ITPM Verified

ITPM Verified Answers scope, time, cost What factors have the biggest impact on IT projects? 1) high turnover rates of IT workers 2) level of uniqueness and complexity 3) difficulty in getting accurate customer requirements 4) rate of change in requirements 5) difficulty in testing all possible state of software, 6) constant training needed to keep team members current with technology Key differences between IT projects and other projects 1) improvement in customer satisfaction; 2) better cost performance, higher ROI 3) better schedule performance, allocation of time commitments, and utilization of resources, higher productivity 4) increased quality, reducing rework 5) increased number of delivered features Potential advantages of using structured project management approach project temporary sequence of related activities that must be completed to create a unique product or service; defined by being temporary and having a beginning and an end project management process of applying knowledge, tools and techniques to a project's activities to deliver stated project requirements within agreed upon scope, time, cost and quality constraints scope, time, cost triple constraint a.k.a. devil's triangle quality 4th constraint hard and soft skills 2 general skills of a good project manager Manage: 1) scope 2) human resources 3) communications 4) schedule 5) quality 6) costs 6 basic functions project managers perform to run successful projects 1) product life cycle fits into a larger project life cycle 2) focus and work are different difference of product life cycle vs. project life cycle contains phases, deliverables, and decisions to be made before moving on to a subsequent phase similarities between product life cycle and project life cycle systems theory philosophy of looking at the world as a set of principles and interventions for thinking and problem solving; a language or set of principles and interventions for thinking and solving problems 1) open 2) closed 2 distinct groups of systems theory systems analysis problem solving techniques that decomposes a system into its component pieces for the purpose of studying how well these components work and interact to accomplish their purpose systems management component responsible for managing the whole system; includes objectives, internal and external environments, constraints, resources both human and non human, and the culture and social environment of the organization. 1) temporary 2) unique 3) progressive elaboration 4) single unique purpose 3 key characteristics of a project + 1 1) objectives have been achieved 2) objectives cannot be achieved 3) the need no longer exists when is a project considered done? death march projects projects that continue endlessly 1) produce a unique set of deliverables 2) never been done before 3) must contain a well-defined purpose 4) creates uncertainty and risks How are projects unique? project sponsor or key stakeholder project's primary sponsor or champion