Chapter 4 PMBOK 5th edition - Practice Test #2

Collect and document lessons learned, manage sellers, issue change requests and adapt approved changes into the project's scope, and establish and manage project communication channels, are examples of actions undertaken in what process? A Perform Integrated Change Control B Monitor and Control Project Work C Direct and Manage Project Work D Develop Project Management Plan

Explanation All the actions listed in the question are part of the Direct and Manage Project Work process (Choice C). PMBOK® 4.3, pg 81

Perform Integrated Change Control is performed from __________. A The program management office B Project inception through completion C The change control board D Planning through close

Explanation Although Choice D is a possible answer, it is not the BEST answer. Perform Integrated Change Control is the process of reviewing all change requests, approving changes and managing changes to the deliverables, organizational process assets, project documents and the project management plan. It is conducted from project inception through completion. Choice B is the correct answer. PMBOK® 4.5, pg 96

A/An __________ system with integrated change control provides a standardized, effective, and efficient way to centrally mange approved changes and baselines within a project. A Scope change control B Change control C Configuration management D Issue management

Explanation Change control (Choices A and B) is focused on identifying, documenting and approvING or rejectING changes to the project documents, deliverables, or baselines; while the configuration management system (Choice C) is a subsystem of the overall project management system. It is focused on the specification of both the deliverables and the processes. PMBOK® 4.5, pg 96; Glossary, pg 532

You have been assigned as the project manager for the parking lot resurfacing at a very prestigious, top quality health facility in Arizona. The project is moving along better than expected and you are feeling quite confident that you will be finished 2 days ahead of schedule. During your daily morning walk-over of the completed work, you notice that in one area, the concrete appears to be "popping" leaving what looks like little pock marks on the surface. You immediately suspect that there is a defect in the concrete that was used in that section. Which organizational process asset would you reference first to help you determine your BEST course of action? A Project files from prior projects B Issue and defect management database C Communication requirements D Process measurement database

Explanation Choice A is a good reference point and could eventually lead you to a project that experienced a similar situation and how it was handled. Choice C defines allowed communication media, record retention, and security requirements, which does not help you determine a course of action. Choice D is no help at this point. That makes Choice B your best answer, since an issue and defect management database containing historical issue and defect status, control information, issue and defect resolution, and action item results is an organizational process asset that can influent the Direct and Manage Project Work process. PMBOK® 4.3.1.4, pg 83

Which of the following is an input to the Direct and Manage Project Work process? A Approved change requests B Project management information system C Work performance information D Implemented preventive actions

Explanation Choice B is a tool and technique, and Choices C and D are outputs. Direct and Manage Project Work has the project management plan, approved change requests, enterprise environmental factors and organizational process assets as inputs. PMBOK® 4.3, pg 79

Lessons learned are __________. A A bonus for the project B Rewarded C Gained from the process of performing the project D Assessed

Explanation Choice C is the correct answer. Lessons learned is the knowledge gained during a project which shows how project events were addressed or should be addressed in the future with the purpose of improving future performance. PMBOK® Glossary, pg 544

Which of the following is a tool for the Develop Project Charter process? A Project statement of work B Project charter C Expert judgment D Enterprise environmental factors

Explanation Choices A and D, the project statement of work and enterprise environmental factors, are inputs to Develop Project Charter. The project charter (Choice B) is an output. Expert judgment (Choice C) is a tool and technique and therefore the correct answer. PMBOK® 4, pg 65

All of the following are considered activities within the Direct and Manage Project Work process EXCEPT: A Manage sellers and suppliers. B Establish and manage communication channels. C Staff, train and manage the project team. D Tailor the process to meet the project needs.

Explanation Choices A, B and C are all activities associated with Direct and Manage Project Work (PMBOK® 4.3 pg 79). Expert judgment is used to tailor the process to meet the project needs as part of the process of developing the project management plan. PMBOK® 4.2.2.1, pg 76

All of the following are inputs to Monitor and Control Project Work EXCEPT: A Project management plan. B Cost and schedule forecasts C Change requests covering corrective actions. D Organizational process assets.

