Project Management Professional

While working on a project schedule, the project manager notices that activities A, B, and C all have a duration of 4 days. The project manager also notices that activities F and G have a duration of 7 days. Activities A, C, F, and G have a slack of 1 day. Activity B is the only one on the critical path. What is the slack on activity B? A. 2 days B. Cannot be determined C. 0 days D. 1 day

0 days Explanation {If an activity is on the critical path, it will have zero slack. Non-critical path activities will have a slack of at least 1 day.}

The project manager is having a very difficult time collecting the requirements from the customers. The customers are having a difficult time putting the requirements into logical groupings. What tool can best help them group the requirements? A. Affinity diagram B. Decomposition C. Prototype D. Requirements documentaion

A. Affinity diagram Explanation {An affinity diagram is used to group large numbers of ideas to be analyzed. A prototype is a functional model of a product given to customers for their feedback. Decomposition is a tool used to break work down into more detailed activities. The requirements documentation would be the output of the process of collect requirements, not a tool.}

The product owner has requested to be showing how much work there remains to be done on the project. What would be the best agile tool to display this? A. Burndown chart B. Cumulative flow diagram C. Burnup chart D. Velocity chart

A. Burndown chart Explanation {A burn down chart displays work that remains to be done.}

A project manager has just taken over an agile project that is about 50% complete. The project manager is currently reviewing the product backlog and notices the requirements are not in an order he understands. How is the product backlog prioritized? A. By Value B. By schedule C. By regulation D. By cost

A. By value Explanation {The product backlog is prioritized by the product owner based on value. The requirements with the most value will be at the top of the list and will be completed in the next iteration.}

During the datacenter development project, the project manager has noticed that some of the work being done on the project is not in the baseline scope. The project manager has analyzed the work completed by the project team and then compared that to the project management plan to see where the differences are. What process best describes the work of the project manager? A. Control scope B, Monitor Scope C. Manage scope D. Validate scope

A. Control scope Explanation { Control scope is a process where you compare the work that has been completed to the project management plan to see if they line up. If there is a variance, the project manager should initiate actions to fix the variance. Validate scope is a process where stakeholders formally accept the project deliverables. Monitor and manage scope are made-up processes.}

The project team has just assigned costs to each of the activities on the project. They will now use these costs to find the overall budget of the project. What tool can the project team use to complete this task? A. Cost aggregation B. Parametric estimation C. Expert judgment D. Bottom-up estimation

A. Cost aggregation Explanation {If the activities have been assigned costs, then the process of estimate costs has been completed. The next process would be to determine budget and use the cost aggregation tool to integrate all the activities into the overall budget of the project. The tools of bottom-up estimation and parametric estimation are not used to determine a budget. You do not need an expert in order to aggregate costs; maybe to help determine the costs, but not to aggregate them.}

A project manager is currently working with the team to complete the office redesign project when a sponsor tells him to finish it 2 weeks sooner. The project manager will need 4 new people to join the team to complete the work sooner. What technique is best described in this scenario? A. Crashing B. Critical path method C. Fast tracking D. Schedule variance

A. Crashing Explanation {Crashing is a scheduled compression method where you add more resources to complete the project sooner. Fast tracking is about running activities in parallel. The critical path method is about creating a network diagram and finding the critical path.}

While compiling all the work performance information into the work performance report, a project manager notices that the SPI of the project is .6 and the CPI is .7. What action should the project manager take next on this project? A. Create a change request to correct the project B. Inform the sponsor the project is over budget C. Inform the sponsor of a major delay D. None since the project is on the budget and ahead of schedule

A. Create a change request to correct the project Explanation {In this scenario, an SPI of .6 and a CPI of .7 indicate that the project is behind schedule and over budget. The project manager should initiate change requests to correct the budget and schedule of the project. Informing the sponsor of only a delay or being over budget is just half of what's wrong with the project.}

A phase of a long software development project has been completed. The phase was considered very successful: the team was able to complete the deliverables in about half the time and under budget. The deliverables were successfully transferred to the next phase of the project. What should the project manager do next for this phase? A. Create the final report B. Initiate the next phase of the project C. Update the project management plan D. Start working on the project management plan for the next phase

A. Create the final report

Company XYZ has been executing a new business development project for the last 4 months. A few stakeholders have requested changes to the scope and have gotten them approved. When a change is approved, what is the next best step to conduct on a project? A. Execute the approved change request in the process of direct and manage project work B. Execute the approved change request in the process of monitored and control project work C. Validate the change in the validate scope process D. Close the change request in the close project or phase process

A. Execute the approved change request in the process of direct and manage project work

Project team member Josh has learned a new method to program the financial application by reading a book about functions in applications. What kind of knowledge is this? A. Explicit B. Tacit C. Common D. Programming

A. Explicit

Mark has just started working for a company that has little to no project management framework or functions. He notices that most people manage projects on their own with no oversight or established processes. Mark has spoken the CEO and they have decided to change this. What is this organization lacking? A. Governance B. Certified Project Management C. Functional Management D. Strong Functional Management

A. Governance

While working on a large multinational project, you identify some of the positive and negative stakeholders. What process group are you currently engaged in? A. Initiating B. Planning C. Stakeholder management D. Communications management

A. Initiating Explanation {The process of identifying stakeholders is part of the initiating process group.}

The datacenter redesign project is currently 30% complete. The project manager is not happy with the way processes are being followed by the team in ensuring that the network wiring will meet its quality requirements. What process should the project manager do to improve the processes so as to meet the quality requirements with the network wiring? A. Manage quality B. Monitor and control project work C. Control scope D. Control quality

A. Manage quality Explanation {Manage quality is an executing process where you will improve processes by conducting audits and process analysis. All other choices are monitoring and controlling processes that will be used to measure the work against the project management plan.}

