PMT Notes
PMT Notes
Scope Management
Definition: Scope management involves defining and controlling what is included and what is
not included in the project.
Key Processes:
Planning Scope Management: Documenting how the project scope will be defined,
validated, and controlled.
Collecting Requirements: Determining, documenting, and managing stakeholder needs
and requirements.
Defining Scope: Developing a detailed project and product description.
Creating WBS (Work Breakdown Structure): Subdividing project deliverables into
smaller, manageable components.
Validating Scope: Formalizing acceptance of the completed project deliverables.
Controlling Scope: Monitoring the status of the project and product scope and managing
changes to the scope baseline.
2. Schedule Management
Definition: Schedule management involves planning and controlling the timelines of the project.
Key Processes:
3. Cost Management
Definition: Cost management involves planning and controlling the budget of the project.
Key Processes:
4. Risk Management
Definition: Risk management involves identifying, analyzing, and responding to project risks.
Key Processes:
Planning Risk Management: Defining how to conduct risk management activities for a
project.
Identifying Risks: Determining which risks might affect the project and documenting
their characteristics.
Performing Qualitative Risk Analysis: Prioritizing risks for further analysis or action
by assessing and combining their probability of occurrence and impact.
Performing Quantitative Risk Analysis: Numerically analyzing the effect of identified
risks on overall project objectives.
Planning Risk Responses: Developing options and actions to enhance opportunities and
reduce threats to project objectives.
Implementing Risk Responses: Executing risk response plans.
Monitoring Risks: Tracking identified risks, monitoring residual risks, identifying new
risks, and evaluating risk process effectiveness throughout the project.
Definition: Understanding the environment in which a project operates, including both the
internal and external factors that influence it.
Key Components:
Project Life Cycle: Phases that a project goes through from initiation to closure.
Organizational Structure: The way an organization is structured which can influence
project management (e.g., functional, matrix, projectized).
Enterprise Environmental Factors: Conditions not under the immediate control of the
project team that influence, constrain, or direct the project.
Organizational Process Assets: Plans, processes, policies, procedures, and knowledge
bases specific to and used by the performing organization.
Definition: The five process groups that represent the project management lifecycle.
Process Groups:
7. Stakeholders Management
Key Processes:
Definition: The project selection and evaluation process involves evaluating various project
opportunities and selecting the one that best aligns with the organization's strategic goals and
provides the highest potential for success.
Definition: BCR compares the benefits of a project to its costs, indicating the project's
profitability.
Formula:
Definition: NPV calculates the difference between the present value of cash inflows and
outflows over a project's lifetime.
Definition: IRR is the discount rate that makes the NPV of all cash flows from a project equal to
zero.
Decision Rule: Select projects with an IRR greater than the required rate of return.
4. Payback Period
Definition: The payback period is the time required to recover the initial investment of the
project.
Definition: ROI measures the gain or loss generated on an investment relative to its cost.
Definition: EVA measures a project's financial performance based on residual wealth, calculated
by deducting the cost of capital from the operating profit.
Where:
7. Scoring Models
Definition: Scoring models use a set of criteria to evaluate and compare project proposals by
assigning scores to various factors.
Steps:
1. Identify selection criteria (e.g., strategic alignment, risk, financial return, etc.).
2. Assign weights to each criterion based on importance.
3. Rate each project against the criteria.
4. Calculate a weighted score for each project.
5. Select projects with the highest scores.
Example Application
Scenario: An organization has three potential projects and needs to select the best one using
NPV and IRR.
Projects Data:
Project A: Initial Investment = $100,000, Yearly Cash Inflows = $30,000 for 5 years,
Discount Rate = 10%
Project B: Initial Investment = $150,000, Yearly Cash Inflows = $45,000 for 5 years,
Discount Rate = 10%
Project C: Initial Investment = $200,000, Yearly Cash Inflows = $60,000 for 5 years,
Discount Rate = 10%
Decision:
Critical Path Method (CPM): A project management tool that determines the sequence of tasks
that are critical for project completion.
Definition: Calculates the earliest start and finish times for each activity.
Steps:
1. Start at the project's beginning and move forward through each activity.
2. For each activity, calculate:
o Earliest Start (ES): The maximum of the earliest finish times of all its
predecessors.
o Earliest Finish (EF): EF=ES+Duration
Definition: Calculates the latest start and finish times for each activity.
Example:
Activities Data:
This structured approach ensures that all aspects of project management, from scope and
schedule to cost and risk, are thoroughly covered, with practical tools and methods for selecting
and evaluating projects as well as managing schedules effectively.
