or result with the specified features and functions." [1] Product Scope "The features and functions that characterize a product, service, or result." [2]

Critical discussion
The importance of these two elements prior to network planning and resource planning