Senior management has requested an update to the current product upgrade project. The project manager knows she has to keep the information high level and as short as possible. Which resource would be the best to show senior management? A. Milestone chart B. Project schedule network diagram C. WBS dictionary D. WBS

A. Milestone chart Explanation {A milestone chart shows only the major start and end of the major deliverables. All other choices such as the WBS, WBS dictionary, and the network diagram are very detailed.}

Project manager Mary was informed by the team that the constant conflicts in the project have slowed down the team so that they are now behind in the work. Mary is not sure what she did wrong while planning the project. She used a RACI chart to assign roles to each team member. She has assigned each activity to at least two people who will be held accountable for the work. What best explains the conflicts in the project? A. Only one person should be held accountable fo an activity when using a RACI chart B. A RACI chart is not a tool that you can use to assign work C. Mary should have used more than just a RACI D. The team misread the RACI

A. Only one person should be held accountable for an activity when using a RACI chart Explanation { When using a RACI chart, only one person should be held accountable per task on the chart, which applies to using a kind of tool to assign resources. When more than one person is held accountable, the team members will blame each other for work that was done incorrectly or not at all. }

Mark has just started a new job as a project coordinator for a company. He will be working with a group to develop their new website. Mark finds working on this project to be difficult due to always needing the company owner's approval for budget matters. He also has very few resources to work with because the company is very small. What organizational structure best describes this scenario? A. Organic B. Owner Functional C. Shareholder Functional D. Weak Matrix

A. Organic

Mary has just completed one of the most important deliverables of the project. She meets with the organization's senior management, and they have not determined if the project should continue or not, as the current deliverable may be all they need. What would best describe this review? A. Phase Gate B. Kickoff Meeting C. Project Review Meeting D. Project Closure Review

A. Phase Gate

In what process does a project manager determine the approach they will use to involve the stakeholders to meet their expectations? A. Plan stakeholders engagement B. Plan communications C. Manage stakeholders engagement D. Identify stakeholders

A. Plan stakeholders engagement Explanation {During the process of plan stakeholder engagement, the project manager will develop an approach to involve the stakeholders to meet their expectations, interest, and potential impact on the project. Identify stakeholders is establishing who the stakeholders are on the project and what their interests will be their interest. Plan communications is to create a plan to ensure that all stakeholders are receiving the correct communications. Manage stakeholders engagements is done to communicate with the stakeholders to meet their needs.}

The risk management plan generally outlines the steps the project will take to conduct risk management processes on the project. Which of the following will the risk management plan not include? A. Positive risks that could affect the project B. the methodology used to manage risk C. A way to categorize the risks D. roles and responsibilities for the project team concerning risks processes

A. Positive risks that could affect the project Explanation { The risk register lists both positive and negative risks, not the risk management plan. The risk management plan includes the risk breakdown structure that categorizes risks, roles, and responsibilities for the team members and the methodology they would use to perform the risk processes on the project. }

While developing complex software for an organization, the project team creates a computer-generated model of what it will look like when it is done. This model is given to the customers for their feedback. What best describes this model? A. Prototypes B. Data analysis C. Data representation D. Screenshots

A. Prototypes Explanation {A prototype is generally a mock-up or functional product that is given to the customers for feedback. Data representation and data analysis are tools used to analyze data and present them in various forms, such as graphs or charts. Screenshots are pictures taken from a screen of an application, not a model of how the application will work.}

A project manager decided to ensure that all team members on the project do not work on more than one activity at a time. This way, the team doesn't get burned out and can work at a steady pace. The schedule may increase due to this policy, which is okay with the sponsor. What technique best describes this action? A. Resource leveling B. Resource movement C. Resource crashing D. Resource equalization

A. Resource leveling Explanation {Resource leveling is done when resources on a project are over-allocated; it removes resources that are working on two activities at the same time.}

The project manager has been informed that the cost of building a new room in the office will be $15,000, +/- 65%. The project manager wants to know why there is such a large variance in the estimate. The builder said they have not seen the space and it's just a high-level estimate. What kind of estimate does this best represent? A. Rough order of magnitude estimate B. Materials estimate C. Detail estimates D. Defintive estimate

A. Rough order of magnitude estimate Explanation {A rough order of magnitude estimate has a variance of -25% to +75%. It is usually done in the early phases of the project. Definitive estimates are between -5% to +10%. Detail estimate and materials estimate are made-up terms.}

The project manager and the project team are currently assessing various ways of responding to a particular risk. The project involves reconstructing part of their current office building, and they're worried about a hurricane hitting and damaging the materials or parts of the unfinished building. The best response they came up with was to purchase insurance in case a hurricane does hit. What kind of strategy is this? A. Transfer B. Avoidance C. Mitigate D. Acceptance

A. Transfer Explanation When a risk is transferred, it is usually transferred to another company, such as by purchasing insurance or hiring a consultant. Avoidance is used to eliminate a risk by going down a different path. Mitigation is used to reduce the probability and/or impact of a risk. Risk acceptance means doing nothing about the risk.

