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(a)Consider the following statements:
(i)project management must be customer-focused ;
(ii)a good project manager should be skilled in the use of appropriate
management tools ;
(iii)we must empower project managers if they are to operate effectively.
Expand briefly upon each statement,explaining exactly what the statement
means.[6 marks ]
(i)project management must
be customer-focused :
project managers should pay more attention to the customer (1 mark);the
worst failure is carrying out projects that fail to satisfy the customer
(1 mark);
customers expect good products and services (1 mark);customer focus
means repeat business (1 mark);customer satisfaction means easier
completion (1 mark) any of these points,to a maximum of two marks
(ii)a good project manager should be skilled in the use of appropriate
management tools :
managers should be skilled in cost/schedule control,business finance,risk
management,negotiation,requirements definition one mark for each different
skill identified,to a maximum of two marks
(iii)we must empower project managers if they are to operate effectively.
they must be given the skills (1 mark);they must be given authority
to make decisions without passing them up the chain of command (1
mark);they must be given profit and loss responsibilities (1 mark)
one mark for each point,up to a maximum of two marks
[6 marks ]
(b)The management of risk is an important part of project management.
(i)What are the main sources of risk on a typical project?[2 marks
]
(ii)How can historical data be used in risk management?[2 marks ]
(iii)What strategies can be adopted for coping with,or reducing the
impact of,
identified risks?[2 marks ]
(i)The main sources of risk are technical
risk (1 mark),market risk (1 mark), financial risk (1 mark),and human
risk (1 mark)
one mark for each correct source,to a maximum of two marks[2 marks]
(ii)Historical data can be used to identify risks (1 mark)and to help
assess risks (1 mark)in terms of likeli ood and impact.[2 marks ]
(iii)To cope with risks,once identified,we might:
•develop and enforce standards to help reduce the likelihood
and reduce the impact
•insure against the risk
•establish contingency plans
one mark for each correct point,to a maximum of two marks [2 marks
]
(c)Requirements definition can involve the following four activities:
(i)learning about the customer organisation
(ii)identifying multiple customers and prioritizing needs
(iii)establishing a task force to assist in defining needs
(iv)educating the customer
In each case,describe briefly what the project personnel or analysts
would be
expected to do,and explain why the activity is important.[12 marks
]
(i)in learning about the customer organisation
,personnel would be expected to find out about the context (1 mark)in
which the product or system would be used,or examine the usage of
any existing systems (1 mark).This is important ifwe are to obtain
an understanding of what the customer really needs (1 mark).
(ii)in identifying multiple customers and prioritizing eeds ,personnel
would be making a list of all interested parties (1 mark).The stakes
that different parties have in the project should be identified and
compared (1 mark).Market research might be required (1 mark).Important
if we are to avoid conflicts between customers (1 mark),or to satisfy
all the di fferent groups (1 mark).
(iii)in establishing a task force to assist in defining eeds ,personnel
would put together a team representing the different sets of customers
(1 mark),involving customers in needs analysis (1 mark).Important
if we are to achieve sharing of ideas between different sets of customers
(1 mark),or if we are to obtain a consensus (1 mark)regarding needs,or
to achieve customer buy-in (1 mark).
(iv)in educating the customer ,the personnel would ensure that the
customer understands their needs (1 mark),that the understand the
rudiments of project management (1 mark),that they understand the
ways in which needs can change (1 mark),that they understand the need
for compromise (1 mark).This is important if customers are to have
the right expectations (1 mark)and if they are to formulate their
needs in a helpful fashion (1 mark). in each case,up to two marks
for the explanation of activity ,and one mark for the explanation
of why it is important;alternative explanations might be considered
[12 marks ]
(d)Contracts for project work may be structured as fixed-price contracts
or cost-plus contracts.
(i)Which form of contract is likely to involve higher administrative
costs?Explain your answer.[3 marks ]
(ii)Which form of contract is more appropriate for a high-risk development
project? Explain your answer.[3 marks ]
(i)A cost-plus contract is likely to involve
higher administrative costs.(1 mark). This is because the buyer takes
the risk (1 mark)and will want to monitor progress closely (1 mark).The
contractor will need to spend more time and money reporting on their
progress (1 mark). up to three marks for a good explanation;no explanation,no
marks [3 marks ]
(ii)A cost-plus project is more appropriate for a high-risk development
project,as a fixed price contract would be too risky for the supplier
(1 mark).Estimates on costs are highly speculative (1 mark),so the
contractor runs the risk of bankruptcy or default (1 mark).With a
cost-plus contract,the contractor knows that their expenses are covered.(1
mark) up to three marks for a good explanation;no explanation,no
marks [3 marks ]
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