PM Chapter 2
The same organization can have different subcultures.
TRUE It is also important to note that the same organization can have different subcultures. The IT department may have a different organizational culture than the finance department, for example.
Most colleges and universities have very strong functional organizations.
TRUE
The _____ perspective on organizations assumes that organizations are coalitions composed of varied individuals and interest groups. a. political frame b. symbolic frame c. structural frame d. human resources frame
A The political frame addresses organizational and personal politics. Politics in organizations take the form of competition among groups or individuals for power and leadership. The political frame assumes that organizations are coalitions composed of varied individuals and interest groups.
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. incremental build life cycle b. waterfall life cycle c. RAD life cycle d. spiral life cycle
C The RAD life cycle model uses an approach in which developers work with an evolving prototype. This life cycle model also requires heavy user involvement and helps produce systems quickly without sacrificing quality.
Leadership style has no impact on the success of virtual teams
FALSE The project manager's leadership style affects all teams, especially virtual ones.
Using a systems approach is critical to successful project management.
TRUE
_____ is an organization's acquisition of goods and services from an outside source.
Outsourcing
_____ life cycle models of systems development assume that the scope of the project can be articulated clearly and the schedule and cost can be predicted accurately.
Predictive
_____ are sets of interacting components working within an environment to fulfill some purpose.
Systems
_____ addresses the business, technological, and organizational issues associated with creating, maintaining, and making a change to a system.
Systems management
An organization usually commits more money as a project continues, therefore a management review should occur after each phase to evaluate progress, potential success, and continued compatibility with organizational goals.
TRUE Because the organization usually commits more money as a project continues, a management review should occur after each phase to evaluate progress, potential success, and continued compatibility with organizational goals.
Project managers must take adequate time to identify, understand, and manage relationships with all project stakeholders.
TRUE Because the purpose of project management is to meet project requirements and satisfy stakeholders, it is critical that project managers take adequate time to identify,understand, and manage relationships with all project stakeholders.
The term _____ describes new approaches that focus on close collaboration between programming teams and business experts.
agile software development
Some projects have a senior manager called a(n)_____ who acts as a key proponent for a project.
champion
In the _____ phase of the project life cycle, the work is completed, and customers should accept the entire project.
close-out
In a(n) _____ organizational structure, project managers have little or no authority.
functional
Three general classifications of organizational structures are _____, project, and matrix.
functional
The _____ frame of the organization is the one that is usually depicted in an organizational chart.
structural
The _____ frame of an organization relates to the company's culture.
symbolic
A(n) _____ is a framework for describing the phases involved in developing information systems.
systems development life cycle (SDLC)
A(n) _____ is an overall model for thinking about things as sets of interacting components working within an environment to fulfill some purpose.
systems philosophy
A(n) _____ refers to a product or service, such as a technical report, a training session, a piece of hardware, or a segment of software code, produced or provided as part of a project. a. deliverable b. input c. system d. resource
A A deliverable is a product or service, such as a technical report, a training session, a piece of hardware, or a segment of software code, produced or provided as part of a project
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. project b. symbolic c. matrix d. functional
A A project organizational structure also is hierarchical, but instead of functional managers or vice presidents reporting to the CEO, program managers report to the CEO.
Which of the following is true of the agile approach to software development? a. In the agile method, requirements and solutions evolve through collaboration. c. Agile is a predictive model of software development. b. An agile approach sets scope goals, but leaves time and cost goals flexible. d. In the agile approach, requirements must be clearly expressed early in the life cycle.
A Agile means using a method based on iterative and incremental development, in which requirements and solutions evolve through collaboration.
In the development phase of the project life cycle: a. the project team creates more detailed project plans, a more accurate cost estimate, and a more thorough WBS. b. the project team delivers the required work, and provides performance reports to stakeholders. c. managers develop a business case, which describes the need for the project and basic underlying concepts. d. managers prepare a preliminary or rough cost estimate for the required work.
