Project Management
Processes
Mohammed Shulan Mahmoud Al-Rabea
Supervised By:
Dr. Naill Al
Momani
Outlines
Initiation
Planning
Execution
Monitoring & Controlling
Closing
Summary & Sources
Questions & Answers
Project Process Life Cycle
Planning
Production Monitoring
or
Initiation or and Closing
developm
execution controlling
ent
Initiation
Process
I am working in technical domain, or more specifically,
embedded system development. I think it is vital
important to verify architecture correctness while
creating the project charter also. The best way is to do
some prototype work, though maybe too luxury. To the
bear minimum, the project manager should create
some diagram and discuss with relevant stakeholders,
otherwise is just waste the organizations and money
and time, and market opportunity.
Definition
The initiation processes determine the nature
and scope of the project. If this stage is not
performed well, it is unlikely that the project
will be successful in meeting the business
needs. The key project controls needed here
are an understanding of the business
environment and making sure that all
necessary controls are incorporated into the
project. Any deficiencies should be reported
Initiation Breakdown
Processes
Determine Collect
company processes, Divide large
Select Project culture and procedures and projects into
Manager. existing historical phases.
systems. information.
Determine Document
Identify stake- Document
project assumptions
holders. business need.
objectives. and constraints.
Develop
Develop project preliminary
charter. project scope
statement.
Planning
Process
My personal feeling is better to use 1/10 criteria for
planning, that is, to estimate at the granularity level of
1/10. For example, setup a monthly schedule for a
half year to one year project, or create biweekly
schedule for a one quarter project, or create a WBS
with 10 to 20 tasks. I have seen task break down with
several hundred tasks, eventually it becomes a game
to figure out which activity goes to which task, and
really a brain test for entire team.
Definition
The main purpose is to plan time, cost and
resources adequately to estimate the work
needed and to effectively manage risk during
project execution. As with the Initiation process
group, a failure to adequately plan greatly
reduces the project's chances of successfully
accomplishing its goals.
Planning Breakdown
processes
Determine how
you will do Create project
Determine Create WBS and Create activity
planning part scope
team. WBS dictionary. list.
of management statement.
plans.
Create network Estimate resource
Estimate Estimate time Determine Develop
diagram. requirements.
requirements. and cost. critical path. Schedule.
Risk
identification,
Determine quality Determine roles Determine qualitative and
Developer standards,
and communications quantitative risk
budget. processes
processes and
and
metrics. responsibilities. requirements. analysis and
metrics.
response
planning.
(items Finalize the
before this how to execute
Prepare Create process
Determine what and control
lime will to purchase.
procurement
aspects of all
improvement
need documents. plan.
management
Iterations ). plans.
Develop final
PM plan and
Gain formal Hold kick-off
performance
approval. meeting.
measurement
baselines.
Execution
Process
In my opinion, there are two key points for
executing a project:
1. People management: understand what your colleagues
can do and try to balance the workload. I think making
presentation and/or have frequent chit-chat are good
ways to bring the gap. At least I feel more clear of one
concept after I can make others understand what I am
talking about.
2. Build an adaptive process: Nobody can plan everything
accurately at the beginning. I like the practice to check
the status at the end of each week (or biweekly), and
figure out how to make up next week. I think it is called
iteration process or spiral model officially.
Definition
Executing consists of the processes used to complete
the work defined in the project management plan to
accomplish the project's requirements. Execution
process involves coordinating people and resources,
as well as integrating and performing the activities of
the project in accordance with the project
management plan. The deliverables are produced as
Execution Breakdown
processes
Recommend
Execute the PM Complete product
Acquire final team. changes and
plan. scope.
corrective actions.
Implement
approved
Send and receive changes, defect Continuous
Follow processes.
information. repair, preventive improvement.
and corrective
actions.
Use work
Give recognition Hold progress
Team building. authorization
and rewards. meetings.
system.
