Documente Academic
Documente Profesional
Documente Cultură
.com
Projects
Text
study method
Hear the words in context. Study the meaning of the words and see examples of how they can be used. Practice your new vocabulary.
Text
introduction
Working in the eld of project management requires a number of distinct skills. A project manager needs to be able to dene the scope of a project clearly, estimate the cost and time required to complete it, set deliverables and specications for every stage from start to nish, and allocate the needed resources as efciently as possible.
Text
introduction
The ability to manage people is also a critical skill. A good project manager can deal productively with a broad range of stakeholders, including employees, clients, subcontractors and others affected by the project. He or she will need to sign off on major decisions, such as change orders, while choosing the best possible team to make day-to-day decisions.
Text
learn
Text
example:
A project manager needs to begin by setting clear objectives.
Text
sponsor
The person who has authority over a project, provides funding, approves scope changes and champions the project within an organization.
Text
sponsor
The project sponsor is usually a representative of the client, since the client has commissioned and funded the project.
Text
example:
The sponsor should provide high-level guidance while letting the project manager handle day-to-day issues.
Text
stakeholder
Anyone who has an interest in a project or will be affected by it.
Text
stakeholder
Stakeholders can be people inside or outside the organization carrying out the project.
Text
example:
We need to remember that the homeowners near our new factory are also s t a k e h o lde rs i n t h e expansion project.
Text
subcontractor
A business or person who is paid to do part of the work assigned to another person or company.
Text
subcontractor
This noun has a related verb:
to subcontract
Text
example:
We cant permit our IT provider to subcontract any work on our database, since this would put the security of our customer records at risk.
Text
scope
The overall denition of what the project is supposed to accomplish, ...
Text
scope
including the projects goal, the resources to be used to carry it out, and a specic description of the expected end result.
Text
example:
The scope of this project is a complete redesign of our customer database.
Text
deliverables
A deliverable may be either a physical object, such as a newly designed product, or an outcome, such as the completion of a business plan.
Text
example:
For a project to succeed, its deliverables need to be both achievable and clearly dened.
Text
specifications
Specifications is often abbreviated to:
specs
Text
specifications
Specifications are detailed descriptions of the deliverables for a project and include all the technical, time and cost requirements of a project.
Text
example:
This customer management soft ware doesnt meet our original specications.
Text
baseline
A set of standards for a project, usually based on previous experience, that can be used to evaluate its progress.
Text
baseline
The baseline will include the projects expected costs, schedule and any technical requirements.
Text
example:
Our baseline expectation is to complete the project by December at a cost of no more than $4 million.
Text
resources
All items needed to complete a project, such as a tool, supply item, facility or person.
Text
resources
People (human resources) and money (financial resources) are often the most important elements of a project.
Text
example:
The scope of a project needs to match the resources available to carry it out.
Text
to estimate
To calculate or guess the value, size or amount of something.
Text
an estimate
The noun form can be either:
an estimate or an estimation
Text
example:
The value of the deal is estimated at $12 million
Text
top-down estimate
An estimate for the cost, time, and risks of a project made by looking at the entire project ...
Text
top-down estimate
from the top down , or in great detail, and comparing it to similar projects in the past.
Text
example:
Richard has worked on several similar projects before, so he can give us a top-down estimate of how much this one should cost.
Text
to allocate
To decide that an amount of money, time or other resources should be used for a certain purpose.
Text
to allocate
This verb often appears in t wo strong collocations:
to allocate funds
&
to allocate resources
Text
example:
Du Pont has allocated funds to build t wo new factories in Asia.
Text
margin
A spare amount of money, time or other resources that is set aside in case of unforeseen problems, costs or delays.
Text
example:
This construction project has a t wo-week margin to allow for delays due to bad weather.
Text
contingency
A planned allocation of resources that are to be used in the event that something unforeseen, ...
Text
contingency
such as a bad weather, affects the completion of a project according to the schedule.
Text
example:
We need to develop plans to deal with any contingencies before starting the project.
Text
change order
A request for a change in a projects scope,
deliverables or cost.
Text
change order
Most large projects will require change orders, either because the project manager sees the need for changes or because the clients needs have changed.
Text
example:
Its important to get the client to approve any change orders before allocating more resources.
Text
to sign off
To give approval for someone elses decision.
Text
example:
The nance director needs to sign off on any change in our approved vendors.
Text
practice
Now, its your turn to practice
Text
example
For example, if you hear
example
You should say ...
question 1
We need to <beep> more resources to meet the new deadline.
Text
answer 1
We need to allocate more resources to meet the new deadline.
Text
question 2
Its important to consult with all the <beep> who may be affected by the relocation of our plant.
Text
answer 2
Its important to consult with all the stakeholders who may be affected by the relocation of our plant.
Text
question 3
Since the <beep> of this project is quite broad, well need to make our plans as detailed as possible.
Text
answer 3
Since the scope of this project is quite broad, well need to make our plans as detailed as possible.
Text
question 4
The finance director needs to <beep> on any changes to our accounts.
Text
answer 4
The finance director needs to sign off on any changes to our accounts.
Text
question 5
Any project that doesnt allow for <beep> is likely to run into problems.
Text
answer 5
Any project that doesnt allow for contingencies is likely to run into problems.
Text
question 6
Unfortunately, the new software doesnt meet the original <beep>.
Text
answer 6
Unfortunately, the new software doesnt meet the original specifications.
Text