Hi there,
I have been working my way through the study guide and would like some feedback on if I am answering the practice questions correctly (there are a couple, as have saved them up while the site was down).
Question 1 –
List five key attributes of a project and
describe how each differs from business-as-usual.
describe how each differs from business-as-usual.
A Project –
- Seeks to introduce change
- Has a defined timescale
- Has a team that works with bespoke plans and risks
- Has a discrete number of steps, called a Life Cycle
- Defined deliverable
A project seeks to introduce a step change and transformation, where as business as usual seeks consistency, continuity and slow incremental changes.
A project has a define timescale, where as business as usual is repetitive and continues indefinitely
A project team works with bespoke plans and risks, but business as usual is procedural in nature and consistent.
A project has a discrete number of steps known as a project life cycle. Business as usual has a product life cycle where a product will go through – build – operation – disposal cycle
A project delivers a specific one-off deliverable, where although business as usual may produce that deliverable they do so repeatedly
Question 2 –
Explain five key benefits of using a
programme management approach
programme management approach
A programme can drop projects during the course
of the programme if they are no longer paying into the common goal, therefore
saving time, money and resources (does it matter that I haven’t used the term cyclical development – or do you get more marks for using these terms?)
of the programme if they are no longer paying into the common goal, therefore
saving time, money and resources (does it matter that I haven’t used the term cyclical development – or do you get more marks for using these terms?)
A programme is able to use documentation, share
recourses and best practices across all of the projects, allowing for
consistency and efficiency.
recourses and best practices across all of the projects, allowing for
consistency and efficiency.
The objective of the programme may change/evolve
over its life cycle and can therefore be modified as the programme matures. You can manage risk issues and changes
across the programme and also how the programme interacts with business as
usual, making sure that key strategic changes don’t damage daily business
needs. I.E closing down one call centre before the new centre is open and fit
for purpose.
over its life cycle and can therefore be modified as the programme matures. You can manage risk issues and changes
across the programme and also how the programme interacts with business as
usual, making sure that key strategic changes don’t damage daily business
needs. I.E closing down one call centre before the new centre is open and fit
for purpose.
A programme focuses on the overall benefit
to the organization, delivering benefits throughout their life cycle rather
than just as an end result.
– As the question stated explain, should my answers be longer? Should you give examples? –
Thank you
Victoria, you are on the right track but you need to include more detail and examples in the answers, look at the ones done recently by Brian Holt and posted on the study group.