GAQM PPM-001 - Professional in Project Management (PPM)

The first step in creating a project schedule is to develop the Work Breakdown Structure (WBS). The WBS is a hierarchical decomposition of the total scope of work to be carried out by the project team to accomplish the project objectives and create the required deliverables. It organizes and defines the total scope of the project, and it represents the work specified in the currently approved project scope statement. The creation of the WBS is an essential step as it provides the framework for detailed cost estimating and control along with providing guidance for schedule development and control.

References: The importance of the WBS in project scheduling is discussed in various project management resources, including the Project Management Institute’s PMBOK® Guide and materials related to the Professional in Project Management (PPM) certification12.

 Setting a project goal is not the same as setting other goals. Project goals are specific to the project’s scope, time, and cost constraints and are aligned with the strategic objectives of the organization. They require careful planning and consideration of the project’s unique aspects, which may not be the case for other types of goals.

References: This explanation is based on standard project management practices as outlined in various project management frameworks and methodologies.

A project manager’s role is multifaceted and involves a variety of tasks that are crucial for the successful delivery of a project. These tasks include providing training to team members to ensure they have the necessary skills, working closely with executives and sponsors to align project goals with organizational objectives, and managing risks to mitigate potential issues that could impact the project’s outcome. The integration of these responsibilities ensures that the project aligns with strategic goals, utilizes resources effectively, and promotes successful project outcomes.

References: = This answer is supported by the information found in the Project Portfolio Management (PPM) guides, which detail the responsibilities of a project manager in aligning projects with business objectives, managing stakeholder expectations, and ensuring the successful execution of projects1

PERT (Program Evaluation and Review Technique) and CPM (Critical Path Method) are two project management techniques used to calculate activity estimates. PERT is a statistical tool used to plan and control large projects, which involves breaking the project into tasks and estimating the minimum, most likely, and maximum times needed to complete each task. On the other hand, CPM is used to identify the longest path of planned activities to the end of the project and the earliest and latest that each activity can start and finish without making the project longer1.

References: = This information is verified using resources that discuss project schedule management according to the PMBOK Guide, which includes techniques like PERT and CPM for estimating activity durations1.

When engaging external consultants for designing a plan, it is crucial to share only factual information. Facts are verifiable and objective data that provide a solid foundation for decision-making and planning. Sharing impressions, judgments, or opinions can lead to misunderstandings and misinterpretations, as they are subjective and may not be based on objective evidence. Therefore, to ensure clarity and accuracy in the planning process, only facts should be communicated to external consultants.

References: The Professional in Project Management (PPM) guidelines emphasize the importance of factual information in project management to maintain the integrity and objectivity of the planning process1.

The question “How could we have handled that better?” is not an example of a closed question. Closed questions are those that can be answered with a simple ‘yes’ or ‘no’ or with a specific piece of information. They are designed to gather quantitative data and often have a limited set of predefined response options12. On the other hand, the question in concern invites a more detailed response and requires reflection and elaboration, which is characteristic of an open question34. References: = Close Ended Questions: Definition, Types with Examples | QuestionPro1, Close-Ended Questions: Definition, Types, Examples | Appinio Blog2, How to Use Open and Closed-Ended Questions to Best Understand Your …3, How to Ask Open-Ended Questions to Solve Problems4.