• Unit 5: Project Execution

    Execution involves building the deliverables and controlling the project scope and costs. Risks must also be managed during this phase. Control mechanisms should be in place to control issues and problems as well as to ensure quality. Once the project initiation and planning is complete, the execution phase begins. Ideally the project plan has been approved and base-lined so that the actual work can start.

    This phase includes the coordination of resources to perform the activities outlined in the plan. The project manager must unify all associated areas of the project and engage all stakeholders, project staff, customers, and other resources to achieve a successful outcome. Report gathering is performed regularly during this phase to analyze ongoing status, task changes, and other variances to the plan. Administratively, the project manager must complete or coordinate all status reports to keep the organization abreast of project standing. The majority of the project's tasks are performed during this phase. In this unit, you will learn the core of project management through a review of the organizational techniques required to make sure deliverables are completed on time and on budget.

    Completing this unit should take you approximately 8 hours.

    • Upon successful completion of this unit, you will be able to: 

      • identify the fundamentals of cost management;
      • describe project management tools used for project execution and reporting, and discuss situations in which these tools are used;
      • explain effective change control procedures;
      • define quality assurance; and
      • define risk management.

    • 5.1: Project Control and Reporting

      • Project Execution Page

        Watch this video. Note that the video is titled incorrectly on YouTube; it discusses project execution rather than project planning.

      • Project Monitoring and Control Page
        As you watch this video, think about the type of controls you will put in place in your next project. Can you identify the principles discussed in this video in any previous projects you have worked on? How does effectively monitoring a project allow you to succeed?
      • More on Project Monitoring and Control Page

        Watch this lecture, which discusses how to track and control projects and production lifecycles with PERT/cost.

    • 5.2: Project Quality

      • Managing Project Quality Book

        Read this chapter and attempt the exercises at the end of each section. This chapter discusses quality assurance and quality control. While this text uses information technology projects as examples, the principles are the same for managing any complex project. How do you manage project quality? What do you look for? Are there differences depending on the industry or sector, such as IT vs. manufacturing?

    • 5.3: Managing Risks

      • Project Risk and the Project Complexity Profile Book

        Read this section, which discusses how to manage project risk to ensure the success of a project and how improper management can lead to project failure. Attempt the exercises at the end.

      • Risk Management Book

        Read this article, and pay attention to the section on attitudes toward risk. Think about your industry. Is it risk-averse or open to taking smart risks? What about you, personally?

      • Decision Trees and Risk Evaluation Page

        Watch this video, which discusses how to evaluate risks and use decision trees.

      • What Is Risk Management? Page

        Read this article, which defines risk management and how it relates to the information systems process. This topic can be generalized to all types of projects.

    • Unit 5 Discussion and Assessment

      • Unit 5 Discussion Forum
        Make forum posts: 1

        Consider responding to the following questions in this discussion forum. You may also respond to other students' posts.

        1. What is the most useful technique/tool you learned about in this unit to control project quality? Why is that your choice?
        2. In your opinion, what are the top three risks for managing a large project? Give a few examples for each identified risk.
        3. What is Six Sigma? How does Six Sigma relate to project management practices?

      • Unit 5 Assessment Quiz
        Receive a grade

        Take this assessment to see how well you understood this unit.

        • This assessment does not count towards your grade. It is just for practice!
        • You will see the correct answers when you submit your answers. Use this to help you study for the final exam!
        • You can take this assessment as many times as you want, whenever you want.