Apr 1999 PM217: Project Management (Question 1)

(a)	(i) One of the main aims of project management is to ensure that projects do not fail. What does it mean when we say a project has failed?	[3]
	When we say a project has failed, it means it has failed to satisfy the three fundamental requirements. The requirements are that the project has failed to meet the user's requirements and needs, in other words, it does not do what the customer wants. The second is that the project is implemented too late to be effective, suggesting a time overrun. Third, the cost of the project has exceeded its allocated budget at an unacceptable amount.
	(ii) We can reduce the failure rate in projects by defining a minimum set of deliverables. What are the three important purposes of these deliverables?	[3]
	Three important purposes of these deliveries are first they form a component that will ultimately be part of the end system to be handed over. Second, the deliverables signify the end of one stage and is used as the baseline for the next stage. Third, the deliverables are compared against the end product and will be used to gauge the quality and the design and ensure that it is according to the requirements.
(b)	The two concepts of information and risk in project management are very closely linked. Explain why this is the case.	[2]
	Information and risk are very closely linked because the amount of information about a particular project will directly determine the risk. The more information obtained the clearer the understanding of requirements and risks involved. This means that with more information, the level of risks go down. This is true for the vice versa, the less information one has, the higher the risks.
(c)	It is sometimes the case that, as a result of a downsizing exercise, employees are released from a company and then re-hired as contractors. List the advantages and disadvantages of this practice, both to the company and to the employees.	[4]
	In respect to the company, the advantages of such a practice means that it can achieve a "team and mean" organization that has less bureaucracy and more efficiency. It also means that the organization can get the same work done but without having to pay additional costs and benefits of a full-time employee. The disadvantages are that these ex-employees are not fully committed to the organization and subsequently, the quality of their work may decrease. In respect to the employees, the advantages gained are that they are independent from the organization but still receiving income from the work contracted to them. This means they can also provide services to other organizations if they wish and gain additional income. The disadvantages are there is n o sense of security as they are no longer tied to an organization that is financially secured and will not receive any benefits.
(d)	Identify three strengths and two weaknesses of prototyping.	[5]
	Three strengths : There is an unprecedented level of customer acceptance due to the fact that customers are actively involved throughout the prototyping. Customers are fully aware of what they are getting instead of getting a rude surprise. This is because the customers will be participating at every stage and be fully informed of the progress. Customers have hands-on experience throughout the prototyping and are therefore more knowledgeable and may need little training during handover. Two weaknesses : There may be difficulty in communication between the customer and the developer. Prototyping needs the full cooperation of the customers and they will need to put in a lot of effort and time to aid in the development. Also, the platform that prototyping is run on is different from the customers. Therefore, the accuracy of the prototype maybe distorted.
(e)	It is sometimes said that the last 10% of a project takes 50% of the effort. Do you agree that this is the case? Explain your reasons.	[3]
	I agree with this although it is not a reflection of the actual progress of a project but is due to estimating problems. Earlier in a project life, the estimation may be more optimistic and misconstrue thereby leading the estimators to think they are doing more than the actual progress. But once they reach the 90% mark, the realization remain stagnant at 90% while they try to catch up with this figure in terms of actually progress work.