1 (A) CHARACTERISTICS of GOOD PROJECT MANAGER

1. Leadership skills
Successful project management requires strong leadership skills on behalf of the manager overseeing the project. As a
project manager, you must be able to effectively lead your team from start to finish to ensure the efficient completion of a
project. Being a good leader means that you can motivate your team to perform at their best throughout the project and
ensure all team members have a clear understanding of what is expected of them. You should also be able to assess your
team’s strengths and weaknesses and decide how to best utilize them throughout the project completion process.
2. Communication skills
Effective project management requires clear and competent communication about the expectations, goals and
responsibilities of the team who will be completing the project. Being able to efficiently communicate with your team as well
as clients and management can ensure that everyone is of the same understanding regarding project expectations. Good
communication skills also allow you to provide constructive feedback to your team to better guide them. Both written and
oral communication skills are important for project managers to have.
3. Problem-solving skills
Successful project managers should be able to solve a variety of problems throughout all stages of a project. Issues that may
need to be solved could involve team members, clients or stakeholders related to the project. Being able to think on your feet
and address disputes and problems is key to ensuring the project is completed in an efficient and timely manner.
4. Delegation skills
Being able to assign and oversee tasks is a fundamental component of successful project management. As the project
manager, you should have the ability to access the skills of your team and sign tasks based on these skills. Effective
delegation also requires you to trust your team members to fulfill their duties and allows you to avoid micromanaging them.
1 ( B) ROLE OF A PROJECT MANAGER
1. Planning
A project manager is responsible for formulating a project plan to meet the project’s objectives while adhering to an approved
budget and timeline. This blueprint will guide the project from ideation to fruition. It will include the project’s scope, the
resources necessary, the anticipated time and financial requirements, the communication strategy, a plan for execution and
documentation, and a proposal for follow-up and maintenance. If the project has not yet gained approval, this plan will serve
as a critical part of the pitch to key decision-makers.
2. GENERATION AND SCREENING OF PROJECT
1. Leading
An essential part of any project manager’s role is to assemble and lead the project team. This requires excellent
communication, people, and leadership skills, as well as a keen eye for others’ strengths and weaknesses. Once the team has
been created, the project manager assigns tasks, sets deadlines, provides necessary resources, and meets regularly with the
members. An ability to speak openly and frequently with all stakeholders is critical.
2. Execution
The project manager participates in and supervises the successful execution of each stage of the project. Again, this requires
frequent, open communication with the project team members and stakeholders.
3. Time management
Staying on schedule is crucial to completing any project, and time management is one of the key responsibilities of a project
manager. Project managers are responsible for resolving derailments and communicating effectively with team members
and other stakeholders to ensure the project gets back on track. Project managers should be experts at risk management
and contingency planning to continue moving forward even when roadblocks occur.
4. Understanding the Basics
Explore the fundamental concepts of project idea generation. Delve into the significance of brainstorming sessions, creativity,
and identifying project goals.
5. Defining Project Objectives: Explain Generation and Screening of Project Ideas
Establishing clear project objectives is the cornerstone. Learn how to articulate goals effectively, setting the stage for
successful idea generation.
3 (A) MEANING OF PROJECT PLANNING
Project planning is a crucial part of project management focused on creating a detailed plan that outlines the steps and
resources necessary to achieve the project's objectives, including identifying the project's scope, establishing a timeline,
assigning tasks and resources, and budgeting for the project.
3 (B) PROCESS OF PROJECT PLANNING
Stage 1: Visualizing, selling, and initiating the project
An effective way to get buy-in for a project or idea is to link it to what is important to the person or group you are
approaching and demonstrate that you are openly soliciting their input. By doing so, they can help shape the concept.
Stage 2: Planning the project
Assuming the project concept and feasibility have been determined, the plan-do-check-act (PDCA) cycle (see figure below) is
directly applicable to project planning and management.
Stage 3: Designing the processes and outputs (deliverables)
When the project is approved, the project team may proceed with the content design along with the persons or items needed
to implement the project.
The design process includes defining:
A. Measurements
B. The monitoring method
C. Status reporting protocols
D. Evaluation criteria
E. Design of the ultimate processes and outputs
F. Implementation schedules
Stage 4: Implementing and tracking the project
The project design team may also implement the project, possibly with the help of additional personnel. A trial or test
implementation may be used to check out the project design and outputs to determine if they meet the project objectives.
Using the planned reporting methods, the implementation team monitors the project and reports on its status to
appropriate interested parties at designated project milestones. Interim results may also be communicated to interested
parties. The implementation team makes any course corrections and trade-offs that may be necessary and are approved.
Stage 5: Evaluating and closing out the project
The implementation team officially closes the project when the scheduled tasks have been completed.
Usually evaluations are done to determine:
A. Objectives met versus objectives planned
B. Actual tasks and events scheduled versus planned
C. Resources used versus planned resource usage
D. Costs versus budget
E. Organizational outcomes achieved versus planned outcomes; any unplanned outcomes
F. Effectiveness of project planning team (optional)
G. Effectiveness of implementation team (optional)
H. Team’s compilation of project documents, evaluations, and lessons learned
4 (A) DECISION MAKING UNDER UNCERTAINTY
1. Laplace Criterion
The Laplace criterion is a decision-making technique that can be utilized to make decisions under uncertainty using AI. It is
used to make decisions in situations where the probability of each outcome is unknown or cannot be estimated.
