ITIS 3300 (Proj Mgmt) - Test 1

What is a systems development life cycle? What are some of the predictive models associated with the systems development life cycle?

A systems development life cycle is a framework for describing the phases of developing information systems. Some of the predictive models associated with the systems development life cycle include the scope, schedule, and cost being determined early, and changes to the scope are carefully managed.

Which statement best describes outsourcing?

An organization's acquisition of goods and services from an outside source

Which planning process is associated with project scope management?

Collecting requirements

Select an example of external stakeholders for an organization.

Competitors

"What is the project's budget?" This is an example of a project's _______ constraint.

Cost

Which is an example of a pre-initiation task?

Developing a business case for a project

Which of the following refers to a set of principles that guides decision making based on personal values of what is considered right and wrong?

Ethics

A milestone list is an output associated with the Project Scope Management knowledge area.

False

Decisions and actions taken in one knowledge area at a certain time rarely affect other knowledge areas.

False

Earned value management is a tool primarily used in resource management.

False

Effective program managers recognize that managing a project is much more complex than managing a program.

False

In order to be realistic, a project manager should always set discrete goals instead of a range of objectives.

False

Individual projects always address strategic goals whereas portfolio management addresses tactical goals.

False

Initiating and closing tasks are usually the longest and require the most amount of resources and time.

False

Initiating processes are not required to end a project.

False

It is mandatory for project managers working on large information technology projects to be experts in the field of information technology.

False

Leadership style has no impact on the success of virtual teams.

False

Most people believe that the underlying causes of many companies' problems can be traced to its organizational structure.

False

Opponents of a project do not belong to the category of stakeholders.

False

Project initiation involves taking the actions necessary to ensure that activities in the project plan are completed.

False

Questions about how a team will track schedule performance is related to a project's scope.

False

Systems analysis addresses the business, technological, and organizational issues associated with creating, maintaining, and modifying a system.

False

The burndown chart is a Scrum created artifact that provides a list of features prioritized by business value.

False

The importance of stakeholders' needs and expectations is limited to the beginning of a project.

False

The last phase of the traditional project life cycle is the implementation phase.

False

The nature of hardware development projects is more diverse than software-oriented projects.

False

The only responsibility of a project manager is to meet the specific scope, time, and cost goals of a project.

False

To be a successful manager, the only skills an IT project manager needs to possess are excellent technical skills.

False

When you separate business and organizational issues from project management planning, you do a better job of ensuring project success.

False

In what type of organizational structure do project managers have the least amount of authority?

Functional

Which tool is most likely to be used in project schedule management?

Gantt charts

Joe is a project manager in an IT company and has over the years, gained substantial knowledge in his area of work. However, while managing his team, he often loses his temper. In addition, he fails to be an active listener when his team members approach him with work related challenges. In which of the following areas does Joe need to develop his skills in?

Human relations skills

Discuss the PMP certification. What are the advantages of obtaining PMP certification?

The PMP certification is a marketable certification for project managers. It displays success in someone who has documented sufficient project experience and education, agreed to follow the Project Management Institute's code of professional conduct, and demonstrated knowledge of project management by passing an exam. Surveys concluded people with the PMP credential had a 23% higher salary than those without it. Passing the PMP exam is becoming a standard for project managers. This exam is required for all project managers at some companies. Someone with the PMP certification can list, describe, and use the 10 project management knowledge areas.

In organizational culture, what does means-end orientation refer to?

The degree to which management focuses on outcomes rather than on techniques and processes used to achieve results

Which attribute best defines the role of leaders?

They inspire people to reach goals.

Which attribute is true of low-end tools of project management software?

They provide basic project management features.

Which of the following is true of program managers?

They provide leadership and direction for project managers heading the projects within a program.

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

An organization that uses a project organizational structure earns their revenue primarily from performing projects for other groups under contract.

True

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

Every project should have a well-defined objective.

True

Identifying the project sponsor is a pre-initiation task.

True

In the Scrum method, team members work as a self-directed group coached by the ScrumMaster.

True

Kick-off meeting agendas are usually recorded in a Word document.

True

Maturity models, statistical methods, and test plans are examples of tools used in quality management.

True

One of the main reasons why project management is challenging is because of the factor of uncertainty.

True

Project managers must take adequate time to identify, understand, and manage relationships with all project stakeholders.

True

Stakeholder analyses, work requests, and project charters are tools used in integration management.

True

Standards and guidelines to follow when performing project management must be devised by top management.

True

Until the 1980s, project management primarily focused on providing schedule and resource data to top management in the military, computer, and construction industries.

True

Which characteristic of organizational culture refers to the degree to which departments within an organization are encouraged to coordinate with each other?

Unit integration

Which systems development life cycle model assumes that requirements will remain stable after they are defined?

Waterfall life cycle

Why is top management commitment crucial for project managers?

Without the commitment, many projects will fail. This is because of the following reasons: Project managers... - need adequate resources - often require approval for unique project needs in a timely manner - must have cooperation from people in other parts of the organization - often need someone to mentor and coach them on leadership issues

What important Scrum artifact is used to graphically display progress on each sprint during the monitoring and controlling process?

burndown chart

Project procurement management mainly involves:

buying goods and services for a project from outside the performing organization.