A In the development phase, the project team creates more detailed project management plans, a more accurate cost estimate, and a more thorough WBS.
Which of the following is true of the project life cycle? a. In the early phases of a project life cycle, resource needs are usually lowest. b. In the later phases of the project life cycle, the level of uncertainty is usually the highest. 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.
A In the early phases of a project life cycle, resource needs are usually lowest and the level of uncertainty is highest.
_____ refers to the degree to employees identify with the organization as a whole, rather than with their types of job or profession. a. Member identity b. People focus c. Group emphasis d. Unit integration
A Member identity refers to the degree to employees identify with the organization as a whole, rather than with their types of job or profession.
The _____ perspective of an organization focuses on different groups' roles and responsibilities in order to meet the goals and policies set by top management. a. structural frame b. human resources frame c. political frame d. symbolic frame
A The structural frame deals with how the organization is structured (usually depicted in an organizational chart) and focuses on different groups' roles and responsibilities to meet the goals and policies set by top management. This frame is very rational and focuses on coordination and control.
In a _____ organizational structure, personnel often report to both a functional manager and one or more project managers. a. project b. symbolic c. matrix d. functional
C A matrix organizational structure represents the middle ground between functional and project structures. Personnel often report both to a functional manager and one or more project managers.
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.
_____ refers to the degree to which rules, policies, and direct supervision are used to oversee employee behavior.
Control
_____ refers to a problem-solving approach that requires defining the scope of a system, dividing it into its components, and then identifying and evaluating its problems, opportunities, constraints, and needs. a. Linear programming c. Principal component analysis b. Independent component analysis d. Systems analysis
D Systems analysis is a problem-solving approach that requires defining the scope of the system, dividing it into components, and then identifying and evaluating its problems, opportunities, constraints, and needs.
Systems analysis addresses the business, technological, and organizational issues associated with creating, maintaining, and modifying a system.
FALSE-Systems management addresses the business, technological, and organizational issues associated with creating, maintaining,and modifying a system.
When you separate business and organizational issues from project management planning, you do a better job of ensuring project success
FALSE-When you integrate business and organizational issues into project management planning and look at projects as a series of interrelated phases, you do a better job of ensuring project success.
_____ refers to the degree to which work activities are organized around teams, rather than individuals.
Group emphasis
A major element of good practice concerns _____ , which addresses the authority and control for key IT activities in organizations, including IT infrastructure, IT use, and project management.
IT governance
Project managers must have cooperation from people in other parts of the organization.
TRUE Project managers must have cooperation from people in other parts of the organization. If certain functional managers are not responding to project managers' requests for necessary information, top management must step in to encourage the functional managers to cooperate
The Adaptive Software Development (ASD) life cycle model assumes that software development follows an adaptive approach because the requirements cannot be clearly expressed early in the life cycle.
TRUE The adaptive software development (ASD) life cycle model assumes that software development follows an adaptive approach because the requirements cannot be clearly expressed early in the life cycle.
Standards and guidelines to follow when performing project management must be devised by top management.
TRUE The content of a project management plan and instructions for providing status information might seem like common sense to senior managers, but many new IT project managers have never created plans or created a nontechnical status report. Top management must support the development of these standards and guidelines, and encourage or even enforce their use
A(n) _____ refers to a product or service, such as a report, a training session, a piece of hardware, or a segment of software code, produced or provided as part of a project.
deliverable
The three spheres of systems management are business, organization, and _____.
technology
Project managers have the least amount of authority in a pure _____ organizational structure. a. functional b. project c. matrix d. circular
A Project managers have the most authority in a pure project organizational structure and the least amount of authority in a pure functional organizational structure.
The first two traditional project phases (concept and development) focus on planning, and are often referred to as _____. a. project feasibility b. project acquisition c. project implementation d. project close-out
A The first two traditional project phases (concept and development) focus on planning, and are often referred to as project feasibility.
