material

1. Management Question
management writing question and need the explanation and answer to help me learn.
in files
Requirements: 4 pages
Based on your studies and experience, select a project you consider a "technical project,"
write a 3 - 5 page paper using MS Word (not including title page and references) and use
proper APA format. In this paper, explain:
What makes this project "technical?"
Identify at least three significant challenges that make it unique compared to a non-
technical project.
Briefly describe what management challenges you might expect compared to a non-
technical project.
You are not expected to identify every characteristic of a technical project but the significant
elements you consider that differentiate it from a non-technical project. If you know
someone working on a technical project, consider interviewing them. We can learn a lot
from our peers in the field.
Properly cite at least two additional sources outside the course materials (textbook,
lectures, etc.). Remember, this paper needs to be original to this class and in your own
words. While outside sources are allowed, your paper should be overwhelmingly your own
words. Papers with more than 10-15% citations will have points heavily deducted.
2Wael (Lilo) AltaliMPA, PMP, PMI-ACPTech Projects: Why so different? Leading & Managing
Technical Projects
Let’s color! 3
Groups of 3! 4I will assign roles:Cutter, Painter, and TesterEach team member will work in
his/her silo which means only the cutter is allowed to cut the paper, painter allowed to
color and tester will perform inspection and verify the acceptance criteria.ROUND 1
5Acceptance Requirements -Testing 1. Each circle must have at least two different colors2.
Each circle should be minimum 90% filled with color3. White space doesn’t count as color4.
Cutting must be around the edges of the circle5. Circles with major distractions in cutting
will be disqualified
Self-organize into groups of 3! 6ROUND 2In this method, a team is self-organized, no silos.
Any team member can work on any task e.g. cutter is allowed to do coloring and painter is

2. allowed to cut the circle.This round of the activity is divided into three iterations.
Why were we more successful in Round 2? 7How were we able to increase production, but
not hinder quality?
You just practiced good tech project management? •Self-organizing teams•Fast Pace –
without hindering quality•Frequent value delivery •Frequent check ins (retrospectives)
•Working with the quadruple constraints •Changing role of the project manager!!! 8
How was this exercise similar to tech projects? •Strong need for innovation and
creativity•Resource constraints –Quadruple Constraints •Broad skill spectrum, cross
departmental •Complex decision-making •Short product life cycle•Fast changing 9
Quadruple Constrains 10Page 21 Thamhain(textbook)
Classification of Tech Projects Maturity in Project Management Series]By Russell D.
Archibald & DarciPrado
Let’s plot the project we worked on today! Maturity in Project Management Series]By
Russell D. Archibald & DarciPrado
1. We classify our tech project!2. We plan for it.
High risk,High uncertainty 14Similar to our exercise today –many tech projects require
frequent process checks, and not just one time planning!Morsuccessful with just strong
front-end planning. Page 24 Thamhain(textbook)Low risk,Low uncertainty
Low-Tech15High-TechHigh dependency on technology outside of the project, increases risk
and forces schedule padding. Depends on successful collaboration, vendor relationship,
strong procurement practices, and cross organizational relationships.Still has a level of risk.
Doesn’t depend on outside technology as much, or all technology is able to be produced as
part of the project. Many high-tech projects maybe done in small low-tech increments to
mitigate risk.
Complexity of tech projects can often make them unreliable due to:Fuzzy GoalsSubject to
Constant ChangeMulti-FuncationalTeamsResource Constraint of SMEs
Classification helps determine best life cycle!
Predictive 18AgilePage 215 Thamhain(textbook)Retrieved from
https://medium.com/@LazaroIbanez/a-quick-overview-to-agile-5c87ffc9e0f2
Flow-Based 19Iterative-Based Today’s project followed an incremental life cycle –we
released a product and kept improving it in the same time-boxed structure. We didn’t
release different components of it. Each “build” completes a feature. Each “build” does not
have to mirror the other.
Flow-Based 20Iterative-Based Today’s project followed an incremental life cycle –we
released a product and kept improving it in the same time-boxed structure. We didn’t
release different components of it. Each “build” completes a feature. Each “build” does not
have to mirror the other.
21Next Week: Organizational Structures Page 8 Thamhain(textbook)
22Round Table Discussion:Which life cycle is most appropriate for high tech, high risk
projects?
You will walk away from this course with a ToolKit–that is my promise to you!23We will
combine theory, practice, and creativity. Extremely high standards will be held in this
classroom.