A project manager working in a large multinational corporation has been assigned to upgrade the company's website. This project will require inputs for many functional managers across the organization from different countries. Each functional manager would like one of their representatives to be present on the project team. What would be the best tool or technique for handling this scenario in a cost-effective way? A. Using virtual teams B. Requesting a meeting with all functional managers in one location C. Visiting each functional manager to collect their requirements in person D. Using collocation

A. Using virtual teams Explanation {Virtual teams are used in the acquire resources process. Virtual teams are a cost-effective way to build multinational teams. Collocation is when you bring everyone into a single space to accomplish work. Although this may sound like a good solution, it is not cost-effective to have everyone fly to one location. If you were to visit each functional manager, this would not solve the problem of having the functional managers' representatives on your project.}

Chris has just gotten a new job at a company where everyone works from home. His job is to manage a team of software developers around the world to create a new billing system. Everyone on the project will be working from home, and Chris will be managing the project full time. What type of organizational structure is this? A. Virtual B. Online C. Virtual Strong Matrix D. Online Strong Matrix

A. Virtual

Which of the following would be considered a waste on a project? A. Waiting B. Completed work C. Value-added processess D. Value-added features

A. Waiting

What is the main difference between the product scope and the project scope? A. the product scope describes the features and functionality of a product, whereas the project scope describes how to get the features and functionality from the product. B. there is no difference C. the project scope describes the features and functionality of the product, whereas the product describes how to get the features and functionality from the product D. the project manager plans product scope, and the project team plans the project scope

A. the product scope describes the features and functionality of a product, whereas the project scope describes how to get the features and functionality from the product. Explanation {The product scope describes the features and functionality of the product, whereas the project scope describes how to get the features and functionality from that product.}

While working on a project with a budget of $5,000, the project manager determines that the earned value on the project so far is $1,750. So far, the project team has spent $2,900. What should the project manager report as the status of the budget? A. the project is over budget by 40% B. the project is over budget by 60% C. the project is under budget by 40% D. the project is under budget by 60%

A. the project is over budget by 40% Explanation { In this situation, you would need to find out the CPI of the project, which is EV/AC. That would equal 1750/2900 = .6. A CPI of .6 represents that the project is 40% over budget. Remember that if the CPI is 1, then the project is on budget. Anything under 1 represents being over budget, and anything over 1 represents being under budget. }

A project has completed 60% of all the work. The team has spent 55% of the project budget. The budget is currently set at $180,000. The sponsor has requested to know the project's CPI. The project manager should inform the sponsor that the CPI is the following: A. $108,00 B. 1.1 C. .99 D. $18,000

B. 1.1 Explanation {CPI is equal to EV/AC. To find the CPI, you must first find EV and AC. EV is equal to the percentage of actual work completed x BAC (budget at completion), which is 60% x $180,000 = $108,000. AC (actual cost) is just the amount of money already spent on the project, which is 55% x $180,000 = $99,000. So, CPI is $108,000/$90,000 = 1.1.}

While working on a large project, the project manager originally counted 12 stakeholders. A new requirement and six more stakeholders were added to the project. How many communication channels are on this project? A. 160 B. 153 C. 360 D. 306

B. 153 Explanation {To get this answer correct, you will have to use the communications channels formula, which is N(N-1)/2. Since there are 18 stakeholders, the formula is 18(18-1)/2 = 153.}

The project manager has to present the risk assessment to the senior management and has decided to take the most graphical representation of the probability and impact assessment. What tool should the project manager use? A. Risk summary chat B. Bubble chart C. Risk register D. Pareto chart

B. Bubble chart Explanation {Bubble charts are tools in the perform quantitative risk analysis process and can show the probability, impact, and ranking of risk. The risk register is not graphical. Pareto charts are used for quality and not risk. Risk summary charts is a made-up term}

While monitoring and controlling the project, the project manager and the team have consistently received broken equipment from a particular vendor. They have spoken with the vendor and implemented a new process that will ensure the equipment does not show up broken. This seems to have solved the problem. What is the next step the project manager should take? A. Investigate the problem B. Check the solution C. Analyze the problem D. Solve the problem

B. Check the solution Explanation {When encountering any problem on a project, the project manager should first identify the problem, define the problem, investigate, analyze, solve, and then check the solution. In this situation, the problem has already been solved, so the next step would be to check the solution to ensure the problem has actually been solved.}

As an agile project manager, you have encountered many issues with the product owner. The product owner has refused to prioritize the product backlog stating that all items are equally important. After educating the product owner about the value of prioritization he still refuses. What should the agile project manager do? A. Prioritize the product backlog for the product owner B. Continue to educate the product owner C. Have the team prioritze the product backlog D. Replace the product owner

B. Continue to educate the product owner Explanation {One of the core task of being an agile project manager is to educate and promote the values of agile practices even when stakeholders are reluctant to follow the principles.}

The project manager, Peter, has been informed by the sponsor that the project needs to be completed 2 weeks earlier than the scheduled time. Peter goes to the team and informs them that they will need to work overtime to complete the project sooner. What is Peter doing to shorten the schedule? A. Fast tracking B. Crashing C. Scope reduction D. Adding leads to activities

B. Crashing Explanation {Crashing adds resources to the project and will generally increase the cost. Since the team will be working overtime, this will result in additional costs to the project. Fast tracking is when you run activities in parallel. Adding leads to activities will overlap activities, which is not mentioned in the question. The sponsor has not authorized a scope change on the project.}

Peter is working on a project that he knows little about. He was assigned by the project management office (PMO) and they have almost complete control over the project. What type of PMO best describes this scenario? A. Controlling B. Directive C. Guiding D. Supportive

B. Directive

The project team and the project manager held a meeting to discuss a few issues related to the project. The meeting was very productive and led to most of the issues being resolved. A few weeks later, one team member brought up one of the issues that was resolved in the previous meeting as being unresolved. The project manager reviewed the meeting documentation and determined that the issue was resolved, but the team member may not have known about the resolution. What could the project manager have done differently to prevent this miscommunication? A. Ensure that the meeting stays on topic B. Distributed detailed meeting minutes C. Make sure the meeting was timed D. Distributed a meeting agenda

B. Distributed detailed meeting minutes Explanation {While all the choices should be done for meetings, in this scenario, the project manager may have failed to distribute the meeting minutes. That would explain why a team member didn't think an issue was resolved during the meeting.}

