Chapter 4

Taking advantage of opportunities to reduce costs or accelerate the schedule are examples of project criteria classified as ____________.

enhance In the case of time and cost, this usually means taking advantage of opportunities to either reduce costs or shorten the schedule. Conversely, with regard to performance, enhancing means adding value to the project.

A Process Breakdown Structure can provide a reasonable alternative to a Work Breakdown structure for an extensive development project if

phase exit criteria are firmly established.

The lowest element in the hierarchical breakdown of the WBS is A. A deliverable. B. A work package. C. A cost account. D. A lowest subdeliverable. E. An object.

B. A work package.

An expected output over the life of a project would be classified as A. A deliverable. B. A product. C. An end object. D. An objective. E. A target.

A. A deliverable.

Linda has just been assigned manager of a project to develop a new advertising campaign for an established product. Her first step should be to A. Establish project priorities. B. Define the project scope. C. Verify the budget available. D. Assign team members to work on the project. E. Determine the required completion date.

B. Define the project scope.

Which of the following is not a common cause of scope creep?

Policy change

There are 5 steps involved when defining a project; which of the following is the last? A. Code the WBS for tracking B. Assign the cost account to a manager C. Assign the work package to a manager D. Develop the responsibility matrix E. All of these are included in the final step

A. Code the WBS for tracking

After reviewing the project scope statement, the owner specifies that costs MUST stay within $400,000. This criterion is classified as A. Constrained. B. Enhanced. C. Accepted. D. Limited. E. Fixed.

A. Constrained.

Which of the following is NOT true regarding scope creep? A. It is when the cost of the project is more than expected B. It is the tendency for the project scope to expand over time C. It most likely caused by a scope statement that is too broad D. It can have both positive and negative impacts on a project E. It can lead to added costs and possible project delays

A. It is when the cost of the project is more than expected

One of the primary jobs of a project manager is to manage the trade-offs associated with the project. Which of the following is NOT one of the basic classifications of project priorities? A. Profit B. Cost C. Time D. Performance E. All of these are basic classifications

A. Profit

If a project is small and does not require an elaborate system to assign tasks, which of the following is a good choice? A. Responsibility matrix B. Organization breakdown structure C. Work breakdown structure D. Priority matrix E. Process breakdown structure

A. Responsibility matrix

The ability of a 911 emergency system to identify the caller's phone number and location is considered to be a A. Technical requirement. B. Milestone. C. Project limit. D. Project exclusion. E. Project deliverable.

A. Technical requirement.

There are 5 steps involved when defining a project; which of the following is the first? A. Establish project priorities B. Define the project scope C. Verify the budget available D. Assign team members to work on the project E. Determine the required completion date

B. Define the project scope

Which of the following is a good example of a Process Breakdown Structure? A. New car prototype B. New software program C. New instruction manual D. New sports stadium E. New project management book

B. New software program

The integration of the lowest level of the WBS with the organizational units responsible for performing the work is known as A. Responsibility matrix. B. Organization breakdown structure. C. Work breakdown structure. D. Priority matrix. E. Process breakdown structure.

B. Organization breakdown structure.

The tendency for the project deliverables to expand over time—usually by changing requirements, specifications, and priorities—is called A. Scope erosion. B. Scope creep. C. Project bloat. D. Scope enhancement. E. Project add-ons.

B. Scope creep.

Scott has just been given a project that has a specific completion date. After a discussion with top management he finds that while the date is important the cost is more important and a slip in delivery would be acceptable if required to meet the cost targets. The completion date is best classified as A. Constrained. B. Reduced. C. Accepted. D. Limited. E. Optional.

C. Accepted.

To construct a high-quality, custom home within five months at costs not to exceed $150,000" is best classified as A. A deliverable. B. A milestone. C. An objective. D. A limit. E. An exclusion.

