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project management
Project Management Achieving Competitive Advantage 5th Global Edition Jeffrey K.Pinto - Solutions
As part of the effort to upgrade the IT capabilities at Kimble College, the institution initiated a program more than five years ago to dramatically increase the size of the IT department while focusing efforts toward data management and improving administrative functions.As part of the upgrade,
Conceived in the 1980s as a device to accelerate particles in high-energy physics research, the Superconducting Supercollider (SSC) was a political and technical hot potato from the beginning. The technical challenges associated with the SSC were daunting. Its purpose was to smash subatomic
Speaking on the status of Honolulu’s Elevated Rail public transport system, former Hawaii Governor Benjamin Cayetano had an interesting message for President Trump: “As a lifelong Democrat and former governor of Hawaii, I opposed your candidacy. I must admit, however, that you are on the right
What are the reasons that prevent an effective closeout?How can you avoid these?
Consider the case of the Navy’s Littoral Combat Ship in Case Study 14.3. Take the position that terminating this project after having invested so much in research and development represented a good or bad decision by the Navy. Argue your case.Case Study 14.3In February 2012, the Minister of
What are some of the reasons for terminating a project early?
Consider the concerns that a project manager may face when closing a project illustrated in Table 14.2. What are the most difficult concerns to deal with? What are the easiest?Why?
Imagine that you are working on a project that entails constructing a building, for which you have multiple supplier contracts in place. How can you prevent claims and disputes on a project like this from occurring?
Search the Internet for links to the Boston Tunnel, “The Big Dig”; the Channel Tunnel, “The Chunnel”; and London’s Millennium Dome. Why do you think these projects were supported to their conclusion in spite of their poor cost performance? What would it take to kill a high-visibility
Go to https://hbr.org/2003/02/why-bad-projects-are-sohard-to-kill and read the perspective on the difficulty in killing bad projects. What are some of the critical stories or pieces of advice offered by the blog writer and those commenting on his suggestions? How do corporate politics play a role
Go to http://cs.unc.edu/~welch/class/comp145/media/docs/Boehm_Term_NE_Fail.pdf and read the article “Project Termination Doesn’t Equal Project Failure”by Barry Boehm. Summarize his main arguments.What does he cite as the top 10 reasons for project failure?
Go to www.pmhut.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/03/project-closeout-document.pdf. Critique the content of this closeout form. What information would you suggest adding to the form to make it a more comprehensive closeout document?
Go to a search engine (Google, Yahoo!, Ask, etc.) and enter the term “project failure” or “project disaster.” Select one example and develop an analysis of the project. Was the project terminated or not? If not, why, in your opinion, was it allowed to continue?
When does a project close?a. When a project is canceledb. When a project runs out of moneyc. When a project is successfully completedd. All the above are correct answers
You have just completed your project and have to confront the final activities your company requires when putting a project to bed. Which of the following activities is not expected to be part of the project closeout?a. Lessons learnedb. Project archivesc. Release of resourcesd. Supplier
Your project is nearing completion. At your request, members of your project team are grouping together critical project documentation, including contracts and financial records, change orders, scope and configuration management materials, and supplier delivery records. This process involves the
The execution phase of the IT project has just finished. The goals of this project were to update order-entry systems for your company’s shipping department. Which of the following is the next step in the process of completing the project?a. Gaining acceptance or the project by your shipping
The team has just completed work on the project. By all accounts, this was a difficult project from the beginning and the results bear this out. You were over budget by 20% and significantly behind your schedule. Morale became progressively worse in the face of the numerous challenges. At the close
During project closeout, you are required to attend to activities related to all the following except:a. Conducting post-project reviewb. Obtain acceptance by the customer or sponsor to formally close the projectc. Document lessons learnedd. All are required activities for closeout
During project closeout, you are required to attend to all these additional activities except:a. Apply appropriate updates to all organizational processesb. Archive relevant project documentationc. Retain project resources into the foreseeable future as a precautiond. Close out procurement
The Closing Process Group in PMBoK refers to:a. Processes performed to finalize all activities to formally close the project or phaseb. Processes performed to complete the work defined in the project management planc. Processes required to track, review, and regulate the progress and performance of
Which of the following is a critical document to prepare during the closeout phase?a. Change requestsb. Lessons learnedc. Control chartsd. Integrated communications plan
You have completed a transportation hub project for a difficult customer who has been dissatisfied with the manner with which your organization managed his project.The project has been delayed for several reasons—mostly due to the client’s repeated change requests and unexpected adverse weather
The chapter suggests that it is critical for projects to be aligned with the strategic focus of an organization. Table 2.1 gives some examples of projects reflecting strategy.Consider the following strategic objectives for a hotel chain:a. Be a leader in customer serviceb. Grow customer base by
Scoring Model. Now assume that for Problem 3.14, the importance weights are altered as follows:How does this new information alter your decision? Which project now looks most attractive? Why?Problem 3.14Scoring Model. Suppose the information in Problem 3.13 was supplemented by importance weights
The required rate of return is 12%, and the expected rate of inflation over the life of the project is forecast to remain steady at 3%. Should you invest in this project?