While working on a project, the project manager notices that most of the time is spent resolving conflicts between members of the project team. What is the best tool the project manager can use to resolve the problems amongst the team members? A. Colocation B. Interpersoal and team skills C. Expert judgment D. Training

B. Interpersoal and team skills Explanation {Resolving team conflicts is done through the manage team process. This particular process includes interpersonal and team skills tools of which conflict management is a subset. Expert judgement, training, and collocation are not tools used in the manage team process.}

While working on a network upgrade project, a team member installed the network connection and is now configuring the router in order to work with the network connection. The network connection must be done before the router can be configured. This is an example of what kind of dependency? A. Discretionary dependency B. Mandatory dependency C. External dependency D. Internal dependency

B. Mandatory dependency Explanation { Mandatory dependency is when activities must be done in a certain order. For example, you must complete A then complete B. Internal dependencies are things that are under the control of the project team, and external dependencies are things that are outside the control of the project team, such as getting a permit. Discretionary dependency is when two activities can be done in any order and they're not dependent upon each other }

The project sponsor has signed off on the project charter and has spoken to the project manager, who then has to keep the cost down on the project. The project manager agrees to try his best to keep cost down and to finish the project under budget. What should the project manager do next? A. Meet with the team to determine where money can be saved on the project B. Meet with the stakeholders to gather their requirements C. Implement the project cost reduction program D. Create the WBS

B. Meet with the stakeholders to gather their requirements Explanation {Once the project charter is created, the next step would be to collect the requirements and then create the scope statement and the WBS. You cannot meet with the team to reduce cost if you don't know the requirements. There is no such thing as a cost reduction program in PMBOK.}

A company has a few projects it would like to get done, but due to budget constraints, the company can only choose one project. Project A has a BCR of 1.5 and Project B has a BCR of 2.5. Which project should the company choose? A. Project A B. Project B C. Both Projects A and B D. Neither because they are both projects that will run the company at a toss

B. Project B

When a project has been executed, what input would best help the project manager determined how to manage changes to the project? A. Change Control Plan B. Project Management Plan C. Change Control Board D. Change Control Charts

B. Project Management Plan

While planning a project, the project manager is given many requirements that the customers would like to add to the project. Upon further investigation, the project manager decides that a few of the requirements will not be feasible within the limited time and cost allocated to the project. What document would best list the requirements that will not be added to this project? A. Requirements documentation B. Project scope statement C. Work breakdown structure D. Project charter

B. Project scope statement Explanation {The project scope statement includes a list of all the project deliverables as well as any requirements that should be excluded from the scope. Work listed in the work breakdown structure will need to get done on the project. The project charter has a high-level list of requirements. The requirements documentation lists requirements provided by customers that they would like to be done.}

The project manager has decided that most of the stakeholders on the project would like to reference the status reports for the project on the company's internal website on their own time. This would make it easier for them, as it is very difficult to schedule a meeting with all of them at once. What type of communication best describes this? A. Push communication B. Pull communication C. Interactive communication D. Technical communication

B. Pull communication Explanation { Pull communication is done when stakeholders access the communications on their own time, usually through a web portal. Push communication is when communication is given to the stakeholders such as in an email. Interactive is when stakeholders are communicating in real time such as through a phone call. Technical communication is a made-up term.}

While developing a new smartphone, the project team has identified a specific set of performance measurements that the phone should meet when it is complete. The measurement looks at how fast the phone can boot up and how fast it can shut down. Where should the project team document these measurements? A. Requirements traceability matrix B. Quality metrics C. Quality checklist D. Quality management plan

B. Quality metrics Explanation {Quality metrics are used to measure the project deliverables. The quality checklist will inform the project team what to look for when inspecting the project deliverables. The quality management plan will outline how to conduct the quality processes such as manage quality and control quality. The requirements traceability matrix will track the requirements back to their origin.}

While working on a project, the sponsor makes it clear that he does not want any of the team members to be overworked. This means that no team member is allowed to work overtime. The sponsor is okay with the project being delayed due to this. What technique can the project manager best implement to ensure that no team member is overworked? A. Free float B. Resource leveling C. Resource smooting D. Lag

B. Resource leveling Explanation {Resource leveling is a technique used when resources are limited or over-allocated. Resource leveling ensures that no resource is assigned to more than one activity at a time, ensuring that no resource is overworked. Resource smoothing may accomplish the same task, but it only works if there is slack available on the activities. Free float is the amount of time you can delay an activity without delaying the next activity. Lag is the amount of time you need to delay an activity before the next activity starts.}

The project team has completed the scope baseline and has started to break down each of the work packages in into individual activities. What process should the team do next? A. Define scope B. Sequence activity C. Develop schedule D. Create WBS

B. Sequence activity Explanation {After the team has created the activity list in the process of define activity, the next process should be sequencing the activities. This should be done before the team develops a schedule. Creating WBS and defining scope will come before defining activities.}

You have just been appointed the new project manager on a product upgrade project. One person in particular at the company feels like the project may cause them to lose their job. This person has expert knowledge of the current product and does not feel that it needs an upgrade. What would you consider this person on your project? A. Employee B. Stakeholder C. Team member D. Subject matter expert

B. Stakeholder Explanation {A stakeholder is someone who is positively or negatively impacted by a project. In this situation, the person is negatively impacted. Team members do the work on the project. Subject matter experts are generally team members, and employees work for a business.}

The project has managed to build about half of the deliverables needed to complete the project. The project has spent $50,000 on materials and labor. This money that has already been spent is generally referred to as what? A. Project budget B. Sunk cost C. Spent cost D. Opportunity cost

