Assignment 3

SVKM’S NMIMS
Mukesh Patel School of Technology Management and
Engineering
Name: Aditi Sangle
Assignment No: Three-Part One
Class: [Link]. | Semester: VI
Subject: Elements of Project Management
Date of issue: Date of Submission : 11/04/25

Q1) Define Project Planning

Ans:- Project planning is a crucial part of project management focused on creating a detailed
plan that outlines the steps and resources necessary to achieve the project's objectives,
including identifying the project's scope, establishing a timeline, assigning tasks and
resources, and budgeting for the project.
Q2) Explain need of project planning
Ans:- The fundamental reason to plan is to maximize the chances of project success
 To light the way forward
 To obtain commitment
 To facilitate effective communication
 To provide the basis for effective project monitoring and control, and a baseline
against which progress can be measured
 To prepare for the unexpected
 To respond to compulsory requirements
Q3) “Good project planning and scheduling is essential for successful project” Explain
Ans:- Good project planning and scheduling are crucial because they provide a structured
approach to complete the project within time, cost, and scope. Planning helps define
objectives, tasks, and resources, while scheduling ensures that activities are completed on
time. Together, they improve resource management, risk handling, coordination, and progress
tracking, leading to successful and timely project delivery.
Q4) List the purposes of project planning
Ans:- The purposes of project planning
 To clearly identify and describe business requirements
 To establish cost, schedule, list of deliverables and delivery dates
 Resources planning for their effective utilization Obtaining top management
approval and proceeding to the next phase

Q5) List the basic processes of project planning

Ans:-
 Scope planning
 Preparation of WBS- Work Breakdown Structures
 Project Schedule Development & Staff planning
 Resource planning
 Budget planning
 Procurement planning
 Risk management
 Quality planning
 Communication planning
Q6) Define “Master Plan” in project planning and describe its importance
Ans:- A master plan is along-term dynamic planning documentthat provides a conceptual
framework to drive project development and growth. A Master Plan is crucial for project
management as it helps in achieving project objectives efficiently and effectively
 It provides a structured approach, ensuring that all necessary aspects of the project are
considered and addressed
 Without a Master Plan, projects may face challenges such as scope creep, lack of
coordination, and inadequate resource allocation
Q7) Describe three elements of Project Master Plan
Ans:-
Elements of a Project Master Plan
I. Scope, Charter, or Statement of Work
Overview description of the project oriented towards management, customer, and
stakeholders. Includes a brief description of the project, objectives, overall requirements,
constraints, risks, problem areas and solutions, master schedule showing major events and
milestones.
II. Management and Organization Section.
A. Project management and organization: key personnel and authority relationships.
B. Manpower: Workforce requirements estimates: skills, expertise, and strategies for locating
and recruiting qualified people.
C. Training and development: Executive development and personnel training necessary to
support the project.
III. Technical Section. Major project activities, timing, and cost.
1) High-level user requirements and system requirements.
2) Work breakdown structure: Work packages and detailed description of each, including
resources, costs, schedules, and risks.
3) Responsibility assignments: List of key personnel and their responsibilities for work
packages and other areas of the project.
4) Project schedules: Generalized project and task schedules showing major events,
milestones, and points of critical action or decision.
Q8) List the steps of project planning
Ans:- The steps of project planning
Create: Project Plan
Breakdown: Deliverables
Determine: Dependencies, Critical path, Issues, Risks, Resources
Create: Timeline
Assign: Resources
Result: Course ofAction
Q9) Define WBS-Work Breakdown Structures
Ans:- The work breakdown structure (WBS) is the tool for breaking down a project into its
component parts. The work breakdown structure acts as a vehicle for breaking the work down
into smaller elements, thus providing a greater probability that every major and minor activity
will be accounted for.
Q10) List and explain steps for construction of WBS
Ans:-
Step 1) Identify the major elements of the project:- Break the project into major
deliverables or phases (e.g., planning, design, execution).
Step 2) Identify the supporting activities of the major elements:- Divide each major
element into smaller supporting tasks.
Step 3) Repeat till undividable activities are created :- Keep breaking down until you reach
tasks that are small, clear, and cannot be divided further.
Q11) List the factors need to be considered in development of WBS
Ans:- The factors need to be considered in development of WBS
 Every activity in the WBS should produce a single tangible deliverable
 Every activity at any level of the WBS is an aggregation of all its subordinate
activities listed immediately below it
 Each activity should be unique and distinct from other activities of the project
 The activities should be decomposed logically from higher levels to lower levels
 There should be some flexibility in the WBS development process, as the WBS might
be updated when the project scope changes
 The WBS must specify the important reporting points (e.g. review meetings, monthly
reports, test reports)
  The activities should be compatible with organizational and accounting structures
Q12) Explain WBS with help of example
Ans:- The work breakdown structure (WBS) is defined as:
 a product-oriented “family tree” of project components that organizes and defines the
total scope of the project.
 Each descending level represents an increasingly detailed definition of a project
component Project components may be products or services

