APM PFQ Definitions, Complete Verified Solution
define the term 'project'
A unique, transient endeavour undertaken to bring about change and to achieve
planned objectives
define the term 'project management'
The application of processes, methods, skills, knowledge, and experience to achieve
specific project objectives for change according to the project acceptance criteria within
agreed parameters.
state the key purpose of project management
To effect beneficial change
define the terms 'programme management'
The coordinated management of projects and business-as-usual (steady- state)
activities to achieve beneficial change
Define 'portfolio management'
The selection, prioritisation and control of an organisation's projects and programmes in
line with its strategic objectives and capacity to deliver.
(Portfolios balance the implantation of change initiative and maintain BAU, while
optimising on investment.
Portfolios can be managed at an organisational or functional level to optimise strategic
benefits or operational efficiency, respectively)
Define Programmes
unique, transient, strategic endeavours undertaken to achieve beneficial change and
they incorporate a group of related projects and BAU activities.
What are programmes measure of success?
Programmes measure of success Is the actual realisation of the expected benefits
Define PESTLE
Political - current and potential influences from political pressures
Economic - local, national and world economic impact
Sociological - the effect of changes in the needs of society
Technological - new and emerging technology
Legal - local, national and world legalisation
Environmental - local, national and world environmental issues
describe why PESTLE analysis might be used by a project manager
PESTLE is a management technique to help the project management understand the
environment in which the project operates. These show the external or internal
influences of success or failure.
One strength of a business case is to show that the organisation has not become over
reliant on a single idea
state the phases of a typical linear project life cycle
Concept - development of an initial idea through initial studies and high-level
requirement management and assessment of viability, including an outline business
case
Definition - development of a detailed definition, plan and statement of requirements
that include a full justification for the work. PMP is formed in this stage
Deployment - implantation of plans, verification of performance through testing and
,assurance to realise intended outputs, outcomes, and benefits.
Transition - handover, commissioning, and acceptance of outputs to the sponsor and
wider users, culminating in formal closure.
What is the "Predictive approach" to creating a life cycle
rely on knowledge identified at the start, allowing work to proceed in a sequential
manner
What is the "Adaptive approach" to creating a life cycle
implies new knowledge is created as the work progresses, which is then used to inform
and guide the remaining effort
state the phases of a typical iterative project life cycle
Pre-Project - developing a high-level vision
Feasibility and Foundations - finer details are uncovered during cycles of iteration
Evolutionary development - specification and design to run in parallel
Deployment - bring the evolving solution into operational use either fully or using an
incremental solution that delivers partial requirements, using user experience to form
the next solution increments.
Postproject - identifies whether the solution has delivered the benefits to the degree
required to achieve the business case
define the term 'hybrid life cycle'
A pragmatic approach to achieving beneficial change that combines a linear life cycle
for some phases or activities with an iterative life cycle for others.
What are the benefits for a hybrid life cycle?
Adding iterative elements to "predictive" projects can enhance deployment stages,
support the generation of insights, underpin the realisation of an early benefit, and
validate some of the ideas much earlier in the cycle.
Building agile into a project/programme can offer increased efficiency and flexibility,
however it requires great skill and clarity when using multiple different systems of
working
define the term 'extended project life cycle'
A life cycle approach that adds an adoption phase to a linear or iterative life cycle with
the purpose of ensuring the accountability and governance of the investment stays with
the change teams until change is fully embedded. It provides the missing connection to
benefit realisation in a linear life cycle and facilitates cooperation and knowledge
sharing between change and business-as-usual teams.
When does the extended life cycle happen?
After the transition phase
What are the two phases that are part of the extended life cycle?
Adoption - operations and sustainment required to utilise the new project and enable the
acceptance and use of the benefits
Benefits realisation - realisation of the required business benefits
Outline project management roles and responsibilities: Project Sponsor
project sponsor:
- Primary risk taker and has ultimate accountability and overall responsibility for the
project.
