PROJECT CONTEXT, LIFE CYCLE & LEARNING FROM EXPERIENCE

Question 1

What is the definition of ‘Project Context’?

Answer 1

A collective term for the societal and/or organisational setting of a project, programme or portfolio.

Reference: APM Body of Knowledge 7th Edition

Question 2

What are the six areas covered in a PESTLE analysis?

Answer 2

• Political
• Economic
• Sociological
• Technical
• Legal
• Ecological

Question 3

What does SWOT analysis help identify?

Answer 3

Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, and Threats.

Question 4

What does VUCA stand for?

Answer 4

Volatility, Uncertainty, Complexity, and Ambiguity.

Question 5

What characterizes a Linear Life Cycle in project management?

Answer 5

Completion of project work within a single pass through the cycle, often referred to as the ‘traditional’ or ‘waterfall’ approach.

Question 6

What are the four phases of a standard linear project life cycle?

Answer 6

• Concept
• Definition
• Deployment
• Transition

Question 7

What is the purpose of milestones or gates in a project life cycle?

Answer 7

Reference points between phases that allow for ‘go/no go’ decisions.

Question 8

What is the significance of the Transition phase in a linear project?

Answer 8

It is when the responsibility for the outputs is transferred to the operational organization.

Question 9

What is the Adoption phase in an extended project life cycle?

Answer 9

The period after users take ownership of the output and begin to use it.

Question 10

What does the Iterative Life Cycle allow for in project management?

Answer 10

Repeating one or more phases of a project life cycle to add more capability and value with each iteration.

Question 11

What is ‘timeboxing’ in iterative project management?

Answer 11

Fixed end dates for phases that adjust scope and quality to deliver on time and within cost.

Question 12

What types of project reviews are conducted during a project’s lifecycle?

Answer 12

• Project evaluation reviews
• Gate or stage reviews
• Peer reviews
• Audits
• Post project reviews
• Benefit reviews

Question 13

What is the purpose of progress reporting in project management?

Answer 13

To provide stakeholders with updates on performance based on evaluations and stage reviews.

Question 14

What does reporting by exception involve?

Answer 14

Presenting information only when project performance falls outside set limits or tolerances.

Question 15

What is knowledge management in the context of project management?

Answer 15

The holistic cross-functional discipline concerned with how organisations create and use knowledge to improve outcomes.

Question 16

Why is it important to learn from experience in project management?

Answer 16

To incorporate lessons into plans for remaining phases and to improve future project outcomes.

Question 17

What are the steps involved in conducting a Change Impact Analysis?

Answer 17

• Define the change, its purpose, objectives, scope, and timeline
• Identify impacted organisational areas
• Evaluate the level of impact
• Develop an action plan

Question 18

What should be included in project documentation during the transition phase?

Answer 18

• Process maps
• Relevant project documentation
• Ownership of supplier relationships
• Ongoing licensing arrangements