1) What is project management. Explain project management framework.


Project management is the discipline of applying specific processes, knowledge,
skills, tools and techniques to achieve project goals within defined constraint, time
and budget.

Knowledge areas in project management:

 Integration Management = This area ensures that all project components
work together seamlessly. It involves project planning, execution, and change
management.
 Scope Management - Defines what the project will deliver and what it won’t.
It involves gathering requirements, defining the work breakdown structure
(WBS), and managing scope changes.
 Time Management = Ensures timely completion of the project by planning,
sequencing activities, estimating durations, and setting realistic deadlines.
 Cost Management = Involves budgeting, cost estimation, and monitoring
expenses to keep the project within financial limits.
 Quality Management = Ensures that the project meets quality standards and
satisfies stakeholders. It includes quality planning, assurance, and control.
 Resource Management = Focuses on identifying, acquiring, and managing
resources (people, equipment, and materials) to ensure smooth project
execution.
 Communications Management = Involves planning, distributing, and
managing project-related information to stakeholders.
 Risk Management = Identifies potential risks, analyzes their impact, and
develops mitigation strategies.
 Procurement Management = Manages the purchase of goods and services
needed for the project.
 Stakeholder Management = Ensures all stakeholders (clients, sponsors, team
members) are engaged and their expectations are managed.
2) Role of project manager

A project manager is responsible for planning, executing, and closing projects,
ensuring they are completed on time, within budget, and to the required quality
standards.
Project manager plays an important role in driving organizational success. They
ensure that the project align with business objectives and deliver value.

Responsibilities of project manager

1. Project Planning: Project managers define project objectives, create detailed
project plans, and establish timelines. They ensure that all stakeholders
understand the project scope and goals.
2. Resource Allocation: They are responsible for securing and managing
resources, including team members, budgets, and materials, to ensure the
project runs smoothly.
3. Team Coordination: Project managers assemble and lead project teams,
facilitating communication and collaboration among team members. They
resolve conflicts and motivate the team to achieve project goals.
4. Risk Management: Identifying potential risks and developing mitigation
strategies is a crucial part of a project manager's role. They must be proactive
in addressing issues that could impact project success.
5. Performance Tracking: They monitor project progress, track key performance
indicators (KPIs), and report updates to stakeholders. This includes adjusting
plans as necessary to stay on track.
6. Stakeholder Communication: Project managers act as the main point of
contact for stakeholders, ensuring that everyone is informed about project
status, changes, and challenges.
Essential Skills

 Leadership: Effective project managers inspire and guide their teams,

fostering a collaborative environment.
 Communication: Clear communication is vital for coordinating tasks and
managing stakeholder expectations.
 Problem-Solving: They must be adept at identifying issues and developing
solutions quickly to keep projects on track.
 Time Management: Project managers need to prioritize tasks and manage
their time effectively to meet deadlines.
3) Life cycle of project

The project life cycle consists of five key phases:
 Initiation: This phase involves defining the project at a broad level, including
its purpose and feasibility.
 Planning: In this phase, detailed planning is done to outline the project scope,
objectives, resources, and timelines.
 Execution: This phase involves the actual implementation of the project plan,
where deliverables are produced.
 Monitoring and Control: Throughout the project, this phase ensures that the
project stays on track and meets its objectives by monitoring progress and
making adjustments as necessary.
 Closure: This final phase involves completing all project activities, delivering
the final product, and closing out the project.

4) Leadership and Leadership style


Leadership is the art of motivating a group of people to act towards achieving a
common goal. Leadership refers to ability of one individual to influence others. The
influence is exercised to change the behavior of others. The person influencing
others(leader) possesses a set of qualities or characteristics with which he or she to
influence others.

Leadership style Based on authority retained

1. Autocratic or authoritarian style = Under the autocratic leadership style, all
decision-making powers are centralized in the leader, as with dictator
leaders. They do not entertain any suggestions or initiatives from
subordinates. The autocratic management has been successful as it Provides
strong motivation to the manager. It permits quick decision-making, as only
one person decides for the whole group and keeps each decision to himself
until he feels it is needed to be shared with the rest of the group.
2. Participative or democratic style = The democratic leadership style favor’s
decision-making by the group. The decisions of the democratic leader are not
unilateral as with the autocrat because they arise from consultation with the
group members and participation by them.
 Consultative: process of consultation before decisions are taken
 Persuasive: Leader takes decision and seeks to persuade others that
the decision is correct.
3. Laissez –Faire or free rein style = A free rein leader does not lead, but leaves
the group entirely to itself such a leader allows maximum freedom to
subordinates, i.e. they are given a free hand in deciding their own policies
and methods. It Can be very useful in businesses where creative ideas are
important
5) Quality management

Quality management ensures that software meets quality requirements, and its
reliable, and maintainable.

Components of Quality Management

Software Quality Assurance − Software Quality Assurance (SQA) is a set of activities
to ensure the quality in software engineering processes that ultimately result in
quality software products.
Software Quality Control − Software Quality Control (SQC) is a set of activities to
ensure the quality in software products

6) SEI compatibility maturity model


The Capability Maturity Model (CMM) is a tool used to improve and refine software
development processes.
Capability Maturity Model (CMM) was developed by the Software Engineering
Institute (SEI).
It is not a software process model. It is a framework that is used to analyze the
approach and techniques followed by any organization to develop software
products.

Levels of Capability Maturity Model (CMM)

1. Level-1: Initial
At this level, processes are unstructured and ad-hoc. Success depends on
individual efforts rather than systematic processes, leading to unpredictable
outcomes. Organizations often lack documentation and defined procedures,
resulting in inefficiencies and mismanagement.

2. Level-2: Repeatable
Processes are documented and can be repeated. Organizations establish
basic project management practices, allowing them to track costs, schedules,
and functionalities. This level emphasizes learning from past projects to
improve reliability and efficiency.

3. Level-3: Defined
Processes are standardized and documented across the organization. This
level focuses on process optimization and collaboration, ensuring that all
team members follow established standards. It promotes consistency and
efficiency in project execution.

4. Level-4: Managed
Processes are quantitatively managed. Organizations use statistical and
quantitative techniques to control and improve their processes. Performance
 is tracked using key performance indicators (KPIs), allowing for proactive
management and predictable outcomes.

5. Level-5: Optimizing
The focus is on continuous improvement. Organizations at this level strive to
enhance their processes through innovation and refinement. They actively
seek ways to improve performance and adapt to changing environments,
ensuring long-term success.

7) Six sigma
Six Sigma is a Data-driven methodology for eliminating defects.
The process of producing high and improved quality output is known as Six Sigma.
This can be done in two phases– identification and elimination.
The cause of defects is identified and appropriate elimination is done which reduces
variation in whole processes.
Six Sigma's aim is to eliminate waste and inefficiency and increase customer
satisfaction by delivering what the customer is expecting.
The five phases of the Six Sigma method, known as DMAIC, are defining, measuring,
analyzing, improving, and controlling.
 Define
A team of people, led by a Six Sigma expert, chooses a process to focus on
and defines the problem it wishes to solve.
 Measure
The team measures the initial performance of the process, creating a
benchmark, and pinpoints a list of inputs that may be hindering performance.
 Analyze
Next the team analyzes the process by isolating each input, or potential
reason for any failures, and testing it as the possible root of the problem.
 Improve
The team works from there to implement changes that will improve system
performance.
 Control
The group adds controls to the process to ensure it does not regress and
become ineffective once again.