Reflection and Discussion Forum Week 4 Reflection and Discussion Forum

Reflection and Discussion Forum Week 4

Reflection and Discussion Forum Week 4Assigned Readings:Chapter 9: Scope PlanningChapter 10: Project Schedule PlanningInitial Postings: Read and reflect on the assigned readings for the week. Then post what you thought was the most important concept(s), method(s), term(s), and/or any other thing that you felt was worthy of your understanding in each assigned textbook chapter.Your initial post should be based upon the assigned reading for the week, so the textbook should be a source listed in your reference section and cited within the body of the text. Other sources are not required but feel free to use them if they aid in your discussion.Also, provide a graduate-level response to each of the following questions:

1. Go online and research the difference between total slack and free slack.
   1. Prepare proper reference citations for the sites you located, using APA style.
   2. Write definitions of total slack and free slack in your own words.
   3. Why would the distinction between different forms of slack be important to a project manager?
2. How does scope management differ from scope control?

  [Your initial post should be at least 450+ words and in APA format (including Times New Roman with font size 12 and double spaced). Post the actual body of your paper in the discussion thread then attach a Word version of the paper for APA review] 

Problem Set #4

1. Go online and find at least two sites with definitions of fast tracking and crashing a project schedule.

1. Prepare proper reference citations for the sites you located, using APA style.
2. In your own words, write definitions for project fast tracking and project crashing.
3. Consider the plan you prepared for the software system testing project in question 1 above. If you were informed by management that you must reduce the planned duration of the project by five days, describe how you, as a project manager, could crash or fast track this project. Be specific in identifying exactly what could be changed in the project plan for each option.
4. (continuation of question 2.3) If the request to speed up the project occurs after day 25 of the original schedule, what is the only option available?

2. A project to put on a major international sporting competition has the following major deliverables: Sports Venues, Athlete Accommodation, Volunteer Organization, Security, Events, and Publicity (which has already been broken down into pre-event publicity and post-event publicity.) Prepare a WBS for any single major deliverable on the list. Remember the 100 percent rule, and number your objectives. 

Subject 2 

Project Management Processes

 Reflection and Discussion Forum Week 4Assigned Readings:Chapter 5. Portfolio Management—Project Screening and SelectionInitial Postings: Read and reflect on the assigned readings for the week. Then post what you thought was the most important concept(s), method(s), term(s), and/or any other thing that you felt was worthy of your understanding in each assigned textbook chapter.Your initial post should be based upon the assigned reading for the week, so the textbook should be a source listed in your reference section and cited within the body of the text. Other sources are not required but feel free to use them if they aid in your discussion.Also, provide a graduate-level response to each of the following questions:

1. Identify a project that you are planning to pursue either at home or at work. List all of the components, decision points, and chance events. What is the measure of success for the project? Assuming that there is more than one measure, how can you reconcile them?
2. In which type of projects does risk play a predominant role? What can be done to mitigate the attendant risks? Pick a specific project and discuss.

  [Your initial post should be at least 450+ words and in APA format (including Times New Roman with font size 12 and double spaced). Post the actual body of your paper in the discussion thread then attach a Word version of the paper for APA review] 

Activity 4

Three new-product ideas have been suggested. These ideas have been rated as shown in the Table below Product* CriteriaABCWeight (%)Development costPFVG10Sales prospectsVGEG15ProducibilityPFG10Competitive advantageEVGF15Technical riskPFVG20Patent protectionFFVG10Compatibility with strategyVGFF20    100* P = poor, F = fair, G = good, VG = very good, E = excellent     

1. Using an equal point spread for all five ratings (i.e., P = 1 ,  F = 2 ,  G = 3 ,  VG = 4 ,  E = 5 P=1, F=2, G=3, VG=4, E=5), determine a weighted score for each product idea. What is the ranking of the three products?
2. Rank the criteria, compute the rank-sum weights, and determine the score for each alternative. Do the same using the rank reciprocal weights.
3. What are some of the advantages and disadvantages of this method of product selection?