At the end of a design stage, a steering committee reviews technical feasibility, expected benefits and unresolved risks before allowing further investment. Which project selection and control mechanism is illustrated?

here are the solutions to Questions 15 and 16: Question 15: At the end of a design stage, a steering committee reviews technical feasibility, expected benefits and unresolved risks before allowing further investment. Which project selection and control mechanism is illustrated? Step 1: Analyze the scenario. The scenario describes a formal review process that occurs at a specific point ("at the end of a design stage") in the project lifecycle. The purpose of this review is to assess the project's viability (technical feasibility, benefits, risks) and make a decision about continuing with further investment. This acts as a control point. Step 2: Evaluate the given options. a. Functional structure*: This refers to an organizational structure where employees are grouped by specialty (e.g., engineering, marketing). It is not a project control mechanism. b. Phase-gate model*: This is a project management methodology where a project is divided into distinct phases, separated by decision points called "gates." At each gate, a steering committee or management reviews the project's performance, deliverables, and business case to decide whether to continue, modify, or terminate the project. This perfectly matches the description. c. Routine performance appraisal*: This is a process for evaluating employee job performance, not a mechanism for controlling project progress or investment decisions. d. Project closure audit*: This occurs at the very end of a project to review its success, lessons learned, and formal completion, not at an intermediate stage to decide on further investment. The correct option is b. Phase-gate model. --- Question 16: During a software project, users request significant changes after reviewing an early working version. The project team reprioritises the backlog and incorporates the changes into the next iteration. Which approach is being applied? Step 1: Analyze the project activities described. The key elements are: • "users request significant changes after reviewing an early working version": This indicates a feedback loop and an adaptive approach to requirements. • "The project team reprioritises the backlog": This is a core practice in agile methodologies, where a backlog of features and tasks is continuously managed and re-ordered based on feedback and changing priorities. • "incorporates the changes into the next iteration": This signifies an iterative development process, where work is done in short cycles (iterations) and changes can be integrated frequently. Step 2: Evaluate the visible option. a. Traditional predictive planning*: This approach, often associated with the Waterfall model, emphasizes upfront, detailed planning and fixed requirements. Changes are typically managed through a formal change control process and are generally discouraged or costly once development is underway. The scenario's description of frequent changes, backlog reprioritization, and iterative integration is contrary to traditional predictive planning. Step 3: Determine the best fit (even if not fully visible). The described approach is characteristic of Agile or Iterative project management methodologies, which embrace change and continuous feedback. Since option 'a' is "Traditional predictive planning," it is incorrect. The correct answer would be an option related to agile or iterative development. The correct option is not a. Traditional predictive planning. The approach being applied is an Agile or Iterative approach. Got more? Send 'em!