BUS140 Chapter 17 Quiz

What is an immediate predecessor in a network diagram? A.) the activity that follows just after the one in question B.) the parallel activity in a sequence on the next path C.) an activity which occurs just prior to the one in question

an activity which occurs just prior to the one in question

Work breakdown structure

an initial planning tool that is needed to develop a list of activities, activity sequences, and a realistic budget

What are the two main parts of the project initiation phase of the life cycle? A.) metrics and schedule B.) concept and feasibility analysis C.) budget and tasks D.) reassignment and disposition

concept and feasibility analysis

The slack time on the critical path is always what? A.) the sum of all activity slack times on that path B.) subject to variation C.) zero D.) deterministic

Zero

Which of the following is calculated in a forward pass? A.) slack B.) LS = LF - activity time C.) ES = 0 D.) ES + Activity time = EF

ES = 0 ES + activity time = EF

If a budget was too optimistic, it was (blank) the actual cost A.) higher than B.) lower than C.) the same as

lower

Which of the following would enable a team member to be assigned to a project by the project manager? A.) necessary knowledge and skills B.) the candidate's apathy for the project C.) low interference from the other projects that the candidate is involved in D.) ability to work well with others

necessary knowledge and skills, low interference from the other projects that the candidate is involved in, ability to work well with others

Which probability distribution is commonly used to model the inherent variability of activity time estimates in project management? A.) normal distribution B.) uniform distribution C.) binomial distribution D.) beta distribution

beta distribution

In critical chain project management the critical path is viewed as a what? A.) diagram B.) bottleneck C.) buffer D.) capacity

bottleneck

Similar to the theory of contraints, critical chain project management uses what to support the critical path? A.) slack B.) buffers C.) constraints

buffers

The three probabilistic time estimates form a distribution curve known as what? A.) beta distribution B.) pessimistic distribution C.) optimistic distribution D.) delta distribution

beta distribution

In PERT/CPM if a time estimate is said to be probabilistic what does this mean A.) the activity can start late without affecting the project's duration B.) the actual activity duration is subject to variation C.) the activity will likely start on time according to the baseline schedule

the actual activity duration is subject to variation

The critical path in a network diagram is defined as what? A.) the longest path from start to finish which determines the overall project duration B.) the sequence of activities on a project which have the highest cost C.) those activities on a project schedule which experience delays but do not affect the overall project completion time

the longest path from start to finish which determines the overall project duration

All of the following information can be produced by the network diagram computing algorithm except which? A.) most expensive path B.) expected project duration C.) slack time D.) critical paths

the most expensive path

In probabilistic time estimation, paths are said to be dependent when what occurs? A.) when each time duration is optimistic B.) when one activity succeeds another C.) the same activity fall on more than one path D.) when there is a critical path

the same activity fall on more than one path

In analyzing path probabilities, what would a negative z value mean? A.) the standard deviation is less than the expected path duration B.) the specified time is earlier than the expected path duration C.) the specified time is later than the expected path duration D.) the standard deviation is less than the specified time

the specified time is earlier than the expected path duration

Select all of the reasons why a project manager would want to shorten the duration of a project A.) to free up resources to work on another project B.) the supplier is delivering material on time C.) incentive payment earned if project completion date is early D.) monetary penalty due if agreed-to schedule is exceeded

to free up resources to work on another project, incentive payment earned if project completion date is early, monetary penalty due if agreed-to schedule is exceeded

It is common for projects to fail, either partially or completely T/F

true

Which is the correct formula for determining path probability? A.) z = (specified time - path mean) / path standard deviation B.) z = (slack time - critical path mean) / path standard deviation C.) z = (specified time - standard deviation) / variance

z = (specified time - path mean) / path standard deviation

The phases of a project life cycle do not overlap T/F

False

Projects typically have three types of targets. What are they? A.) B.) C.)