For your answer to Problem 3.11, construct an argument as to why this selection process is useful for deciding which project is best. Now, construct a counterargument to criticize this choice. In other words, are you comfortable presenting this project choice to top management?Why or why
Scoring Model. Suppose the information in Problem 3.13 was supplemented by importance weights for each of the four assessment criteria, where 1 = low importance and 4 = high importance:Assume, too, that evaluations of high receive a score of 3, medium 2, and low 1. Recreate your project scoring
Screening Model. Consider the following weighted criteria for assessing the viability of different charity event project proposals.• Cost (3)• Location (4)• Team expertise (3)• Celebrity endorsement (1)• Likely media coverage (4)• Fundraising potential (5)Assume that you are required to
Profile Model. Using the information from the profile model in Problem 3.18, construct an argument as to why project B is preferable to project C.Problem 3.18Profile Model. Assume the project profile model shown in Figure 3.11. Define the efficient frontier. The dotted lines represent the minimum
Discounted Payback. Your company is considering a high-risk project that could yield strong revenues but will involve a significant up-front investment. Because of this risk, top management is naturally concerned about how long it is likely to take to pay off that investment so that they can begin
Suppose for the previous Problem 3.21, that your firm has decided to raise their required rate of return to 20%. How long will it take to pay back your initial investment now?Problem 3.21Discounted Payback. Your company is considering a high-risk project that could yield strong revenues but will
Suppose for the previous Problem 3.21, that your CEO is highly risk averse and will not invest in any project with a payback longer than three years. Assuming a required rate of return of 15%, what would you tell him about this project opportunity?Problem 3.21Discounted Payback. Your company is
Go to the Web sites for the following organizations:a. Merck & Company Pharmaceuticals: www.merck.com/about002Fb. Boeing Corporation: http://www.boeing.com/boeing/companyoffices/aboutus/index.pagec. Rolls-Royce, Plc.: www.rolls-royce.comd. ExxonMobil, Inc.: www.exxonmobil.com/Corporate/about.aspx
This chapter suggests that considering contractual arrangements is an important factor when managing the project scope. What are the advantages and limitations of turnkey and cost-plus contracts?
On January 14, 2011, Secretary of Homeland Security Janet Napolitano made it official: the Virtual Fence Project was to be officially canceled. In her statement explaining the decision, Napolitano cited the difficulty of creating a unified, fully integrated security system and promised to “pursue
Go to www.mindtools.com/pages/article/newTMC_07.htm and read the article on managing risks. What does the article say about creating a systematic methodology for managing project risks? How does this methodology compare with the qualitative risk assessment approach taken? How does it diverge from
Using the keyword phrase “cases on project risk management,” search the Internet to identify and report on a recent example of a project facing significant risks. What steps did the project organization take to first identify and then mitigate the risk factors in this case?
