Exam Review Questions part 1

  1. Why is there a new or renewed interest in the field of project management? Provide examples of some of the advantages.
  2. What does it mean to take a systems view of a project? How does taking a systems view of a project apply to project management?
  3. Briefly explain the differences between functional, matrix and project organisations. How does the structure of each affect the management of a project?
  4. Describe how organisational culture is related to project management. What type of culture promotes a strong project environment?
  5. Briefly describe what happens in each of the five project management process groups. On which process should team members spend the most time and why?
  6. What are some of the typical challenges project teams face during each of the five process groups?
  7. Describe project integration management. How does project integration management relate to project lifecycle, stakeholders, and other project management knowledge areas?
  8. Discuss the importance of following a well integrated change control process on IT projects.
  9. Describe different ways to develop work breakdown structures (WBS) and explain why it id often difficult to do so?
  10. Describe what “scope creep” is and provide an example? How can it be avoided?
  11. Why is it that schedule issues cause the most conflicts in projects?
  12. Many information technology project cost estimates are typically very inaccurate. Suggest some reasons that this occurs and how would you help overcome these problems?
  13. After reading Kaplan and Norton’s Balanced Scorecard framework paper (from IS370 course website) – answer the following questions:
  14. Describe the four perspectives of the model?
  15. List five main reasons companies are using the BSC as a strategic management system
  16. What are the main processes included in project quality management?
  17. Discuss three suggestions for improving information technology project quality that were NOT discussed in the course lectures
  18. We discussed the MBTI (Myers Briggs Type Indicator) tool in class; explain how this tool could be used to improve teamwork and overall project management success.
  19. What are the 4 key processes for project human resource management?
  20. Poor project communication is often considered one of the main factors for IT project breakdowns; suggest some key ideas that can be utilised for improving communications.
  21. As a member of the “Project Management in KSA” project team, one key member is NOT responding adequately to internal communications and is now causing some degree of conflict within the team. How would you address the issue and manage the situation?
  22. What are some questions that should be addressed in the risk management plan?
  23. Discuss 5 common sources of risk in IT projects and suggestions for managing them.
  24. What are the four basic responses to risk?
  25. List 5 reasons why organisations outsource?
  26. List two suggestions for ensuring adequate change control on projects that involve outside contracts?
  27. You have just completed your IS370 project and have been asked to conduct a post project review; describe some of the main issues you encountered and how you would address these issues in your next project.