CIS 4375 Quiz 6
Define Performance Report
A report that keeps stakeholders informed about how resources are being used to achieve project objectives. - considered a super tool i.e. a tool that is extensively used and has been found to consistently improve project performance.
Define Project Websites
A website that provides a centralized way of delivering project documents and other communications. - more and more project teams are putting all or part of their project information on project websites.
The need for these non-technical skills is so great that some IT companies indicate that they will hire individuals with minimum technical skills so long as they demonstrate solid ___ and ___ skills.
"The need for these non-technical skills is so great that some IT companies indicate that they will hire individuals with minimum technical skills so long as they demonstrate solid soft and business skills.
List 5 common techniques used to identify risks
1. Brainstorming 2. Delphi technique 3. Interviewing 4. Root cause analysis 5. SWOT analysis
State the two important considerations in deciding which technologies to use when communicating
1. Communication method - interactive - push - pull 2. Communication media - hard paper copy - phone call - voice mail - email - website
Planning Communications Management is one of the 3 main processes of Project Communications Management State the 3 Outputs of Planning Communications Management
1. Communications Management Plan 2. Updates to Project Managemetn Plan 3. Updates to Project Documents
State the 4 common methods for distributing project information:
1. Formal 2. Informal 3. Written 4. Verbal
State the 3 Main Processes of Project Communications Management
1. Planning Communications Management - determining the information and communications needs of the stakeholders 2. Managing Communications - creating, distributing, storing, retrieving, and disposing of project communications based on the communications management plan. 3. Monitoring Communications - ensuring that stakeholder communication needs are met.
State the 7 Main Processes of Project Risk Management
1. Planning Risk Management - deciding how to approach and plan the risk management activities for the project 2. Identifying Risks - determining which risks are likely to affect a project and documenting the characteristics of each 3. Performing Qualitative Risk Analysis - prioritizing risks based on their probability and impact of occurrence 4. Performing Quantitative Risk Analysis - numerically estimating the effects of risks on project objectives 5. Planning Risk Responses - taking steps to enhance opportunities and reduce threats to meeting project objectives 6. Implementing Risk Responses - implementing the risk response plans 7. Monitoring Risks - monitoring identified and residual risks, identifying new risks, carrying out risk response plans, and evaluating the effectiveness of risk strategies throughout the life of the project
State the 3 main processes of project communications management
1. Planning communications management 2. Managing communications 3. Controlling communications
Managing Communications is one of the 3 main processes of Project Communications Management State the 4 Outputs of Managing Communications
1. Project Communications 2. Updates to Project Management Plan 3. Updates to Project Documents 4. Updates to OPAs
Identifying Risks is one of the 7 main processes of project risk management. State the 3 Outputs of Identifying Risks
1. Risk Register 2. Risk Report 3. Updates to Project Documents
Planning Risk Management is one of the 7 main processes of project risk management. State the 1 Output of Planning Risk Management
1. Risk management plan
Of all the collaboration technologies that were studied, three were more commonly present in high-performing companies than in low-performing ones:
1. Web conferencing 2. Audio conferencing 3. Meeting-scheduler technologies
Monitoring Communications is one of the 3 main processes of Project Communications Management State the 4 Outputs of Monitoring Communications
1. Work Performance Information 2. Change Requests 3. Updates to Project Management Plan 4. Updates to Project Documents
A ___ should be created for all projects to help ensure good communications. Contents of this plan will vary based on the needs of the project.
A communications management plan should be created for all projects to help ensure good communications. Contents of this plan will vary based on the needs of the project.
Define Project Archives
A complete set of organized project records that provide an accurate history of the project. - it is important to organize and prepare project archives, as they can provide valuable information for future projects.
Define Risk Management Plan + ITTO for project risk management
A component of the project management plan that documents procedures for managing risk throughout a project. - it summarizes how risk management will be performed on a particular project. It is a direct output of the planning risk management process. - The project team should review project documents as well as corporate risk management policies, risk categories, lessons-learned reports from past projects, and templates for creating a risk management plan. - It is also important to review the risk tolerances of various stakeholders - for example, if the project sponsor is risk-averse, the project might require a different approach to risk management than if the project sponsor were a risk seeker.
