Answer the following questions in order:
1. What is involved in collecting requirements for a project? Why is it often such a difficult thing to do?
2. Why do you need a good WBS to use project management software? What other types of software can you use to assist in project scope management?
3. How does activity resource estimating affect estimating activity durations?
4. Explain the difference between estimating activity durations and estimating the effort required to perform an activity.
5. Why do you think schedule issues are the most common source of conflicts on projects?
6. What suggestions do you have for preventing scope creep in projects? What did you think about the approach Northwest Airlines used for improving user input and reducing scope changes on their reservation system project?
7. Do you think most complex IT projects can benefit from Agile, especially in terms of meeting schedule goals? Why or why not?
8. Discuss why many IT professionals may overlook project cost management and how this might affect completing projects within budget.
9. Explain how earned value management (EVM) can be used to control costs and measure project performance and speculate as to why it is not used more often.
10. What is project portfolio management? Can project managers use it with earned value management?
11. What is the difference between using brainstorming and the Delphi technique for risk identification? What are some of the advantages and disadvantages of each approach?
12. Describe the contents of a risk register and how the risk register is used in several risk management processes.
13. Suppose you were asked to prepare a cost estimate for a project to purchase laptops for all faculty and staff at your college or university. How would you start? How long would it take you to prepare a good estimate? What type of estimate would you prepare, and what approach would you use to develop a cost estimate?
14. Discuss the risk utility function and risk preference chart in the attachment. Would you rate yourself as being risk-averse, risk-neutral, or risk-seeking? Give examples of each approach from different aspects of your life, such as your current job, your personal finances, or study habits.