- Most likely to have managed the project through the initial phase
, - Responsible for ensuring the projects benefits are realised when the project is handed
back to operations.
- A member of the and has delegated authority of the steering group, as a chairperson
- Assists in business management and project management issues that arise outside
the formal issues of the steering group
- Lends support by advocacy at the senior level
- Ensures necessary recourse are available for the project
- Responsibilities include:
o Arbiter for user and stakeholder requirements
o Determining the relative priority of time, cost, and quality
o Initiating the project and ensuring PM appointed
o Monitoring high level progress and making control decisions when necessary
o Monitoring business environment and reviewing the business case at gate reviews
o Keeping senior management involved of project progress
o Terminating the project if necessary, after gate review
o Developing and maintaining ownership of the business case
Outline project management roles and responsibilities: Project Manager
Project manager
- To plan, organise, staff, motivate, evaluate, direct, control and lead the project from
start to finish to deliver the project objectives.
- Responsibilities include:
o Delivering on time, cost, quality/performance priorities
o Making timely decisions
o Communicating with the sponsor, forming them of progress and seeking direction
when necessary
o Managing sponsor and user expectations
o Defining and planning the project through creation of PMP
o Monitoring and controlling project progress
o Building, leading, and motivating the project team
o Ensuring work packages are allocated and responsibilities identified
o Initiating reviews and assisting the sponsor in making the decision to terminate (if
justified)
o Communicating as prime point of contact with team members, other organisations,
contractors, suppliers, and operations representatives.
Outline project management roles and responsibilities: Project Governance
- Also known as: steering group, project board, steering committee)
- Is implemented through the governance board comprises of the functions and
departments within the organisation who are investing in or being impacted by the
project, programme, or portfolio.
- The extent and limit of a governance boards authority is defined by terms of reference
or a board charter typically develop by the sponsor
- Influence on a project:
o Projects have a relevant busines case to secure finding and access initial and ongoing
feasibility
o All projects follow a recognised life cycle, used to transfer governance to each project
though phases with various control points (gate reviews audits, evaluation reviews)
define the term 'project'
A unique, transient endeavour undertaken to bring about change and to achieve
planned objectives
define the term 'project management'
The application of processes, methods, skills, knowledge, and experience to achieve
specific project objectives for change according to the project acceptance criteria within
agreed parameters.
state the key purpose of project management
To effect beneficial change
define the terms 'programme management'
The coordinated management of projects and business-as-usual (steady- state)
activities to achieve beneficial change
Define 'portfolio management'
The selection, prioritisation and control of an organisation's projects and programmes in
line with its strategic objectives and capacity to deliver.
(Portfolios balance the implantation of change initiative and maintain BAU, while
optimising on investment.
Portfolios can be managed at an organisational or functional level to optimise strategic
benefits or operational efficiency, respectively)
Define Programmes
unique, transient, strategic endeavours undertaken to achieve beneficial change and
they incorporate a group of related projects and BAU activities.
What are programmes measure of success?
Programmes measure of success Is the actual realisation of the expected benefits
Define PESTLE
Political - current and potential influences from political pressures
Economic - local, national and world economic impact
Sociological - the effect of changes in the needs of society
Technological - new and emerging technology
Legal - local, national and world legalisation
Environmental - local, national and world environmental issues
describe why PESTLE analysis might be used by a project manager
PESTLE is a management technique to help the project management understand the
environment in which the project operates. These show the external or internal
influences of success or failure.
One strength of a business case is to show that the organisation has not become over
reliant on a single idea
state the phases of a typical linear project life cycle
Concept - development of an initial idea through initial studies and high-level
requirement management and assessment of viability, including an outline business
case
Definition - development of a detailed definition, plan and statement of requirements
that include a full justification for the work. PMP is formed in this stage
Deployment - implantation of plans, verification of performance through testing and
,assurance to realise intended outputs, outcomes, and benefits.
Transition - handover, commissioning, and acceptance of outputs to the sponsor and
wider users, culminating in formal closure.
