I.

Block– 1: Project Planning

1. What are the major performance dimensions of a project?

Ans: Project in general refers to group activities for a new endeavor with specific objective. Projects are
undertaken for developmental programs. These are formulated to achieve specific goals within a fixed time
frame and resource limitations.
There are multiple performance dimensions of a project. Three major dimensions which describe the
performance of a project are time, scope and cost. These are interrelated and interactive. The relationship is
represented as an equilateral triangle like as follows:

Time Cost

Scope

Scope: It is business area or the task to be performed in the project. Once scope is defined it must not be
altered and stick to its original shape. If any change is required it must be tackled through change
management or variation.

Time: Time also determines the performance of a project. Any alteration in time has major impact on cost
and resources and scope of the project.

Cost & resources: it is another important dimension of performance of a project. Any change in cost would
be reflected in time and scope.

Another recent addition in dimension of project is stakeholders satisfaction although it is inherent in

the scope of the project.

Successful completion of a project requires accomplishment of pre determined deliverables within

the fixed time frame and budget. Thus the performance of a project is measured by the degree to which these
parameters are achieved. Mathematically expressing performance is a function of scope, cost and time.

Performace= f(Scope, Cost, Time)

2. What is SWOT analysis? Discuss the application of SWOT Analysis in project planning?

Ans: SWOT is a strategic planning tool which stands for Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, and Threats.
It is used to assess the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats to a project. It involves specifying
the objective of the project and identifying the internal and external factors that are favorable and
unfavorable for achieving that objective. The strengths and weaknesses usually arise from within an
organization, and the opportunities and threats from external sources.

SWOT is widely used in project planning. At the conception phase of a project SWOT is used to
decide whether to undertake the project or abandon the same. This technique helps in visualizing the big
picture. In project planning, all the good and positive points are kept under strengths and opportunities while
the bad or negative points put under threats and weaknesses.

Strengths are anything which can complement from within in succeeding the project such as in
house skillful work team, possession of modern machinery, good relationship with material suppliers etc.

Weaknesses are anything which can potentially harm the project such as lack of coordination among
workforce, possibility of injury at work, competitive weaknesses etc.

Opportunities are anything from the environment which can aid in succeeding the project such as
favorable terms of work, the possibility of working on future projects, reliable investor, and growing market
segment etc.

Threats are anything that can harm and/or dissolve the project. These are such as well-established
competition already, new technology not fully tested, economic conditions etc.

Performing a thorough SWOT analysis at the beginning, or any stage, of a project provides detailed
information and helps in planning and decision-making processes of a project.

II. Block– 2: Project Management

1. What is the difference between Cost Benefit Analysis and Cost Effective Analysis? Give
examples for both.

Ans: Cost Benefit Analysis and Cost Effectiveness Analysis are the economic evaluation techniques
which are used to evaluate two or more interventions. The major differences between the two are as follows:

Cost Benefit Analysis Cost Effectiveness Analysis

1. It is an economic evaluation technique that 2. It is an economic evaluation technique that

compares the cost of the intervention with the compares ‘cost per consequence’ of two or more
benefit incurred. interventions.

3. It considers only net monetary benefits. 4. It considers outcomes like Years of life saved,
hospital days prevented, number of deaths
prevented, reduction in BP etc.

5. It is a quantitative project evaluation technique 6. It is both qualitative and quantitative evaluation

 techniques

7. It is suitable for evaluation of industrial projects, 8. It is more suitable for the service oriented
since monetary value can be easily calculated organizations.

Example: Assume a business owner wants to open a Example: A patient goes to the doctor with a knee injury.
second location for a store. It wouldn't be wise to sign a The doctor evaluates the knee and determines that it is
lease and open the doors, expecting both locations to possible to almost completely rehabilitate the knee with
have the same costs and profits. The business owner physical therapy but knows that surgery would have a
must look at the costs of obtaining the new location, the higher probability of 100 percent success. The cost-
build-out and the costs associated with running the effective analysis shows that surgery cost $50,000 and
operation for the first year with marketing and promotions. requires $5,000 of physical therapy. If the patient is able
The owner also needs to consider the likely traffic and to achieve 90 percent recovery with just the physical
determine the potential profits. therapy, this is a more cost-effective solution.

II. Block– 3: Management Functions and Conflict Resolution

2. Discuss the key sources of conflict in an organization. Discuss different conflict resolution methods used
with examples.
Ans: Conflict is a process, where perception (real or otherwise) leads to disruption of desirable state of
harmony and stability in an interdependent world. Conflict occurs between people in all kinds of human
relationships and in all social settings.
The major sources of conflict in an organization are as follows:
1) Common or Scarce Resources: In many work situations, we are obliged to share resources: The
scarcer the resource the greater the potential for conflict.
2) Goal Differences: Sometimes groups or departments in the organization have different and
incompatible goals, increasing the chances of employees experiencing conflict.
3) Authority Relationships: Often, there is underlying tension between managers and employees. This
is because most people do not like being told what to do.
4) Jurisdictional Ambiguities: Jurisdictional ambiguities occur when the lines of responsibility in an
organization are uncertain.
5) Personality Conflicts: Personality conflicts are a reality in any group setting, including the
workplace. There always seems to be at least one co-worker who is difficult to get along with.
Following are some of the methods of conflict resolutions:
a) Grievance: It is an official procedure for an employee to complain about alleged unfair treatment in
work related matters.
b) Arbitration: it is an out of court settlement of disputes. An outsider decides the solution and is
bound upon conflicting parties by law.
 c) Adjudication: a third party makes decides the solution on hearing arguments of both parties and
enforces the decision on losing party.
d) Litigation: It is a process in which the conflict is heard before a judge of court or tribunal.
Besides the above there are other mechanisms like consultation, conflict coaching, negotiation, mediation
etc. for resolution of conflicts.

3. What is the importance of Time Management? Discuss different techniques used in Time Management
for timely completion of the Project.

Ans: Time management is the process of planning and exercising conscious control of the time spent on
specific activities to work smarter than harder. It is a juggling act of various things that help increase
efficiency and efficiency.
Time management is very crucial for any project or activity for some of the following reasons:
1. Time is limited: There are only 24 hours in a day for every individual under the sun. So it is very
important to manage the precious time judiciously for accomplishment of objectives.
2. Deliver work on time: Good Time management helps in delivering the work or project on time.
3. Accomplish more with less effort: Time management helps in accomplishing more with less effort.
4. Avoid financial penalties: Good Time management is crucial for avoiding financial penalties
arising out of missing the deadlines.
5. Reduce stress: Getting out of time makes everyone impatient and increases stress level. That why
time management helps in managing the stress and extra pressure of completing the task within
deadline.
The following are the different techniques used in Time Management:
1) Task List- it is a list of tasks to be completed for completing a project. When completed the task
it is checked or marked.
2) Pareto Analysis- it is an idea that 80% of the tasks can be completed in 20% of the disposable
time and the remaining 20% of tasks will take upto 80% of the time. This principle is used to
sort tasks in two parts.
3) Eisenhower Method: it is a box which helps in evaluating urgency and importance of any task.
Items may be placed according to the points within each quadrant.
Urgent Not Urgent
Important
Important
Not
 Besides the above techniques there are techniques like POSEC Method, Time Log, Visual
Reminders etc. which helps in time management.