Project Management

What is a project

A temporary, goal-oriented effort undertaken to create a unique product, service or result

What is project management

The application of knowledge, skills, tools, and techniques to meet project objectives within defined scope, time, and cost constraints

What is the Iron Triangle (Triple Constraint)?

The balance between Scope, Time, and Cost

Changing one affects the others (e.g more scope → more time or cost)

What is the project management goal?

TO deliver the porject on time, within budget, and to the required quality

What are the five stages of a project lifecycle

1. Initiation - define purpose, scope, stakeholders

2. Planning - set objectives, resources, and schedule

3. Execution - carry out works

4. Monitoring and Control - track progress, manage risks

5. Closer - final deliverables and evaluation

What is a work breakdown structure (WBS)

A hierarchical decomposition of project deliverables into manageable tasks

What is a Gantt chart used for

Scheduling and visualising project timelines, dependencies, and task durations

What is the critical path

The sequence of dependent task that determines the minimum project duration

Who are project stakeholders

Individual or groups who can affect or are affected by the project (e.g clients, users, regulators, team)

What is a stakeholder register?

A document listing stakeholders, their interests, influence, and communication needs

What is the RACI matrix

A tool that defines team roles:
Responsible, Accountable, Consulted, Informed

What are characteristics of high-performing teams

Clear goals, trust, diversity of thought, open communication, mutual respect, and strong leadership

How can poor communication affect a project

Leads to delays, rework, misunderstanings, and stakeholder dissatisfaction

What are soft skills critical for project managers

Leadership, communication, negotiation, conflict resolution, and emotional intelligence

What is a baseline plan

The original approved plan used to measure project performance against actual progress

What is a scope creep

Uncontrolled changes or additions to project scope without adjusting time or cost

How can you prevent scope creep

Define clear deliverables, maintain change control, and communicate the impacts of changes

What is the Earned Value Method (EMV) used for

Measuring project performance by comparing planned vs actual progress in terms of cost and schedule

What does Cost Performance Index (CPI) represent

Efficiency of resource use CPI = EV/AC
EV = Earned Value, AC = Actual cost

What does Schedule Performance Index (SPI) represent

Progress rate relative to schedule: SPI = EV/PV

EV = Earned Value PV = Planned Value

How does risk management relate to project management?

It identifies and mitigates potential events that could impact project objectives

What is risk register

A document listing risks, their likelihood, impact, owner, and mitigation strategies

What is the difference between threats and opportunities in risk

Threats are negative risks; opportunities are positive risks (potential benefits)

What are examples of project risks?

Technical failure, cost overrun, resource shortages, stakeholder conflict, regulatory change

What does quality management involve

Ensuring project outputs meet agreed standards through quality assurance and quality control

Project Success Factors

• Clear objectives

• Executive support

• Realistic schedule and budget

• Effective risk management

• Skilled, motivated team

• Open communication

What is the #1 reason for project failure

Poor collaboration and communication

What role do engineers play in project success

Integrate technical, financial, and human factors to deliver sustainable, ethical outcomes

What is lessons learned review?

A reflection process after a project closure to capture insights for future projects

Why is documentation important in project management

It maintains accountability, traceability, and helps future teams learn from past experiences