TOPIC: Questions on Authority

Hi,

These are not taken from any sample test, so I don't have the answer!

1) Since the sponsor authorizes a project, does the PM have authority to terminate a project and if so, under what circumstances?

2) If the performance baseline changes to the extent it is out of alignment with the Project Charter, can a Change Request be written and approved by the Project Level CCB to update the Project Charter, or must this be a separate process since it's approval is outside the project?

3) If such a change in 2) above is submitted, must the Project Charter be updated prior to / or at the same time as the baseline changes?

Thanks,

Bob

P.S. Test Day is Thursday; tic, toc... tic, toc...

HI Robert,

Good Luck with your exam, please let's know when you are done so that we congratulate you on the success

below are my thoughts regarding your questions:

1- In real life, project managers don't have the authority to terminate projects. we can only suggest such action with the implications of such decisions. PMO has the authority to take such decisions and this is aligned with the PMBOK (check section 1.4.4 Project Management Office "A PMO may have the authority to act as an integral stakeholder and a key decision maker throughout the life of each project, to make recommendations, or to terminate projects or take other actions, as required, to remain aligned with the business objectives").

2,3- the project charter main objective is "to authorize the existence of a project", it also documents the main objectives, assumptions, contstarints and the high level understanding of the product. the project charter is a main input to the planning activities. after that the main reference is the project management plan not the charter, and as for the PMBOK it is not stated any where that it gets updated in any process.

Thanks!

Just after I read your reply about a change request to the project charter, I found a very similar question on the PrepCast simulator, which agrees with your explanation.

Bob