Example : “Install the sprinkler system” for a lawn

The figure shows a Work Breakdown Structure (WBS) for a Landscape Project. It breaks
down the overall project into smaller, more manageable tasks.
At the top level, the project is divided into three main phases:
 1.0 Design home landscape: This involves the initial planning and design stage.
 2.0 Put in lawn: This phase focuses on establishing the lawn.
 3.0 Build fence: This phase deals with the construction of a fence.
Each of these main phases is further subdivided into more detailed tasks. For example:
 2.0 Put in lawn includes:
o 2.1 Acquire lawn material
o 2.2 Install sprinkler system (which is further broken down into identifying
sprinkler locations, digging trenches, installing pipe and sprinkler hardware,
and covering the sprinkler system)
o 2.3 Plant grass (broken down into removing debris, preparing soil, and
planting seed)
 o 2.4 Plant shrubs
 3.0 Build fence includes:
o 3.1 Acquire fence material
o 3.2 Construct fence (further broken down into marking fence line and post
locations, installing fence posts, installing fencing and gates, and
painting/staining the fence).
Basically the figure provides a hierarchical decomposition of a landscape project, outlining
the necessary tasks and sub-tasks required to complete it.
Q13) Describe ‘Levels in WBS’
Ans:- The upper levels of the WBS typically reflect the major deliverable work areas of the
[Link] lower WBS elements provide appropriate detail and focus for support of project
management processes.
Typical WBS Levels

 Level 1 (Project):
This is the overall project itself. It represents the final deliverable or goal, like "Build an
Airport" or "Develop a Mobile App."

 Level 2 (Departments of the organization):

These are the major functional areas or departments involved in the project, such as Civil
Engineering, Electrical, IT, or Marketing.

 Level 3 (Product-dependent):
This level breaks down work based on the main components or deliverables of each
department. For example, Civil might have Foundation, Structure, Finishing, etc.

 Level 4 (Tasks):
These are specific activities or tasks needed to complete each component, like "Excavation,"
"Concrete Pouring," or "Wiring Installation."

Q14) List and explain benefits/advantages of WBS in project planning

Ans:-Benefits/Advantages of WBS:
⦁Tasks are definable or easily understood
⦁Tasks be comes independent
⦁Time and cost can be estimatedeasily
⦁Progress becomes measurable
⦁Tasks can be adaptable
⦁Simplification in risk identification
⦁ Improved accountability
⦁Enhanced visibility
Q15) List the questions which need be answer in construction/development of Responsibility
matrix
Ans:-
 What are the major tasks or activities in the project?
 Who is responsible for completing each task?
 Who is accountable for the overall outcome of each task?
 Who needs to be consulted before taking decisions?
 Who needs to be informed about progress or results?
 Are there any overlaps or gaps in responsibilities?
 Is the workload evenly distributed among team members?
 Are roles and responsibilities clearly understood by all stakeholders?