1. Waterfall (Traditional): Sequential phases with clear milestones. Best for stable
requirements and predictable projects.
2. Agile: Iterative and incremental delivery. Ideal for fast-changing requirements and
customer collaboration.
3. Lean: Focuses on efficiency, waste reduction, and continuous improvement. Suitable for
minimizing resources while maximizing value.
4. Iterative: Repetitive cycles of planning, executing, and refining. Flexible for projects
with evolving requirements.
5. Incremental: Divides projects into smaller parts delivered sequentially. Allows for early
delivery and feedback.
6. Critical Chain: Manages resource dependencies to minimize delays. Focuses on
efficient resource utilization.
7. PRINCE2: Structured framework with defined processes and roles. Emphasizes
governance, control, and business justification.
Choosing the right methodology depends on project specifics like scope clarity, stakeholder
involvement, and the need for adaptability or control.
Effective schedule management is crucial for ensuring that a project is completed on time and
within scope. Here are some key techniques for managing project schedules:
1. Define Activities
Activity List: Develop a comprehensive list of all tasks or activities required to complete
the project.
Work Breakdown Structure (WBS): Break down the project into smaller, manageable
components or work packages.
2. Sequence Activities
Expert Judgment: Rely on the expertise of team members or subject matter experts to
estimate durations.
Analogous Estimating: Use historical data from similar projects to estimate durations.
Parametric Estimating: Use statistical relationships between historical data and other
variables to estimate durations.
Three-Point Estimating: Calculate optimistic (O), pessimistic (P), and most likely (M)
duration estimates, and use a weighted average to determine the expected duration (E)
using the formula: E=(O+4M+P) / 6.
5. Resource Optimization
6. Schedule Compression
Crashing: Shorten the project schedule by adding more resources to critical path
activities, potentially increasing costs.
Fast Tracking: Perform activities in parallel that were originally planned to be done
sequentially, increasing risks but potentially reducing schedule duration.
7. Control Schedule
Regular Updates: Schedule regular status meetings and updates to keep all stakeholders
informed of progress.
Project Management Software: Utilize project management tools and software (e.g.,
Microsoft Project, Primavera, Trello) to track and communicate schedule status
effectively.
9. Risk Management
Identify Schedule Risks: Proactively identify risks that could impact the schedule and
develop mitigation plans.
Contingency Planning: Include contingency buffers in the schedule to account for
uncertainties and risks.
Sprint Planning: In Agile projects, use sprint planning sessions to define the work to be
completed in each iteration.
Daily Standups: Conduct daily standup meetings to discuss progress, obstacles, and
plans for the day.
By applying these schedule management techniques, project managers can enhance their ability
to deliver projects on time, while managing resources effectively and minimizing risks.
Identify Stakeholders: Use tools like stakeholder registers or lists to identify all
potential stakeholders.
Stakeholder Mapping: Use stakeholder maps or matrices to categorize stakeholders
based on their interest and influence.
Analysis Techniques: Use tools like SWOT (Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities,
Threats) analysis or PESTLE (Political, Economic, Social, Technological, Legal,
Environmental) analysis to understand stakeholders' perspectives and potential impact on
the project.
3. Engagement Strategies
Communication Plan: Develop a detailed communication plan outlining how and when
you will communicate with stakeholders.
Engagement Levels: Define engagement levels such as inform, consult, involve,
collaborate, and empower, and tailor your strategies accordingly.
Regular Updates: Schedule regular updates and meetings to keep stakeholders informed
and engaged.
4. Managing Expectations
Setting Clear Objectives: Ensure that stakeholders have a clear understanding of the
project goals, scope, and constraints.
Negotiation and Compromise: Be prepared to negotiate and find compromises to
address conflicting interests.
Transparency: Maintain transparency in all communications and decisions to build trust
and credibility.
5. Conflict Resolution
6. Feedback Mechanisms
8. Risk Management
Identify Risks: Identify risks related to stakeholder engagement and develop mitigation
strategies.
Contingency Planning: Develop contingency plans for potential stakeholder-related
issues.
RACI Matrix: Helps clarify roles and responsibilities among stakeholders (Responsible,
Accountable, Consulted, Informed).
Mind Mapping: A visual tool to brainstorm and organize stakeholder information.
Communication Management Systems: Use software tools for managing and
automating communications with stakeholders.
Effective stakeholder management requires a proactive approach, clear communication, and the
ability to adapt strategies as the project progresses. By applying these techniques, project
managers can better align stakeholder expectations with project goals, thereby enhancing the
likelihood of project success.