Define Communications Management Plan + ITTO for project communications management
A component of the project management plan that guides project communications. - it describes how stakeholders will communicate, and what kinds of information will be distributed to particular stakeholders. It is the primary output of the planning communications management process.
Define risk breakdown structure
A hierarchical chart of potential risk categories for a project. - the risk breakdown structure provides a simple, one-page chart to help ensure that a project team considers important risk categories related to all IT projects In image: a risk breakdown structure - notice that a major category is project management. Risks are associated within each knowledge area.
Define Stakeholder Communications Analysis
A part of the communications management plan that shows which stakeholders should get which types of communications. - some stakeholders want a hard copy of monthly status reports, other stakeholders want informal oral meetings.
Define Communication Channel + what is the formula for the number of communication channels a project should have?
A pathway through which people can communicate. Number of communications channels = ( n (n - 1) )/2 - n is the number of people involved
Describe Kanban
A project management methodology that uses cards to visualize workflow, reduce waste and inefficiencies, and improve stakeholder visibility. - uses a Kanban board to showcase Work To Do, Work in Progress, and Work Done - it is a popular tool used to improve communications
Define Risk
An uncertainty that can have a negative or positive effect on meeting project objectives.
Describe the following software products available to assist in project communications through the Internet: Basecamp Jira
Basecamp A tool available to educators for free for an unlimited time. - includes features such as creating Gantt charts and network diagrams, - offers personal calendar - message board - document file exchanges Jira A popular online tool used to run an agile project - offers reporting charts, such as a burndown chart, burnup chart, sprint report, cumulative flow diagram, velocity chart, and a version report (shown in image)
Describe the following additional plans that may be included in a risk management plan: Contingency plans Fallback plans Contingency reserves/allowances Management reserves
Contingency plans Predefined actions that the project team will take if an identified risk event occurs. Fallback plans Plans for risks that have a high impact on meeting project objectives, and are put into effect if attempts to reduce the risk are not effective. - the plan used if the contingency plans fail Contingency reserves/allowances Funds included in the cost baseline that can be used to mitigate cost or schedule overruns if known risks occur. Management reserves Funds held for unknown risks that are used for management control purposes. - they are not part of the cost baseline, but they are part of the project budget and funding requirements
Complete the following guidelines to running effective meetings for project communications management: Determine if a meeting can be ___ Define the ___and ___ of the meeting Determine who should ___the meeting Provide an ___to participants before the meeting Prepare ___ and ___, and make logistical arrangements ahead of time Run the meeting ___ Set the ___ for the meeting Build ___.
Determine if a meeting can be avoided - Do not have a meeting if there is a better way to achieve the objective at hand Define the purpose and intended outcome of the meeting Determine who should attend the meeting Provide an agenda to participants before the meeting Prepare handouts and visual aids, and make logistical arrangements ahead of time Run the meeting professionally Set the ground rules for the meeting Build relationships
Complete the following suggestions for improving project communications: Develop better communication ___ Run effective ___ Use e-mail and other ___ effectively Employ ___ for project communications
Develop better communication skills Run effective meetings Use e-mail and other technologies effectively Employ templates for project communications
How is communications management different in agile/adaptive environments vs. traditional environments?
Effectively planning for good project communications and using appropriate technology become even more important in agile/adaptive situations. Project environments subject to various elements of ambiguity and change have an inherent need to communicate evolving and emerging details more frequently and quickly Closely-collaborated and highly focused team usually make up agile/adaptive projects, therefore communication management is critical.
True or False: It is generally a good idea to add more people to a project that is falling behind schedule.
False - this approach often causes more setbacks because of the increased complexity in communications.
True or False: All industries, especially the software development industry, tend to overestimate the importance of project risk management.
False All industries, especially the software development industry, tend to underestimate the importance of project risk management.
True or False: As the number of people who need to communicate increases, the number of communication channels decreases.