All the following would be considered examples of significant project risks except:a. Financial risksb. Technical risksc. Commercial risksd. Legal riskse. All are examples of significant potential project risks
Assume you are a project cost engineer calculating the cost of a repetitive activity for your project. There are a total of 20 iterations of this activity required for the project. The project activity takes 2.5 hours at its steady state rate and the learning rate is 75%. Calculate the initial
Assume that you are a project manager in a software firm and have been asked to calculate the expected cost for a new fast-food epos system. Referring to historical information, you know that the developers can handle 8 function points each person-month and that the cost per developer in your
Go to the Internet and search using the phrase “cost analysis tools.” What are some of the links and examples of cost analysis as it applies to projects?
Suppose that we add some duration estimates to each of the activities from Exercise 9.28. A portion of the revised table is shown here. Recreate the network diagram for this project and note how MS Project uses nodes to identify activity durations, start and finish dates, and predecessors. What is
A building contractor is working on a vacation home and is looking over his schedule. He notices that the schedule calls for the foundation footers to be poured and then the rough floor decking to be installed. In this plan, the decking would be an example of what type of activity?a. Successor
Your project team is working on a brand-new project with leading-edge technology. As a result, it is very difficult for your team to give reasonable accurate estimates for how long their activities are going to take in order to be completed.Because of this uncertainty, it would be appropriate for
Activity slack (also known as float) can be calculated through which of the following means?a. Early finish (EF) – late finish (LF)b. Early finish (EF) – early start (ES)c. Late finish (LF) – late start (LS)d. Late start (LS) – early start (ES)
Your project team is working from a network diagram. This type of tool will show the team:a. Activity precedenceb. Duration estimates for the activities and overall schedulec. The dates activities are expected to begind. The network diagram will show none of the above
What do we mean by an activity’s late finish date?a. The latest an activity can finish without delaying the subsequent activityb. The latest an activity can finish without delaying the projectc. The pessimistic time from the PERT calculationd. The earliest starting time for a predecessor activity
Which of the following would result from activity sequencing?a. Activity-on-Node diagramb. External dependenciesc. Resource levelingd. The project critical path
Hammock activities are simply:a. Another name for dependenciesb. An activity sequencing ladderc. A means for disaggregating the project network into logical summariesd. The shortest activity path through a network
The fact that a product must first be prototyped before it can be tested is an example of:a. A mandatory dependencyb. An external dependencyc. A discretionary dependencyd. A milestone gate
What is the difference between a Gantt chart and a milestone chart?a. There is no difference; they are the same thingb. A milestone chart shows only major events, while a Gantt chart shows more information, including dependenciesc. A milestone chart is a project plan and a Gantt chart is notd. A
Explain what the term “lag” means by explaining the differences between the four logical relationships presented:a. Finish to startb. Finish to finishc. Start to startd. Start to finish
Joe has worked for Blanque Cheque Construction (BCC)for five years, mainly in administrative positions. Three months ago, he was informed that he was being transferred to the firm’s project management group. Joe was excited because he realized that project management was typically the career path
Consider the common problems with project cost estimation and recall a project with which you have been involved.Which of these common problems did you encounter most often? Why?
This chapter suggests that “estimating project costs is a challenging process that can resemble an art form as much as science.” Describe the different methods used to estimate costs on a project. How useful are these methods?
Explain the concept of activity-based costing. What are the steps involved in this process?
Go to http://management.about.com/lr/project_time_ management/174690/1/ and click on “Project Management” on the left side of the screen. When you consider several of the articles on time management in projects, what sense do you get that project scheduling is as much about personal time
Go to www.infogoal.com/pmc/pmcart.htm and examine some of the archived articles and white papers on project planning and scheduling. Select one article and synthesize the main points. What are the messages the article is intending to convey?
Key in “project scheduling” for a search of the Web. Hundreds of thousands of hits are generated from such a search.Examine a cross section of the hits. What are some of the common themes found on these Web sites?