B. Sunk cost Explanation {Sunk cost is the money that has already been spent on the project. The project budget includes the cost baseline and the management reserves. Opportunity cost is the cost of all lost opportunities when selecting a project. Spent cost is a made-up term.}

The project manager has acquired the project team members and is starting to work with them to complete the project work. During this process the project manager has utilized a variety of rewards and recognition theories to keep the team motivated. What is the output of this process? A. Individual and team assessments B. Team perfomance assessments C. Virtual teams D. Training

B. Team perfomance assessments Explanation {The process being completed in this question is develop team. The output is team performance assessments. All other choices are tools in this process.}

A project manager has completed the project status report. The report states the CPI is 1.1 and the SPI is 1.14. The report was given to the project sponsor, who has become very upset about the project's progress and has requested an immediate meeting with the project manager. What should the project manager report in the meeting? A. The project is behind schedule and over budget due to scope creep B. The project is progressing on schedule and budget C. There has been many changes to the scope that has cause the project to be behind schedule D. There has been many changes to the scope that has cause the project to be over budget

B. The project is progressing on schedule and budget Explanation {A SPI and CPI of 1 and greater tell us that the project is actually under budget and ahead of schedule. All other choices are reporting wrong information.}

While executing a project, the project manager has learned that a vendor will delay the delivery of the server needed to implement the phone system. This problem will need to be resolved soon. What should the PM do first? A. Update the project management plan B. Update the issue log C. Update the sponsor D. Find a new vendor

B. Update the issue log

Project manager Mark is currently working on a new office automation project and is consistently being asked for updates and meetings with the project sponsor. Mark informs the sponsor that the constant meetings disrupt his work, and his project is starting to fall behind schedule. The sponsor responds by saying that that is his management style. What best describes the sponsor's management style? A. theory y B. theory x C. theory z D. Maslow's hierarchy of needs

B. theory x Explanation {Theory X is a management theory in which the manager does not trust his or her workers and will micromanage them. This theory generally leads to the team being unhappy. Theory Y refers to when a manager believes people want to do the work and trusts them. Theory Z refers to when employees are committed to a business and will generally stay with that business for a long period of time. Maslow's hierarchy of needs specifies what a company must have in order for employees to stay motivated.}

The project manager and team have decided to hire a contractor to complete the installation of the servers for the system's upgrade project. The terms of agreement have the contractor being paid on a monthly basis until the work is done. What process will the contractor payments be made in? A. Conduct procurement B. Plan procurement management C. Control procurement D. Manage procurement

C. Control procurement Explanation {Control procurement is when the agreement has already been signed and the contractor is completing the work, and the contractor should be paid according to the terms in the contract. Plan procurement management is done to select what needs to be procured and how to conduct the procurement. Conduct procurement is done to select a seller and award a contract. Manage procurement is not a PMBOK process.}

The project manager is currently analyzing the requirements for the project. He has noticed that the stakeholders will be very disappointed if there are defects in the deliverables. He decides to ensure that the project team receives the right training and the best equipment available to build the deliverables correctly. This will in turn increase the overall cost of the project, but stakeholders do not mind the increase in cost. What best describes this increase in cost? A. Activities cost B. Cost of the requirements C. Cost of quality D. Expert judgement

C. Cost of quality Explanation {The cost of quality includes the cost of conformance, which includes funds spent to ensure the project meets the quality requirements. This generally includes the cost of better materials, more expert team members, and better equipment. Cost of resource requirements and activity costs are not valid elements. Expert judgement involves hiring subject matter experts to help plan a particular process.}

You're currently working on a large new building development project. The project team is currently breaking down the deliverables listed in the project scope statement into work that is more manageable. What process best describes this scenario? A. Define WBS B. Defiine scope C. Create WBS D. Define activities

C. Create WBS Explanation {During the create WBS process the project team will use the tool of decomposition to break down the project deliverables into work packages. These work packages will then be used to help estimate the time and cost of the project. Define activities is a process of decomposing the work packages into activities, not the deliverables. Define scope is used to create the scope statement which will have a list of the deliverables. Define WBS is not a process.}

After the project manager has collected the requirements and received approval for the scope statement, what process should the project manager do next? A. Sequence activities B. Create scope baseline C. Create WBS D. Define activities

C. Create WBS Explanation {The create WBS process is generally done after the scope statement has been created, as it will decompose the deliverables in the scope statement. You cannot define activities or sequence activities until the WBS is complete, as you will need to know work packages to create the activities. Create scope baseline is a made-up term.}

The project manager and sponsor are consulting with banks and other lending institutions in order to obtain funds for the project. What process this describes these actions? A. Plan cost management B. Determine project financing C. Determine budget D. Develop project charter

C. Determine budget Explanation {In the process of determine budget is where the tool of financing is used to seek funding for the project. Develop project Charter is used to get the project authorized. Plan cost management is used to create the cost management plan. Determine project financing is made-up process.}

While monitoring and controlling a project, the project manager has been comparing the work performance data to the project management plan to see if there are any variance. What process did the project manager finish to get the work performance data? A. Monitor and control project work B. Control scope C. Direct and manage project work D. Develop project management plan

C. Direct and manage project work Explanation {Work performance data is an output of the integration process of direct and manage project work.}

What activity can the agile team do to list the reasons for why a particular process was failing during iteration? A. Check-in analysis B. Short subjects C. Fishbone analysis D. SMART goals

C. Fishbone analysis Explanation {A Fishbone analysis is done during the step of generate insight in a retrospective to show the reasons for why something would have failed.}

The project manager has noticed that a few team members are having a difficult time following the process to inspect the quality of new software. What is the best tool to help them see the process, making it easier to follow? A. Process design chart B. Control chart C. Flow chart D. Histogram