Request seller
Select Sellers.
responses.
Control &
Monitoring
Process
For Software/Firmware Development, There are
organizations that project manager is busy working on
collecting all the matrix, quality team building nice
diagram/chart subsequently, and top management
evaluating the organization / individual performance
based on these charts. In the end, Engineers have to cook
data so that the final evaluation will be good for them. I
believe the role for project manager is to ensure the
accuracy of monitoring. BTW: I also think cooking data is
hard for Small and Medium Organization because SMEs
always face customer directly.
Definition
Monitoring and controlling consists of those processes
performed to observe project execution so that potential
problems can be identified in a timely manner and corrective
action can be taken, when necessary, to control the execution
of the project. The key benefit is that project performance is
observed and measured regularly to identify variances from the
project management plan.
Monitoring and controlling
Breakdown processes
Determine
Measure against the Measure
variances and if
performance according to the
they warrant Scope verification.
measurement management
baselines. corrective action
plans.
or a change.
Recommend
Approve changes,
changes, defect
Configuration Integrated change defect repair,
repair, preventive
management. control. preventive and
and corrective
corrective actions.
actions.
Facilitate conflict
Risk audits. Manage reserve. Use issue logs.
resolution.
Measure team
Report on Administer
member Create forecasts.
performance. contracts.
performance.
Closing
Process
Not many project managers are lucky enough to lead
the project until its official ending. However, I think a
responsible project manager for an organization
should collect historical information for this project,
and put into a way easy to be utilized by the next
project manager. Especially for a software
development organization, attributes like Engineer
productivity, defect density, percentage of each
stage, and domain expertise are important for the
sustainability of the organization.
Definition
Closing includes the formal acceptance of the project
and the ending thereof. Administrative activities include
the archiving of the files and documenting lessons
learned.
Closing Breakdown
processes
Develop Complete Confirm work
closure contract is done to
procedures. closure. requirement.
Gain formal Final Index and
acceptance of performance archive
the product. reporting. records.
Update,
lessons Hand off
Release
learned and completed
resources.
knowledge product.
base.
SUMMARY & SOURCES
Questions
&
Answers
2. Aproductlifecycleisaseriesofphaseswhosename
andnumberisdeterminedbytheorganizationsneeds
regardingcontroloftheproject.
[Link]
[Link]
Answer:[Link]
29
9. Contract close-out contains:
A. Contract Documentation
B. Procurement Audits
C. Formal Acceptance And Closure
D. All Of The Above
Answer: D. All Of The Above
30
15. ______________ coordinates people and other
resources to carry out the plan.
A. Work Breakdown Structure
B. Resource Planning
C. Resource Leveling
D. Executing Process
Answer: D. Executing Process
31
16. The process of identifying and defining a product or
service is called:
A. Procurement Planning
B. Source Selection
C. Contract Administration
D. Contract Close-out
Answer: A. Procurement Planning
32
18. The core planning processes are:
A. Scope Definition, Resource Planning, Cost
Estimating, Schedule Development, Activity
Definition.
B. Inputs, Control, Status Reports, Risk Management
C. Planning, Resources Planning, Quality Assurance,
Risk Control
D. Scope Definition, Team Development, Schedule
Control, Budget Control, Contract Administration.
Answer: A. Scope Definition, Resource Planning, Cost Estimating, Schedule
Development, Activity Definition.
33
32. ___________ devises and maintains a workable
scheme to accomplish the business need that the
project was undertaken to address.
A. Development Process
B. Scoping Process
C. Planning Process
D. Information Development Process
Answer: C. Planning Process
34
41. The ___________ documents the characteristics of
the product or service that the project was
undertaken to create.
