PRO4801 Assignment 2
(COMPLETE GUIDELINE)
2025 - DUE May 2025
For assistance contact
Email:
, (i) Discuss the different focal areas of a project manager's job. Outline the influence of a project
manager's "umbrella" function in projects. (15 marks)
The job of a project manager is highly multifaceted with the requirement to manage numerous
responsibilities and stakeholders. Their focal areas can be seen along a number of key
dimensions:
Scope Management: The project manager is the custodian of the project boundary.
Their focal area here encompasses:
Defining and documenting the deliverables and objectives of the project: Ensuring
everyone is aware of what the project will and will not deliver.
Controlling scope creep: Managing changes in the project scope and ensuring they are validated,
approved, and integrated.
Ensuring alignment with business needs: Ensuring constantly that the project scope remains
relevant to the strategic goals of the organization.
Time Management: Delivering the project on time is a critical function. Areas of focus are:
Planning and scheduling of project activities: Creating a realistic and achievable schedule.
Activity duration estimation and resource needs: Successfully estimating the time and resources
required by each activity.
Progress reporting and schedule control: Measuring actual performance against the plan and
taking corrective action where necessary.
Cost Management: Not spending more than costs is crucial. The project manager is interested in:
Determining the project budget: Creating an overall financial plan for all project activities.
Monitoring project expenses: Comparing actual expenditure against the budget.
Cost management and controlling budget
variances: Recording and correcting any deviation from the fiscal plan.
Quality Management: Ensuring the project deliverables are to the required standard and
stakeholder expectations. Points of focus are:
Establishing quality metrics and standards: Deciding what "quality" is for the project.
Planning and executing quality assurance activities: Implementing processes to ensure quality
is embedded in the project.
Controlling quality and fixing defects: Monitoring quality and taking action when things go
wrong.
Resource Management: Effective utilization of all resources (human, financial, material,
equipment) is necessary. The project manager is interested in:
Planning and acquiring resources: Identifying and procuring the necessary resources.
Developing and managing the project team: Leading, motivating, and coordinating the project
team.
(COMPLETE GUIDELINE)
2025 - DUE May 2025
For assistance contact
Email:
, (i) Discuss the different focal areas of a project manager's job. Outline the influence of a project
manager's "umbrella" function in projects. (15 marks)
The job of a project manager is highly multifaceted with the requirement to manage numerous
responsibilities and stakeholders. Their focal areas can be seen along a number of key
dimensions:
Scope Management: The project manager is the custodian of the project boundary.
Their focal area here encompasses:
Defining and documenting the deliverables and objectives of the project: Ensuring
everyone is aware of what the project will and will not deliver.
Controlling scope creep: Managing changes in the project scope and ensuring they are validated,
approved, and integrated.
Ensuring alignment with business needs: Ensuring constantly that the project scope remains
relevant to the strategic goals of the organization.
Time Management: Delivering the project on time is a critical function. Areas of focus are:
Planning and scheduling of project activities: Creating a realistic and achievable schedule.
Activity duration estimation and resource needs: Successfully estimating the time and resources
required by each activity.
Progress reporting and schedule control: Measuring actual performance against the plan and
taking corrective action where necessary.
Cost Management: Not spending more than costs is crucial. The project manager is interested in:
Determining the project budget: Creating an overall financial plan for all project activities.
Monitoring project expenses: Comparing actual expenditure against the budget.
Cost management and controlling budget
variances: Recording and correcting any deviation from the fiscal plan.
Quality Management: Ensuring the project deliverables are to the required standard and
stakeholder expectations. Points of focus are:
Establishing quality metrics and standards: Deciding what "quality" is for the project.
Planning and executing quality assurance activities: Implementing processes to ensure quality
is embedded in the project.
Controlling quality and fixing defects: Monitoring quality and taking action when things go
wrong.
Resource Management: Effective utilization of all resources (human, financial, material,
equipment) is necessary. The project manager is interested in:
Planning and acquiring resources: Identifying and procuring the necessary resources.
Developing and managing the project team: Leading, motivating, and coordinating the project
team.
