What are the four chronological stages most projects follow?
Definition, assembly, execution and control, then closure.
What does the definition stage analyze to concretize the project?
The need, risks, and feasibility.
What is the main purpose of the assembly stage in a project?
To decompose the project, reduce complexity, allocate roles, plan work, and reassess risks.
What activities are involved in the execution and control stage?
Comparing planned and actual results, analyzing deviations, responding, and managing risks.
What does the closure stage deliver to the client?
The project result and a return on experience.
What defines a project according to PMI 7th edition?
A temporary initiative to provide a unique product, service, or result.
What is project management?
The coordinated and controlled transformation of project activities into a desired result.
What distinguishes projects from operations?
Projects have temporary teams and innovation; operations have stable teams and repetitive tasks.
According to PMI 8th edition, what characterizes a project?
A temporary initiative in a unique context to create value.
Name one example of a project.
Launching a new product range.
What is a deliverable in project management?
The result produced by completing part or all of a project.
What defines a milestone in a project?
A required passage point involving control or validation before changing phase.
When can a milestone occur during a project?
During a phase or sub-phase.
What three elements does an operational objective combine?
A result to achieve, a deadline, and a budget.
What types of resources may a project use?
Financial, human, or technological resources.
How is project work organized?
Into phases, sub-phases, and work packages.
What is an example of an operational objective?
Developing and commissioning software in 9 months with a 60 K€ budget.
What structures organize authority in a project?
Project-based and matrix structures organize authority.
What are three characteristics of a project?
A project is risky, irreversible, and creates a learning process.
What does the PDCA approach support in projects?
Project learning and improvement through repeated cycles.
What does a portfolio contain?
Programs and projects.
What groups projects sharing a common goal?
A program.
What factors increase the need for fast, effective project management?
Turbulent environments, rapid innovation, obsolescence, short life cycles, and intense competition.
What is a stakeholder in a project context?
A person or organization affected by or affecting the project positively or negatively.
Who provides financial resources in a project?
The commanditaire provides financial resources.
Who conducts the project?
The project manager conducts the project.
Who carries out the work in a project?
Project team members carry out the work.
What are the possible roles of stakeholders regarding a project?
Allies, opponents, indifferent parties, or torn parties.
What does project scope define?
The boundary between what is included and excluded in the project.
What does a SMART objective stand for?
Specific, Measurable, Accepted, Realistic, and Time-bound.
What does a project charter record about a project?
It records origin, alignment, stakeholders, objectives, deliverables, scope, resources, responsibilities, communication, phases, milestones, meetings, risks, and controls.
What is identified and mapped during the definition stage?
Stakeholders are identified and mapped.
What does an objectives matrix describe to make expectations explicit?
It describes intermediate and final deliverables with performance levels.
How can preparation prevent demotivation in projects?
By formally clarifying results, studying feasibility, anticipating risks, and maintaining alignment.
What is verified about objectives during the definition stage?
That objectives are SMART.
What initial assessments are performed during the definition stage?
An initial risk assessment is performed.
What documents are drafted during the definition stage?
A project charter or requirements specification is drafted.
What is a WBS in project management?
A hierarchical decomposition of project work to achieve objectives and deliverables.
What defines a work package in project planning?
A manageable work portion assigned to one person with planned cost control.
What four responsibility types does a RACI matrix assign?
Responsible, Accountable, Consulted, and Informed.
Who performs the work in a RACI matrix?
The Responsible person.
According to the WBS, how can work be decomposed?
By chronological, geographical, or professional logic.
What is the sequence of assembly planning using WBS, work packages, and RACI?
From what must be achieved, to how, then who will do it.
How is work calculated in project planning?
Work equals duration multiplied by the number of resource units.
What is the total work for 40 tests done by one technician in half a day each?
20 person-days.
How does a duration constraint affect resource units and completion date?
It fixes the completion date and increases necessary resource units.
How does a resource constraint affect duration and resource units?
It fixes available units and increases the duration.
Name two methods used for duration estimates in projects.
Planning Poker and difficulty points.
What tools are used to schedule activities in project planning?
Gantt chart and PERT method.
What resources are considered when estimating a project budget?
Human, material, consumable, travel, and rental resources.
What key documents are produced during the assembly stage of planning?
WBS, RACI assignments, schedules, provisional budget, risk-prevention plan, and project management plan.
Test your knowledge with 27 questions on Project Management Fundamentals.
1. Which sequence correctly represents the four chronological stages of a typical project lifecycle?
2. What is the primary purpose of the definition stage in a project?
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