Explanation Choices A, B and D are all inputs to Monitor and Control Project Work. Change requests are an output of Monitor and Control Project Work. Choice C is the correct answer. PMBOK® 3.6.1, pg 65

Which of the following is NOT an input to Perform Integrated Change Control? A Project management plan B Change requests C Work performance data D Organizational process assets

Explanation Choices A, B and D are all inputs to Perform Integrated Change Control (PMBOK® 4.5.1, pgs 97-98). Work performance data (Choice C) is an output of Direct and Manage Project Work. PMBOK® 4.3.3.2, pg 85

The configuration management system is focused on the specification of both the deliverables and the processes. Which of the following is NOT an objective of configuration management? A Establishes an evolutionary method to consistently identify and request changes to established baselines, and to assess the value and effectiveness of those changes B Provides opportunities to continuously validate and improve the project by considering the impact of each change C Influences the factors that circumvent integrated change control and prevents any changes to functional characteristics D Provides the mechanism for the project management team to consistently communicate all approved and rejected changes to the stakeholders

Explanation Choices A, B and D are all objectives of a configuration management system. Choice C is not an objective because the configuration management system controls changes, it does not prevent them. Choice C is the correct answer because it is not correct. PMBOK® 4.5, pg 94-96

Which of the following is NOT a configuration management activity associated with the Perform Integrated Change Control process? A Configuration identification B Configuration status accounting C Configuration risk management D Configuration verification and auditing

Explanation Choices A, B and D are all valid configuration management activities. There may be risks associated with configuration management activities (Choice C); however, these risks would be part of Project Risk Management, not Project Integration Management. Choice C is the correct answer. PMBOK® 4.5, pgs 96-97

All of the following may be inputs to Monitor and Control Project Work EXCEPT: A Requirements management plan. B Quality management plan. C Approved change requests. D Schedule management plan.

Explanation Choices A, B and D are subsidiary plans of the project management plan, so they may all be inputs to Monitor and Control Project Work (PMBOK® 4.4.1.1, pg 89). APPROVED (not yet validated) change requests (Choice C) is an input to Direct and Manage Project Work, and therefore the correct answer. PMBOK® 4, pg 65

Expert judgment is a tool and technique used to develop the project charter. It is used to assess the inputs. All of the following are sources you could solicit expert advice from EXCEPT: A Consultants. B Marketplace conditions. C Industry groups. D Stakeholders, customers and sponsors.

Explanation Choices A, C and D are examples of expert sources (PMBOK® 4.1.2.1, pg 71). Marketplace conditions is an enterprise environmental factor. PMBOK® 4.1.1.4, pg 70

All of the following are outputs of Perform Integrated Change Control EXCEPT: A Requested changes. B Project documents updates. C Change log. D Project management plan updates.

Explanation Choices B, C and D are all outputs of Perform Integrated Change Control. Change requests (Choice A) is a input. PMBOK® 4.5, pg 94

Your close colleague is working on a very difficult project that is expected to last 3 years. She needs to ensure the composition of the project's configuration items is correct and that corresponding changes are registered, assessed, approved, tracked, and correctly implemented. She will then have confidence that the functional requirements defined in the configuration documentation have been met. What activity does she need to execute and what enterprise environmental factor will she leverage? A Configuration identification, leveraging the project management information system (PMIS) B Change request audit, leveraging the risk management system C Configuration verification and audit, leveraging the configuration management system D Registration audit, leveraging the work authorization system

Explanation Configuration verification and configuration audits (Choice C) ensure the composition of a project's configuration items is correct and that corresponding changes are registered, assessed, approved, tracked, and correctly implemented. This ensures the functional requirements defined in the configuration documentation have been met. The Configuration management system is the appropriate enterprise environmental factor to use for this activity. Choice C is the correct answer. PMBOK® 4.5, pg 96-98

