Question 1

Arguments against planning projects usually center around the idea that planning is too rigid and inflexible to be helpful in today's fast-paced, ever-changing business environment. Critics say that planning takes too much time and effort up front and can't possibly anticipate all the problems and changes that will occur throughout a project. They argue that it is better to start working and deal with problems as they arise.

Question 2

The impact of effort, uncertainty, and cost of change is felt differently at different stages of a project life cycle. For example, at the start of a project, the impact of these factors may be relatively low as the team is still getting to grips with the project and its requirements. However, as the project progresses and the team becomes more familiar with the work, the impact of these factors may increase as the team has a better understanding of the project and its challenges. Ultimately, at the end of the project, the impact of effort, uncertainty, and cost of change may be very high, as the team is under pressure to complete the project and may be facing significant challenges.

Question 3

System 1 thinking is fast, automatic, and emotional. System 2 thinking is slower, more deliberative, and more logical. System 1 thinking is more likely to lead to impulsive decisions, while System 2 thinking is more likely to lead to thoughtful decisions. For example, imagine you are a project manager and are presented with two potential solutions to a problem. Solution A is the more straightforward, intuitive solution, while solution B is more complex and requires more thought. If you think with System 1, you are more likely to choose solution A, even if it is not the best option. However, if you are thinking with System 2, you are more likely to carefully consider both options and choose the best solution for the situation.

Question 4

The "Issue Prioritization Matrix" is a tool that helps identify and prioritize issues during project execution. A simple matrix rates each issue on two axes - Impact and Probability. This allows the project team to identify and prioritize the most critical issues quickly.

Question 5

One approach to exploring tacit knowledge is to conduct semi-structured interviews with project team members. This involves asking open-ended questions about the project, what went well, and what could be improved. The aim is to encourage team members to share their experiences and insights to identify lessons that can be applied to future projects. For example, a project manager could interview team members about a recent project that encountered challenges. The interviews could explore what factors contributed to the challenges, what could have been done differently, and what lessons were learned. This information could then be used to improve project planning and execution on future projects.

Question 6

I selected the Agile approach for my Assessment 2 project because it is very iterative and flexible, which I think is well suited to developing a project management plan. The key advantages of this approach are that it allows for constant feedback and changes to be made to the plan as the project progresses, and it is also very adaptable to different project environments. The main disadvantage of Agile is that it can be challenging to stick to set deadlines if the project scope is constantly changing. In the future, I would try to be more disciplined in using Agile and ensure that I still adhere to set deadlines even if the project scope changes.

Part B

Question 1

A Gantt chart is a graphical tool that can be used to plan, organize, and track projects. It is named after its inventor, Henry Gantt, who designed the first Gantt chart in the early 1900s.Task five is not on the critical path because it has slack time. This means that it can start later and still not delay the project. Task eleven also has slack time, so it does not belong on the critical path.

Question 2

Implement a quality management system and track quality metrics. Conduct regular audits of the manufacturing process and products. Invest in training for employees on quality control procedures. Implement a system for tracking and investigating customer complaints

Question 3

The three costs of the Gantt chart are labor, materials, and overhead. The cost plan for these costs would include the cost of the labor to complete the project, the cost of the materials needed to complete the project, and the overhead costs associated with the project. Assumptions related to labor costs would include the number of workers needed to complete the project, the wage rate of the workers, and the number of hours needed to complete the project.

Question 4

Problem

1. The tasks are not correctly sequenced.

 2. There is no clear indication of which tasks depend on others.

3. There is no clear owner for each task.

1. Tasks should be sequenced so that dependencies are taken into account.

2. Tasks should be clearly labeled as dependent or independent.

3. Each task should have a clear owner.