Question 156

Which of the following activities could trigger the production of an exception plan?
  • Question 157

    Who is responsible for committing user resources to the project?
  • Question 158

    Scenario
    Additional Information
    During the initiation stage the Project Manager met with the Marketing Director to find out more about the requirements of the promotional calendar and recorded the following notes:
    There has been a reduction in the order numbers at the MNO Manufacturing due in part to the increased marketing activities of its competitors. 10% of customers have not re-ordered in this financial year and staff morale is poor. A number of skilled staff have left as a result and replacement staff have not been recruited due to the reduced operation. If the project is successful, a recruitment campaign will be required to fill the existing staff vacancies and there may be a requirement for additional staff. Operational costs are likely to increase because skilled staff are expensive and difficult to find.
    In financial terms, there were a total of 1,500 orders in the last financial year, each with an average profit of
    £2k. The Marketing department believes that sending a promotional calendar to our current and prospective customers would increase orders by at least 10% with a minimum of 10 further orders from the list of prospective customers within 12 months from the date of distribution.
    The Marketing Director will be funding the project from the business marketing budget. She believes that the effect of a good company image portrayed by a successful calendar would last into a second year. She has forecast the same increase in orders for a second year and predicts that the annual employee satisfaction survey will show a measurable improvement in staff morale.
    A number of alternatives were explored, including:
    * 20% discount for all repeat customers - not cost-effective and very short term
    * A promotional calendar as a free Christmas gift - would target current and prospective customers and the benefits would last into a second year
    * A series of television and press advertisements was too expensive
    * A direct mail shot to all customers - benefit would be short term
    * Creation of an internet website - would not suit all customers
    The calendar is seen as the favored option, as long as the company's competitors do not increase their marketing activity. Whilst the Marketing department wants a very high quality, glossy product, the project management team must be aware of the cost this will incur.
    Using the Project Scenario and the additional Information provided for this question In the Scenario Booklet, answer the following question.
    Lines A to E in the table below consist of an assertion statement and a reason statement. For each line identify the appropriate option, from options A to E, that applies. Each option can be used once, more than once or not at all.

    Question 159

    At the end of stage 2, the specialist 'e-learning course' supplier will be selected. As a result, it is decided that
    the quality management approach will not be created until the end of stage 2, to take into account this
    supplier's standards and techniques.
    Is this appropriate, and why?
  • Question 160

    HOTSPOT
    Scenario:
    Techniques, processes and procedures
    1. Any threat that may result in a loss of MFH data must be escalated immediately.
    Joint agreements
    2.Work is to start at the beginning of week 2 (Stage 4).
    3.The project will take two years to complete, at an estimated cost of (GBP)2.5m. Tolerances
    4.None.
    Constraints
    5.MFH staff must not be involved in any heavy lifting during the removal of existing IT equipment.
    6.Installation work must take place during MFH normal working hours.
    7.+(GBP)10,000 / -(GBP)25,000.
    Reporting arrangements
    8.Highlight Report every Monday by 10.00 am.
    9.The report must contain a summary of all products worked on during the previous week.
    10.
    Project Manager must be notified of any issues immediately by telephone.
    Problem handling and escalation
    11. Impact analysis of all issues must be completed within 24 hours.
    Extracts or references
    12. The Stage Plan for stage 4 is available from Project Support.
    Approval method
    13. Project Assurance will review the completed Work Package and confirm completion
    At the end of stage 3, the service provider will be selected and the contract awarded. During stage 4, the Account Manager for the selected service provider will work with the Project Manager to complete the transition of the services to the selected service provider.