Understand risk and issue management in the context of project management.

General Notes

Time allowed 3 hours

You must also enter your candidate number and test code on your examination script.

Only answer 10 questions

There are 16 questions, each question carries equal marks. Use ink, not pencil, to answer all questions.

On completion of the examination

■    please collate your answer sheets into question number order

■    complete the table to your right and secure this question paper and your answers with the tag provided

Do not open this paper until instructed by the invigilator.

All candidate markings on the question paper will be disregarded unless specifically stated otherwise. This question paper must not be removed from the examination room.

Please take note of the command verbs in each question.

Question 1

Learning Outcome Understand risk and issue management in the context of project management.

Question part (a) Explain two stages in the risk management process.

Marks 20 marks (10 marks each)

Question part (b) Explain three key benefits of risk management for projects.

Marks 30 marks (10 marks each)

Question 2

Learning Outcome Understand how organisations and projects are structured.

Question part (a) Describe two benefits of having an embedded project management office.

Marks 20 marks (10 marks each)

Question part (b) Explain three differences between the following types of organisational structure:

■ uFnctional

■    Matrix

Marks 30 marks (10 marks each)

Question 3

Learning Outcome  Understand project procurement.

Question part (a) Explain two elements of a procurement strategy and why these are important.

Marks 20 marks (10 marks each)

Question part (b) Explain three steps in the supplier selection process for a project.

Marks 30 marks (10 marks each)

Question 4

Learning Outcome Understand planning for success.

Question part (a) In an iterative life cycle, explain two components of the project management plan that need to be taken into account when arriving at the deployment baseline.

Marks  20 marks (10 marks each)

Question part (b) Explain three different methods of estimation in projects. Choose three from the following:

■ arPametric

■    Analogous

■    Analytical

■    Delphi

Learning Outcome  Understand communication within project management.

Question part (a) State four sources of conflict within a project.

Marks 20 marks (5 marks each)

Question part (b)  Explain three benefits of a communication plan to a project.

Marks 30 marks (10 marks each)

Question 6

Learning Outcome Understand project life cycles.

Question part (a) Explain two reasons why projects are structured in phases in a linear project life cycle.

Marks 20 marks (10 marks each)

Question part (b) Explain three diffences between linear and iterative life cycles.

Marks 30 marks (10 marks each)

Question 7

Learning Outcome Understand schedule and resource optimisation.

Question part (a) Describe two elements that need to be considered when allocating resources to a project schedule following a linear life cycle.

Marks 20 marks (10 marks each)

Question part (b) Explain three key differences between resource smoothing and resource levelling.

Marks  30 marks (10 marks each)

Question 8

Learning Outcome  Understand the situational context of projects.

Question part (a) Explain two key differences between projects and business as usual.

Marks 20 marks (10 marks each)

Question part (b) Provide one explanation for how project professionals can assess a project’s context against each of the following:

■ EPESTL

■ TSWO

■ VUCA

Marks 30 marks (10 marks each)

Question 9

Learning Outcome  Understand the principles of leadership and teamwork.

Question part (a) Describe two characteristics of an effective team.

Marks 20 marks (10 marks each)

Question part (b Explain three reasons why it might be necessary to change leadership styles to ensure effective management during a project.

 Marks 30 marks (10 marks each)

Question 10

Learning Outcome Understand how organisations and projects are structured.

Question part (a) Select two phases of the project life cycle and explain how the roles of project manager and project sponsor differ during those two phases.

Marks 20 marks (10 marks each)

Question part (b)    Select three of the project roles below and describe their responsibilities throughout the project:

■    Users

■ roPject team members

■ roPject steering group

■ roPduct owner

Marks  30 marks (10 marks each)

Question 11 Learning Outcome Understand project scope management.

Question part (a  Explain two steps in a configuration management process that help to manage the scope of a project.

 Marks 20 marks (10 marks each)

Question part (b) Explain three steps in a requirements management process that help to establish the scope of a project.

 Marks 30 marks (10 marks each)

Question 12

Learning Outcome Understand communication within project management.

Question part (a) Explain how understanding BATNA and ZOPA can help plan and conduct negotiations.

 Marks  20 marks (10 marks each)

Question part (b) Explain three ways in which conflicts can be addressed.

Learning Outcome Understand project life cycles.

Question part (a) Outline four ways in which outputs of knowledge management informs decision making.

Marks 20 marks (5 marks each)

Question part (b) Explain three reasons why a project may close early.

Marks 30 marks (10 marks each)

Question 14

Learning Outcome Understand quality in the context of a project.

Question part (a) Explain two purposes of quality planning for a project.

Marks 20 marks (10 marks each)

Question part (b) Explain three key differences between quality control and quality assurance when managing a project.

Marks 30 marks (10 marks each)

Question 15

Learning Outcome Understand the situational context of projects.

Question part (a) Outline four reasons why a programme would be used to deliver strategic change as opposed to using a project.

Marks 20 marks (5 marks each)

Question part (b)    Explain three ways in which failure to comply with laws and regulations can impact on project delivery.

Marks 30 marks (10 marks each)

Question 16

Learning Outcome  Understand planning for success.

Question part (a) Explain how the following two investment appraisal techniques can be used to assess the validity of a project:

■    Internal Rate of Return (IRR)

■ reNseetnPt Value (NPV)

Marks   20 marks (10 marks each)

Question part (b) Explain the following three steps in an information management process:

■    Collection

■    Storage

■    Dissemination

Marks 30 marks (10 marks each)