False As the number of people who need to communicate increases, the number of communication channels also increases.
True or False: Project managers should avoid templates for project communications.
False Finding, developing, and sharing relevant templates and sample documents are important tasks for many project managers. - caution must be made, however, to not rely too much on templates to the point where communication is negatively affected.
True or False: Most people prefer formal communications.
False Most people prefer informal communications.
True or False: You can overcommunicate.
False You cannot overcommunicate. Communication is often under-developed.
Complete the following important concepts for project communications management: Focus on ___ and ___ communication needs. Use ___ and ___ methods for communicating. Distribute important information in an ___ and ___ manner. Set the stage for communicating ___. Determine the number of ___.
Focus on group and individual communication needs. Use formal and informal methods for communicating. Distribute important information in an effective and timely manner. Set the stage for communicating bad news. Determine the number of communication channels.
Define Integrated Risk Management
In addition to addressing tactical and negative risks when performing project risk management, strategic risks and upside opportunities are also considered.
Complete the following considerations for distributing information in an effective and timely manner: Include detailed technical information that affects ___ features of products or services. Document ___ in technical specifications that might affect product performance. Report ___ news. Have short, frequent ___.
Include detailed technical information that affects critical performance features of products or services. Document any changes in technical specifications that might affect product performance. Report bad news. Have short, frequent meetings.
Information about the content of essential project communications comes from where?
Information about the content of essential project communications comes from the work breakdown structure (WBS). - In fact, many WBSs include a section for project communications to ensure that reporting key information is a project deliverable. - if reporting essential information is an activity defined in the WBS, it becomes even more important to know what project information to report, when to report it, how to report it, and who is responsible for generating the report.
Out of the 4 listed industry groups, which group had the lowest maturity rating for risk management? - engineering and construction - telecommunications - information systems/software development - high-tech manufacturing.
Information systems/software development
State 3 Classifications for communication methods
Interactive Communication Two or more people interact to exchange information via meetings, phone calls, or video conferencing. - most effective way to ensure common understanding. Push Communication Information is sent or pushed to recipients without their request via reports, emails, faxes, voice mails, etc. - ensures that the information is distributed, but does not ensure that it was received or understood. Pull Commmunication Information is sent to recipients at their request via websites, bulletin boards, e-learning, knowledge repositories like blogs, and other means.
It is important for project managers and their team members to be aware of their own ___.
It is important for project managers and their team members to be aware of their own communication styles. - many IT professionals have different personality traits than the general population, such as being more introverted, intuitive, and oriented to thinking (as opposed to feeling).
It is important to have ___ in place in case something goes wrong with normal communications technologies.
It is important to have backup procedures in place in case something goes wrong with normal communications technologies.
It is important to put information in ___, especially if it's bad news.
It is important to put information in context, especially if it's bad news.
Define Blogs
Journals on the Web that allow users to write entries, respond to another poster's comments, create links, upload pictures, and post comments to journal entries. - Blogs have become popular as a communication technology.
Define Performance Reporting + describe the differences between progress reports, status reports, and forecasts
Keeps stakeholders informed about how resources are being used to achieve project objectives. Progress reports describe what the project team has accomplished during a certain period of time. Status reports describe where the project stands at a specific point in time. Forecasts predict future project status and progress based on past information and trends.
Describe known risks vs. unknown risks
Known risks Risks that the project team has identified and analyzed, and therefore can be individually managed. Unknown risks Risks that have not been identified and analyzed, and therefore cannot be managed.
Complete the following guidelines to use communication tools more effectively: Make sure that your team is using a good ___ Be sure to ___ the right people to share your collaborative documents Make sure that the right person can authorize ___ to shared documents and that you ___ files Develop a ___ for organizing and filing shared documents
Make sure that your team is using a good tool Be sure to authorize the right people to share your collaborative documents Make sure that the right person can authorize changes to shared documents and that you back up files Develop a logical structure for organizing and filing shared documents
Managing communication includes ___ and ___ project information.
Managing communication includes creating and distributing project information.