Expert judgment is often used to assess the inputs needed to develop the project charter. Such expertise is provided by any group or individual with specialized knowledge or training, and is available from many sources. Which of the following is NOT a source of expert judgment? A Consultants B Industry groups C Professional associations D Critical chain

Explanation Critical chain is not an example of expert judgment, but is a technique used with the Develop Schedule process (PMBOK® 6, pg 143). Expert judgment sources include other units within the organization, consultants, stakeholders, professional and technical associations, industry groups, subject matter experts, and project management office. PMBOK® 4.1.2.1, pg 71

Of the following, which is NOT a concern of Monitor and Control Project Work? A Stakeholder risk tolerance B Comparing actual project performance against the project management plan C Providing information to support status reporting D Monitoring implementation of approved changes as they occur

Explanation Even though stakeholder risk tolerance (Choice A) is an input to the process as an enterprise environmental factor, it would not be the BEST wrong answer. (Insert your groan here.) Monitor and Control Project Work is the process of tracking, reviewing and reporting the progress to meet the performance objectives defined in the project management plan. PMBOK® 4.4, pg 86

After completing most of your project management plan, your project sponsor is so impressed that she comments, "With this level of planning and detail, we know exactly where the project will be nine months from now." What is the BEST response you should give to the sponsor? A That is correct. Good planning gives us precise knowledge about how our project will perform. B Projects that are planned and scheduled using the critical chain method would be even more reliable in minimizing any possible changes. C Projects seldom run exactly according to the project management plan; that is why we have integrated change control processes. D These are exactly the type of results that are achieved through professional project management as defined in the PMBOK® Guide.

Explanation Even with exemplary planning and detail, the status of the project cannot be predicted nine months into the future, because changes will be required. The project management plan, the project scope statement, and other deliverables are maintained by carefully and continuously managing changes, either by rejecting or by approving changes, thereby assuring that only approved changes are incorporated into a revised baseline. Choice C is the best answer. PMBOK® 4.5, pg 96

The __________ process involves performing the project closure portion of the project management plan. A Perform Integrated Change Control B Execute Closure C Close Project or Phase D Develop Project Charter

Explanation Execute Closure (Choice B) is not a PMBOK® process. The Close Project or Phase process (Choice C) finalizes all activities across all of the Project Management Process Groups to formally complete the project or phase and is the correct answer. PMBOK® 4.6, pg 100

Expert judgment is a/an: A Input to most Project Integration Management processes. B Output of most Project Integration Management processes. C Tool for all Project Integration Management processes. D Constraint.

Explanation Expert Judgment is a tool and technique that is used by all Project Integration Management processes. PMBOK® 4, pg 65

All of the following are examples of organizational process assets updates that are updated as part of the Close Project or Phase process EXCEPT: A Final product, service, or result transition. B Project files. C Historical information. D Project or phase closure documents.

Explanation Final product, service, or result transition is one of the outputs of Close Project or Phase, but is not part of the organizational process assets updates. PMBOK® 4.6.3.2, pg 103-104

You are the sponsor for a project that is critical to the organization. You will need to be very involved in both the planning and execution of the project work. Your role in developing the statement of work (SOW) could BEST be summarized as __________ . A The author of this critical document B The person who provides the information for the narrative as an expert source C The editor of the document D Not involved at all since it is the focus of the project manager

Explanation For internal projects, the project initiator or sponsor provides the statement of work based on business needs, product, or service requirements. PMBOK® 4.1.1.1, pg 68

You are a project manager and have just been informed that due to budget cuts, your project has been cancelled and your team should cease work immediately. The project was doing very well and will likely be restarted at a later time. What is the BEST action to take next? A See if more money is available from another project B Ignore the request since your charter has been approved and commits organizational resources to you project C Release your team to the functional organization, shred most of your documents and ask for a new project D Formally document why the project was terminated and set up the procedures to transfer finished and unfinished deliverables to others

Explanation If the project was terminated prior to completion, the formal documentation indicates why the project was terminated and formalizes the procedures for the transfer of the finished and unfinished deliverables of the cancelled project to others. PMBOK® 4.6.3.2, pg 104

