1. What are the five phases of a project life cycle? Name and briefly describe each phase. - The five phases of a project life cycle are: initiation, planning, execution, monitoring and control, and closure. Initiation is the phase where the project scope, objectives, and stakeholders are defined. Planning is the phase where the project activities, resources, budget, schedule, and risks are planned. Execution is the phase where the project deliverables are produced and implemented. Monitoring and control is the phase where the project performance is measured and adjusted to ensure alignment with the plan. Closure is the phase where the project is formally completed and evaluated. 2. What are some of the key skills and competencies of a project manager? Give at least three examples and explain why they are important. - Some of the key skills and competencies of a project manager are: communication, leadership, and problem-solving. Communication is important because a project manager needs to communicate effectively with different stakeholders, such as team members, clients, sponsors, and suppliers. Leadership is important because a project manager needs to motivate, inspire, and guide the team to achieve the project goals. Problem-solving is important because a project manager needs to identify, analyze, and resolve any issues or challenges that may arise during the project. 3. What are some of the common tools and techniques used in project management? Give at least three examples and explain how they are used. - Some of the common tools and techniques used in project management are: Gantt chart, work breakdown structure (WBS), and risk matrix. A Gantt chart is a graphical representation of the project schedule that shows the start and end dates of each activity and their dependencies. A WBS is a hierarchical decomposition of the project scope into smaller and manageable units called work packages. A risk matrix is a table that assesses the likelihood and impact of potential risks and prioritizes them accordingly. 4. What are some of the benefits of using a project management methodology? Give at least three examples and explain how they help achieve project success. - Some of the benefits of using a project management methodology are: standardization, quality assurance, and stakeholder satisfaction. Standardization means that a project management methodology provides a consistent and repeatable approach to managing projects across different contexts and domains. Quality