Chapter 11: Project Management

Question 1

Key factors in managing a successful project

Answer 1

• clear definition of the aim of the project reflecting customer needs
• full planning
• thorough risk analysis
• a schedule of what needs to be considered at each milestone review point
• regular monitoring of developments
• measurement of performance and quality standards
• thorough testing at all stages
• management of critical path issues
• appropriate pacing so that the right things are done at the right time.
• stable but challenging relationships with external suppliers
• a supportive environment
• excellent communications between those involved
• positive conflict management

Question 2

7 policies contained in the written strategy

Answer 2

FINANCING policy
LEGAL policy
IT policy 
RISK MANAGEMENT policy
TECHNICAL policy
COMMUNICATIONS policy
CONFLICTS OF INTEREST policy

Question 3

Project owner / sponsor

Answer 3

Ultimate owner of the project.

• Responsible for the SCHEDULING, ie ensuring that the key MILESTONES have been reached at the agreed times and that CRITICAL QUESTIONS are raised at these points.
• in charge of the DESIGN and BUILD of the project
• should be able to ESTABLISH DIRECTION
• decides on ACTION
• organises resources
• MOTIVATES the team

Question 4

Good communication is particularly important between

Answer 4

• designers and builders
• specifiers and implementers
• project owners and project managers

Question 5

Meaning of “clear definition”

Answer 5

Need to develop the project definition in a

• timely,
• cost-effective manner,
• with minimal changes occurring later in the project.

This will enable the real needs of the project customer to be met.

Question 6

The tools for planning, monitoring and reporting on the progress of a project should:… (3)

Answer 6

• be USER FRIENDLY
• allow technical, financial and other ISSUES to be TRACKED
• enable final OUTCOMES to be PREDICTED RELIABLY

Question 7

Written strategy for the project sets out… (4)

Answer 7

• AIMS of the project
• ISSUES necessary for the implementation of the project
• areas of RISK that could affect the viability of the project
• ALTERNATIVE STRATEGIES for dealing with the areas of risk

Question 8

Contents of the Written Strategy Document

Answer 8

- POLICIES - 
financing policy
legal policy
IT policy 
risk management policy
technical policy
communications policy
conflicts of interest policy

• ROLES and RESPONSIBILITIES -
  Sets out responsibilities of:
• project sponsor
• 3rd parties and consultants
• OBJECTIVES -
• Financial objectives
• How to meet objectives
• Quality Standards
• SCHEDULE -
• Key milestones
• Structured breakdown of what needs to be done
• EXPECTED COSTS -

Question 9

Communications policy

Answer 9

Sets out:
- by what means
- how frequently
people will communicate,

e.g. development staff, users, project management team, senior management.