Ch. 9 - Project Management & Organizational Change Management (OCM)

Question 1

project management

Answer 1

use of specific knowledge, skills, tools and techniques to delivery something of value to people

ex. development of software, construction of building, relief effort after a natural disaster, etc.

Question 2

what is a project

Answer 2

• temporary effort to create value
• have a beginning and an end
• have a team, a budget, a schedule
• have a set of expectations
• each is unique and differs from day-to-day operations
• they reach a conclusion once the goal is achieved

Question 3

project managers

Answer 3

• are change agents
• make projects goals their own
• use skills and expertise to inspire a project team
• work under pressure
• comfortable with change and complexity
• they cultivate people skills
• can develop into Program Managers (responsible for multiple related projects)
• can develop into Portfolio Managers (responsible for selection, prioritization and
  alignment of projects and programs)

Question 4

project management structure

Answer 4

• project teams
• project working groups
• project steering committees (sponsors, stakeholders)
• projects can be part of a program (related projects); ex. program managers

Question 5

project planning

Answer 5

• detailed planning that generates answer to business questions
• answers why we are doing this project, and or what the project will accomplish for the business

Question 6

key project collateral

Answer 6

• defined project objectives + scope
• project charter
• project plan
• program evaluation and review technique (PERT)
• gantt chart

Question 7

project charter

Answer 7

concise written description of the intended work

Question 8

project plan

Answer 8

activities, schedule, time + cost estimates, risk factors, resources, assignment, responsibilities

Question 9

PERT

Answer 9

tasks, relationships and dependencies

Question 10

gantt chart

Answer 10

project tasks against a timeline

Question 11

in-sourcing (in house development)

Answer 11

use internal expertise to develop and maintain

Question 12

outsourcing

Answer 12

• onshore
• nearshore
• offshore

Question 13

why you should outsoure?

Answer 13

core competencies, financial savings, rapid growth/speed to market

globalization

Question 14

organization change management (OCM)

Answer 14

method of leveraging change to bring about a successful resolution

typically includes 3 phases:
preparation
implementation
follow-through

Question 15

organizational change

Answer 15

actions in which a company or business alters a major component of its organization, such as its culture, the underlying technologies or infrastructure it uses to operate, or its internal processes.

Question 16

what drives organizational change?

Answer 16

• implementation of new tech or major changes in existing tech
• adoption of new business, which could be driven by mergers and acquisitions, dispositions, etc.
• shifts in the organizational division, department, and/or team structure
• changes in leadership of the company or within departments

Question 17

types of organizational change

Answer 17

adaptive

transformational

Question 18

adaptive change

Answer 18

small, incremental changes evolving overtime

minor adjustments or modifications that can be fine-tuned and implemented to execute business strategies

Question 19

transformative change

Answer 19

large scale and scope

can be a shift in mission, strategy, company/team structure, people, or business processes

substantial time, resources, and energy to enact

often driven by external forces (ex. competitors)

Question 20

why is OCM important?

Answer 20

necessary for companies to succeed and grow

drives the successful adoption and usage of change within the business; allows employees to understand and commit to the shift, and work effectively during it

without OCM, company transitions can be rocky and expensive in terms of both time and resources

can also result in lower employee morale and competent skill development

a lack of effective CM can lead an organization to fail

Question 21

preparing for organizational change

Answer 21

define the organizational change, understand it, and gain support from colleagues and stakeholders

create a roadmap that clearly articulates and measures success, and explains how everyone will be affected

ensure the process plan aligns with business goals

outline the implementation and sustainability
Know what challenges may arise
Be sure to celebrate small victories along the way

Question 22

Step-by-Step guide to organizational change

Answer 22

• get a tangible, realistic vision
• embrace change management
• get constant feedback from teams and employees
• use the right tools
• lead the project with top leadership skills
• communicate as effectively as possible