A. Resource Plan
B. Project Charter
C. Project Description
D. Scope Statement
Answer: C. Project description
35
42. Outputs from the initiation process are:
A. Project Manager Identified/Assigned
B. Constraints
C. Assumptions
D. All Of The Above
Answer: D. All Of The Above
36
43. A ____________ is a series of actions bringing
about a result
A. Project plan
B. Process
C. Schedule
D. Flowchart
Answer: B. Process
37
45. Project Scope Management includes which
processes:
A. Initiation
B. Project Plan Execution
C. Overall Change Control
D. Performance Reporting
Answer: A. Initiation
38
57. A project can best be defined as:
A. Series of non-related activities designed to
accomplish single and multiple objectives.
B. Coordinated effort of related activities designed to
accomplish a goal without a well-established end
point.
C. Cradle-to-grave activities which must be
accomplished in less than one year and consumes
human and non-human resources
D. Any undertaking with a definable time frame, well-
defined objectives, and consumes both human and
non-human resources with certain constraints.
Answer: D. Any undertaking with a definable time frame, well-defined objectives,
and consumes both human and non-human resources with certain constraints
39
64. The tools and technique used in the initiation
process are:
A. Product Analysis
B. Project Schedule Development
C. Expert Judgment
D. Project Budget
Answer: C. Expert Judgment
40
67. __________ must be measured regularly to identify
variances from the plan.
A. Stakeholder Requirements
B. Project Performance
C. Schedule Control
D. Project Controls
Answer: B. Project Performance
41
76. The major project scope management processes
include:
A. Change Order Control
B. Initiation
C. Program Evaluation
D. Scope Statement
Answer: B. Initiation
42
81. __________ ensure that project objectives are met
by monitoring and measuring progress and taking
corrective action when necessary
A. Project Controls
B. Controlling Process
C. Control Logs
D. Project Chart
Answer: B. Controlling Process
43
83. An example of a project is:
A. Billing Customers
B. Managing an Organization
C. Constructing A Building or Facility
D. Providing Technical Support
Answer: C. Constructing A Building or Facility
44
89. ____________ formalizes the acceptance of the
project or phase and bringing it to an orderly end.
A. Functional
B. Weak Matrix
C. Projectized
D. Dedicated Project Team
Answer: B. Weak Matrix
45
92. The closing process scope includes:
A. Contract Closeout
B. Final Reporting
C. Punch List
D. Exit Interview
Answer: A. Contract Closeout
46
93. An input to the scope planning process is:
A. Product Description
B. Project Schedule
C. Strategic Plan
D. Historical Information
Answer: A. Product Description
47
94. Scope planning is:
A. Developing a plan from major stakeholders
B. Developing a written scope statement as the basis
for future project decisions
C. Formalizing acceptance of the project scope
D. Planning project milestones
Answer: B. Developing a written scope statement as the basis for future project
decisions 48
Project Management
Fundamentals
49
3. At which stage, does a typical project has maximum
cost?
A. Initial Stage
B. Middle Stage
C. Final Stage
D. Cost In Same at all Stages
Answer: C. Final Stage
50
4. At which stage, in typical project do stake holders
have maximum influence?
A. Initial stage
B. Middle stage
C. Final stage
D. Shareholders have similar influence At all stages
Answer: A. Initial stage
51
Exam Cram
Test Bank
52
24. The project manager should be assigned during
what phase
A. Initiation
B. Project Planning
C. Scope Planning
D. Scope Definition
Answer: A. Initiation
53
54. What are the inputs to project Plan Execution?
A. Project plan, work breakdown structure,
organizational policies, preventive action and
correction action
B. Project plan, work results, change requests,
preventive action and corrective action
C. Project skills, supporting detail, organizational
policies, preventive action and lessons learned
D. Project plan, supporting detail, organizational
policies, preventive action and corrective action.
Answer: A. Project plan, supporting detail, organizational policies, preventive
action and corrective action.