Many experts agree that the greatest threat to the success of any project, especially IT projects, is a failure to ___.
Many experts agree that the greatest threat to the success of any project, especially IT projects, is a failure to communicate. - Many problems in other knowledge areas, such as an unclear scope or unrealistic schedules, indicate problems with communication.
Many organizations develop their own risk questionnaires, which include broad categories of risks. Describe the following categories of risk: Market risk Financial risk Technology risk People risk Structure/process risk
Market risk Concerned with the market uncertainties associated with creating new products/services. Financial risk Concerned with financial uncertainties in undertaking projects. Technology risk Concerned with the technological uncertainties with projects. People risk Concerned with whether the organization has people with appropriate skills Structure/process risk Concerned with the uncertainties related to business procedures and user groups.
Often, one of the biggest communication problems on projects is providing ___ project plans, Gantt charts, specifications, meeting information, and change requests to stakeholders in ___.
Often, one of the biggest communication problems on projects is providing the most recent project plans, Gantt charts, specifications, meeting information, and change requests to stakeholders in a timely fashion.
What is PMI's certification for risk management?
PMI Risk Management Professional (PMI-RMP)
People have a tendency to avoid reporting ___ news.
People have a tendency to avoid reporting bad news. - Oral communication via meetings and informal talks helps bring important information—positive or negative—into the open.
Describe the following tools that project management software provide to enhance communications. Portfolio management Resource management Project collaboration
Portfolio management By providing a centralized and consolidated view of programs and projects, the user can evaluate and prioritize activities across the organization. - This feature makes it possible to maximize productivity, minimize costs, and keep activities aligned with strategic objectives. Resource management Maximizing human resources is often the key to minimizing project costs. - This feature enables the user to maximize resource use across the organization to help plan and manage the workforce effectively. Project collaboration Sharing project information is often a haphazard endeavor. - Project collaboration enables an organization to share knowledge immediately and consistently to improve communications and decision making, eliminate redundancies, and take advantage of best practices for project management
Performance reports are normally provided as two types of reports. State and Describe them:
Progress Reports Describe what the project team has accomplished during a certain period. - many projects have each team member prepare a monthly report or sometimes a weekly progress report. Status Reports Describe where the project stands at a specific point in time. - status reports address where the project stands in terms of the triple constraint, meeting scope, time, and cost goals.
Define "follow the sun" project management
Project management where teams spaced around the globe use their own business day (8 hours) to perform a segment of the work and then hand it off to the next in the rotation as their day ends and the next team's day begins. - this poses potential communications problems, such as when the handoff communication does not address issues properly, causing the entire cycle to fail until someone can clarify or correct the problem - While this approach theoretically can keep teams working on a project around the clock, it can actually idle the project as well when the communication during the handoff is not effective.
Project managers say they spend as much as ___% of their time communicating.
Project managers say they spend as much as 90% of their time communicating.
Project managers should know how a major problem might affect the ___ of the organization and be able to use their leadership skills to handle the challenge.
Project managers should know how a major problem might affect the bottom line of the organization and be able to use their leadership skills to handle the challenge.
Project managers should try to limit what to avoid making communications too complex?
Project managers should try to limit the size of teams or sub-teams to avoid making communications too complex. - For example, if three people are working together on a particular project task, they have three communication channels. If you added two more people to their team, you would have 10 communication channels, an increase of seven.
Project teams can use ___ charts and other forms of progress information to communicate and assess project performance.
Project teams can use earned value charts and other forms of progress information to communicate and assess project performance.
Define lessons-learned report + the project manager often combines information from all of the lessons-learned reports into what kind of report?
Reflective statement that documents important information project team members have learned from working on the project that can be used for future projects. The project manager often combines information from all of the lessons-learned reports into a project summary report.
___ involves collecting and disseminating information about how well a project is moving toward meeting its goals.
Reporting performance involves collecting and disseminating information about how well a project is moving toward meeting its goals.
Studies show that companies have the lowest maturity rating for which knowledge area?
