Project Planning

Question 1

Project type: puzzle

Answer 1

• methods and goals known in advance<br></br>
• operation/standard job <br></br>
• there is a ‘best’ way to solve puzzle <br></br>
• e.g. engineering, type 1

Question 2

Project type: problem

Answer 2

• either methods or goals unknown, but one of the two is known <br></br>
• not always a best way to do it <br></br>
• e.g. product development, application software

Question 3

project type: mess

Answer 3

• neither methods or goals are known <br></br>
• research, new market, unproven techniques <br></br>
• project must make progress without wasting time and resources <br></br>
• e.g research, organisational change

Question 4

Aim of project plan

Answer 4

According to mess-problem-puzzle model, a project plan seeks to move the project to the known, known (puzzle) section of model

Question 5

Benefits of planning

Answer 5

Credibility - estimates costs, time, milestone review points
<br></br>
efficiency - effective deployment and management of resources. avoid duplication and unnecessary work
<br></br>
baseline for monitoring and control - baseline to track progress (monitor) and action can be taken to avoid deviations (control)
<br></br>
manage uncertainty - assessment of alternative solutions for unexpected eventualities
<br></br>
manage risk - identify, assess and manage project risks

Question 6

Finding the balance of planning

Answer 6

it is important to find the balance 
PMP development begins in definition stage of PLC 
<br>
disadvantages of too much planning; <br>
- increased cost at no benefit <br>
- unproductive work <br>
- slow decision making <br>
- inefficiency <br>
- de-motivation <br>

Question 7

Generic project management process

Answer 7

initiate-> define & plan -> monitor & control

-> learn & close

Question 8

What is included in the PMP?

Answer 8

takes the ‘what’ and ‘why’ of the business case and expands on these <br></br>

• reference info <br></br>
• policies, standards, specifications <br></br>
• project organisation <br></br>
• lifecycle <br></br>

how a project is to be undertaken
process-based

Question 9

Project Strategy

Answer 9

The high-level content of the PMP <br>
Developed from the project manager's interpretation of; <br>
- purpose and objectives <br>
- deliverables <br>
- tools and techniques <br>
- priorities (time, cost, quality)  <br>
- scope

Question 10

project plan

Answer 10

project plan defines the work to be undertaken and forms the baseline against which the project is to be monitored and controlled <br></br>

defines; <br></br>

• scope and breakdown structure <br></br>
• timescales <br></br>
• costs <br></br>
• resources <br></br>
• success criteria <br></br>
• tactical, work based <br></br>

coordinated by the project manager and approved by the sponsor

Question 11

business case

Answer 11

business objectives for the project and justification for undertaking it, completed by project sponsor