C. An objective.

There are 5 steps involved when defining a project; which of the following is the second? A. Analyze the strategic plan B. Analyze the current budget plan C. Establish project priorities D. Select team members E. Define the major objectives to meet the customer's needs

C. Establish project priorities

The project scope statement indicates that the client is responsible for training the people who will be using the equipment and that the project team will train the client's trainers. This is an example of A. Project objectives. B. Deliverables. C. Limits and exclusions. D. Technical requirements. E. Milestones.

C. Limits and exclusions.

In reviewing the project plan, Susan sees that the first prototype must be completed by October 12. This would be best classified as a A. Project target. B. Limit item. C. Milestone. D. Project objective. E. Critical goal.

C. Milestone.

Which of the following is least likely to be included in a work package? A. How long the work package should take to complete B. A description of work to be performed C. Overhead expenses D. How much the work package should cost to complete E. The person responsible for the work package

C. Overhead expenses

The _________ is used to assist in making project trade-offs among schedule, budget, and performance objectives. A. Responsibility matrix B. Work breakdown structure C. Project priority matrix D. Work package E. Criterion matrix

C. Project priority matrix

Jose is looking at a document that outlines the specific deliverables and subdeliverables required to complete the writing of a technical support manual. He is most likely viewing the A. Responsibility matrix. B. Organization breakdown structure. C. Work breakdown structure. D. Priority matrix. E. Work package.

C. Work breakdown structure.

All of the following are ways the WBS helps in managing projects EXCEPT A. With cost and time estimates the WBS makes it possible to plan, schedule and budget the project. B. It provides management with information appropriate to each level. C. Can be used to define communication channels. D. Allows the project manager to establish the overall objective of the project. E. As it is developed, organizational units and individuals can be assigned responsibility of work packages.

D. Allows the project manager to establish the overall objective of the project.

When work packages are integrated with organizational units, a control point is created called a A. Responsibility matrix. B. Priority matrix. C. Work package. D. Cost account. E. Project overlap.

D. Cost account.

Which of the following is NOT one of the items that would appear on a project scope statement or checklist? A. Deliverables B. Technical requirements C. Objectives D. Work breakdown structure E. Reviews with customer

D. Work breakdown structure

All of the following are usually included in a work package EXCEPT A. What will be done. B. The time needed to complete the work. C. A single person who is responsible for its completion. D. All the costs for the work package. E. All of these are included in a work package.

E. All of these are included in a work package.

Having a strong communication plan can go a long way toward mitigating project problems. A communication plan should address all of the following EXCEPT A. When the information will be communicated. B. How information should be communicated and to whom. C. What methods will be used to gather and store information. D. What information needs to be collected and are there limits as to who has access to it. E. All of these should be addressed in a communication plan.

E. All of these should be addressed in a communication plan.

The first step of project scope definition is to A. Analyze the strategic plan. B. Analyze the current budget plan. C. Meet with team members. D. Select team members. E. Define the overall objective to meet the customer's needs.

E. Define the overall objective to meet the customer's needs.

The WBS is best suited for projects that have a tangible outcome. Which of the following is used when the final outcome of the project is less tangible or is a product of a series of steps or phases? A. Responsibility matrix B. Organization breakdown structure C. A work breakdown structure is still effective for these types of projects D. Priority matrix E. Process breakdown structure

E. Process breakdown structure

The highest element in the hierarchical breakdown of the WBS is A. A work package. B. Subdeliverables. C. A cost account. D. Major deliverables. E. The project.

E. The project.

An expected output over the life of a project would be classified as a target

FALSE An expected output over the life of a project would be classified as a deliverable.

Profit, time and performance are all basic classifications of project priorities.

FALSE Cost, time and performance are all basic classifications of project priorities.

If a project criterion should be optimized if at all possible, it is classified as being constrained

FALSE If a project criterion should be optimized if at all possible, it is classified as being enhanced.

If the project time should be accepted, then the project must be completed on time.

FALSE If the project time should be accepted, then it will be tolerated if project completion time must be extended.

Integrating a project's work packages within the organization's management structure is known as work breakdown structure.

FALSE Integrating a project's work packages within the organization's management structure is known as organizational breakdown structure.

