Questions and Answers of Project Management

How applicable is the concept of velocity to traditional project management?
1. What “lessons learned” could you suggest for GHP from Thirty Days to Rescue for similar, future projects?2. Does Thirty Days to Rescue sound like a “mission impossible?” In what regards?3.
1. The Olympic leaders faced harsh criticism for the “delay” in beginning work on the project. Have you read about this kind of response elsewhere? What is the message here?2. What were the major
1. Was the problem here one of those described in Critical Chain? Which one, if so?2. Describe how the change effectively solved the problem.
The consequences of not reporting early completion times were discussed. Modify the simulation model you created for Exercise 16 above so that early completion of the tasks before the scheduled
A simulation model was developed to illustrate the problem with assuming activity times were known with certainty. However, in the simulation analysis, the activity times were assumed to be
The topic of Agile was discussed much less in this chapter than the immediately preceding chapters. Are topics such as resource loading and resource leveling not as important in Agile?
1. Why did they need drawings of every site, building, and room?2. How do you think they did planning for the bad weather?3. Was scheduling the difficult aspect of planning the games or the logistics?
1. What period of time does the article RAISE THE RED FLAGS imply becomes too long to monitor and correct a project that has gone off the tracks? Why?2. Explain why the top manager’s reaction to a
1. Wouldn’t higher eligibility requirements for subscribers cut NHP’s health care costs? Why did this exacerbate NHP’s situation?2. Explain the trade-off between hospital utilization and
1. The GAO report seemed to say that EV data was available but not actually used for decisions. What data do you imagine was being created?2. Why do you think the EV data wasn’t being used?3. What
What is the purpose of “earned value”? How would the progress of the project as a whole be calculated?
Why is earned value analysis not applicable to Agile approaches to project management?
Briefly explain the Agile tools discussed in the chapter that are useful for tracking project progress.
What is the purpose of control? To what is it directed?
1. Would you consider the scope changes in the case to be “scope creep”?2. Are each of the scope changes one of the three basic causes of change in projects? If so, which one and why?3. Would you
1. Draw a hierarchy/organization chart illustrating your interpretation of the various control systems/programs described in the writeup.2. How do you think Quality Control and Quality Assurance were
1. Summarize the unique way Johnson achieved control over their projects.2. How did “scope creep” enter the projects in the past? Which procedure is now directed at controlling this -effect?3.
1. When the project was finished, do you think it was considered a success or a failure? Why?2. Which risk management subprocess might have identified the danger in using a cheap computer system?3.
Describe the phase-gate process.
What are the purposes of the sprint review and sprint retrospective events?
1. Comment on the role of the engineer as an “accidental” project manager.2. Which numbered item in the list leads, do you think, to scope creep?
1. Why do you think organizations tend to ignore post-project evaluations?2. How could the concept of making such evaluations mandatory be implemented?3. Evaluate their advice for conducting post
In what ways does the sprint retrospective meeting support project monitoring and control?
What are go/no-go gauges?
1. Why do you think the complexity of the task was so greatly underestimated?2. Why weren’t standard project management principles used from the start, do you suppose?3. What type of control did
1. Was this a good use of the audit concept?2. What was the major problem in Auditing a Troubled Project at Atlantic States Chemical Laboratories?3. In spite of the recommendation, ASCL had already
1. How much attention do you think is usually given to the handoff from a project team to an ongoing staff?2. Would you classify this as a closure by addition, by integration, or by extinction? Why?
What are the tasks involved for the PO when attempting to obtain the benefits desired from the project?
How can the PO overcome employee “resistance?”
What criterion is used to determine when to close an Agile Project?
What is the release sprint?
How would you decide when the benefits have been “permanently” achieved in the Routine phase?
If the functional manager is lukewarm on the change involved with the project, what would you do to help him or her on board?
Search for articles related to the importance of keeping certain stakeholder information confidential. What types of information should be confidential? Describe two examples of actual problems that
How can software assist in project stakeholder management? Do you think social media tools are more likely to help or hinder projects?
Go to www.linkedin.com. If you do not have an account, set one up. Search for groups related to project management and topics related to stakeholder management. Join at least two groups and read some
Describe the type of information that is documented in an issue log. How can you avoid spending too much time documenting and tracking issues?
Review the information for using a power/interest grid. Find at least two articles that describe this grid or a similar one to help categorize stakeholders and how to manage them. Summarize your
Discuss ways that you have seen people manage stakeholder engagement in your classroom or work environments. Which approaches seem to work the best?
Interview someone who worked on an information technology project that involved several difficult stakeholders. Ask what they did that worked well and what did not work well. Summarize the interview
Search the Internet for articles related to dealing with project sponsors. Summarize two good articles in a memo that you could send to a new project manager, offering advice on how to effectively
Recall that the following people are involved in the Global Treps Project:• You, the project manager• Dr. K., the project sponsor• Bobby, team member/technical specialist• Alfreda, Kim, and
Why do you think PMI created a separate knowledge area for stakeholder management?
For the next few days, observe the body language of the people with whom you communicate. Describe some of the positive and negative things they do.
Evaluate the effectiveness of this RFP based on information you have studied in this chapter. Discuss the strengths and weaknesses of the RFP. Are there any items missing from the RFP that should
When would you use laddering in a network diagram? Give an example, different from the one provided in the chapter, and draw the corresponding network diagram.
List 10 best practices (do’s and don’ts) for electronic communication etiquette in a business environment.
Why is an autonomous project organization considered to operate like its own somewhat independent entity?
