ch. 4- project mgmt

What is the first and most important step for a successful project execution? -Selecting the right project manager -Clearly defining the project objective -Finding the right project sponsor -Creating a work schedule

-Clearly defining the project objective

Which of the following are examples of acceptance criteria? -The client has paid all bills and invoices due. -All tasks and milestones are complete -Customer on-site inspection is required -Third-party certification is required

-Customer on-site inspection is required -Third-party certification is required --All tasks and milestones are complete

Identify which of the following is true about limits and exclusions in a project scope statement. -Limits and exclusions should be natural, important control point in the project. -Exclusion defines the boundary of the project by stating what is not included. -Limits and exclusions typically clarify either the deliverables or define the performance specifications. -The limits of the scope should be well-defined.

-Exclusion defines the boundary of the project by stating what is not included. -The limits of the scope should be well-defined.

Identify the primary advantage of using a stakeholder communication plan?

-It increases a project manager's autonomy.

If the project is small, the entire project team may be involved in developing the .

WBS

The project charter is issued by ______ management and provides the project manager with written authority to use organizational resources for project activities.

upper

The ___ ____ ______ serves as a framework for tracking cost and work performance.

work breakdown structure

Which statement regarding project priorities and the project priority matrix is true? -Priorities are fixed over the project life cycle. -Priorities may change over the project life cycle. -The project manager may change the project priorities.

-Priorities may change over the project life cycle.

Match the basic steps in developing a communication plan with the key activity in that step.: Stakeholder analysis, Determine information needs, Determine information source, Define Dissemination Method., Define responsibility and timing -Identify the target groups who need to know about the project. -Establish how to best communicate to various stakeholders. -Identify how and from where information should be gathered. -Define the specifics to provide to each organizational level. -Determine who will communicate with stakeholders, and how often.

-Stakeholder analysis- -Identify the target groups who need to know about the project. -determine info needs- define specifics to provide to each organizational level -determine info source- identify how and from where info should be gathered -define dissemination method-establish how to best communicate to various stakeholders -define responsibility and timing-determine who will communicate with stakeholders, and how often

Why are work package durations generally limited to the length of the progress reporting period? -To make sure progress reporting doesn't stretch out too far -to allow for project planning changes if required -To make sure work packages are dependent on other packages of the project -To ensure enough work packages are created to manage the project

-To make sure progress reporting doesn't stretch out too far -to allow for project planning changes if required

What are the two primary purposes in defining the project scope? -to set schedule for the project -to build cohesion in the project team -To provide focus for the project plan -. To define the end user's deliverables

-To provide focus for the project plan. -To define the end user's deliverables

Why is the hierarchical process of managing work called the work breakdown structure (WBS)? -Each level in the WBS hierarchy will have a different project manager. -Work is successively broken down into smaller and more manageable chunks. -to incorporate the organization chart for assignment of responsibility.

-Work is successively broken down into smaller and more manageable chunks.

In the project scope checklist, the first step is to set ___. -the project deliverables. -the overall project objective. -project milestones

-overall project objective

The WBS has five levels with level level five having two sub-levels. Please these in the correct sequence from level one down. -project -work package -deliverables -cost account -subdeliverable -lowest subdeliverable

-project -deliverables -subdeliverable -lowest subdeliverable -cost account -work package

What are the most likely negative outcomes of scope creep? --added costs -reduced team morale -project delays

-project delays -added costs

Who is responsible to finalize and obtain agreement with the customer for content found within a project scope? -project manager -sponsor -stakeholders

-project manager

Milestones in a project: -are a rough-cut project schedule. -should be recognized only by project managers. -should be natural, important control points. -nclude a list of all major and minor deliverables.

-should be natural, important control points. -are a rough-cut project schedule.

In a project scope checklist, the technical requirements will ___. -define the timing/deadline for the project. -state the performance requirements of a deliverable. -clarify the deliverables. -define the resource requirements of the project. -state the features to be measured at project completion. -define the budgetary requirement of the project.

-state the performance requirements of a deliverable. -clarify the deliverables.

A project scope should define the results to be achieved in what type of terms? -conscise -meaningful -tangible -measurable -specific

-tangible -measurable -specific

Which of the following represent trade off considerations for a project manager in times of conflict? -time -cost -scope -quality

-time -cost -scope

The suggested method for planning projects is a selective outline of the project called what? -work break down structure -due date chart -process control chart -responsibility matrix

-work breakdown structure

Which of the following aspects of a work package are used by a work breakdown structure to facilitate planning, scheduling, and budgetary control? 1)Time estimates 2)technical performance requirements 3)resource requirements 4) project assumptions

1)Time estimates 2)technical performance requirements 3)resource requirements

Competing priorities require trade-offs in project management. Given a project in which time to market is the key factor, match each approach with how it affects a project criterion: constrain, enhance, accept -No deviation from the criterion of time is allowed. -Improvements to the scope should be made where possible -Increases to cost are tolerated, if it means achieving other criteria.