Risk management
Describe the difference between risk management and crisis management
Risk management focuses on risks to the project, no matter how big or small, or good or bad. Crisis management focuses on an obvious danger to the success of the project. - therefore, the crisis receives the intense interest of the entire project team.
Risk management is an ___, rather than a cost.
Risk management is an investment, rather than a cost. - costs are associated with identifying risks, analyzing those risks, and establishing plans to address them
___ is a good method for understanding common sources of risk on IT projects.
Risk questionnaires is a good method for understanding common sources of risk on IT projects.
Describe the following preferences towards risk: Risk-averse Risk-seeking Risk-neutral
Risk-averse People who avoid risk at high costs. - Risk Utility rises at a decreasing rate for people who are risk-averse. - In other words, when more payoff or money is at stake, a person or organization that is risk-averse gains less satisfaction from the risk, or has lower tolerance for the risk. Risk-seeking People who have a higher tolerance for risk and their satisfaction increases when more payoff is at stake. - A risk-seeking person or organization prefers outcomes that are more uncertain and is often willing to pay a penalty to take risks Risk-neutral Achieves a balance between risk and payoff. Examples: - A risk-averse organization might not purchase hardware from a vendor who has not been in business for a specified period of time. - A risk-seeking organization might deliberately choose start-up vendors for hardware purchases to gain new products with unusual features that provide an advantage. - A risk-neutral organization might perform a series of analyses to evaluate possible purchase decisions.
Describe SharePoint Portal Describe Google Docs Describe wiki
SharePoint Portal Allows users to create custom websites to access documents and applications stored on shared devices. Google Docs Allows users to create, share, and edit documents, spreadsheets, and presentations online. Wiki A website that enables anyone who accesses it to contribute to or modify its content.
Because IT projects often require a lot of coordination, it is a good idea to have what types of meetings?
Short and frequent meetings - For example, some IT project managers require all project personnel to attend a "stand-up" meeting every week or even every morning, depending on project needs - Stand-up meetings have no chairs, which forces people to focus on what they need to communicate
Complete the following components of a communications management plan: Stakeholder communications ___ ___ to be communicated, including format, content, and level of detail Who will ___ the information and who will ___ it Suggested methods or ___ for conveying the information ___ of communication ___ procedures for resolving issues ___ procedures for updating the communications management plan A ___ of common terminology
Stakeholder communications requirements Information to be communicated, including format, content, and level of detail Who will receive the information and who will produce it Suggested methods or technologies for conveying the information Frequency of communication Escalation procedures for resolving issues Revision procedures for updating the communications management plan A glossary of common terminology
What type of meeting is an important technique for performance reporting?
Status review meeting - they highlight information provided in important project documents, empower people to be accountable for their work, and have face-to-face discussions about important project issues - many program and project managers hold periodic status review meetings to exchange important project information and motivate people to make progress on their parts of the project. - Status review meetings sometimes become battlegrounds where conflicts between different parties come to a head
___ meetings are an important part of communicating, monitoring, and controlling projects.
Status review meetings are an important part of communicating, monitoring, and controlling projects.
___ can facilitate the process of creating and distributing information, when used effectively.
Technology can facilitate the process of creating and distributing information, when used effectively.
Define Risk Utility
The amount of satisfaction or pleasure received from a potential payoff.
The main goal of ___ is to ensure the optimal flow of information throughout the entire project life cycle.
The main goal of controlling communications is to ensure the optimal flow of information throughout the entire project life cycle.
Managing Communications is one of the 3 main processes of project communications management. Describe Managing Communications
The process of creating, distributing, storing, retrieving, and disposing of project communications based on the communications management plan. - focuses on getting project information to the right people at the right time and in a useful format - Project managers and their teams must decide who receives particular information, but they must also determine the best way to create and distribute the information
Planning Risk Management is one of the 7 main processes of project risk management. Describe Planning Risk Management
The process of deciding how to approach and plan risk management activities for the project. - main output of this process is a risk management plan
Planning Communications Management is one of the 3 main processes of project communications management. Describe Planning Communications Management
The process of determining the information and communications needs of the stakeholders.