2. Maximin
The Maximin criterion is a decision-making technique that can be used to make decisions under uncertainty using AI. When
faced with a situation where the probability of each outcome is unknown or cannot be estimated, decision-makers can
employ this technique to select the best course of action.
3. Maximax
The Maximax criterion is a decision-making technique that can be used to make decisions under uncertainty using AI. When
faced with a situation where the probability of each outcome is unknown or cannot be estimated, decision-makers can
employ this technique to select the best course of action.
4. Hurwicz
The Hurwicz technique helps choose a decision that balances good and bad outcomes.
4 (B) DECISION MAKING UNDER RISK
1. Maximum Expected Value
The maximum expected value method is the first way that decision-makers might use to assess and contrast various options.
Finding the option with the highest expected value is the key to employing this strategy.
2. Maximum Utility
The maximum utility technique is a popular approach to decision-making that involves selecting the decision with the highest
expected utility. Utility refers to the value or satisfaction a decision can provide an individual.
3. Most Probable Outcome
Decision-makers may opt to use the most probable outcome technique when a risky option is present. This approach decides
with a high chance of success.
5. PROJECT QUALITY MANAGEMENT
Project quality management is the process of continually measuring the quality of all activities and taking corrective action
until the team achieves the desired quality.
Most project managers intend to create the best possible product or service. But even the most skilled, educated teams, with
the most modern tools, may fail without the right project quality management plan in place.
Measuring quality may seem like something you can’t do until after the project is complete. However, project quality
management should be planned from the beginning and monitored throughout with these three quality management
processes:
A. Quality planning
B. Quality assurance
C. Quality control
6 (A) MEANING OF MIS
A management information system (MIS) is an information system used for decision-making, and for the coordination,
control, analysis, and visualization of information in an organization.
6 (B) FUNCTIONS OF MIS
1. Provide Easy:
Access to the Information
MIS allows teams convenient access to marketing, financial or operational information. MIS reports strategically storing large
amounts of information about the business in a central location that managers can easily access over a network.
2. Data Collection:
Data from the company’s day-to-day operations are collected and combined with data from outside sources. This allows a
healthy and functional relationship between distributors, points of sale, and any other supply chain member.
6 (C) ROLE OF MIS
The role of MIS in business is to provide real-time data and information that can be used to make informed decisions,
streamline operations, and remain competitive in today's rapidly changing business environment.

6 (D) OBJECTIVES OF MIS

1. Data Storage:
it is important to store information or processed data for future use.
2. Data Retrieval:
the data should be smoothly retrieved from storage devices whenever needed by different users.
6 (E) CHARACTERISTICS OF MIS
1. Data integration:
MIS integrates data from various departments and functions, giving decision-makers a comprehensive view of the
organization’s data.
2. Data storage:
MIS stores vast data in databases, making it accessible and retrievable when needed.
7. NETWORK TOPOLOGIES
1. Point-to-Point:
Topology is a type of topology that works on the functionality of the sender and receiver. It is the simplest communication
between two nodes, in which one is the sender and the other one is the receiver. Point-to-Point provides high bandwidth
2. Mesh Topology:
In a mesh topology, every device is connected to another device via a particular channel. In Mesh Topology, the protocols
used are AHCP (Ad Hoc Configuration Protocols), DHCP (Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol), etc.
3. Star Topology
In Star Topology, all the devices are connected to a single hub through a cable. This hub is the central node and all other
nodes are connected to the central node.
8 (A) IMPORTANCE OF INTERNATIONAL FINANCE
International finance, sometimes known as international macroeconomics, is the study of monetary interactions between two
or more countries, focusing on areas such as foreign direct investment and currency exchange rates.
International finance deals with the economic interactions between multiple countries, rather than narrowly focusing on
individual markets. International finance research is conducted by large institutions such as the International Finance Corp.
(IFC), and the National Bureau of Economic Research (NBER). Furthermore, the U.S. Federal Reserve has a division dedicated to
analyzing policies germane to U.S. capital flow, external trade, and the development of global markets.
8 (B) METHODS OF INTERNATIONAL FINANCE
1. Cash in Advance
Using the cash-in-advance payment method is the safest for exporters because they get paid before goods are shipped and
ownership changes hands.
2. Letter of Credit
A letter of credit, or documentary credit, is basically a promise by a bank to pay an exporter if all terms of the contract are
executed properly. This is one of the most secure methods of payment.
3. Documentary Collection
Documentary collection or draft is a popular payment method among international traders. The payment process starts
when the exporter sends a bill of exchange, also known as a sight draft, to the importer.
9 (A) BALANCE OF PAYMENT
The balance of payments (BOP) is the method countries use to monitor all international monetary transactions in a specific
period. The BOP is usually calculated every quarter and every calendar year.