Q16) Discuss the importance of use of responsibility matrix in project management

Ans:- The importance of use of responsibility matrix in project management
 Essential for successful project management
 Ensures that everyone on the team understands their roles and responsibilities
 Promotes effective communication and collaboration
 Helps manage project risks and issues, and enables informed decision-making
 By implementing a Responsibility Matrix, project managers can streamline project
execution and increase the chances of project success
Q17) Explain following in detail:
1. RAM Matrix

business process. Its is especially useful in clarifying roles and responsibilities in cross
It describes participation by various roles in completing tasks or deliverables for a project or

functional or departmental projects and processes.

2. RACI Matrix
Ans:- A RACI Matrix is a simple tool used to clarify roles and responsibilities during a
project or organisational change.
⦁ RACI stands for
R– Responsible
Responsible (Recommender): Those who do thework to achievethe task. There is at least one
role that have participation type of responsible although others can be delegated to assist in
the work required
A– Accountable
Accountable(Approvalor FinalApprovingAuthority): The one ultimately answerable for the
correct and thorough completion of the deliverable. He delegates the work to those
responsible, Also sign offthe work that Responsible provides. There is must be only one
Accountable specified for each task or deliverable.
C– Consulted
Consulted (Sometimes consultant or counsel): Those whose opinions are sought, typically
subject matter experts; and with whom there is two-way communication.
I– Informed
Informed (or Informee): Those who are kept up-to-date on progress, often only on completion
of task or deliverable; with whomthereis just one-way communication.
⦁ It enables you to specify who is responsible, who is accountable,who should be consulted
and who should be informed for every task that makes up your project

Q18) List and explain benefits of Responsibility Assignment Matrix

Ans:-
a)Clarify roles and responsibilities:A RAM clearlydefines who is responsible for each task,
which helps prevent confusionandensures that team members understand their roles.
b) Improved communication:The RAM serves as a central reference point for roles and
responsibilities, promoting effective communication within the project team. Team members
can quickly identify who to contact for specific issues or questions.
c)Conflict resolution: When there isadisputeorambiguity regarding responsibilities, the
RAM provides a basis for discussion and conflict resolution. It helps identify where
accountability lies and facilitates problem solving.
d) Enhanced project control: The RAM allows Project Managers and stakeholders to
monitor and manage the project's development. It helps you to track the status of assignments
and ensure that tasks are getting done as planned.
e)Efficiency and accountability: Clearly defined rolesand responsibilities create a sense of
responsibility among team members, maybe resulting in improved productivity. When people
understand what is required of them, and they are more likely to fulfil it.
f) Resource allocation: The RAM helps Project Managers optimise resource allocation by
understanding who is responsible for specific [Link] ensures that workloads are
distributed evenly and that resources are used efficiently.
Q19) Explain use of Gantt chart in project planning process
Ans:- One visual tool for project management that displays the order of tasks and activities
in a project is a Gantt chart. It is employed for:

1) Tasks should be planned and scheduled chronologically.

2) Show the length of the work and its due dates.

3) Display task overlaps and dependencies.

4) Monitor the development of the project over time.

5) Distribute resources efficiently

Q20) List advantages and disadvantages of Gantt chart

Ans:- Advantages:
1. Provides a clear visual timeline of the project
2. Helps in tracking task progress
3. Identifies task dependencies
4. Improves team coordination and communication
5. Useful for monitoring deadlines
Disadvantages:
1. Can become complex for large projects
2. Difficult to update frequently in manual versions
3. May not show task priority clearly
4. Doesn’t represent resource availability or workload
5. Limited in handling uncertainties or risks

Q21) List and explain different types of WBS

Ans:-
1. Phase-Based Work Breakdown Structure Description: This WBS is structured based on
the stages of the project lifecycle, including planning, execution, closure, and
commencement.

2. Deliverable-Based Work Breakdown Structure: This structure explains how work is

divided up according to particular deliverables or outputs that are anticipated from the
project, including software modules, buildings, or reports.

