Chapter 04 Defining the Project Short Answer

Chapter 04 - Defining the Project Short Answer Questions 78. Identify and briefly describe the five steps in defining a project. 1. defining the project scope, 2. establishing project priorities, 3. creating the work breakdown structure, 4. integrating the WBS with the organization, and 5. coding the WBS AACSB: Analytic Bloom's: Comprehension Learning Objective: Step 1: Defining the Project Scope Level: Medium 79. Identify and briefly describe the six elements on the recommended project scope checklist. 1. project objectives, 2. deliverables, 3. milestones, 4. technical requirements, 5. limits and exclusions, and 6. reviews with customers AACSB: Analytic Bloom's: Comprehension Learning Objective: Step 1: Defining the Project Scope Level: Medium 80. In terms of project management, what is a deliverable and give an example. A deliverable is an expected output that occurs during the life of a project. AACSB: Analytic Bloom's: Knowledge Learning Objective: Step 1: Defining the Project Scope Level: Easy 4-50 Chapter 04 - Defining the Project 81. Identify and briefly describe the three elements that are traditionally used to measure the ultimate success of a project. 1. costs (budget), 2. time (schedule), and 3. performance (scope) AACSB: Analytic Bloom's: Comprehension Learning Objective: Step 2: Establishing Project Priorities Level: Medium 82. In project management terms, what is meant by "managing the trade-offs?" During project execution decisions will be needed to balance the three success criteria; costs, schedule, and performance. Typically one will be degraded in order to maintain or improve another. Thus the criteria are traded off. AACSB: Analytic Bloom's: Synthesis Learning Objective: Step 2: Establishing Project Priorities Level: Difficult 83. Identify and briefly describe the three categories used to classify the priority of major project parameters. 1. constrain (the parameter is fixed), 2. enhance (the parameter should be optimized), and 3. accept (lower results are acceptable) AACSB: Analytic Bloom's: Comprehension Learning Objective: Step 2: Establishing Project Priorities Level: Medium 84. What is a Project Priority Matrix and how would you use one? The Project Priority Matrix is a graphic representation classifying the major project parameters of time, performance, and cost according to their priority. It is used to assist in making project trade-off decisions. AACSB: Analytic Bloom's: Synthesis Learning Objective: Step 2: Establishing Project Priorities Level: Difficult 4-51 Chapter 04 - Defining the Project 85. What is meant by a work breakdown structure and how does it help manage projects? WBS is the logical subdividing of major activities into smaller elements. It is useful to ensure complete planning of a project as well as a basis for monitoring progress. AACSB: Analytic Bloom's: Knowledge Learning Objective: Step 3: Creating the Work Breakdown Structure Level: Medium 86. Identify in order from broadest to most specific, the six parts of the hierarchical breakdown of the WBS. 1. project, 2. deliverable, 3. sub deliverable, 4. lowest sub deliverable, 5. cost account, and work package AACSB: Analytic Bloom's: Knowledge Learning Objective: Step 3: Creating the Work Breakdown Structure Level: Medium 87. What is a Responsibility Matrix and how would it be used in project management? The RM summarizes the tasks to be accomplished and who is responsible for what on a project. It is used to ensure that all participants understand and agree on their assignments. AACSB: Analytic Bloom's: Comprehension Learning Objective: Responsibility Matrices Level: Medium 4-52 Chapter 04 - Defining the Project 88. What is meant by "Scope Creep" and why is it significant to project managers? It is the gradual expansion of project deliverables to the point that overall project constraints (costs and schedule) can no longer be met. AACSB: Analytic Bloom's: Synthesis Learning Objective: Step 1: Defining the Project Scope Level: Difficult 89. What is an OBS and how would you use it to plan a project? The OBS is the process of defining which organization units are responsible for performing the work outlined in the individual work packages. AACSB: Analytic Bloom's: Synthesis Learning Objective: Step 4: Integrating the WBS with the Organization Level: Difficult 4-53