PROJECTS, PROGRAMMES & PORTFOLIOS

Question 1

What is a project?

Answer 1

A unique, transient endeavour, undertaken to bring about change and to achieve planned objectives

Defined by the APM Body of Knowledge 7th Edition

Question 2

What are the triple constraints of project management?

Answer 2

Time, cost, quality

These constraints must be managed to achieve the defined scope of the project.

Question 3

How does project work differ from business-as-usual (BAU)?

Answer 3

Project work is pioneering, one-off, risk-taking and proactive, while BAU is about repetition, routine, and reacting to problems.

Question 4

What is project management?

Answer 4

The application of processes, methods, knowledge, skills and experience to achieve objectives for change

Defined by the APM Body of Knowledge 7th Edition.

Question 5

What is the primary reason for using project management procedures?

Answer 5

To ensure a structured, pragmatic and common-sense approach to planning, monitoring and control of a project.

Question 6

List the core components of project management.

Answer 6

• Define the reason for the project
• Capture project requirements
• Prepare a business case
• Secure corporate agreement
• Develop a management plan
• Lead the project delivery team
• Manage risks, issues and changes
• Monitor progress
• Manage the project budget
• Maintain communications with stakeholders
• Manage providers/suppliers
• Close the project

Each component is essential for effective project management.

Question 7

Who is accountable for the achievement of the business case in a project?

Answer 7

The project sponsor.

Question 8

What is the role of a project manager?

Answer 8

To plan, organise, motivate, evaluate, direct, control and lead the project from start to finish.

Question 9

What attitude is important for a project manager?

Answer 9

A ‘can-do’ open and positive attitude.

Question 10

True or False: A project is usually deemed successful if it meets its acceptance criteria.

Answer 10

True.

Question 11

What is programme management?

Answer 11

The co-ordinated management of projects and business-as-usual activities to achieve beneficial change

Defined by the APM Body of Knowledge 7th Edition.

Question 12

Why might a programme of projects be necessary?

Answer 12

Some objectives are too uncertain for one project to meet, requiring long-term strategies and checkpoints.

Question 13

List the core processes of programme management.

Answer 13

• Project co-ordination
• Transformation
• Benefit management
• Stakeholder management

These processes are crucial for managing programmes effectively.

Question 14

Who is responsible for the day-to-day management of a programme?

Answer 14

The programme manager.

Question 15

What is portfolio management?

Answer 15

The selection, prioritisation and control of an organisation’s projects and programmes in line with its strategic objectives and capacity to deliver

Defined by the APM Body of Knowledge 7th Edition.

Question 16

What factors does portfolio management consider?

Answer 16

• Scarce or limited resources
• Capacity bottlenecks
• Balance between risks and rewards
• Alignment with strategic intent
• Timing of events

Question 17

Fill in the blank: A project manager needs to be _______ to change requests.

Answer 17

open-minded and adaptable.

Question 18

What is the role of business change managers within a programme?

Answer 18

Responsible for successful transition and benefits realisation.

Question 19

What must a programme manager monitor and control?

Answer 19

Dependencies between individual projects.

Question 20

What is the purpose of a business case in project management?

Answer 20

To justify the investment in the project.