3. Description of the Responsibility-Based Work Breakdown Structure: This type arranges

tasks according to the departments or people in charge of finishing them.
4. Resources – Based Work Breakdown Structure:- Work is divided based on the types of
resources used like labor, equipment, materials, or technology.

Q22) Describe following terms:

1. Network diagram :- A network diagram is a visual map that illustrates a project’s scope
by displaying activities as boxes or nodes, and the dependencies between these activities as
arrows. This structured layout helps clarify the connection between the various tasks required
to complete the project.
2. Activity :- Activity represents the distinct operation to be done as the project proceeds. An
activity (except dummy activity) consumes time, resources as it happens. It is represented by
an arrow between two events in network diagram.
3. Dummy activity :- Any activity which does not consume either any resource or time is
known as dummy activity. These are non-real activities; they are used to preserve the logic of
network. These activities are normally needed when two or more activities in a network have
same head and tail events or when some activities in network have same predecessor
activities.
4. Event :- Start of completion of an activity (tasks) occurring at an instant of time at which
some part of project has been completed is called an event. Normally these are represented by
nodes in a network diagram.
5. AOA-Activity on Arrow network :- In AOA, nodes (circles) indicate the beginning and
ending events, while arrows denote activities. It is utilized in conventional PERT networks
and concentrates on the order of operations.
6. AON- Activity on Node network :- Activities are displayed inside nodes (boxes) in AON,
and dependencies are indicated by arrows. It is increasingly frequently utilized in
contemporary project management systems such as CPM and Gantt charts.

7. Fulkerson’s rule :- A numbering method used in AOA networks to assign unique numbers
to events (nodes).
 The starting event gets the lowest number.
 An event can only be numbered after all preceding events are numbered.
It ensures a logical flow of activity numbering.
8. Total float :- It is the maximum time an activity can be delayed without delaying the entire
project.
9. Free float :- It is the time an activity can be delayed without delaying the start of the next
activity.
Q23 Explain use of CPM-Critical Path Method and PERT- Program Evaluation and Review
Technique
Ans:- Project management approaches CPM and PERT are both used to plan, schedule, and
control project operations.
The Critical Path Method, or CPM, is applied when activity durations are predetermined and
known aids in determining the critical route, which is the longest chain of interdependent
tasks. emphasizes time-cost trade-offs for effective resource utilization. Beneficial for
enterprises involving repeated tasks, such as manufacturing and construction.

Program Evaluation and Review Technique, or PERT, is applied when activity durations are
variable or unclear makes use of pessimistic, optimistic, and most likely time estimates.
aids in calculating the likelihood that a project will be finished on schedule.
helpful in R&D, product development, and research where precise timeframes are difficult to
forecast.
Q24) Compare CPM with PERT
Ans:-
CPM PERT
Aware of the project. When the project is newer
Deterministic Probabilistic time (Tp, To, Tm)
Has only 1 duration Duration based on probability.

Q25) Explain significance of critical path in both CPM and PERT method
Ans:- In a project network diagram, the Critical Path is the longest path that establishes the
shortest feasible project time. It contains zero-float activities, which means that if they are
delayed, the project as a whole will be delayed as well.

The Critical Path Method (CPM):

Time and expense are the main concerns. The critical path aids in determining the most
important tasks on which project managers need to concentrate. It helps with cost reduction
and resource allocation.

Program Evaluation and Review Technique(PERT):

Uses optimistic, pessimistic, and most likely time when dealing with unclear activity
[Link] critical path aids in determining the areas with the biggest risks resulting from
time [Link] is helpful for risk management and probabilistic time estimation.

Q26) Explain the concept of float in CPM/PERT method also describe different types of
floats.
Ans:-

Total Float: The longest delay feasible without causing the project's completion to be
[Link] to determine which activities are not critical.

Free Float: The early start of any subsequent activity was unaffected by the permitted delay.
Demonstrates scheduling flexibility without affecting other people.

Independent Float:The postponement without interfering with the subsequent or preceding

[Link] is predicated on the latest completion of the previous actions and the earliest start of
the subsequent ones.