Which of the following is NOT a concern of the Monitor and Control Project Work process? A Checking on the implementation of approved change requests as they occur B Identifying new risks and analyzing, tracking and monitoring existing project risks C Making the project team members feel micro-managed D Providing information to support status reporting, progress measurement, and forecasting

Explanation If the team isn't accustomed to the activities of monitoring and controlling work, they may feel micro-managed, but this is not an objective of this process. Choice C is the correct answer because it does not apply. PMBOK® 4.4, pg 89

If a project is being provided under contract, then certain types of proposed changes would need to be approved by the __________. A Project manager B Stakeholders C Sponsor D Customer

Explanation Note that all choices are stakeholders (Choice B). This question is asking about a specific type of stakeholder. The sponsor (Choice C) and the project manager (Choice A) are more specific stakeholders, but since a contract is involved, the contract will require that the customer must review and approve certain changes. The BEST answer is customer (Choice D). PMBOK® 4.5, pg 96

Project Integration Management is __________. A One of the Project Management Knowledge Areas B One of the Project Management Process Groups C One of the project management wisdom areas D A part of the PMBOK® that was developed by the European Space Agency

Explanation Project Integration Management is one of the ten Project Management Knowledge Areas. PMBOK® 3.9, pgs 60-61

Which of these outputs will be produced by the Develop Project Charter process? A Enterprise environmental factors B Project statement of work C Contract D Project charter

Explanation Project charter is the only output of Develop Project Charter. All of the others are inputs. PMBOK® 4.1, pg 66

A scheduling software tool, a configuration management system, an information collection and distribution system, and web interfaces to other online automated systems are examples of: A A project management tool crib. B A project management document template generator. C A project management information system. D What an organization must have in place for successful project management.

Explanation Project management information system is an enterprise environmental factor that can influence the Direct and Manage Project Work process. PMBOK® 4.3.1.3, pg 82

As a professional project manager, you have developed your own checklist of items to perform on a routine basis in order to monitor andcontrol your project. In developing your checklist, which item should NOT be part of this work? A Review the project charter B Create project status reports regularly C Update cost and schedule information regularly D Compare actual performance to the project management plan

Explanation Reviewing the charter (Choice A) is not typically needed on a regular basis. The charter is developed during initiation and authorizes the project. The monitoring and controlling activities are against the project management plan. PMBOK® 4.4, pg 86

Who is responsible for reviewing and approving or rejecting change requests? A The project manager and project sponsor B The change control board C The project sponsor and stakeholders D The project management office (PMO)

Explanation The PMO (Choice D) is not a person, so it cannot be the correct answer. 'The project manager, project sponsor and stakeholders (Choices A and C) may indeed be responsible for reviewing change requests as they may be part of the change control board, so the BEST answer is Choice B, change control board. A change control board is responsible for meeting and reviewing the change requests and approving or rejecting those change requests. PMBOK® 4.5.2.2, pg 99

You are the project manager for the continued development of a marketed product that competes with five other products on the market. Your boss calls you into his office and tells you that in order to ensure that the lifecycle of the product ensures competitiveness, you must decrease the planned cost for your project by 10% at the time of project completion. Your NEXT BEST step is to: A Continue managing the project as previously planned per the current scope baseline. B Inform your project team that in order to meet the 10% cost reduction goal, three quality tests will be eliminated, which may increase the risk of failing product safety. However, you are willing to take that risk. C Tell your project management team that all deliverables must be completed for the entire project 6 months sooner than planned. Then, report to senior management that a contingency plan has been implemented with about a 85% chance of succeeding. D Document the requested change per your organization's procedure in preparation to carry out integrated change control.

