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EXAMINATION PAPER: ACADEMIC SESSION 2005/2006

School Computing and Mathematical Sciences

Department Information Systems and Multimedia

Level Three

TITLE OF PAPER IT Project and Quality Management

COURSE CODE COMP1305

Date and Time Thursday 25th May 2006 – 3Hrs

London 13.30 Hong Kong 18.00

Trinidad 09.30 Malta 15.00
Malaysia 18.00 Bahrain 15.00
UAE 16.00 Singapore 18.00
Zambia 14.30 Greece 15.00

This paper contains SIX questions.

ALL questions carry the same number of marks.
Marks will be awarded for the best FOUR answers.

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Course Title: IT and Project Management
COMP 1305
Page 1 of 4
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1. Project time management is essential for the success of a project.

(a) The five SMART criteria can be used to identify appropriate

milestones in a project. Explain how each of the SMART criteria is
relevant to the identification of a milestone.
[8 marks]

(b) Critically evaluate the impact each of the following techniques on the
duration of a project:

• Critical Chain Scheduling

• Levelling of resources
• Crashing of tasks
[9 marks]

(c) Critically evaluate how the Program Evaluation and Review

Technique (PERT) can be used for project time management.
[8 marks]

2. Six Sigma is described as "a comprehensive and flexible system for achieving,
sustaining and maximizing business success."

(a) Projects that use Six Sigma normally follow a five-phase improvement
process called DMAIC. Describe each of the five phases in detail.
[10 marks]

(b) The target for Six Sigma is 3.4 defects per million opportunities.
Explain the mathematical basis of this figure.
[8 marks]

(c) What additional concepts does Six Sigma include that are not in "Total
Quality Management" or "Business Process Engineering"?
[7 marks]

3. Project communication management team is essential for the success of a project.

(a) Explain in detail the likely causes of ineffective meetings.

[5 marks]

(b) Conflicts between the project team staff often arise during a project.
What techniques can the project manager adopt for dealing with these
conflicts if they threaten the success of the project?
[10 marks]

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Course Title: IT and Project Management
COMP 1305
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(c) Critically evaluate email as a communication tool during the various

stages in the lifecycle of a project. What better alternatives to email
are available and when is it appropriate to use them?
[10 marks]

4. Team development is essential for the success of projects.

(a) Project managers often recommend that people take specific training
courses to improve individual and team development. Why is it
usually considered important that training is provided in a just-in-time
fashion?
[8 marks]

(b) Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI) and the Wilson Learning Styles
Profile are two methods for determining personality preferences in
teams. Critically evaluate ONE of these methods in detail as a basis
for team selection.
[7 marks]

(c) Project Managers must be good team builders. Critically evaluate

different methods for ensuring that teams are productive without
demotivating individual members.
[10 marks]

5. Identification, analysis and management of risk are essential skills of project

managers.

(a) Critically evaluate the following techniques for risk identification:

• Brainstorming
• The Delphi technique
• SWOT analysis.
[9 marks]

(b) Monte Carlo analysis is a quantitative risk analysis technique.

Describe the technique in detail, and critically evaluate its usefulness.
[7 marks]

(c) In addition to a risk management plan, many projects include

• Contingency plans
• Fallback plans
• Contingency reserves

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Course Title: IT and Project Management
COMP 1305
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Explain the importance of each of these three items.

[9 marks]

6. Project procurement management is another key skill for a project manager.

(a) Evaluate the following types of contract, clearly identifying the

advantage of each type to the project manager.

• Fixed price contract

• Cost reimbursable contract
• Time and Material contract
• Unit price contract
[8 marks]

(b) Describe and critically evaluate a quantitative technique for selecting

between different proposals or sources of supply.
[9 marks]

(c) Describe and evaluate the range of software that can be used to assist
in project procurement management.
[8 marks]

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Course Title: IT and Project Management
COMP 1305
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