What is the "Predictive approach" to creating a life cycle
rely on knowledge identified at the start, allowing work to proceed in a sequential
manner
What is the "Adaptive approach" to creating a life cycle
implies new knowledge is created as the work progresses, which is then used to inform
and guide the remaining effort
state the phases of a typical iterative project life cycle
Pre-Project - developing a high-level vision
Feasibility and Foundations - finer details are uncovered during cycles of iteration
Evolutionary development - specification and design to run in parallel
Deployment - bring the evolving solution into operational use either fully or using an
incremental solution that delivers partial requirements, using user experience to form
the next solution increments.
Postproject - identifies whether the solution has delivered the benefits to the degree
required to achieve the business case
define the term 'hybrid life cycle'
A pragmatic approach to achieving beneficial change that combines a linear life cycle
for some phases or activities with an iterative life cycle for others.
What are the benefits for a hybrid life cycle?
Adding iterative elements to "predictive" projects can enhance deployment stages,
support the generation of insights, underpin the realisation of an early benefit, and
validate some of the ideas much earlier in the cycle.
Building agile into a project/programme can offer increased efficiency and flexibility,
however it requires great skill and clarity when using multiple different systems of
working
define the term 'extended project life cycle'
A life cycle approach that adds an adoption phase to a linear or iterative life cycle with
the purpose of ensuring the accountability and governance of the investment stays with
the change teams until change is fully embedded. It provides the missing connection to
benefit realisation in a linear life cycle and facilitates cooperation and knowledge
sharing between change and business-as-usual teams.
When does the extended life cycle happen?
After the transition phase
What are the two phases that are part of the extended life cycle?
Adoption - operations and sustainment required to utilise the new project and enable the
acceptance and use of the benefits
Benefits realisation - realisation of the required business benefits
Outline project management roles and responsibilities: Project Sponsor
project sponsor:
- Primary risk taker and has ultimate accountability and overall responsibility for the
project.
- Most likely to have managed the project through the initial phase
, - Responsible for ensuring the projects benefits are realised when the project is handed
back to operations.
- A member of the and has delegated authority of the steering group, as a chairperson
- Assists in business management and project management issues that arise outside
the formal issues of the steering group
- Lends support by advocacy at the senior level
- Ensures necessary recourse are available for the project
- Responsibilities include:
o Arbiter for user and stakeholder requirements
o Determining the relative priority of time, cost, and quality
o Initiating the project and ensuring PM appointed
o Monitoring high level progress and making control decisions when necessary
o Monitoring business environment and reviewing the business case at gate reviews
o Keeping senior management involved of project progress
o Terminating the project if necessary, after gate review
o Developing and maintaining ownership of the business case
Outline project management roles and responsibilities: Project Manager
Project manager
- To plan, organise, staff, motivate, evaluate, direct, control and lead the project from
start to finish to deliver the project objectives.
- Responsibilities include:
o Delivering on time, cost, quality/performance priorities
o Making timely decisions
o Communicating with the sponsor, forming them of progress and seeking direction
when necessary
o Managing sponsor and user expectations
o Defining and planning the project through creation of PMP
o Monitoring and controlling project progress
o Building, leading, and motivating the project team
o Ensuring work packages are allocated and responsibilities identified
o Initiating reviews and assisting the sponsor in making the decision to terminate (if
justified)
o Communicating as prime point of contact with team members, other organisations,
contractors, suppliers, and operations representatives.
Outline project management roles and responsibilities: Project Governance
- Also known as: steering group, project board, steering committee)
- Is implemented through the governance board comprises of the functions and
departments within the organisation who are investing in or being impacted by the
project, programme, or portfolio.
- The extent and limit of a governance boards authority is defined by terms of reference
or a board charter typically develop by the sponsor
- Influence on a project:
o Projects have a relevant busines case to secure finding and access initial and ongoing
feasibility
o All projects follow a recognised life cycle, used to transfer governance to each project
though phases with various control points (gate reviews audits, evaluation reviews)