Constrain ------ No deviation from the criterion of time is allowed. Enhance ------ Improvements to the scope should be made where possible. Accept ----- Increases to cost are tolerated, if it means achieving other criteria.

Which type of projects are best suited for a process breakdown structure rather than a work breakdown structure?

Projects without clearly defined outcomes.

What is the primary benefit of creating a communication plan?

Regular planned reporting prevents confusion and interruptions.

Which statement is correct regarding the five steps to create a work breakdown structure (WBS) outlined by the chapter? -The steps can overlap and be repeatedly reviewed/changed during development. -Omitting any of the steps will lead to project failure. -The project scope must be finalized before starting the WBS.

The steps can overlap and be repeatedly reviewed/changed during development.

If the project scope needs to change, it is critical to have a sound ____ control process in place that records the change and keeps a log of all project changes

change

How can a project manager best do his or her job of managing trade-offs among time, cost, and performance? a. By understanding the project's priorities b. By updating the sponsor about project risk c. By prioritizing customer satisfaction

a. By understanding the project's priorities

The purpose of an organization breakdown structure (OBS) is to ___ a. tie organizational units to cost control accounts. b. identify organizational units responsible for work packages. c. summarize organizational unit work performance. d. plan timing and schedules for work in organizational units.

a. tie organizational units to cost control accounts. &b. identify organizational units responsible for work packages. &c. summarize organizational unit work performance.

______ criteria are a set of conditions that must be met before the deliverables are accepted.

acceptance

A project priority matrix is used to visually identify which criterion is __ A) Determining which criterion is constrained B) Determining which criterion is enhanced C) Determining which criterion is accepted

all of the above

A deliverable in a process breakdown structure (PBS) is defined as:

an output of some activity allowing the start of a new project phase.

Responsibility matrices help clarify the extent or type of _____ exercised by each participant in performing an activity in which two or more parties have overlapping involvement.

authority

It is important that project team members and stakeholders know why management ______ the project.

authorized

When should a project priority discussion(priority matrix) between the project manager and customer/sponsor take place?

before the project begins

The problem or opportunity the project is addressing? This is sometimes referred to as the _____ ______ for the project.

business case

Which of the following is true of a project charter and project scope statement? a. Project charters are issued by the lower management for approval by the higher management. b. Project charter is another term for project scope; they both mean the same. c. Project charters may include a scope summary. d. Project scopes should include a project charter.

c. Project charters may include a scope summary.

Many of the problems that plague a project can be traced back to insufficient time devoted to establishing a well-grounded internal _______ plan.

communication

A key benefit of using a work breakdown structure (WBS) along with an organizational breakdown structure (OBS) is:

creating a project control point

Technical requirements of a product or service typically clarify ____ the or define the performance _______ .

deliverables; specifications

The product scope description is a detailed ______ of the characteristics of the product, service, or outcome of the project.

description

___ define the boundary of the project by stating what is not included. For example, data will be collected by the client, not the contractor. (

exclusions

True or false: A scope statement that is too narrow is an invitation for scope creep

false

True or false: An integrated information system should be developed before the work breakdown structure is outlined.

false (The integrated information system is developed after the WBS is developed.)

This is common on software projects where developers add features that they think the end user will like. a. Lack of change control b. Not involving users early enough c. Underestimating project complexity d. Poor requirement analysis e. Gold Plating

gold plating

WBSs are products of ______ efforts.

group

The WBS defines all the elements of the project in a Blank______ framework and establishes their relationships to the project end item(s).

hierarchical

Codes are used in a WBS to define ____

levels and elements

A is a significant event in a project that occurs at a point in time.

milestone

The project ______ answers the questions of what, when, how much, and at times where.

objective

Deliverables are the expected, measurable ________ over the life of the project.

outputs

Defining the project scope sets the stage for developing a detailed ______ _______

project plan

Part of a _____ statement is a short, one- to two-page page summary of key elements of the scope.

scope

Project ________ is the keystone interlocking all elements of a project plan.

scope

The tendency for a project scope to unofficially expand during project execution, and possibly change the requirements, specifications, and/or timing of a project is referred to as ___.

scope creep

The product ____ ______ answers the question "What end result is wanted?" For example, if the product is a cell phone, its product scope will be its screen size, battery, processor, camera type, memory, and so on.

scope description

A responsibility matrix (RM) is best suited for small projects due to its ___.

simple organization and communication format.

More frequently than not, a product or service will have ____ _____ to ensure proper performance.

technical requirements

Once the scope and deliverables have been identified, the work of the project can be successively subdivided into smaller and smaller work elements. The outcome of this hierarchical process is called what?

the work breakdown structure

What method will allow for detailed cost account reporting on a project team's efforts?

work breakdown structure coding

___ _____are short-duration tasks that have a definite start and stop point, consume resources, and represent cost.

work packages