Time, cost, performance

Early start and finish times involve a forward pass and late start and finish times use a backwards pass through the network T/F

True

Network diagram

a "big picture" visual aid that is used to estimate project duration, identify activities that are critical for timely project completion, identify areas where slack time exists, and develop activity schedules

Select the best definition of a work breakdown structure A.) what happens when behavioral issues damage a team cohesion B.) a detailed accounting of everything spent on a project C.) a hierarchical listing of what must be done during a project

a hierarchical listing of what must be done during a project

Gantt charts

a visual aid used to plan and monitor individual activities

Risk management

analyses of potential failures or problems, assessment of their likelihood and consequences, and contingency plans

Select from below which are the key managerial decisions which determine the success of projects A.) deciding which equipment to buy or lease B.) choosing the project team members C.) managing and controlling project resources D.) selecting which projects to implement

choosing the project team members, managing and controlling project resources, selecting which projects to implement

In project management, shortening activity durations by applying additional resources to it is called A.) optimizing B.) tasking C.) crashing

crashing

Put the steps of the project life cycle in order from start to finish A.) definition B.) execution C.) planning D.) termination

definition planning execution termination

Operating in an environment of uncertainty, projects are subject to what negative outcomes? A.) delays, budget overruns, inability to meet technical requirements B.) using all constraining resources from the buffers C.) selecting virtual project teams with language and cultural difficulties

delays, budget overruns, inability to meet technical requirements

When interpreting network diagrams in PERT/CPM, if the time estimates are fairly certain they are said to be what? A.) critical B.) deterministic C.) probabilistic

deterministic

Workers on a project are usually evaluated based on the team's overall contribution since project work is often based on (blank) (blank)

team efforts

What is a network diagram, which is used by the PERT and CPM project management techniques? A.) diagram of servers and relevant databases used on a project and how all are connected B.) diagram of project activities that shows their sequential relationships with arrows and nodes C.) a Gantt chart that shows all the major activities and durations on a project

diagram of project activities that shows their sequential relationships with arrows and nodes

What is the main limitation of Gantt chart when using for project management? A.) the length of time necessary to prepare it B.) small font is difficult to read C.) does not show relationship between activities D.) cannot fit enough activities on the chart

does not show relationships between activities

What is used in AOA diagrams to clarify relations, such as two activities that have the same starting and ending nodes? A.) immediate predecessor B.) arrows C.) dummy activity

dummy activity

When using a computing algorithm to analyze large network diagrams, what are the following pieces of information needed for each activity? A.) owner, description, predecessor, and successor B.) arrow, node, event, slack C.) early start, early finish, late start, late finish

early start, early finish, late start, late finish

With proper risk management all cost, schedule, and technical risks can always be avoided on a project T/F

false

Select from the following list all the advantages of using PERT/CPM for project management A.) highlights the slack and in the schedule where resources can be pulled if needed B.) provides a useful graphical display of major project activities C.) allows the project manager to virtually ignore non-critical path activities

highlights the slack and in the schedule where resources can be pulled if needed, provides a useful graphical display of major project activities

What are some "cons" of working on a project? A.) if a project is long term, there may not be a "next" project to go to B.) if a project is unsuccessful, it reflects on team members C.) potentially working for two bosses D.) projects require meeting new people

if a project is long term, there may not be a "next" project to go to, if a project is unsuccessful, it reflects on team members, potentially working for two bosses

What are some "pros" of working on a project? A.) if project is successful, gives team increased status B.) often are paid the same as remaining in the functional sub-organization C.) dynamic, stimulating environment D.) meet new people not previously worked with before

if project is successful, gives team increased status, dynamic, stimulating environment, meet new people not previously worked with before

From the following list, which are the potential disadvantages of virtual project teams A.) language or cultural differences B.) lack of team cohesion from not being physically co-located C.) project slippage from moving to another project too quickly

language or cultural differences, lack of team cohesion from not being physically co-located

Which of the following is a correct formula for calculating slack for a task? A.) Early start - early finish B.) late start - late finish C.) late finish - late start D.) late start - early start

late start - early start LS - ES OR late finish - early finish LF - EF

Which of these is the knowledge area for a project manager concerned with acquisition and contracting plans, sellers' responses and selections, contract administration and closure? A.) managing scope B.) managing procurement C.) managing risk

managing procurement

Which of these is the knowledge area for a project manager concerned with involves breaking down what needs to be done to complete the project and managing the project through a work breakdown structure? A.) managing scope B.) managing risk C.) managing time/schedule

managing scope

All of the following are example of projects except which? A.) reengineering a process B.) merging two companies C.) designing a new project D.) manufacturing the daily quota

manufacturing the daily quota

If members of a project team report formally to a functional manager what type of organization is it? A.) matrix B.) projectized C.) non-profit