33. Which of the following best describes a kill point in the project life cycle? a. The period of time given to managers during the feasibility phases to decide on the cost, quality, and time constraints for the project b. A review of the status of a project at each phase of development to determine if it should be continued, redirected, or terminated c. The point of time in the project lifecycle after which it is impossible to terminate a running project d. The final submission of the project deliverables after which the project is terminated
B A management review should occur after each phase to evaluate progress, potential success, and continued compatibility with organizational goals.These management reviews, called phase exits or kill points, are very important for keeping projects on track and determining if they should be continued, redirected, or terminated.
In organizational culture, control refers to _____. a. the degree to which the organization monitors and responds to changes in the external environment b. the degree to which rules, policies, and direct supervision are used to oversee employee behavior c. the degree to which management focuses on outcomes rather than on techniques and processes used to achieve results d. the degree to which employees are encouraged to be aggressive, innovative, and risk seeking
B Control refers to the degree to which rules, policies, and direct supervision are used to oversee and control employee behavior.
_____ refers to the degree to which the organization monitors and responds to changes in the external environment. a. Means-ends orientation b. Open-systems focus c. Conflict tolerance d. Risk tolerance
B Open-systems focus refers to the degree to which the organization monitors and responds to changes in the external environment
Which of the following best describes outsourcing? a. An organization selling its products in a market outside its domestic market b. An organization's acquisition of goods and services from an outside source c. An organization setting up manufacturing and retailing facilities in a new country d. An organization's use of virtual teams with employees located in different countries
B Outsourcing is an organization's acquisition of goods and services from an outside source. The term offshoring is sometimes used to describe outsourcing from another country
Project managers have the most authority in a pure _____ organizational structure. a. functional b. project c. matrix d. circular
B Project managers have the most authority in a pure project organizational structure and the least amount of authority in a pure functional organizational structure.
The _____ frame of an organization focuses on providing harmony between the needs of the organization and the needs of people. a. structural b. human resources c. political d. symbolic
B The human resources (HR) frame focuses on producing harmony between the needs of the organization and the needs of people. It recognizes that mismatches can occur between the needs of the organization and those of individuals and groups, and works to resolve any potential problems.
In the _____ model, developers use a model to generate functional requirements and physical design specifications simultaneously. a. RAD life cycle b. prototyping life cycle c. spiral life cycle d. incremental build life cycle
B The prototyping life cycle model is used for developing software prototypes to clarify user requirements for operational software. It requires heavy user involvement, and developers use a model to generate functional requirements and physical design specifications simultaneously. This approach is often used in systems that involve a great deal of user interface design, such as website projects.
Grey's Infotech sells customized hardware and software solutions for businesses. The salespeople for Grey's have a strict dress code when meeting clients. They are required to wear dark business suits, in order to convey the company's dedication to quality. The meaning conveyed to the clients' through the salespeople's clothing is part of the _____ frame of the organization. a. political b. symbolic c. structural d. human resources
B The symbolic frame focuses on symbols and meanings. In this frame, the most important aspect of any event in an organization is not what actually happened, but what it means. The symbolic frame also relates to the company's culture. How do people dress? How many hours do they work?How do they run meetings?
In the _____ phase, the project team creates a definitive or very accurate cost estimate, delivers the required work, and provides performance reports to stakeholders. a. development b. implementation c. concept d. close-out
B The third phase of the traditional project life cycle is implementation. In this phase, the project team creates a definitive or very accurate cost estimate, delivers the required work, and provides performance reports to stakeholders.
The _____ model of a systems development life cycle assumes that requirements will remain stable after they are defined. a. spiral life cycle b. waterfall life cycle c. incremental build life cycle d. RAD life cycle
B The waterfall life cycle model has well-defined, linear stages of systems analysis, design, construction, testing, and support. This life cycle model assumes that requirements will remain stable after they are defined.