C. Flow chart Explanation {A flowchart is used to visually follow the steps in a process or multiple processes. A control chart will show if a process is in "control" by illustrating the rule of 7. A histogram is a bar chart that usually shows frequency of something. A process design chart is a made-up term.}

The agile project team has decided to do one of the features from the product backlog. The single feature will take six weeks to complete and will be reviewed by the customer. What actions should the agile project manager take next? A. Inform the team they need to conduct the daily standup meetings B. Arrange the workspace for the team members to get started C. Informed the team six weeks is too long and they will need to decomposed that feature into smaller increments D. Inform the customers of the six weeks duration

C. Informed the team six weeks is too long and they will need to decomposed that feature into smaller increments Explanation {In agile iterations should be no more than one to four weeks. Features the takes longer than should be decomposed into smaller features that can fit within a time box of one to four weeks.}

While building an agile space the project manager would like to implement a tool that will allow the team to keep track of the flow of work while limiting the work in progress. What tool best meets these requirements? A. Gantt chart B. Burndown charts C. Kanban development D. Whiteboard

C. Kanban development Explanation {The Kanban development is the use of a signboard that is used to help track the work in progress and limit the work in progress.}

The project was executed about 3 weeks ago, and the project team seems to be having a lot of difficulties getting along with each other. They are always having conflicts about how to proceed on certain activities, and the project manager has to step in in order to solve these conflicts. What process is the project manager performing? A. Control Resources B. Control Scope C. Manage Team D. Acquire Team

C. Manage Team Explanation { In the process of manage team, the project manager has to resolve issues and conflicts among the project team. This is done using the tool interpersonal and team skills, particularly conflict management. Acquire team is not a process in the PMBOK. Control resources is a process that involves physical resources, not human resources. Control scope is about preventing scope creep and ensuring the project meets the scope }

Mark has gotten a new job at a company that is about to create a new product. This new product will be a very complex software that may take years to create and have many different groups of people. Mark has decided to break up this complex project into smaller subprojects and manage them individually. What is Mark managing? A. Portfolio B. Project C. Program D. Operations

C. Program

The project team has identified a number of risks that could affect the project. One risk in particular is that the permit to build the foundation has shown up late. They have ranked this risk as the most important in the project since it will cause the largest delay. What process best describes this ranking? A. Plan risk management B. Identify risk C. Qualitative risk analysis D. Quantitative risk analysis

C. Qualitative risk analysis Explanation {A qualitative risk process is done to rank the risk that has been identified in the identify risk process. Quantitative risk analysis is done to assign a value to the risk. Plan risk management is done to create the risk management plan, which will document how to conduct all the risk management processes.}

The project manager is currently estimating how much programmers will need to complete the financial software upgrade project. What document can the project manager use to determine who is available to work on the project? A. Lessons learned register B. Availability calendar C. Resource calendar D. Project team calendar

C. Resource Calender Explanation {The resource calendar shows the availability of resources, both physical and team. The lessons learned register is used to keep track of all lesson learned in the project. Project team calendar and availability calendar are made-up terms.}

The project manager and team are currently working to create a list of activities needed to complete the project. They have come to one particular work package that they cannot decompose because they do not know enough about the work yet. They have decided that midway through the project, they will decompose this particular work package. What tool or technique are they using? A. Forward planning B. Requirements future planning C. Rolling wave planning D. Decomposition

C. Rolling wave planning Explanation {Rolling wave planning is a tool used in the process of define activities to break work down in the future. Forward planning and requirements future planning are not real tools used in the process of define activities. Decomposition is a tool used to break down the current activities.}

Mary's new project staff are some of the best talents in the company. The team members will use their own methodologies and prefer to be in control of the project; they would only like to be provided templates and lessons learned from other projects. What type of PMO would be best for this project? A. Controlling B. Directive C. Supportive D. Managing

C. Supportive

The project team is currently working on an advertising project. They have completed a few of the activities, which includes writing the script for the commercial. Once the team completes an activity, what should they do next? A. Update the project sponsor B. update the project manager C. Update work performance data D. Close project or phase

C. Update work performance data Explanation {Once work is done on a project, the team should update the work performance data. This will include the status on the work such as when it was completed or started. The project manager will take the work performance data and create the work performance information and report, which will then be given to all the other stakeholders. You should not close the project or phase until all work has been completed and accepted.}

The project team has just started to code the redesigned accounting application when a key stakeholder asks for the application in order to include a very specific report to the company's expenses. The stakeholder has submitted a change request to the project manager. What would be the most important input to consider for this change request? A. Accepted deliverables B. Work performance information C. Work performance reports D. Work performance data

C. Work performance reports Explanation { Work performance reports is an input to the process of performing integrated change control, as it will show the overall status of the project. The other choices are not inputs to this process. }

While constructing a roof for a large building, the project team has identified the risk of a snowstorm. Due to the region in the country and the time of the year, the team has decided to take no action or preparations for the snowstorm. What risk response strategy is the team using? A. avoid B. enhance C. acceptance D. mitigaiton

C. acceptance Explanation {Acceptance is a risk response where you will take no action against the risk. All other choices involve taking some kind of action.}

The project manager has just spoken to one of the software developers, Bill, about the project and has asked for an estimate of how long it will take to code a specific function. Bill said that it would take a maximum of 10 days, but that most likely it will be 6 days. The project manager has calculated the PERT estimated duration of this activity to be 6 days. What is the least amount of days it will take to complete this activity? A. 3 B. 4 C. 1 D. 2

D. 2 Explanation {In this question, you have to use the PERT formula, which is (O+4*R+P)/6 to find the optimistic number. The question gives you the answer to the formula—6 days—and you will need to figure out the other components. In the question, the pessimistic number given is 10, the realistic number is 6, and you have to find out the optimistic number. Plug the numbers into the formula like this: (O+4*6+10)/6=6 based on this equation, equals to 2.}

