Operations Management Chapter 5
What is a project?
a series of related jobs usually directed toward some major output and requiring a significant period of time to perform
Which of the following is a general type of project? (select all that apply) a. derivative b. platform c. permanent d. breakthrough
a. derivative AND b. platform AND d. breakthrough
Milestones for a project can include: (select all that apply) a. prototype testing b. completion of design c. chart that displays project tasks d. production of a prototype
a. prototype testing AND b. completion of design AND d. production of a prototype
Which of the following is NOT a major project category? a. product change b. process change c. inventory control d. research and development
c. inventory control
Gantt charts show which of the following? (select all that apply) a. project budget b. resources c. sequence of activities d. amount of time
c. sequence of activities AND d. amount of time
Project management has its own triangle framework that includes: ________________ , _____________ , and ______________
cost, schedule, scope
Which of the following is a disadvantage of the pure project structure? a. project team members report to one boss b. lines of communication are shortened and project decisions can be made quickly c. team commitment is high d. project team members may be worried about their employment after the project is completed
d. project team members may be worried about their employment after the project is completed
When breaking down a project into smaller elements, what terms are used to describe the subdivisions? a. activity and tasks b. activity and gantt charts c. task and menial tasks d. task and subtasks
d. task and subtasks
True or false: With a matrix project organizational structure, firms make better use of their resources but there is a risk that the firm's policies may be ignored
false
True or false: a task is performed by multiple groups or organizations
false
True or false: With PERT analysis, for the situation when the "due date" is the "expected completion date", then the probability of the project being completed on or before the due date is at least 90%.
false (it would be 50%)
One advantage of the __________ project structure is that team members can work on several projects without having to report to multiple project managers
functional
To show the amount of time associated with an activity, as well as the sequence of activities, a project manager could use a _________ chart
gantt
What are the major project categories?
product change, process change, research & development, and alliance & partnership
What may make some project tasks more important than others?
the critical path
The ________ project structure minimizes the duplication of resources
matrix
What are specific events that upon completion mark important progress toward completing a project?
milestones
True or false: one advantage of the pure project structure is that the project manager has full authority over the project
true
True or false: the hierarchy of project tasks, subtasks and work packages is known as a work breakdown structure
true
True or false: the process change area of projects accommodates activities such as new equipment purchases or upgrading current process
true
Rank the following terms in regards to a project from the highest level down to the lowest -work package -program -subtask -task -project
1. program 2. project 3. task 4. subtask 5. work package
Disadvantages of a functional project include: (select all that apply) a. responses to client needs are slow b. team members can be assigned to multiple projects c. motivation is normally weak, focus is placed on unit tasks or other projects d. project tasks are often shortchanged over functional area tasks
a. responses to client needs are slow AND c. motivation is normally weak, focus is placed on unit tasks or other projects AND d. project tasks are often shortchanged over functional area tasks
Which of the following is NOT an advantage of the functional project structure? a. team members report to a dedicated project manager b. team members remain connected to their functional areas c. the project can benefit from the expertise of a larger number of experts d. team members can work on multiple projects
a. team members report to a dedicated project manager
A statement of work should include: (select all that apply) a. work to be completed and proposed schedule b. budget performance measures c. completion steps or milestones d. the number of employees that will be required
a. work to be completed and proposed schedule AND b. budget performance measures AND c. completion steps or milestones
A key assumption related to the resources needed to complete activities when using the critical path method is that resources are always ___________
available
A firm should have a mix of projects that best support: a. HR policies for hiring new employees b. a company's strategic strategy c. choosing the project that requires the least amount of time to complete d. the operations manager's vision
b. a company's strategic strategy
In CPFR, what type of data is shared? (select all that apply) a. customer credit card information b. forecasts of demand c. annual report (10K) d. inventory replentishment e. latest NHL scores
b. forecasts of demand AND d. inventory replentishment
If a delay of an activity delays the entire project, then this activity... a. is normal b. is on the critical path c. has an incorrect relationship defined in the project d. will not affect the overall project
b. is on the critical path
All of the following are constraints addressed in project management except: a. time constraints b. people constraints c. cost d. technical
b. people constraints
Identify the type of project that primarily involves fundamental improvements to existing products a. derivative project b. platform project c. innovative project d. breakthrough project
b. platform project
Which of the following is a disadvantage of the matrix project structure? a. project managers are held responsible for the completion of their project b. project managers may "hoard" resources for their own project c. team members no longer report to their functional-area manager d. parent organization policies are often ignored
b. project managers may "hoard" resources for their own project
Alliance & partnership during project execution involves activities such as (Select all that apply) a. technology upgrades b. selecting new partners c. outsourcing major activities d. selecting carriers
b. selecting new partners AND c. outsourcing major activities AND d. selecting carriers
Which of the following are advantages of the matrix project structure? (select all that apply) a. team members report to two bosses, and the functional manager will be listened to first b. there is enhanced communication between functional areas c. team members are less concerned about their future employment after the project is completed d. resource duplication is minimized
b. there is enhanced communication between functional areas AND c. team members are less concerned about their future employment after the project is completed AND d. resource duplication is minimized
What term describes the group of activities assigned to a single organization unit? a. work breakdown structure b. work package c. project milestone d. activity list
b. work package
Which of the following is a term used to refer to pieces of work that consume time? a. bundle b. package c. activity d. target
c. activity