a$)$ The project life cycle is a fundamental concept in project management. Describe the four main phases of a typical project life cycle, from initiation to closure. For each phase, provide the key activities and deliverables. Illustrate your answer by applying these phases to a project for "Smart Motors Inc.," a company designing and building a new electric vehicle prototype.

$[25$ Marks$]$

b$)$ You are managing a project to upgrade the production line of a car manufacturing plant to incorporate a new robotic arm for welding. The project is currently in the execution phase. An unexpected disruption occurs: the supplier of the robotic arm notifies you of a three$-$month delay due to a component shortage. As the project manager, what specific actions would you take to manage this situation? Discuss how you would address this issue by considering the impact on the project schedule, budget, and scope. Your answer should detail the steps you would take to mitigate the risks and communicate with stakeholders effectively.

$[25$ Marks$]$

QUESTION $2$

a$)$ As a project manager for a company manufacturing and assembling medical ventilators, a new project has been initiated to develop a smaller, more portable, and cost$-$effective ventilator for use in remote clinics. You have been tasked with the successful execution of this project. Discuss the importance of project management in the context of this project. Your discussion should be comprehensive, covering aspects such as resource allocation, risk management, stakeholder communication, and achieving project objectives.

$[25$ Marks$]$

b$)$ Differentiate between a project, a program, and a portfolio. Provide a practical example for each within the context of an industrial and manufacturing engineering firm. Use a hypothetical company, "Innovative Engineering Solutions," which specializes in developing and implementing automation technologies for manufacturing plants.

$[25$ Marks$]$

INSTRUCTIONS:

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