MIS4310 - IT Strategy Quiz 2

Which perspective on organizations assumes that organizations are coalitions composed of varied individuals and interest groups? a. Symbolic frame b. Political frame c. Structural frame d. Human resources frame

b. Political frame

Which problem-solving approach requires defining the scope of a system, dividing it into its components, and then identifying and evaluating its problems, opportunities, constraints, and needs? a. Independent component analysis b. Systems analysis c. Principal component analysis d. Linear programming

b. Systems analysis

Select an example of external stakeholders for an organization. a. Top managers b. Employees c. Competitors d. Functional managers

c. Competitors

In what type of organizational structure do project managers have the least amount of authority? a. Matrix b. Project c. Functional d. Circular

c. Functional

Which of the following is true of the project life cycle? a. In the later phases of the project life cycle, the level of uncertainty is usually the highest. b. In the early phases of a project life cycle, resource needs are usually lowest. c. It is much more expensive to make major changes to a project during the earlier phases than the latter phases. d. More resources are usually needed during the initial phases of a project than during the middle or final phases.

b. In the early phases of a project life cycle, resource needs are usually lowest.

_____ refers to a set of shared assumptions, values, and behaviors that characterize the functioning of an organization. a. Organizational structure b. Organizational culture c. Chain of command d. Line of control

b. Organizational culture

In a _____organizational structure, program managers, rather than functional managers or vice presidents, report to the CEO. Their staffs have a variety of skills needed to complete all required tasks within their programs. a. matrix b. symbolic c. functional d. project

d. project

The _____ model uses an approach in which developers work with an evolving prototype, using tools such as computer-aided software engineering, joint requirements planning, and joint application design to facilitate rapid prototyping and code generation. a. RAD life cycle b. prototyping life cycle c. waterfall life cycle d. spiral life cycle

a. RAD life cycle

In which development life cycle do stakeholders define and approve the detailed scope before the start on an iteration? a. Incremental b. Iterative c. Adaptive d. Hybrid

c. Adaptive

Which characteristic of organizational culture refers to the degree to which employees identify with the organization as a whole, rather than with their types of job or profession? a. Unit integration b. People focus c. Group emphasis d. Member identity

d. Member identity

Which of the following is true of a matrix organizational structure? a. In a matrix organizational structure, employees are organized into departments according to their skills, and there is little interaction between employees from different departments. b. Project managers in matrix organizations have staff from only a single functional area working on their projects. c. In a strong matrix organizational structure, the project manager controls the project budget and has moderate to high authority. d. A matrix organizational structure is hierarchical, but instead of functional managers reporting to the CEO, program managers report to the CEO.

c. In a strong matrix organizational structure, the project manager controls the project budget and has moderate to high authority.

In what type of organizational structure do project managers have the most authority? a. Matrix b. Circular c. Project d. Functional

c. Project

Which characteristic is true of virtual teams? a. Negative incentives do not impact virtual team members. b. It is easier for a virtual team to build relationships and trust. c. As they never meet, virtual teams do not have conflicts. d. It is important to select team members carefully.

b. It is easier for a virtual team to build relationships and trust.

Projects must operate in a broad organizational environment, and project managers need to consider projects within the greater organizational context. Which approach describes the holistic view of carrying out projects within the context of the organization? a. Linear analysis b. Systems thinking c. The silo approach d. Reductionism

b. Systems thinking

In organizational culture, what does means-end orientation refer to? a. The degree to which the organization monitors and responds to changes in the external environment b. The degree to which management focuses on outcomes rather than on techniques and processes used to achieve results c. The degree to which employees are encouraged to be aggressive, innovative, and risk seeking d. The degree to which rules, policies, and direct supervision are used to oversee and control employee behavi

b. The degree to which management focuses on outcomes rather than on techniques and processes used to achieve results

Which systems development life cycle model assumes that requirements will remain stable after they are defined? a. Prototyping life cycle b. Waterfall life cycle c. RAD life cycle d. Spiral life cycle

b. Waterfall life cycle

Which approach to product development is currently used by many organizations so a predictive set of steps is used as an overall means to coordinate more detailed steps that are adaptively managed? a. Predictive b. Adaptive c. Hybrid d. Incremental

c. Hybrid

In organizational culture, what does people focus refer to? a. The degree to which employees are encouraged to be aggressive, innovative, and risk seeking b. The degree to which the organization monitors and responds to changes in the external environment c. The degree to which management's decisions take into account the effect of outcomes on employees within the organization d. The degree to which rules, policies, and direct supervision are used to oversee and control employee behavior

c. The degree to which management's decisions take into account the effect of outcomes on employees within the organization

In a _____ organizational structure, personnel often report to both a functional manager and one or more project managers. a. functional b. symbolic c. matrix d. project

c. matrix

Which of the following best describes a kill point in the project life cycle? a. The final submission of the project deliverables after which the project is terminated b. The point of time in the project lifecycle after which it is impossible to terminate a running project c. The period of time given to managers during the feasibility phases to decide on the cost, quality, and time constraints for the project d. A review of the status of a project at each phase of development to determine if it should be continued, redirected, or terminated

d. A review of the status of a project at each phase of development to determine if it should be continued, redirected, or terminated