Using your favorite Web search engine, perform a search for “project management.” Be sure to look at video sites during your search; a number of videos related to project management processes and
Do several additional Web searches by adding, after the words “project management,” some of the key words listed in this chapter. For example, search for “project management objectives,”
List some examples of resources that are used on a project.
Since it was founded in 1969, the Project Management Institute (PMI) has grown to about 500,000 members in over 200 countries. The Pennsylvania based PMI is, by far, the leading not-for-profit
PMI is an international organization with chapters worldwide. Search for PMI Global Congresses and Events. Describe what you find, including upcoming international conferences. Also, explore the link
Executive Planet™ provides valuable tips on business etiquette, customs, and protocol for doing business worldwide. Go to the organization’s website and explore the business culture guides for
Think of a project in which you were involved and identify the stakeholders and what “stake” each had in the project.
Consider a project in which you are currently involved (or in which you have recently been involved).a. Describe the objectives, scope, schedule, cost, and any assumptions made.b. Where are you in
Based on the results of your search, find an RFP that has been posted on the Web. What company developed the RFP, and what is the company looking to accomplish?
Describe a situation in your life in which you performed needs identification.
Download the RFP, and based on what you learned in this chapter, revise it. Highlight the areas you revised. What makes your revised RFP better than the original?
Locate a website that provides suggestions for developing RFPs. Compare and contrast this with what was presented in the chapter.
Which elements of a project charter would you use to help plan if you have a project that does not require a project charter? Why?
Perform a Web search for software systems that can help you develop an RFP. Provide the Web address and a brief summary for three of the systems you found. Download a demo copy of at least one, if
Develop an RFP for a real-world project such as landscaping the grounds surrounding a nearby business office, building a deck for your house, or holding a big graduation celebration. Be creative in
Based on the results of your search, find a sample proposal that has been posted on the Web. What company or organization developed the proposal, and what objective was it trying to accomplish?
Evaluate the effectiveness of this proposal based on information you have studied in this chapter. Discuss the strengths and weaknesses of the proposal. Are there any items missing from the proposal
Based on what you have learned in this chapter, download the proposal and revise it. Highlight the areas you revised. What makes your revised proposal better than the original?
Locate a website that provides suggestions for developing effective proposals. Compare and contrast this information with what was presented in the chapter.
Explore and describe at least three software packages that can help you write effective proposals. What features do these packages provide? Download a demo copy of at least one, if possible.
Visit the website of the International Project Management Association (IPMA). Explore the site to learn more about certifications, memberships, publications, awards, events, and educational
Describe a project scope document. Why is it important to clearly define the project scope?
Look at the IPMA link called “Young Crew.” Young Crew is a key component of IPMA’s strategy for nurturing the project management leaders of tomorrow. Describe what you found.
What is a work breakdown structure? What is a responsibility assignment matrix? How are they related?
The International Journal of Project Management is an IPMA publication. Go to the journal’s home page or go to the website of Elsevier Science Direct and search for the journal. Click on the
Within the search tool to the website of Elsevier Science Direct, perform a quick search using the keyword “Planning.” Provide a list of what you found. Next, click on a year or topic filter and
Why does the scheduling function depend on the planning function? Which one must be done first? Why?
For exercises 2 through 5, visit the website for the organization Mind Tools. Explore the site. What kind of information does it provide?
Why might a contractor prefer to state a project completion time in terms of number of days after the project starts rather than a specific date? Give some examples of instances when this would be
On the “Home” page, explore the “What’s New?” links. Describe what you find.
Explore the topics in the “Toolkit” link for Project Management. Read through a topic that interests you. Provide a one-page summary.
Explore the “Newsletter Archives” and click on the “Newsletter Sign Up” link to subscribe to the free newsletter. In addition, under the “More Resources” link, click on “Videos,” read
From your experience, describe how you have used a project control process. If you did not use continual monitoring of the progress, how would it have helped improve the project’s success if you
Describe how you would apply the four steps of schedule control to a project. If the project needs to be accelerated, what kinds of activities would be the primary focus? Why?
Describe why it is necessary to develop a baseline budget for a project.
Why is it necessary to track actual and committed costs once a project starts?
How does project risk change as a project progresses? What changes are made to the risk assessment matrix as the changes occur?
List several questions that you would ask during a post project evaluation and describe changes that you would make in your next project to improve based upon possible responses to the questions.
List several lessons learned from a project in which you were a project team member or project manager. How will these lessons learned inform your future projects?
What leadership skills have project managers with whom you have worked possessed? How can you develop these leadership skills?
Describe how being rewarded or not being rewarded has changed how you worked on a project. Were there other rewards that would have been more appropriate for you or your team members?
Describe a time when negotiation resulted in a win-lose outcome. What changes could have been made to make the result a win-win outcome?
Why is it important to manage changes during a project? How are changes initiated? Give some specific examples.
Think of a project on which you have worked. Describe what made the project manager for that project effective or ineffective. How could the project manager have done a better job?
List 20 statements (of no more than six words) such as “Thank you” or “Good job” of what you might say to thank or compliment someone on your project team.
What are the benefits of a project kickoff meeting? From your project experience, describe how the project kickoff meeting for one project could have been improved.
With one or several friends, conduct a brainstorming session and list as many uses of a paperclip as you can.
Discuss the risk utility function and risk preference chart in Figure 11-2. Would you rate yourself as being risk-averse, risk-neutral, or risk-seeking? Give examples of each approach from different
Suppose your college or organization is considering a project to develop an information system that would allow all employees, students, and customers to access and maintain their own human resources
Review a document related to risk management, such as the Microsoft Security Risk Management Guide. Does this guide address most of the topics related to risk management planning, as described in
What are some questions that should be addressed in a risk management plan?

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