Process breakdown structures are used when the size and the scope of the project do not warrant an elaborate WBS or OBS.

FALSE It is more difficult to apply WBS to less tangible, process-oriented projects in which the final outcome is a product of a series of steps or phases. Some practitioners choose to utilize a process breakdown structure for these projects.

Scope creep occurs when your project is completed over-budget

FALSE Scope creep is not when the cost of the project is more than expected. Scope creep can cause a project to be over-budget; however, it does not define a project that is over-budget.

The highest element in the hierarchical breakdown of the WBS is the first major deliverable for the project and the lowest element is a work package.

FALSE The WBS begins with the final deliverable, which is the project itself and the highest element in the hierarchical breakdown of the WBS. Major project work deliverables are identified first and then the subdeliverables necessary to accomplish the larger deliverables are defined. The process is repeated until the subdeliverable detail is small enough to be manageable and where one person can be responsible. This subdeliverable is further divided into work packages, which is the lowest element in the hierarchical breakdown of the WBS.

The fact that a new home being built must meet local building codes is an example of a limit and exclusion.

FALSE The fact that a new home being built must meet local building codes is an example of a technical requirement.

Scope creep is a big issue when managing projects. Which of the following is NOT true regarding scope creep?

It is when the project budget is exceeded.

Which of the following items has to do with significant events in the life of a project, such as completion of deliverables, at a specific point in time?

Milestones

Which of the following tools would you as project manager likely prefer if you are managing a medium-to-large software development project? Your project is driven by performance requirements, not by plans/blueprints.

PBS

Which of the following items on the Project Scope Checklist answers the question "What end result is wanted?"

Project Scope Description

Project scope describes what you expect to deliver to your customers when the project is complete.

TRUE Project scope is a definition of the end result or mission of your project—a product or service for your client/customer.

There is a strong correlation between project success and clear project scope definition

TRUE Research clearly shows that a poorly defined scope or mission is a frequently mentioned barrier to project success.

During the course of a project, it is possible that the project priorities may change.

TRUE The customer may suddenly need the project completed sooner or new directives from top management may emphasize cost saving initiatives. The project manager needs to be vigilant in order to anticipate and confirm changes in priorities and make appropriate adjustments.

One of the items included on a project scope statement or checklist is the review with the customer.

TRUE The project objective, deliverables, milestones, technical requirements, limits and exclusions and customer reviews are all included in the project scope statement or checklist.

In making project trade-offs, a criterion that is allowed not to meet the original target, for example, allowing the schedule to slip, is classified as ___________.

accept Questions to ask in regard to accept: For which criterion is it tolerable not to meet the original parameters? When trade-offs have to be made, is it permissible for the schedule to slip, to reduce the scope and performance of the project, or to go over budget?

A key aspect to communication plans are that they allow the project manager and the project team to

actively control the flow of information.

The final step in defining a project is __________ the WBS for the information system.

coding Gaining the maximum usefulness of a breakdown structure depends on a coding system. The codes are used to define levels and elements in the WBS, organization elements, work packages, and budget and cost information.

The type of information that will need to be collected during a project and who will receive this information can be found in the project __________ plan.

communication The project communication plan addresses what information should be collected, who will receive it, what method will be used to gather it, when the information will be communicated and how it will be communicated.

A robust ______________ can go a long way to reducing project problems over the life of the project and will establish how, when and to whom information must be supplied.

communications plan

In regard to project priorities, if a project parameter such as the completion date or the cost of a project is fixed and must be met it is considered ____________.

constrained If the original parameter is fixed and the project must meet the completion date, specifications and scope of the project, or budget, it is constrained.

The intersection of work packages and the organizational unit creates a project control point called a(n) ___________.

cost account The intersection of work packages and the organizational unit creates a project control point (cost account) that integrates work and responsibility.

The first step in planning any project is to ___________.

define the project scope Defining the project scope sets the stage for developing a project plan. Project scope is a definition of the end result or mission of your project—a product or service for your client/customer.