Projects must operate in a broad organizational environment, and project managers need to consider projects within the greater organizational context. _____ describes this holistic view of carrying out projects within the context of the organization. a. Linear analysis b. Systems thinking c. Reductionism d. The silo approach
B To handle complex situations effectively, project managers need to take a holistic view of a project and understand how it relates to the larger organization. Systems thinking describes this holistic view of carrying out projects within the context of the organization.
Which of the following is a disadvantage of virtual teams as compared to traditional teams? a. Increased costs for office space and support c. Limited flexibility in team working hours b. Reduced opportunities for informal transfer of information d. Reduced dependence on technology and processes for accomplishing work
B Virtual teams reduce the ability of team members to network and transfer information informally.
A preliminary or rough cost estimate is developed in the _____ phase of the project life cycle, and an overview of the work involved is created. a. implementation b. acquisition c. concept d. close-out
C In the concept phase of a project, managers usually develop some type of business case, which describes the need for the project and basic underlying concepts. A preliminary or rough cost estimate is developed in this first phase, and an overview of the required work is created
Which of the following is true of virtual teams? a. It is easier for a virtual team to build relationships and trust. b. Negative incentives do not impact virtual team members. c. It is important to select team members carefully. d. As they never meet, virtual teams do not have conflicts.
C It is important to select team members carefully and to form a team in which all roles are covered. All virtual team members must also understand their roles on the team.
In organizational culture, means-end orientation refers to _____. a. the degree to which the organization monitors and responds to changes in the external environment b. the degree to which rules, policies, and direct supervision are used to oversee and control employee behavior c. the degree to which management focuses on outcomes rather than on techniques and processes used to achieve results d. the degree to which employees are encouraged to be aggressive, innovative, and risk seeking
C Means-ends orientation refers to the degree to which management focuses on outcomes rather than on techniques and processes used to achieve results.
_____ refers to a set of shared assumptions, values, and behaviors that characterize the functioning of an organization. a. Chain of command b. Line of control c. Organizational culture d. Organizational structure
C Organizational culture is a set of shared assumptions, values, and behaviors that characterize the functioning of an organization. It often includes elements of the four frames
In organizational culture, people focus refers to _____. a. the degree to which the organization monitors and responds to changes in the external environment b. 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 d. the degree to which employees are encouraged to be aggressive, innovative, and risk seeking
C People focus refers to the degree to which management's decisions take into account the effect of outcomes on people within the organization.
The _____ characteristic of organizational culture describes the degree to which management's decisions take into account the effect of outcomes on people within the organization. a. member identity b. group emphasis c. people focus d. unit integration
C The people focus characteristic of organizational culture describes the degree to which management's decisions take into account the effect of outcomes on people within the organization.Good project managers often balance the needs of individuals and the organization
In Rizzati Corp, vice presidents in departments such as engineering, manufacturing, IT, and human resources report directly to the chief executive officer and undertake their tasks independently of each other. The staffs of these departments have specialized skills in their respective disciplines.Rizatti Corp can be said to have a _____ organizational structure. a. project b. symbolic c. matrix d. functional
D A functional organizational structure is the hierarchy most people think of when picturing an organizational chart. Functional managers or vice presidents in specialties such as engineering, manufacturing, IT, and human resources report to the chief executive officer (CEO).
_____ are an example of external stakeholders for an organization. a. Top managers b. Functional managers c. Employees d. Competitors
D External project stakeholders include the project 's customers (if they are external to the organization), competitors, suppliers, and other external groups potentially involved in the project or affected by it, such as government officials or concerned citizens.
The _____ model of a systems development life cycle provides for progressive development of operational software, with each release providing added capabilities. a. spiral life cycle b. RAD life cycle c. waterfall life cycle d. incremental build life cycle
D The incremental build life cycle model provides for progressive development of operational software, with each release providing added capabilities.