54
57. In the closing phase of your project, a number of
administrative issues must be completed. A
concern is to assess project effectiveness. One way
to accomplish this task is to:
A. Prepare a performance report
B. Perform an inspection
C. Hold a performance review
D. Conduct a procurement audit
Answer: C. Hold A Performance Review
55
61. During closeout, many project managers tend to
delay personnel reassignment because-
A. The team members do not want to move on to
new assignments
B. They believe that no one will want to leave the
project
C. The functional managers do not want the team
members to return
D. They are reluctant to confront any interpersonal
conflicts that may occur in the process
Answer: D. They are reluctant to confront any interpersonal conflicts that may
occur in the process 56
86. When choosing the most appropriate form of
project organization, the first step is to -
A. Produce an initial project plan and determine the
functional areas responsible for each task
B. Develop a project, including a top-down
flowchart, and identify the functional area to
perform each task
C. Refer to the project charter develop by top
management
D. Create the WBS and let it determine the project
organizational structure
Answer: A. Produce an initial project plan and determine the functional areas
responsible for each task
57
Project Management
Framework
58
1-4 Project Scope Management includes which
processes:
A. Plan Development
B. Project Plan Execution
C. Overall Change Control
D. Performance Reporting
E. Initiation
Answer: E. Initiation
59
1-9 Which process is not included in Project Cost
Management?
A. Resource Planning
B. Estimating
C. Budgeting
D. Control
E. Closeout
Answer: E. Closeout
60
Project Management
Processes
61
3-1 A __________ is a series of actions bringing about
a result
A. Project Plan
B. Process
C. Schedule
D. Flowchart
E. Activity Sequencing Plan
Answer: B. Process
62
3-2 _____________ recognizes that a project or phase
should begin and commits the organization to do
so.
A. Initiating process
B. Solicitation process
C. Scoping process
D. Planning process
E. Controlling process
Answer: A. Initiating process
63
3-3 ______________ defines and refines the best
course of action to attain the objectives that the
project was undertaken to address:
A. Development Process
B. Scoping Process
C. Planning Process
D. Information Development Process
E. Resource Planning
Answer: C. Planning Process
64
3-4 Project management process can be organized into:
A. Initiating Process
B. Planning Process
C. Controlling and Executing Process
D. Closing Processes
E. All Of The Above
Answer: E. All Of The Above
65
3-5 ________________ coordinates people and other
resources to carry out the plan
A. Work Breakdown Structure
B. Resource Planning
C. Resource Leveling
D. Executing Process
E. Initiating Process
Answer: D. Executing Process
66
3-6 ________________ ensures that project objectives
are met by monitoring and measuring progress
regularly to identify variances from the plan so that
corrective action can be taken when necessary
A. Project Controls
B. Controlling Process
C. Control Logs
D. Project Chart
Answer: B. Controlling Process
67
3-7 ________________ formalizes the acceptance of
the project or phase and bringing it to an orderly
end.
A. Punchlist
B. Closing Process
C. Project Completion Checklist
D. Stakeholder Buyoff
E. Initiation Process
Answer: B. Closing Process
68
3-8 ________________ must be measured regularly to
identify variances from the plan
A. Stakeholder Requirements
B. Project Performance
C. Schedule Control
D. Project Controls
E. Performance Reporting
Answer: B. Project Performance
69
3-9 The closing process scope includes:
A. Contract closeout
B. Final reporting
C. Punchlist
D. Exit interview
E. Lessons learned
Answer: A. Contract Closeout
70
3-10 The score planning processes are:
A. Scope definition, Resource planning, Cost
estimating, Schedule development, Activity
definition
B. Inputs, Control, Status reports, Risk management
C. Planning, Resource planning, Quality assurance,
risk control
D. Cope definition, Team development, Schedule
control, Budget control, Contract administration
E. Quality planning, Communication planning, Staff
acquisition, Risk quantification
Answer: A. Scope definition, Resource planning, Cost estimating, Schedule
development, Activity definition 71
Project Management
Professional
72
Domain I
You are assigned a project that requires that manufacturing of
medical equipment for one of your companys current clients.