matrix

What type of organization integrates the activities of specialists within a functional framework? A.) traditional B.) projectized C.) matrix

matrix

When using a Gantt chart with a complex project, what tool should be used in conjuction with the chart? A.) network diagram B.) project life cycle C.) work breakdown structure

network diagram

What is the main difference between the two forms of network diagrams, activity-on-arrow and activity-on-node? A.) there are no differences since activities are represented in each form of network diagram B.) nodes represent events on AOA and arrows show relationships between activities on AON C.) nodes represent activities on AOA and show start and finish points on AON

nodes represent events on AOA and arrows show relationships between activities on AON

Why are only activities on the critical path candidates for crashing? A.) the critical path contains all of the project activities at risk B.) only the critical path directly affects the completion date C.) the critical path contains the most schedule slack D.) the critical path activities cost the least

only the critical path directly affects the completion date

Select from the following list all of the errors in PERT/CPM that can potentially be made A.) precedence relationships may be incorrect or missing B.) risks probability and impacts are scored too low C.) some activities may inadvertently omitted D.) activity owners may estimate durations too high or low

precedence relationships may be incorrect or missing, some activities may inadvertently omitted, activity owners may estimate durations too high or low

Which of the following statements about risk probability and cost are true A.) probability of occurence of a risk is highest at the start B.) probability of occurence of a risk is equal throughout the project C.) the cost to overcome a risk is lowest at the end of a project

probability of occurence of a risk is highest at the start

PERT and CPM stand for what? A.) project estimate and risk tool / complete project model B.) program evaluation and review technique / critical path method C.) project education repository tool / critical project model

program evaluation and review technique / critical path method

On virtual project teams, as a project nears completion, if resources are transitioned too quickly to new projects, this can cause A.) synergies B.) reassessed priorities C.) project slippage

project slippage

What is the function of a work breakdown structure? A.) provide the basis for detailed time and cost estimates on a project B.) used to generate risks and opportunities for successful project management C.) provides an example to other projects of how not to manage interpersonal dynamics

provide the basis for detailed time and cost estimates on a project

Which of the following are correct about PERT/CPM? A.) provides an estimate of completion time for the overall project schedule B.) usually one or the other tool is implemented, not both C.) useful for large-scale projects to indicate the most critical activities D.) tells how long an activity can be delayed without delaying the project

provides an estimate of completion time for the overall project schedule, useful for large-scale projects to indicate the most critical activities, tells how long an activity can be delayed without delaying the project

Project planning involves all of the following except which? A.) projecting resources and budgetary needs B.) identifying tasks with time estimates C.) setting goals and priorities D.) reassigning employees at closure

reassigning employees at closure

Select all of the rules project managers follow when crashing a schedule A.) recalculate the critical path after each crashing B.) crash the schedule one period at a time C.) exceed the penalty/incentive by up to 50% per period D.) crash the least expensive activity on the critical path

recalculate the critical path after each crashing, crash the schedule one period at a time, crash the least expensive activity on the critical path

Which of the following are characteristics of a project? A.) routine operations B.) requires careful planning and coordination C.) limited time frame D.) involves considerable cost E.) one time operations

requires careful planning and coordination, limited time frame, involves considerable cost, one time operations

Select all of the reasons that project costs may exceed budgeted amounts A.) rework of substandard workmanship B.) experienced project manager C.) weather or supplier delays D.) budget too optimistic

rework of substandard workmanship, weather or supplier delays, budget too optimistic

In the case of dependent paths, what technique is use to analyze probabilistic time estimates? A.) risk probability database B.) simulation C.) PERT/CPM

simulation

What is the term used to denote the allowable slippage for a path or alternately the difference between the length of a path and the critical path? A.) criticality B.) slack C.) precedence D.) event

slack

All of the following are the main tools used in project management except which? A.) network diagram B.) work breakdown structure C.) risk management D.) gantt charts E.) statistical process control

statistical process control

Which of the following factors lead to behavioral problems in projects A.) stress of achieving project milestones on time B.) surprises C.) monetary compensation and promotion D.) decentralized decision making E.) stress of achieving project milestones within the budget

stress of achieving project milestones on time, surprises, decentralized decision making, stress of achieving project milestones within the budget