While constructing a new office space, the sponsor has requested the project manager complete the project sooner. While analyzing the work, the project manager has noticed that some of the work can start before the predecessor work is done. What can the project manager do in this scenario to complete the project sooner? A. Add slack times between project activities B. Add reserves to each project activity C. Add lag times between project activities D. Add lead times between project activities

D. Add lead times between project activities Explanation { A lead is an overlap between project activities. This means that work will start before the predecessor work is done. Lag time will add a delay between activities. Slack is the amount of time you can delay an activity without delaying the project. Reserves are the additional time added to the activities for risk. }

While working on the network upgrade project, the project manager receives many ideas about what to include in the project. The ideas seem to be very scattered and not logically grouped. What tool can best help the project manager group these ideas? A. Histograms B. Ideas matrix C. Flowchart D. Affintiy diagram

D. Affinity diagram Explanation {An affinity diagram is used to group large number of ideas to review and analyze. A histogram is used to show frequencies over time. A flowchart is used to visually view a process for improvements. An ideas matrix is a made-up term.}

The project manager has received a change request from the project sponsor to reduce the budget by 20%. After the project manager has reviewed the change, he decides that the only way this can be done is by removing a part of the project that is not yet completed. Who should approve this change? A. Project Team B. Change Approval Board C. Change Management Board D. Change Control Board

D. Change Control Board

The project manager has just identified a new regulation that can possibly delay the project significantly. The project manager has added this new regulation to the risk register. What should the project manager do next with this risk? A. Come up with a response to the delay in the project schedule B. Request more to finish the project on time C. Inform the project sponsor D. Conduct a qualitative and quantitative assessment

D. Conduct a qualitative and quantitative assessment Explanation {When a risk has been added to the risk register, the project manager should conduct both a qualitative and quantitative assessment before coming up with a risk response. If the response requires adding more money, the project manager should initiate a change request requesting more funds for the project. The project manager should assess the risk before informing the sponsor of the risk.}

While working on creating a project management plan, the project manager has brought a group of expert programmers and a planner to ensure it is created correctly. What tool best describes this approach? A. Meeting B. Interpersonal and Team Skills C. Data Analysis D. Data Gathering

D. Data Gathering

While planning a major network upgrade project, one stakeholder has given a requirement to upgrade the switches. The project manager has determined that this would be too costly to be included in the project and has decided to exclude it. What process will the project manager use to document this exclusion? A. Create WBS B. Close project or phase C. Collect requirements D. Define Scope

D. Define Scope Explanation {The project scope statement would have a list of deliverables and include things such as acceptance criteria, exclusions, constraints, and assumptions. The scope statement is created in the process of define the scope. All other choices will not output the scope statement.}

The project manager is having a difficult time keeping the project on plan. There are many changes regarding the project scope, which has led to an increase in the project budget. Management would like a reason why there have been so many scope changes on this project. What would most likely cause many scope changes on a project? A. Management did not approve the project B. The project manager does not have enough training C. Spent too long creating the project schedule and not enough time on the scope D. Did not gather detailed requirements

D. Did not gather detailed requirements Explanation {Generally, if a project manager finds themselves with many scope changes when the project is executed, it's most likely that they did not gather the requirements adequately from the customers. The other choices cannot be selected because the question does not give enough information regarding them.}

The change control board just approved a change request to modify one of the major deliverables. The project manager then implements the change in the ________ process? A. Perform Integrated Change Control B. Monitor and Control Project Work C. Close Project or Phase D. Direct and Manage Project Work

D. Direct and Manage Project Work - Approved change request are implemented in the process of direct and mange project work

While working on the web design project, the change control board approved a change to the layout of the menu. What process should the project manager conduct next to ensure the change is implemented? A. Update project management plan B. Verify scope C. Update change log D. Direct and manage project work

D. Direct and manage project work Explanation { Once a change has been approved, it is then moved to the direct and manage project work process for implementation. Verify scope is done when all the deliverables are completed and require stakeholders' acceptance. Update project management plan and change log are not processes. }

A change request has been requested by a senior stakeholder to add a new reporting function to the current financial software development project. The change was assessed by the project team and approved by the sponsor. What process should the project manager do next? A. Perform integrate change control B. Validate scope C. Control quality D. Direct and manage project work

D. Direct and manage project work Explanation {Once a change has been approved, it is time to execute the change, which is done in the executing process of direct and manage project work. Control quality is done to check the deliverables to ensure they meet the quality requirements. Validate scope is done to get formal acceptance from the stakeholders. Perform integrated change control is done to assess and approve a change request.}

The project team is working with the customers to write the user stories. The customers have refused as they claim this would add no value to the project. What would be the best step to resolve this? A. Inform them user stories may not be needed B. At the agile project manager write the user stories C. Have the team write the user stories D. Educate the users why the stories are valuable

D. Educate the users why the stories are valuable Explanation {When managing an agile project user stories will produce a lot of value to both the team members and the customers, as such it would be best to educate them on the value of the user stories.}

The project manager has met with the project team and has informed them that his team performance assessments are done, and he would like to speak with each of them individually about the results. What process group is this? A. Planning B. Monitoring and controlling C. Initiating D. Executing

D. Executing Explanation {During the executing process group, the project manager will assess the team's performance and try to improve it through the executing process of developing and managing the team.}

Senior management in the organization would like your project to have as few risks as possible. Which of the following contracts best meet their criteria? A. Time and material B. Cost reimbursable C. Cost plus fixed fee D. Fixed price

