Assignment 1 / Task 1/ ITC 493

Task 1: (Chapter 1, Exercise 2)

Find someone who works as a project manager or is a member of a project team. Prepare several interview questions, and then ask them you question in person, via the phone, or via the Internet. Write a one-to two-page summary of your findings.

After having conversation with my friend Mr. Ankit Jain who is the Quality Management Specialist of SRM Test Competency Center, SAP Labs India Pvt. Ltd. Whitefield, Banglore 560 066 India. I have asked a several questions regarding the duties of the project manager. According to him, “a project manager is a person who works in the team and leads the team member and responsible for the successful completion of project in the time and within the estimated cost with the quality as defined in the appointment letter”.
The key responsibilities for the project manager are as follows:

• Setting up meeting, running meetings, writing and distributing related memo.
• Preparing a project, executing a project in the estimated cost and time.
• Responsible for the reporting requirements of the project as set out in the terms of reference and associated documentation and for setting up internal project reporting process.
• In large or complex project a project manager should identify individual package of work by establishing a work breakdown structure.
• In large or complex project a project manager should identify a team to support him in connection with the project controls and documentation
• Seeking the appointments of key staff to the project who identity and availability will most likely have been established at the proposal stage
• Defining and assigning the contributions required from each function or technical area of the project.
• Assessing the terms and conditions of contracts and their ability to deliver to time, cost and quality
• Discussing the project with each key member of staff who will be significantly affected by the presence of the project
• Ensuring that internal resources are allocated to project staff
• Developing and documenting the project control functions and procedures in terms of:
• Work breakdown structure
• Risk management
• Systems definition
• Project strategy
• Project scheduling including key dates and milestones
• Project cost estimates
• Project quality program
• Safety plan and
• Change control
• Ensuring that the best technical solutions (which advice from function managers) are offered to the project. Where conflict arises over technical issues, the project manager will have the authority to make a final decision
• Ensuring that contractual arrangements with partners and contractors associated with the project are established
• Initiating the arrangements for payment both from the customer to AEA Technology and from AEA Technology to any contractors and ensuring that these payments are received promptly. This may occur at project completion or at agreed stage payment points
• Carrying out, as specified by the supervising manager, a post-project evaluation and/or the customer
• Ensuring the correct storage and retention of all project documentation, with particular reference to its commercial security and its relevance to future projects.
http://www.competition-commission.org.uk/rep_pub/reports/1992/fulltext/319a12.2.pdf