Your company has executed similar projects successfully in
the past. During which phase of the project would you
consider referring to previous project documents for the
similar projects?
A. Scope planning
B. Scope verification
C. Scope definition
D. initiation
Answer: D. Initiation
73
Integration Management
Session Pre-Test
74
1. To the project team, the most valuable document for
integrating activities during project execution is:
A. The Project Plan
B. The Scope Statement
C. The Scope Baseline
D. S-curve
Answer: A. The Project Plan
75
2. An output of the Project Plan Execution process
is/are:
A. Lesson Learned
B. The Project Plan
C. Change Requests
D. Corrective Action
Answer: C. Change Requests
76
Project Manager Framework
77
1. Management problem-solving invoices a combination
of problem definition and:
A. Decision-making
B. Revision /replanning
C. Resource allocation
D. Modification or updating of goals and objectives
Answer: A. Decision Making
78
2. Project management provides organizations with a
methodology to:
A. Become more efficient and effective in
accomplishing goals that cannot be handled well
by the traditional structure
B. Manage high-risk repetitive work
C. Provide clients with multiple points of contract
D. Provide guidance in accomplishing repetitive
activities
Answer: A. Become more efficient and effective in accomplishing goals that
cannot be handled well by the traditional structure 79
3. Project file cycles are very useful for _________ and
__________
A. Configuration management termination
B. Objective setting, information gathering
C. Standardization, control
D. Configuration management, weekly status
updates
Answer: C. Standardization, control
80
4. The degree to which a company accepts and utilizes
project management is most often dependent upon the
__________ and _________ of its projects.
A. Completion, dollar value
B. Size, nature
C. Quantity requirement, manpower requirements
D. Risk, quality management
Answer: B. Size, nature
81
5. All of the following are true of project life-cycles except:
A. The influence of stakeholders over the characteristics
of the final product decrease over time
B. Uncertainty and risk are highest at the beginning of
the project
C. Cost levels start low then increase overtime before
trailing off as the project ends
D. Staffing levels remain stable throughout the life of
the project
Answer: D. Staffing levels remain stable throughout the life of the project
82
6. A program is defined as:
A. An endeavor of considerable scope encompassing
a number of projects
B. A group of projects managed is a coordinated
way to obtain benefits not available from
managing them individually
C. The framework by which project management
can be utilized in order to ensure completion of
projects
D. The means to subdivide projects into manageable
segments
Answer: D. The means to subdivide projects into manageable segments
83
7. General Management encompasses:
A. Identifying objectives and important operations
leading to those objectives
B. Planning, organizing, staffing, executing and
controlling the operation of an ongoing enterprise.
C. Communication planning and performance
information to all parties involved
D. Management principles used only by non-profit
agencies
Answer: B. Planning, organizing, staffing, executing and controlling the
operation of an ongoing enterprise 84
8. Strong matrix organization structures do NOT have:
A. Moderate to high project manager authority
B. Full time project administration staff
C. Part time project manager roles
D. Up to 95% of the organizations personnel
assigned to full time project work
Answer: C. Part time project manager roles
85
9. Project management process are organized into five
groups, which are:
A. Planning, Risk Management, Communicating,
Administration, Close-out
B. Inputs, Outputs, Controls, Execution, Planning
C. Scope Control, Schedule Control, Cost Control,
Quality Control, Risk Control
D. Controlling, Planning, Closing, Executing,
Initiating
Answer: D. Controlling, Planning, Closing, Executing, Initiating
86
10. Which of the following is not a characteristic of
Project Stakeholder
A. They may be difficult to identify
B. Their interest may be positively or negatively
affected as a result of the successful project
completion
C. They are individuals and organizations who are
actively involved in the project
D. They always share common objectives for the
project
Answer: D. They always share common objectives for the project
87
TANK YOU
Sources:
PMBOK
Rita's book
[Link]
[Link]
[Link]