D. Fixed price Explanation {A fixed price contract will have the lowest risk for the project, since the costs of the labor and material are known up front. All other contracts, such as cost reimbursable and time and material will have more risks for the buyers than the sellers. A cost plus fixed fee contract is a type of cost reimbursable contract.}

ABX Shipping is a large global company with many departments, some of which are have part-time project management and others, such as research and development, where it is full time. Where the project managers work determines their control over resources. What organizational structure best describes this organization? A. Mixed B. Multinational C. Project Oriented D. Hybrid

D. Hybrid

You are having an issue with the software crashing consistently on the project. What should you use to identify the cause of this issue and the effect it may have on your project? A. Continuous improvement B. Flowchart C. Histogram D. Ishikawa diagram

D. Ishikawa diagram Explanation {Ishikawa diagrams, or cause-and-effect diagrams, are used to identify probable causes and sub-causes of a particular problem. A histogram is a bar chart and a flowchart is used to represent a process graphically. Continuous improvement is a theory that is used to continuously improve a product over its life cycle.}

The project manager has been informed that the company's senior management would like a meeting about the status of the project. What should the project manager take to display the current schedule of the project? A. Gnatt chart B. Network Diagram C. WBS D. Milestone chart

D. Milestone chart Explanation { A milestone chart is a high-level view of major accomplishments on a project. These are best used when presenting a quick view of data and the project schedule to management personnel. All other choices would give you a detailed view of the project schedule and work. }

While working with the project team and conducting a brainstorming session, the project manager noticed that a lot of the ideas the team was coming up with were not organized. What tool can best be used by the team to visually organize their ideas? A. flowchart B. matrix diagram C. pareto diagram D. Mind mapping

D. Mind mapping Explanation { Mind mapping is a way to visually organize data. A matrix diagram is used to show the relationship between two or more groups. A flowchart shows a graphical representation of a process. A Pareto diagram displays Pareto's 80/20, rule usually in a histogram. }

You are currently managing a business process reengineering project and have identified all the risks that can affect the project. You would like to put the risks in order from most impact to least impact on the project. What is the best process for doing so? A. Plan risk response B. Perform quantitative risk analysis C. Rank risk D. Perform qualitative risk analysis

D. Perform qualitative risk analysis Explanation {Perform qualitative risk analysis is a process used to rank risks according to probability and/or impact. Perform quantitative analysis is done in order to assign values to the risk. Plan risk response describes the strategies that would be used if a risk were to materialize. Rank risks is not a valid process.}

Many organizations have different strategic goals. Which of the following helps an organization attain these goals? A. Project B. Program C. Operation D. Portfolio

D. Portfolio

The project manager is working on a project for which the scope, time, and cost are known during the early parts of the project planning. What life cycle will the project manager consider on this project? A. PMBOK life cycles B. Straightforward life cycle C. Iterative life cycle D. Predictive life cycle

D. Predictive life cycle Explanation {A predictive life cycle is used when the scope, time, and cost are generally determined in the early phases of the project. In this life cycle, changes to the scope must be managed correctly; if not, there may be scope creep. In an iterative life cycle, the scope is generally known in the early parts of the project, but the cost is updated as the project progresses.}

The project manager is informed that a manager in the finance department has requested to be included in the weekly status updates on the project. What document should the project manager update immediately? A. Issue log B. Project communications C. Risk register D. Stakeholder register

D. Stakeholder register Explanation {The stakeholder register can be updated at any point during the project. The register contains a list of all stakeholders and their contact information, communication requirements, and impact on the project. Once this is done, then the project manager can update the communication management plan to add the new stakeholder. This is a change, not an issue on a project, so there is no need to update the issue log. The risk register keeps track of the risk on the project. Project communications are the actual communications taking place during the project.}

The project sponsor has been asking the project manager to close the project as soon as possible, since the deliverable has been created. The project manager has informed the sponsor that the project cannot close yet. What best explains why the project manager cannot close the project? A. There are defects in the deliverable B. The project is over budget C. The project team has not been relase D. The deliverable has not been accepted

D. The deliverable has not been accepted

A team member is working on upgrading the network server while another team member is painting the server room. The outcomes of these two events will not affect each other. What best describes the relationship between these two events? A. They are not mutually exclusive B. They are not statistically independent C. They are mutually exclusive D. There are statistically independent

D. There are statistically independent Explanation { Statistical independence is a term used in probability that means one event cannot affect the other event. Mutually exclusive is a term used when two events cannot happen at the same time; in this question, these two events are happening at the same time.}

The agile project team has determined that many of its processes has a lot of waiting and would like to remove all of the waste in the processes. What would be the best tool the agile team can use to improve their processes? A. Triple nickel B. Fishbone analysis C. Process tailoring D. Value stream map

D. Value stream map Explanation {A value stream map is a visual representation of the flow of information through a process in which you can identify waste such as waiting time and optimize the process.}

Pat is working in an organization where she does project management full time. However, she still needs to consults with functional managers in order to acquire her project team. What organizational structure type best describes this situation? A. Functional B. Strong Matrix C. Project Oriented D. Weak Matrix

D. Weak Matrix

A large development company has just initiated a project to build a 60-story building. The project will take approximately 3 years to complete with a cost of $550 million. The development company has started to facilitate funding for the project by asking private equity firms and banks. What tools does this best represent? A. parametric estimates B. funding limit reconciliation C. analogous estimates D. financing

D. financing Explanation {Financing is a tool used in the process of determine budget. This is when a company looks at external sources to fund the project. Funding limit reconciliation is done when there are limited funds to spend on the project and work may need to be rescheduled. Parametric estimates are a type of mathematical estimates done to estimate the cost of each activity. Analogous estimates are based on historical information to estimate the cost of each activity.}