1 Project Governance and Decision Rights Free Online FlashCards

What is project governance?

Project governance is the framework of roles, rules, authority limits, oversight, and information flows that guides a project and aligns it with organizational objectives.

How should decision authority relate to accountability?

The person accountable for an outcome should have authority to make the decisions needed for it, or a defined route to obtain that authority.

What is a decision boundary?

A decision boundary specifies when a role may decide independently and when approval is required.

What decisions typically belong to the sponsor or project board?

A typical arrangement has the team resolve routine delivery questions, the project manager approve matters within delegated tolerances, and the sponsor or board decide matters outside them.

What should an escalation path specify?

The governance plan should state what triggers escalation, who receives it, what information is required, and how quickly a response is needed.

What information belongs in a project decision log?

Record the decision question, owner, consulted people, options and evidence, decision and rationale, conditions, impacts, actions, owners, and due dates.

How does governance relate to day-to-day project management?

Governance establishes direction and oversight; it complements day-to-day project management rather than replacing it.

How should decision-making be delegated across project levels?

Delegate routine decisions to the project manager and team within agreed limits; reserve strategic or significant organizational decisions for the sponsor or board.

Why should each decision have one accountable owner?

Name one person who approves each decision. Others may advise, provide evidence, or be consulted.

Which areas can project decision boundaries cover?

Boundaries may cover scope, outcomes, budget, schedule, quality, technical requirements, risks, safety, legal duties, benefits, resources, and stakeholder commitments.

What is the first step when a team member identifies an issue?

The responsible team member raises and assesses the issue with the project manager, who checks its impacts, options, urgency, and whether it is within delegated limits.

Where should a project manager send a decision beyond delegated limits?

For an issue outside delegated limits, the project manager refers it to the designated sponsor, change-control authority, or project board.