Identifying Risks is one of the 7 main processes of project risk management. Describe Identifying Risks
The process of understanding what potential events might hurt or enhance a particular project. - it is important to identify risks early, but you must also continuously identify risks as the project changes.
Monitoring Communications is one of the 3 main processes of project communications management. Describe Monitoring Communications
The process used to ensure the optimal flow of information throughout the entire project life cycle. - If problems exist, the project manager and team need to take action, which often requires changes to the earlier processes of planning and managing project communications - It is often beneficial to have a facilitator from outside the project team assess how well communications are working
Define Project Risk Management
The processes associated with identifying, analyzing, and responding to risk throughout the life of a project and in the best interests of meeting project objectives. - Risk management is often overlooked in projects, but it can help improve project success by helping select good projects, determining project scope, and developing realistic estimates
The project manager must be aware of stakeholder's communication ___ and take advantage of it.
The project manager must be aware of stakeholder's communication preferences and take advantage of it. - For example, a project sponsor may prefer to stay informed through informal discussions held once a week over coffee
The receiver of information rarely interprets it exactly as the sender intended. Therefore, it is important to provide what?
The receiver of information rarely interprets it exactly as the sender intended. Therefore, it is important to provide several methods of communication. - such as written words, visuals, videos, and meetings, and an environment that promotes open dialogue. - Instead of assuming that the receiver understands, you can build in a feedback loop to make sure
True or False: Individual employees are more likely to enroll voluntarily in classes to learn the latest technology than in classes that develop soft skills.
True
True or False: Many people prefer informal communications over formal communications.
True
True or False: There are regional differences in how people in various countries prefer to communicate with one another
True
True or False: Posting information in one location enhances communications.
True - Project teams and organizations that emphasize using a shared repository are often more productive
True or False: You cannot totally separate technical skills and soft skills when working on IT projects.
True - for projects to succeed, every project team member needs both types of skills.
Complete the following important considerations for managing communications Use of ___. Appropriate methods and ___ to use. ___ reporting.
Use of technology. Appropriate methods and media to use. Performance reporting.
A(n) ___ report describes where a project stands at a specific point in time. a. status b. performance c. version d. earned value
a. status
What do many experts agree is the greatest threat to the success of any project? a. Lack of proper funding b. A failure to communicate c. Poor listening skills d. Inadequate staffing
b. A failure to communicate
Which of the following is not a guideline to help improve time spent at meetings? a. Determine if a meeting can be avoided. b. Invite extra people who support your project to make the meeting run more smoothly. c. Define the purpose and intended outcome of the meeting. d. Build relationships.
b. Invite extra people who support your project to make the meeting run more smoothly.
What term describes information that is sent to recipients at their request via websites, bulletin boards, e-learning, knowledge repositories like blogs, and other means? a. Push communications b. Pull communications c. Interactive communications d. Customer communications
b. Pull communications
A ___ report is a reflective statement that documents important information learned from working on the project. a. kanban b. lessons-learned c. project archive d. progress
b. lessons-learned
In face-to-face interactions, how is most information conveyed? a. By the tone of voice b. By the words spoken c. By body language d. By the location
c. By body language
Which of the following is not a recommendation for improving project communications? a. You cannot overcommunicate. b. Project managers and their teams should take time to develop their communications skills. c. Do not use facilitators or experts outside of the project team to communicate important information. d. Use templates to help prepare project documents.
c. Do not use facilitators or experts outside of the project team to communicate important information.
If you add three more people to a project team of five, how many more communication channels will you add? a. 2 b. 12 c. 15 d. 18
d. 18
Which of the following is not a process in project communications management? a. Planning communications management b. Controlling communications c. Managing communications d. Managing stakeholders
d. Managing stakeholders
What strategy can a project manager use to deliver bad news? a. Tell a joke first. b. Tell senior management as soon as possible so they can develop alternatives and recommendations. c. Ask the project champion to deliver the news. d. Set the stage by putting the news into context, emphasizing the impact on the bottom line.
d. Set the stage by putting the news into context, emphasizing the impact on the bottom line.