Which process involves gaining stakeholder and customer acceptance of the final products and services and bringing the project, or project phase, to an orderly end?

closing

Project _______ management consists of preparing and managing the budget for a project.

cost

Three general classifications of organizational structures are _______, project, and matrix.

functional

Enterprise project management software is also known as a _____ tool of project management software.

high-end

The _______ frame of an organization focuses on providing harmony between the needs of the organization and the needs of people.

human resources

Project management _____ describe the key competencies that project managers must develop.

knowledge areas

In a _____ organizational structure, personnel often report to both a functional manager and one or more project managers.

matrix

High-end tools in project management software have enterprise and _______ functions that summarize and combine individual project information to provide an enterprise view of all projects.

portfolio management

In which product life cycle the scope, schedule, and cost are determined early, and changes to scope are carefully managed?

predictive

A project's sponsor is also known as a(n) _______.

primary customer

A _____ is a tool used in risk management.

probability matrix

A(n) _______ is "a group of related projects, subsidiary programs, and program activities managed in a coordinated manner to obtain benefits and control not available from managing them individually."

program

In a _____ organizational structure, program managers, rather than functional managers or vice presidents, report to the CEO. Their staff have a variety of skills needed to complete all required tasks within their programs.

project

What is developed in the Project Integration Management knowledge area?

project management plan

The _____ of project management includes quality, scope, time, and cost constraints.

quadruple constraint

Team building exercises and motivation techniques are tools used in _____ management.

resource

Sprint planning is part of the basic _______.

scrum framework

The three spheres of systems management are business, organization, and _______.

technology

Steve, an engineer in a construction company, is at present working on a home construction project. The home is being built for the Robinson family, the owners of the home. Steve is working with his project team and support staff to ensure the project is completed on time. In such a scenario, the project sponsor is _____.

the Robinson family

The _______ life cycle model is used when risk must be tightly controlled and when changes must be restricted after the requirements are defined.

waterfall

An important tool for project scope management is a _______.

work breakdown structure

In what type of organizational structure do project managers have the most authority?

Project

Which project management knowledge area primarily involves generating, collecting, disseminating, and storing project information?

Project communication management

Which project management knowledge area is an overarching function that affects and is affected by the different knowledge areas?

Project integration management

Which goal distinguishes project management and portfolio management?

Project management addresses specific, short-term goals whereas portfolio management focuses on long-term goals.

Which project management knowledge area ensures that the project will satisfy the stated or implied needs for which it was undertaken?

Project quality management

Which is a disadvantage for virtual teams compared to traditional teams?

Reduced opportunities for informal transfer of information

Galaxy, a construction company, buys a particular brand of tiles manufactured by Tiles and Floors, an eco-friendly tile manufacturing company. However, Tiles and Floors has declared bankruptcy and closed down. At present, Galaxy is facing a crisis because there are no other manufacturers in the market that supplies eco-friendly tiles. Which constraint is Galaxy currently facing?

Resources

_______ include people, hardware, software, or other assets.

Resources

_______ are sets of interacting components working within an environment to fulfill some purpose.

Systems

Which problem-solving approach requires defining the scope of a system, dividing it into its components, and then identifying and evaluating its problems, opportunities, constraints, and needs?

Systems analysis

Projects must operate in a broad organizational environment, and project managers need to consider projects within the greater organizational context. Which approach describes the holistic view of carrying out projects within the context of the organization?

Systems thinking

Identify several of the qualities of a good project manager.

- works with the project sponsors, team, and others involved to achieve project goals - considers scope, time, and cost - balances goals of scope, time, and cost - decides which aspect of the triple constraint is most important

Discuss four key issues project managers must address when working on global projects.

- Communications: Everyone is different, so it's important to address how people will communicate efficiently and in a timely manner. - Trust: Trust must be built immediately within teams. - Common work practices: Find common work practices that everyone agrees and is comfortable with - Tools: Skype, Google docs, or social media help enhance communications. Work groups must find tools that work best within their projects. Security is also an important factor.

Which observation is true of the agile approach to software development?

In the agile method, requirements and solutions evolve through collaboration.

Which of the following is true of the project life cycle?

In the early phases of a project life cycle, resource needs are usually lowest.

What processes include defining and authorizing a project or project phase?

Initiating

Which statement is true of project management?

It does not guarantee successes for all projects.

Which characteristic is true of virtual teams?

It is important to select team members carefully.

Which is true about the agile method?

It uses several iterations or deliveries of software instead of waiting until the end of the project to provide a product.

_______ tools, a step up from low-end tools, are designed to handle larger projects, multiple users, and multiple projects.

Midrange

What is a difference between low-end and midrange tools of the project management software?

Midrange tools are designed to handle larger projects than low-end tools.

Which characteristic of organizational culture refers to the degree to which the organization monitors and responds to changes in the external environment?

Open-systems focus

Which organization provides certification as a Project Management Professional?

PMI

Which characteristic of organizational culture describes the degree to which management's decisions take into account the effect of outcomes on people within the organization?

People focus