3. Course Expectations •Students have fully reviewed the syllabus and are following it.
•Students come to class having done the readings and watched any pre-lecture video(s)!
•All feedback from instructor and peers is applied. •Assignments demonstrate strong
command of reading, lecture, and project management literature.•Active participation in
the classroom.•NO LATE assignments are accepted. 24
Discussion Board –Online –20%•Initial post due Wednesday at 11:59 PM EST of every
week. •Follow-up post due Saturday at 11:59 PM EST of every week.•Discussions should be
relevant, demonstrate PM knowledge, and engaging. Get creative!25
Individual Assignments –40% •Assess understanding of readings, lectures, and general
project management. •Encourages personal reflection, but assignments are not biographies
nor personal opinion pieces. •A’s are not awarded unless student presents work of
extremely superior quality. •3 individual assignments 26
Group Case Study –20%Week 5 Final Exam–20% Week 627
No grade should be a surprise –I use the rubric in your syllabus.As always, creativity is
encouraged. 28
Syllabus Grading GuidelinesRangeGrade given forA to A-Excellent, thorough work which
demonstrates complete command of the material andgoes above and beyondthe assignment
requirementsB+ to B-Good work which meets the assignment requirements and
demonstrates an understanding of the conceptsC+ to C-Average work which meets most
assignment requirements and demonstrates an understanding of at least¾of the concepts
presented in the courseFPoor work which doesn’t meet at least¾of the assignment
requirements and demonstrates insufficient evidence of a command of the course
concepts29
30Wael (Lilo) AltaliMPA, PMP, PMI-ACPw.altali@northeastern.edu
2Wael (Lilo) AltaliMPA, PMP, PMI-ACPOrganizational Structures:Making sense of the
madness! Leading & Managing Technical Projects
Activity:Let’s Organize! 3
Activity: The Human Organizational Chart 1. Everyone pick up random name tag.2. Take 10
minutes, introduce ourselves as the new name tag we pulled.3. Organize yourself into an
organizational structure. 4
Organizational Structures 5
Organizational Layers 6Page 77 Thamhain(textbook)Where would you classify the role you
picked for the activity? Why?
Organizational Continuum 7Page 77 Thamhain(textbook)
Organizational Continuum 8Page 80 Thamhain(textbook)
Where on the continuum does your human organizational chart fall? 9
Functional 10http://clipart-library.com/cute-dinosaur-cliparts.htmlThe Dinosaur of
Structures: •One of the oldest•Wide variety of titles, but structured very similarlyMy
Prediction:They Will Become Extinct in the next 5 decades.
Functional 11https://www.slideshare.net/jsc5225/project-management-organizational-
structures-63586148

4. 12Page 81 Thamhain(textbook)
Matrix 13The Chameleon of Structures: •Flexible •Adapts to multiple directions (vertical
and horizontal) •Cross functional teams
Matrix 14https://courses.lumenlearning.com/principlesmanagement/chapter/7-3-
contemporary-forms-of-organizational-structures/
15Page 85 Thamhain(textbook)
Projectized16The Structure where the PM has authority!Future is uncertain, it could evolve
to adapt to the “gig” project economy or would die with the increased demand for leaderless
structures. https://www.pinterest.com/pin/105975397461353284/
Projectized17https://managingprojectsblog.wordpress.com/tag/projectized-organization/
18Page 82 Thamhain(textbook)
The Project Managerand the Organizational Structure 19
Sharing Resources http://worldartsme.com/not-sharing-clipart.html#gal_post_16310_not-
sharing-clipart-1.jpg
Future of Organizations! 21
Gig Economy 22
Hyperflex23
Organizational Culture 24
Culture 25LanguageCustoms/Norms Artifacts Heroes & Legends
Culture Worksheet 26
Benefits of good organizational culture 27Improves Brand awareness & imageHigher
retention of employeesA higher motivated
workforcehttps://www.pinterest.com/pin/105975397461353284/
28Activity: Let’s create the culture of our classroom!
29Quick Review Page 8 Thamhain(textbook)
Looking Ahead! 30Case Study –Presentations –5thclass Written assignment due end of
Week 5. Let’s form groups!
Looking Ahead! 31Managing Teams Techie will be techies!
32Wael (Lilo) AltaliMPA, PMP, PMI-ACPw.altali@northeastern.edu