Roles and Function Of Project Managers

Roles and Function Of Project Managers

Answer each question individually. The exam is open book and open note but do your own work. Be sure to submit your answers by the due date using the course drop box. Any exam accepted via GGC email will receive a minimum of a 15-point penalty. Submit one file in Word or PDF format with all questions/answers numbered and listed in order. Allow a minimum of 12 work hours. 1. Describe the role(s) and functions of a project manager. Use your own personal experiences to describe why these are important. Your answer should be no shorter than three typed pages. And, you must cite information from ALL thirteen chapters of the book (even the ones we did not specifically cover in class). For example, a project manager must effectively communicate with team members (ch. 1). There is a 15-paragraph minimum. (25 points) 2. Create a table. In the first column list the knowledge area (e.g. scope); in the second column provide a definition of the knowledge area; in the third column list the major deliverables associated with the area (e.g. quality checklist); and, in the fourth column list software (e.g. MS Word, MS Project, AceProject and others) that could be used to facilitate the development of the deliverables. You will need to search the internet to find the tools. You do not need to cite the websites used. (20 points) 3. Write 5 paragraphs, 5 sentences each to compare and contrast the two project management tools used in the class: MS Project and AceProject. Specifically, describe how the functionality is the same/different, which one is best for what situation, and your overall impression of the tool. Use the “5 X 5 Essay” format (see next page for example and description). (20 points) 4. Positive communication is an important component of effective project management. For this question, do the following (total 15 points): (1) Deliver ten (new) compliments in a purposeful manner to ten different adults (no children, work environment preferred). Try to anticipate the reaction and deliver the compliment for a specific reason. For each compliment: document what you said, who you said it to, the reaction, and whether or not you achieved your outcome goal. You may use a table for this part of the answer if you prefer that format. (10 points) (2) Describe what YOU learned from this assignment and why you think positive communication is important for effective managers. (5 points) 5. Consider the class presentations. Create a table. In column one, list the name of the presentation (one row for each presentation including your group’s); in column two, list three main points made during the presentation; in column three, describe what you think the group did best and one area where the group could have done better; and, in column four, list the grade you would think the group should receive. (10 points) 6. Search the internet for Closing Report formats or use the format in the book and complete a formatted Closing Report with lessons-learned based on YOUR group’s project. (5 points) 7. What advice would you give to the next group of students taking this class? (5 points) The 5 X 5 Essay Success in college courses is often dependent upon a student having the skills necessary to craft a well written essay for an assignment or exam. A well written essay presents information in an organized form, is characterized by sentences that flow naturally from one to the next and begins and ends in a way that clearly indicates the purpose and conclusions of the essay. While most students are familiar with these requirements, many do not have a clear writing strategy designed to meet them. This essay presents one such framework. The framework defines an essay’s structure, sentence connections, and paragraph organization. The structure of the essay is simple: five paragraphs each with five sentences. The first paragraph covers the introduction; the second through fourth paragraphs discuss the main points and are the “body” of the paper; and, the last paragraph includes concluding remarks. The most important sentence of the five paragraphs is the last sentence of the first paragraph, which contains the thesis statement. The thesis statement provides the reader with an overview of the main points discussed in the body of the essay. This clear, simple structure ensures that the essay will be well organized. The five sentences that comprise a paragraph are linked to one another through connecting words or ideas. Transition words are used to link sentences by using the last words in the prior sentence as the subject of the next sentence. Ideas are used to connect sentences by elaborating on or defining concepts presented in a prior sentence of the paragraph. Ideas not connected to words or ideas presented in a prior sentence of the paragraph should not be included. By using word and idea connections, sentences will flow naturally from one to the next to form coherent paragraphs. Paragraphs are also organized with an overview, body, and conclusion. The first sentence is the overview, sentences two through four are the body, and the fifth sentence draws a conclusion. The first sentence should include words from the thesis statement. The fifth sentence should reference ideas from the first paragraph and use words that will be repeated in the last paragraph of the paper. Paragraphs organized in this way will support both the purpose and conclusions of the essay.