Unit 1 Tutorials: Beginning the Project
INSIDE UNIT 1
Defining and Managing a Project
Project Management
Project Stakeholders
Project Manager Roles & Responsibilities
Project Life Cycle & Processes
Types of Projects
Project Methodologies
Scope, Time, and Cost
Project Success & Failure
Defining and Completing a Project Scope
Project Scope
Defining Project Rationale
Gathering Stakeholder Expectations: The Process
Gathering Stakeholder Expectations: Types of Expectations
Determining Project Outcomes
Writing SMART Goals
Estimating
Identifying Project Risks
Gaining Scope Approval
Project Management
by Sophia
WHAT'S COVERED
This tutorial will explain the role of a project manager by focusing on:
© 2023 SOPHIA Learning, LLC. SOPHIA is a registered trademark of SOPHIA Learning, LLC. Page 1
,1. Project Management
Project management involves a variety of skills and we'll discuss these over the length of this course,
including project planning, the management of resources, and how to lead a team.
The same methods that are used to manage the design of airplanes can also be used to remodel a house,
plan a wedding, or learn a new language. All of these can be the results of a well-managed project.
EXAMPLE The design of a software application is an example of a product deliverable.
So what is a project? A project has a defined start date and end date. Sometimes the end date is specified by
factors external to the project, such as products that must be ready by a certain time of year. And sometimes it
is defined during the project scheduling phase.
The result of a project can benefit an organization, such as a marketing plan for a new model of a car. Or
individuals, such as a method to apply for a new car loan.
And finally, a project has a specific budget. Just as with a schedule, a budget might be determined before the
project starts, or it might be the responsibility of the project manager and his team to establish the budget.
There are some instances where a project won't have a budget. The project cost might be limited by other
means, such as limiting the number of people on the project, for example. Or it might have been determined
that the results of the project are necessary no matter what the cost. Now that we've defined projects, we
need to discuss how they differ from operations.
⭐ BIG IDEA
Remember, a project has a specific start, specific end date, and a defined budget.
TERM TO KNOW
Project Management
The process of planning, managing resources, and leading a team to achieve identified goals.
2. Operations
© 2023 SOPHIA Learning, LLC. SOPHIA is a registered trademark of SOPHIA Learning, LLC. Page 2
,Projects have start and end dates. Operations, on the other hand, do not have specific start and end dates.
EXAMPLE A smartphone was designed and now actual production is ready to begin. Production
would continue until it was decided at an unknown time in the future to halt the production.
What part of the process is the "project" and what part is the "operation"?
The design of the phone would likely be a "project" since it would end at the time of the launch. The
"production" of the phones is an operation since there is no known end date.
EXAMPLE An example of a project would be to design a more efficient process to evaluate a new
hire. An example of operations would be repeatable and continuous evaluation of new employees.
Since operations are ongoing, they often include temporary projects that assist with changes to the operation.
Projects do not include operations, but projects might make use of the results of an operation.
EXAMPLE A software application is developed by a project and will be shipped on CDs. The
manufacturing operation should not be considered part of the project because that will be ongoing
without an end date.
HINT
Project work is unique for every project. Operation work is continuous and repeatable.
3. Project Manager
The person who oversees projects is the project manager. This is an individual who uses a range of
knowledge, skills, and tools to lead a project to successful completion.
Project managers have many responsibilities including:
Define deliverables to meet requirements
Oversight of the budget
Manage the individuals assigned to the project.
Communicate project status
© 2023 SOPHIA Learning, LLC. SOPHIA is a registered trademark of SOPHIA Learning, LLC. Page 3
, Manage expectations
BRAINSTORM
Have you come across people who manage the responsibilities listed above, but have held a different
professional title?
In each industry, you'll find project managers with different titles, such as project leads, project coordinators,
project owners, and of course, project managers — all different job titles, but often with the same
responsibilities.
EXAMPLE An individual who manages house construction is a general contractor. Individuals who
develop movies and video games is a producer
TERM TO KNOW
Project Manager
An individual who uses a range of knowledge, skills, and tools to lead a project to successful
completion.
4. Program Management
Sometimes deliverables are too large or too complex for a single project. Or the staff and the details are too
much for a single project manager. That's where program management comes in.
Program management provides oversight of multiple related projects.
EXAMPLE A mission like the Mars Rover is a perfect example of program management. Many
interrelated disciplines needed to coordinate their efforts all for one goal: placing a remote control
robot on Mars.
Program management is not just a collection of projects, though. It is a grouping of projects that are solving
the same problem or addressing the same opportunity.
EXAMPLE An insurance company is releasing a new product to members. For the product to be
successful, the following projects may be needed:
Creating policy and procedures
Design and create communication methods such as mailers and websites
Market or advertise the product upon completion
The oversight of all these projects is program management. And it is often handled by a program manager.
The program manager guides the overall direction of all projects within a program through interactions with
the project manager and directly with the teams. The program manager may also manage one or more
projects within the program, effectively acting as a project manager too.
A program will always have projects within it, but projects do not need to be part of a program. Some
organizations will manage all project managers as a single group instead, regardless of the goals and
products produced by their projects.
