Project Management 7e Chapter 1 Discussion Questions

Chapter 1 Discussion Questions

1. Why is there a new or renewed interest in the field of project management?

Companies and individuals are recognizing that to be successful they need to use modern project management techniques. In order to remain competitive in the workplace, skills must be developed to become good project members and managers. 3

2. What is a project, and what are its main attributes? How is a project different from what most people do in their day-to day jobs? What is the triple constraint? What other factors affect a project?

A project is a temporary endeavor undertaken to create a unique product, service, or result. 4 The main attributes are: unique purpose, is temporary, is developed using progressive elaboration, requires resources, has a primary customer or sponsor, involves uncertainty.6-7

3. What is project management? Briefly describe the project management framework, providing examples of stakeholders, knowledge areas, tools and techniques, and project success factors.

Project management is the application of knowledge, skills, tools, and techniques to project activities to meet project requirements. 9 While not only must a manager meet scope, time, cost, and quality they must also meet the requirements of the people involved in project actvities.9 One such example is of the stakeholder whom have ties to the project's success be it the project team or the sponsor. 10 In determining all of the key constraints the knowledge areas must be used to determine everything: time, scope, cost, human management, communications, risk, material procurement, integration. 11-12 If all these items are met with success and the stakeholders are satisfied the project would be successful.14

4. What is a program? What is a project portfolio? Discuss the relationship between projects, programs, and portfolio management and the contributions that each makes to enterprise success.

A program is a group of related projects managed in a coordinated way...