The symbolic perspective of an organization: a. focuses on different groups' roles and responsibilities to meet the goals and policies set by top management. b. views the organization as coalitions composed of varied individuals and interest groups. c. focuses on providing harmony between the needs of the organization and the needs of people. d. focuses on the meanings of the culture, language, traditions, and image of the organization.
D The symbolic frame focuses on symbols and meanings. In this frame, the most important aspect of any event in an organization is not what actually happened, but what it means.
_____refers to the degree to which departments within an organization are encouraged to coordinate with each other. a. Member identity b. People focus c. Group emphasis d. Unit integration
D Unit integration refers to the degree to which units or departments within an organization are encouraged to coordinate with each other.
The team members of a virtual team are all of the same nationality
FALSE A virtual team is a group of people who work together despite time and space boundaries using communication technologies. Team members might all work for the same company in the same country, or they might include employees as well as independent consultants, suppliers, or even volunteers providing their expertise from around the globe.
Internal stakeholders include groups affected by the project such as government officials or concerned citizens
FALSE External project stakeholders include the project 's customers (if they are external to the organization), competitors, suppliers, and other external groups potentially involved in the project or affected by it, such as government officials or concerned citizens.
It is much more expensive to make major changes to a project during the earlier phases.
FALSE In early phases of a project life cycle, resource needs are usually lowest and the level of uncertainty is highest. It is much more expensive to make major changes to a project during latter phases.
An organizational culture with strong unit integration makes the project manager's job more difficult.
FALSE Most project managers strive for strong unit integration to deliver a successful product, service, or result. An organizational culture with strong unit integration makes the project manager 's job easier.
Project work is most successful in an organizational culture where activities are organized around individuals.
FALSE Project work is most successful in organizations in which work activities are organized around groups or teams, rather than individuals. An organizational culture that emphasizes group work is best for managing projects.
The last phase of the traditional project life cycle is the implementation phase.
FALSE The last phase of the traditional project life cycle is the close-out phase.In it, all of the work is completed, and customers should accept the entire project.
The nature of hardware development projects is more diverse than software-oriented projects.
FALSE The nature of software development projects is even more diverse than hardware-oriented projects. A software development project might include creating a simple, stand-alone Microsoft Excel or Access application, or a sophisticated, global e-commerce system that uses state-of-the-art programming languages and runs on multiple platforms.
The best way to sustain a project is to withhold the required money, human resources, and visibility for the project.
FALSE- The best way to kill a project is to withhold the required money, human resources, and visibility.
Project managers should lead projects in isolation in order to truly serve the needs of the organization.
FALSE-Even though projects are temporary and intended to provide a unique product or service, you cannot run projects in isolation. If project managers lead projects in isolation, it is unlikely that they will ever truly serve the needs of the organization.
Most people believe that the underlying causes of many companies' problems can be traced to its organizational structure.
FALSE-Organizational culture is very powerful, and many people believe the underlying causes of many companies ' problems are not in the organizational structure or staff; they are in the culture.
An organization that uses a project organizational structure earns their revenue primarily from performing projects for other groups under contract.
TRUE-A project organizational structure is hierarchical, but instead of functional managers or vice presidents reporting to the CEO, program managers report to the CEO. Their staffs have a variety of skills needed to complete the projects within their programs. An organization that uses this structure earns its revenue primarily from performing projects for other groups under contract.
Project managers and their teams must keep in mind the effects of any project on the interests and needs of the entire system or organization instead of focusing on the immediate concerns of the project.
TRUE-Although it is easier to focus on the immediate and sometimes narrow concerns of a particular project, project managers and other staff must keep in mind the effects of any project on the interests and needs of the entire system or organization.
Project managers in matrix organizations have staff from various functional areas working on their projects.
TRUE-Project managers in matrix organizations have staff from various functional areas working on their projects
According to the symbolic frame, the most important aspect of any event in an organization is not what actually happened, but what it means.
TRUE-The symbolic frame focuses on symbols and meanings. In this frame, the most important aspect of any event in an organization is not what actually happened, but what it means.