Explanation The best next step would be to follow your organization's procedure to document the requested change. PMBOK® 4.2.1.4, pg 75

You are in the process of identifying high level risks for your project charter. Which of the following will you not need? A Enterprise environmental factors, organizational structure B Risk management plan C Government standards, industry standards, political climate, marketplace conditions D Commercial databases

Explanation The impact of enterprise environmental factors (EEFs) on risk is important to understand. Choices A, C, and D are all EEFs (PMBOK® 1.8, pg 14) and required inputs for the Develop Charter Process. Choice B is the correct answer because the risk management plan it is not needed for charter development. The risk management plan is developed during planning, not initiating, wherein high level risks are being defined for the charter. PMBOK® 4.1.1, pgs 68-70

All of the following are NOT tools and techniques for the Develop Project Charter process EXCEPT: A Expert judgment. B Project charter. C Business case. D Contract.

Explanation The project charter (Choice B) is an output. Business case and contract are inputs (Choices C and D). Expert udgment is a technique used with the Develop Project Charter process, and as such, is the correct answer. PMBOK® 4.1.2.1, pg 71

The __________ documents the business needs, current understanding of the customer's needs, and the new product, service, or result. A Project charter B Project management plan C Project management information system D Change request

Explanation The project charter documents the business needs, current understanding of the customer's needs, and the new product, service, or result. PMBOK® 4.1.3.1, pg 71

The project charter is an output of the Develop Project Charter process. The project charter is an input to which process? A Direct and Management Project Execution B Perform Integrated Change Control C Control Risks D Develop Project Management Plan

Explanation The project charter is an input to Develop Project Management Plan. PMBOK® 4.2.1.1 pg 74

The content of a project management plan will vary depending upon the: A Skill level of the project manager assigned. B Application area and complexity of the project. C Sponsor's risk tolerance. D Criticality of the business the product is being created for.

Explanation The project management plan content will vary depending upon the application area and complexity of the project. PMBOK® 4.2, pg 74

If the project charter is the document that provides the project manager with the authority to apply resources to project activities, what is the document that defines how the project is executed? A The project charter plan B The requirements document C The project scope statement D The project management plan

Explanation The project management plan defines how the project is executed, monitored and controlled, and closed. PMBOK® 4.2, pg 74

Once the project management plan has been developed and approved, it __________. A Is incorporated into the quality management plan B Is updated and approved through the Perform Integrated Change Control process C May not be changed D Is put on the shelf and ignored

Explanation The project management plan is developed through a series of integrated processes until project closure. It is progressively elaborated by updates and controlled and approved through the Perform Integrated Change Control process. Choice B is the correct answer. PMBOK® 4.2, pg 74

Which of the following actions is NOT included in the Develop Project Management Plan process? A Define a quality management plan B Define a procurement management plan C Define a human resource management plan D Define a project charter

Explanation The project management plan is the output of the Develop Project Management Plan process. Choices A, B and C are all subsidiary plans included in the project management plan. The project charter (Choice D) is defined in the Develop Project Charter process, so it is the correct answer (i.e., NOT included in the Develop Project Management Plan process. PMBOK® 4.2.3.1, pgs 76-77

You are a consultant to an organization and have been asked to help evaluate some potential projects and draft the statement of work (SOW) to be given to potential solution providers. One of the projects has an expected value of $50,000 in 3 years. Another project has an expected value of $60,000 in 4 years. The discount rate is 8.2%. You will want to make sure your SOW indicates all of the following EXCEPT: A Business need. B Staffing plan. C Project scope description. D Strategic plan.

Explanation The staffing plan is not part of the project statement of work (SOW). PMBOK® 4.1.1.1, pg 68

Which of the following is a tool and technique for the Close Project or Phase process? A Project management methodology B Regression analysis C WBS D Project management information system

Explanation The three tools and techniques for Close Project or Phase are expert judgment, analytical techniques (of which regression analysis is one) and meetings. PMBOK® 4.6.2.2, pg 103

All of the following are NOT inputs to Monitor and Control Project Work EXCEPT: A Approved change requests. B Work performance information. C Risk register. D Project baselines.