Key in a search with the prompt “projects in ” in which you select a country of interest (e.g., “projects in Finland”). Many of the projects generated by such a search are government-sponsored initiatives. Discuss the role of proper scheduling and planning for one such project you find on
Consider the following information that you have compiled regarding the steps needed to complete a project. You have identified all relevant steps and have made some determinations regarding predecessor/successor relationships. Using MS Project, develop a simple network diagram for this project,
Suppose we have a complete activity predecessor table (shown here) and we wish to create a network diagram highlighting the activity sequence for this project. Using MS Project, enter the activities and their predecessors and create a complete activity network diagram for this project.
Suppose a project plan had three distinct paths through the network. The first path consisted of activities A (3 days), B (4 days), and C (2 days). The second path consisted of activities D (4 days), E (5 days), and F (5 days). The third path consisted of activities G (2 days), H (3 days), and I
What are the benefits and drawbacks of the profile model for project screening? Be specific about the problems that may arise in identifying the efficient frontier.
Suppose that you work in the pharmaceutical industry and have been asked to undertake a checklist exercise to assess which new drug development project to accept. The organization has decided on the following criteria, and you have evaluated them as follows:Construct a table identifying the
How can the project portfolio matrix help an organization to support overall strategic integration?
You have been tasked with advising senior management on whether to invest in a project that will involve purchasing a new piece of high-spec software for greater efficiency in supply and demand control. Their main concern is how long it will take for the project to return the initial investment.
Net Present Value. Your organization must decide on whether to accept a project that has been requested by the research and development department. The initial investment is $350,000. The team has projected that the cash inflows from the project will be $65,000 in the first three years and $85,000
Access the Web site https://teamblue.unicomsi.com/products/focal-point/?cm_mc_uid=8153203956171487 3469682&cm_mc_sid_50200000=1487346968. What is IBM’s philosophy regarding project portfolio management as demonstrated by this software product? What do they mean by stating that their goal is to
Pureswing Golf, Inc., manufactures and sells a full line of golf equipment including clubs, golf balls, leisurewear, and ancillary equipment (bags, rain gear, towels, etc.). The company competes in a highly competitive and fast-paced industry against better-known competitors such as Nike, Taylor
Recently Kathy Smith, a project manager for a large industrial construction organization, was assigned to oversee a multimillion-dollar chemical plant construction project in Southeast Asia. Kathy had earned this assignment after completing several smaller construction assignments in North America
”Volkswagen obfuscated, they denied, and they ultimately lied.” These were the words of U.S. Attorney General Loretta Lynch, as she set out how the German carmaker would be punished for attempting to willfully mislead U.S. authorities over the emissions produced by its diesel cars. This
John James has worked at one of the world’s largest aerospace firms for more than 15 years. He was hired into the division during the Clinton years when many people were being brought onto the payroll. John had not completed his engineering degree, so he was hired as a drafter. Most of the other
Table 4.2 ranks the characteristics of project managers who lead in order of importance. Evaluate the order of ranking and explain your answer.Table 4.2 TABLE 4.2 Characteristics of Project Managers Who Lead Rank 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 Characteristics of an Effective Project Manager Leads by example
Why is the growing nature of professionalism in project management an important consideration for organizations today? Can you identify any other organization that formally recognizes project management career paths?
Consider the Odebrecht case and its habit of using bribes and kickbacks to secure project contracts. In what ways is this unethical behavior the fault of the firm, and how is it the fault of the customers? How can an organization develop an ethical culture? Discuss this idea in relation to rewards
Identify an individual you would call a business leader. Search the Web for information on this individual. What pieces of information cause you to consider this individual a leader?
Go to the Web site www.debian.org/devel/leader and evaluate the role of the project leader in the Debian Project.What is it about the duties and background of the project leader that lets us view him as this project’s leader?
