Yes, an organizational structure does play a key role in the manner in which projects are identified, ramped-up, executed, and managed to full conclusion. Certain structures, such as a matrix structure, which requires project managers to work across functional silos, are more complex. A simpler approach in which organizations create project teams, formed to drive home company strategy, results in a stronger project structure.

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Chapter 2

Questions

Define the term project life cycle.

Methodologies are the best weapon in a companys arsenal if they want to avoid what?

List five reasons that projects fail and state what possible solutions could prevent failure.

What does the term project strategy mean? Is it the same as a business strategy?

What are the five levels of the capability maturity model?

List three reasons why team members would dislike methodologies?

Answers

A project life cycle is a collection of project phases. Project phases vary by project or industry, but some general phases include (1) concept, (2) development, (3) implementation, and (4) support.

Methodologies provide companies the opportunity to avoid inconsistency and nonstandardization throughout the organization when managing their projects.

The following typical failures occur on projects: o

Incorrect or no choice of methodology. Solution: Assess what the correct methodology should be.

Poor estimation. Solution: Spend additional time estimating the project with a cost accountant or estimating tool.

Poor planning. Solution: Use planning techniques and templates with the project team.

No change control. Solution: Implement a change control process on the project with regular checks and assessments for each change.

Poor implementation. Solution: Consider the type and scale of implementation that is required.

Project strategy is specific and focused on the project to be executed and deployed; it is based on a specific set of objectives and project scope. Without a project strategy, it is unlikely that the project would be planned very well. A business strategy is more comprehensive from an organizational perspective, which focuses on embracing IT, marketing, sales, manufacturing, and HR and the ability to forge ahead of its competitors.

The five levels of the capability maturity model are initial, repeatable, defined, managed, and optimized.

Team members dislike for methodologies are: (1) Methodologies are a waste of time; (2) They dont represent what really happens on a project; and (3) They dont reflect the actual detail technical requirements for executing the project.

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