Explanation This question is asking which of the responses is the input to Monitor and Control Project Work. Choice B is the correct answer. PMBOK® 4.4.1.5, pg 90

You have been called in to evaluate a project that is experiencing some performance challenges. The team seems disorganized, and when you ask to meet the project sponsor, the project manager replies that she doesn't know who the sponsor is. She also shares with you that the planned value (PV) is $20,000, earned value (EV) is $14,500 and actual cost (AC) is $36,000. You decide that you should really go back to the beginning and figure out how this project got started. What document should you request? A The project charter B The project plan C The cost performance analysis and report D The project authorization memo

Explanation To go back to the beginning, you should read the project charter (Choice A). The project charter is the document issued by the sponsor that formally authorizes the project. It contains the purpose, measureable objectives, high-level requirements and project description, summary milestone schedule, summary budget, approval requirements, assigned project manager and name and responsibility of those authorizing the project. This would be a good place for you to start. PMBOK® 4.1.3.1, pgs 71-72

An intentional activity to modify a nonconforming product or product component is the definition for which output of the Direct and Manage Project Work process? A Implemented change requests B implemented preventive actions C Change requests covering defect repair D Implemented corrective actions

Explanation When issues are found while project work is being performed, change requests are issued which may modify project policies or procedures, project scope, project cost or budget, project schedule or project quality. Other change requests cover needed preventive action, corrective action, defect repair and updates. Choice C is the definition of defect repair. PMBOK® 4.3.3.3, pg 85

An intentional activity that realigns the performance of the project work with the project management plan is the definition for which output of the Direct and Manage Project Work process? A Change requests covering corrective action B Implemented corrective actions C Implemented preventive actions D Implemented defect repair

Explanation When issues are found while project work is being performed, change requests are submitted which may modify project policies or procedures, project scope, project cost or budget, project schedule or project quality. Other change requests cover needed preventive (ENSURES future performance) or corrective actions (REALIGNS future performance). Choice A is the correct answer because the question is about realignment. PMBOK® 4.3.3.3, pg 85

An intentional activity that ensures the future performance of the project work is aligned with tile project management plan is the definition for which output of the Direct and Manage Project Work process? A Implemented preventive actions B Change requests covering preventive actions C Implemented defect repair D Implemented change requests

Explanation When issues are found while project work is being performed, change requests are submitted which may modify project policies or procedures, project scope, project cost or budget, project schedule or project quality. Other change requests cover needed preventive (ENSURES future performance) or corrective actions (REALIGNS future performance). Choice B is the correct answer because the question is about ensuring future alignment. PMBOK® 4.3.3.3, pg 85

As the project sponsor, you want to review with the project manager how staffing is progressing. In your e-mail message to the project manager setting up this review meeting, you specifically ask him to bring what part of the project management plan? A The cost management plan B The human resource management plan C The schedule management plan D The risk management plan

Explanation While all of these plans (which are part of the project management plan) may be useful for the meeting, the sponsor would specifically want to see the human resource management plan. PMBOK® 4.2.3.1, pg 77

How would you BEST characterize the project management plan? A The project management plan includes the actions necessary to define, integrate, and coordinate all subsidiary plans. The content will vary depending upon the complexity of the project. B The project management plan includes the actions necessary to define, integrate, and coordinate all subsidiary plans. The content will be very similar regardless of the complexity of the project. C The project management plan includes the actions necessary to define, integrate, and coordinate all subsidiary plans. This is a deliverable that is rarely used in real practice. D The project management plan includes the actions necessary to define, integrate, and coordinate all subsidiary plans. The content will be very high level and further refined in the project charter.

Explanation While it may be your experience that a project management plan is rarely used, the best answer is that this document will vary depending upon the application area and complexity of the project. PMBOK® 4.2, pg 74

Why is reviewing, analyzing, and approving change requests in a timely manner essential? A A slow response may cause a window of opportunity to be missed B A slow decision may negatively affect time, cost, or feasibility of a change C A slow response may indicate a lack of sense of urgency to the requestor D A slow decision may indicate a lack of willingness by the team to address the change

Explanation You can argue that all answers are feasible, but only Choice B addresses the affect on the actual project. PMBOK® 4.5, pg 94