Knut Yrvin functions as the team leader for an initiative to replace proprietary operating systems with Linux-based technology in schools in Norway (the project is named“Skolelinux”). Read his interview at http://lwn.net/Articles/47510/. What clues do you find in this interview regarding his
Project champions can dramatically improve the chances of project success, but they can also have some negative effects. For example, projects championed by a well-known organizational member are very difficult to kill, even when they are failing badly. Read the article on blind faith posted at
Search the Web using the key words “construction project corruption.” The link: https://www.weforum.org/agenda/2016/02/why-is-the-construction-industry-socorrupt-and-what-can-we-do-about-it/ identifies several reasons why the construction industry is particularly prone to corruption. Choose a
The project manager spends a great deal of her time communicating with project stakeholders. Which of the following represent an example of a stakeholder group for her project?a. Top managementb. Customersc. Project team membersd. Functional group headse. All are project stakeholders
Effective leadership involves all the following, except:a. Managing oneself through personal time management, stress management, and other activitiesb. Managing team members through motivation, delegation, supervision, and team buildingc. Maintaining tight control of all project resources and
A project manager is meeting with his team for the first time and wants to create an environment in which relationships develop positively. Which of the following guidelines should he consider employing to create an effective partnership with his team?a. The right to say nob. Joint accountabilityc.
Joan is very motivated to create a positive project experience for all her team members and is reflecting on some of the approaches she can take to employ leadership, as opposed to simply managing the process. Which of the following is an example of a leadership practice she can use?a. Focus on
Frank has been learning about the effect of emotional intelligence on his ability to lead his project effectively. Which of the following is not an example of the kind of emotional intelligence that can help him perform better?a. Self-awareness and self-regulationb. Motivationc. Social skillsd.
What is the PRIMARY objective of the project manager?a. To follow PMI’s processes and get certifiedb. To amaze the customerc. To deliver maximum value to the organizationd. To deliver the agreed upon scope of the project within the time and budget constraints
The best way you can help your project as its leader is to:a. Manage an open and active communication network among all key stakeholdersb. Present your team with a clear vision of the critical nature of the project and your goals for itc. Develop motivational techniques that match the needs of each
What is the most important function the project manager serves?a. Communicatingb. Staffingc. Motivatingd. Rewarding
An emotional intelligence trait that is critical to effective leadership is:a. Gate-keepingb. Empathyc. Conflict avoidanced. Team member awareness
Sarah is a senior manager who, although not part of the project team, has worked actively with members of a critical project, helping them acquire additional resources, coordinating their activities with other senior executives from different departments, and at times serving as an emotional
With the announcement that California would be committing $4.3 billion to the construction of a 29-mile rail link between the cities of Fresno and Madera in the state’s Central Valley, California’s 20-year-old quest for a high-speed rail line was finally coming true. The California High-Speed
The ELV (extra low voltage) project, which was meant to install, test, and commission IT, communications infrastructure, and services for the Five Star Hotel in Bahrain,concluded in 2011. The project was part of a total program to deliver 11 sub-systems, including installation of data, voice,
In 2011, one of the most complex and difficult congressional budget decisions in years finally determined the fate of the Marine Corps’ Expeditionary Fighting Vehicle (EFV). Given the numerous delays, tests, conditional approvals, and retests, the EFV had been no stranger to controversy. Although
What are the reasons for developing a business case as part of scoping requirements? How would an organization use this document?
Sustainable project development has many features and can mean many things when beginning a project. If you were to identify three critical messages that explain what sustainable project management really means, what would they be?
Prepare a group project for the classroom. Use as your model one of the following:a. Construction projectb. Software development projectc. Events management project (e.g., an awards banquet)d. New product development project Develop a Statement of Work (SOW) for the project, using the format of (1)
Using the project you identified in Problem 1, create a Responsibility Assignment Matrix (RAM) for it, identifying at least six fictitious project team members.Problem 1What are the principal benefits of developing a comprehensive project scope analysis?
Research a real project through library resources or the Internet and develop a brief scope statement for the project, a general WBS, and any other information pertaining to the scope management for that project.
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