TERM TO KNOW
Program Management
© 2023 SOPHIA Learning, LLC. SOPHIA is a registered trademark of SOPHIA Learning, LLC. Page 4
INSIDE UNIT 1
Defining and Managing a Project
Project Management
Project Stakeholders
Project Manager Roles & Responsibilities
Project Life Cycle & Processes
Types of Projects
Project Methodologies
Scope, Time, and Cost
Project Success & Failure
Defining and Completing a Project Scope
Project Scope
Defining Project Rationale
Gathering Stakeholder Expectations: The Process
Gathering Stakeholder Expectations: Types of Expectations
Determining Project Outcomes
Writing SMART Goals
Estimating
Identifying Project Risks
Gaining Scope Approval
Project Management
by Sophia
WHAT'S COVERED
This tutorial will explain the role of a project manager by focusing on:
© 2023 SOPHIA Learning, LLC. SOPHIA is a registered trademark of SOPHIA Learning, LLC. Page 1
,1. Project Management
Project management involves a variety of skills and we'll discuss these over the length of this course,
including project planning, the management of resources, and how to lead a team.
The same methods that are used to manage the design of airplanes can also be used to remodel a house,
plan a wedding, or learn a new language. All of these can be the results of a well-managed project.
EXAMPLE The design of a software application is an example of a product deliverable.
So what is a project? A project has a defined start date and end date. Sometimes the end date is specified by
factors external to the project, such as products that must be ready by a certain time of year. And sometimes it
is defined during the project scheduling phase.
The result of a project can benefit an organization, such as a marketing plan for a new model of a car. Or
individuals, such as a method to apply for a new car loan.
And finally, a project has a specific budget. Just as with a schedule, a budget might be determined before the
project starts, or it might be the responsibility of the project manager and his team to establish the budget.
There are some instances where a project won't have a budget. The project cost might be limited by other
means, such as limiting the number of people on the project, for example. Or it might have been determined
that the results of the project are necessary no matter what the cost. Now that we've defined projects, we
need to discuss how they differ from operations.
⭐ BIG IDEA
Remember, a project has a specific start, specific end date, and a defined budget.
TERM TO KNOW
Project Management
The process of planning, managing resources, and leading a team to achieve identified goals.
2. Operations
© 2023 SOPHIA Learning, LLC. SOPHIA is a registered trademark of SOPHIA Learning, LLC. Page 2
,Projects have start and end dates. Operations, on the other hand, do not have specific start and end dates.
EXAMPLE A smartphone was designed and now actual production is ready to begin. Production
would continue until it was decided at an unknown time in the future to halt the production.
What part of the process is the "project" and what part is the "operation"?
The design of the phone would likely be a "project" since it would end at the time of the launch. The
"production" of the phones is an operation since there is no known end date.
EXAMPLE An example of a project would be to design a more efficient process to evaluate a new
hire. An example of operations would be repeatable and continuous evaluation of new employees.
Since operations are ongoing, they often include temporary projects that assist with changes to the operation.
Projects do not include operations, but projects might make use of the results of an operation.
EXAMPLE A software application is developed by a project and will be shipped on CDs. The
manufacturing operation should not be considered part of the project because that will be ongoing
without an end date.
HINT
Project work is unique for every project. Operation work is continuous and repeatable.
3. Project Manager
The person who oversees projects is the project manager. This is an individual who uses a range of
knowledge, skills, and tools to lead a project to successful completion.
Project managers have many responsibilities including:
Define deliverables to meet requirements
Oversight of the budget
Manage the individuals assigned to the project.
Communicate project status
© 2023 SOPHIA Learning, LLC. SOPHIA is a registered trademark of SOPHIA Learning, LLC. Page 3
, Manage expectations
BRAINSTORM
Have you come across people who manage the responsibilities listed above, but have held a different
professional title?
In each industry, you'll find project managers with different titles, such as project leads, project coordinators,
project owners, and of course, project managers — all different job titles, but often with the same
responsibilities.
EXAMPLE An individual who manages house construction is a general contractor. Individuals who
develop movies and video games is a producer
TERM TO KNOW
Project Manager
An individual who uses a range of knowledge, skills, and tools to lead a project to successful
completion.
4. Program Management
Sometimes deliverables are too large or too complex for a single project. Or the staff and the details are too
much for a single project manager. That's where program management comes in.
Program management provides oversight of multiple related projects.
EXAMPLE A mission like the Mars Rover is a perfect example of program management. Many
interrelated disciplines needed to coordinate their efforts all for one goal: placing a remote control
robot on Mars.
Program management is not just a collection of projects, though. It is a grouping of projects that are solving
the same problem or addressing the same opportunity.
EXAMPLE An insurance company is releasing a new product to members. For the product to be
successful, the following projects may be needed:
Creating policy and procedures
Design and create communication methods such as mailers and websites
Market or advertise the product upon completion
The oversight of all these projects is program management. And it is often handled by a program manager.
The program manager guides the overall direction of all projects within a program through interactions with
the project manager and directly with the teams. The program manager may also manage one or more
projects within the program, effectively acting as a project manager too.
A program will always have projects within it, but projects do not need to be part of a program. Some
organizations will manage all project managers as a single group instead, regardless of the goals and
products produced by their projects.
TERM TO KNOW
Program Management
© 2023 SOPHIA Learning, LLC. SOPHIA is a registered trademark of SOPHIA Learning, LLC. Page 4