All trades conducted by both the private and public sectors are accounted for in the BOP to determine how much money is
going in and out of a country. If a country has received money, this is known as a credit, and if a country has paid or given
money, the transaction is counted as a debit.
Theoretically, the BOP should be zero, meaning that assets (credits) and liabilities (debits) should balance, but in practice, this
is rarely the case. Thus, the BOP can tell the observer if a country has a deficit or a surplus and from which part of the
economy the discrepancies are stemming.
9 (B) BALANCE OF TRADE
Balance of trade (BOT) is the difference between the value of a country's exports and the value of a country's imports for a
given period. Balance of trade is the largest component of a country's balance of payments (BOP). Sometimes the balance of
trade between a country's goods and the balance of trade between its services are distinguished as two separate figures.
The balance of trade is also referred to as the trade balance, the international trade balance, the commercial balance, or the
net exports.
10.
Cross-border investment refers to the net inflows of investment to acquire a lasting management interest (10 percent or
more of voting stock) in an enterprise operating in an economy other than that of the investor.
Investing in a company incorporated under the laws of another country either in the individual capacity by buying shares
and/or debentures or in the capacity of a company by way of mergers and acquisitions and/or forming a new company or
taking over an existing company etc.
Type of Cross-Border Investments
A. Inward Investment
B. Outward Investment
An Inward Investment means an external or foreign entity either investing in or purchasing the ownership of an indigenous
company. To elaborate the same “Inward Investment commonly known as Foreign Direct Investment occurs when instead of
forming a new business, a foreign company acquires and/or merges with an existing company giving it a platform to grow
and open border for international integration”.
On the other hand, an Outward Investment means “when a domestic firm expands its operations to a foreign country either
via a Greenfield investment, merger/acquisition and/or expansion of an existing foreign facility.” To elaborate,” an Outward
Investment commonly known as Outward Direct Investment occurs when a company has bloomed enough in the domestic
market that now it is ready to open a new venture in foreign country and set up a base in the Foreign market”.
11. SPOT MARKET VERSUS FORWARD MARKET
1. Timing
The spot rate is applicable for immediate transactions, while the forward rate is used for future transactions, typically beyond
two business days.
2. Calculation
The spot rate is determined by the forces of supply and demand in the currency market. On the other hand, the forward rate
is calculated using the spot rate and the interest rate differentials between the two currencies.
3. Usage
The spot rate is commonly used for immediate currency conversions, international trade settlements, and day-to-day
transactions. In contrast, the forward rate is utilized for long-term investments, hedging foreign currency risk, and planning
future financial obligations.
12. PRIMARY MARKET AND SECONDARY MARKET
A primary market is a source of new securities. Often on an exchange, it's where companies, governments, and other groups
go to obtain financing through debt-based or equity-based securities. Primary markets are facilitated by underwriting
groups consisting of investment banks that set a beginning price range for a given security and oversee its sale to investors.
Once the initial sale is complete, further trading is conducted on the secondary market, where the bulk of exchange trading
occurs each day.

Now, let's say some of the investors who bought some of the government's bonds or bills at these auctions—they're usually
institutional investors, like brokerages, banks, pension funds, or investment funds—want to sell them. They offer them on
stock exchanges or markets like the NYSE, Nasdaq, or over-the-counter (OTC), where other investors can buy them. These U.S.
Treasuries are now on the secondary market.
13. CAPITAL ASSET PRICING MODEL
The Capital Asset Pricing Model (CAPM) describes the relationship between systematic risk, or the general perils of investing,
and expected return for assets, particularly stocks.
It is a finance model that establishes a linear relationship between the required return on an investment and risk. The model
is based on the relationship between an asset's beta, the risk-free rate (typically the Treasury bill rate), and the equity risk
premium, or the expected return on the market minus the risk-free rate.
14. SYSTEMATIC RISK VERSUS UNSYTEMATIC RISK
Systematic and unsystematic risks are both risks that affect all businesses, however, every firm is affected by these risks in
different ways. Systematic risks can't be diversified away, but some companies are more sensitive to these risks than others
based on the nature of the business and their beta. Unsystematic risks can be diversified away and often only affect specific
firms or industries that haven't adequately diversified or protected themselves from these risks. A great example of
systematic risk is COVID-19. It affected all industries but affected airlines and cruise companies more than grocery stores. On
the other hand, a good example of unsystematic risk is when a company's CFO is caught embezzling money. The company
failed to have adequate processes and policies to prevent the possibility of this happening and thus only this company is
affected by its CFO's actions.
15. ROLE OF STOCK BROKER
1. Research and advise:
It is the function of the stockbroker to advise its clients, for whom stock picking and selling can be a tall order. This is where
the experience of a broker comes in, as they regularly analyse market conditions, and follow micro and macro scenarios,
operations of various companies, and their effect on the market price of the share. They are also well versed in various
methods like price action strategy, chart readings of shares, and ratio analysis techniques.
2. Managing client portfolios:
Stockbrokers may also manage client portfolios, based on their investment objectives and risk tolerance levels, and
recommend suitable investment strategies. This includes rebalancing portfolios periodically and picking stocks according to
specific needs.