The agreement that training will be the responsibility of the customer and not the team is an example of a project ________.

limit and exclusion The limits of scope should be defined. Failure to do so can lead to false expectations and to expending resources and time on the wrong problem.

Significant events in a project that occur at a specific point in time, are natural control points, and are easily recognized by project participants are known as ___________.

milestones A milestone is a significant event in a project that occurs at a point in time. The milestone schedule shows only major segments of work; it represents first, rough-cut estimates of time, cost, and resources for the project.

When specific work packages are assigned to a particular group or person within the organization, the result is called a(n) ___________.

organization breakdown structure The WBS is used to link the organizational units responsible for performing the work. In practice, the outcome of this process is the organization breakdown structure (OBS).

One of the primary jobs of a project manager is to manage the trade-offs among time, cost, and performance. To do so, the project manager must define and understand the ___________ of the project

priorities One technique found in practice that is useful for this purpose is completing a priority matrix for the project to identify which criterion is constrained, which should be enhanced and which can be accepted.

Once the __________ has been established, it is the basis for making trade-off decisions later in the project.

priority matrix If midway through the project, a trade-off must be made between cost and expediting, which criterion has priority? One technique found in practice that is useful for this purpose is completing a priority matrix for the project to identify which criterion is constrained, which should be enhanced, and which can be accepted.

A technique that clearly establishes priorities with customers and top management so as to create shared expectations and avoid misunderstandings is developing a(n) ___________.

priority matrix One technique found in practice that is useful for this purpose is completing a priority matrix for the project to identify which criterion is constrained, which should be enhanced, and which can be accepted.

The WBS is best suited for design and construction projects that have tangible outcomes. When the final outcome of the project is less tangible or it is result of a series of steps or phases, some project managers choose to utilize a(n) ___________.

process breakdown structure (PBS) It is more difficult to apply WBS to less tangible, process-oriented projects in which the final outcome is a product of a series of steps or phases. Some practitioners choose to utilize a process breakdown structure for these projects.

A document that is issued by upper management and provides the project manager with written authority to use organizational resources for project activities is called a(n) __________.

project charter A project charter refers to a document that authorizes the project manager to initiate and lead the project.

One tool that is used by project managers of small projects to summarize the tasks to be accomplished and who is responsible for what on a project is called a(n) __________.

responsibility matrix The responsibility matrix (sometimes called a linear responsibility chart) summarizes the tasks to be accomplished and who is responsible for what on a project. It can be used when the size and scope of a project do not warrant an elaborate WBS or OBS.

The last element of a project scope statement or checklist ensures an understanding and agreement of expectations. This is known as ____________.

reviews with customer Completion of the scope checklist ends with a review with the customer, internal or external. Clear understanding and agreement of expectations is the main concern.

Scope creep can be reduced by carefully writing a(n) __________ statement.

scope A main cause of scope creep is a poorly defined scope statement.

The definition of the end result or mission of your project, or what you expect to deliver to your customer when the project is complete is the project ___________.

scope Your project scope should define the results to be achieved in specific, tangible, and measureable terms.

The gradual expansion of project requirements, specifications and priorities during the execution of project is known as ____________.

scope creep Scope describes what you expect to deliver to your customer when the project is complete. Your project scope should define the results to be achieved in specific, tangible, and measurable terms.

The need for a functioning computer in countries having different electrical systems is an example of a ________.

technical requirement More frequently than not, a product or service will have technical requirements to ensure proper performance. For example, a technical requirement for a personal computer might be the ability to accept 120-volt alternating current or 240-volt direct current without any adapters or user switches.

A selective outline of the project that ensures the identification of all tasks and an understanding of what is to be done is called a(n) ____________.

work breakdown structure 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 the work breakdown structure (WBS).

The result of subdividing the work of a project into smaller and smaller work elements is called a(n) __________.

work breakdown structure 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 the work breakdown structure (WBS).

The most detailed element in the hierarchical breakdown of the project work to be accomplished is known as the __________.

work package The lowest level of the WBS is called a work package. Work packages are short duration tasks that have a definite start and stop point, consume resources, and represent cost.