IT 343 Final GMU
The ratio between revenues and profits
profit margin
Many experts agree that the greatest threat to the success of any project, especially information technology projects, is a failure to _____.
communicate
A(n) _____ must include suggested methods or technologies for conveying information.
communications management plan
Dollar amounts included in a cost estimate to allow for future situations that may be partially planned for (sometimes called known unknowns) and that are included in the project cost baseline
contingency reserves
_____ are funds included in the cost baseline that can be used to mitigate cost or schedule overruns if known risks occur.
contingency reserves
In the DMAIC process, the letter "C" stands for _____.
control
Which graphic display of data illustrates the results of a process over time?
control chart
Validated changes and validated deliverables are the outputs of the ____ subprocess of project quality management.
controlling
A time-phased budget that project managers use to measure and monitor cost performance
cost baseline
A(n) _____ is a time-phased budget that project managers use to measure and monitor cost performance.
cost baseline
The processes required to ensure that the project is completed within the approved budget
project cost management
A cost management plan is a subsidiary of the _____ plan.
project management
Which is the new knowledge area identified by the Project Management Institute?
project stakeholder management
All meetings must have a(n) _____ and intended outcome.
purpose
The International Organization for Standardization (ISO) defines _____ as "the totality of characteristics of an entity that bear on its ability to satisfy stated or implied needs."
quality
The ratio of actual work completed to the percentage of work planned to have been completed at any given time during the life of the project or activity
rate of performance (RP)
An estimate of the value of the physical work actually completed
earned value (EV)
Communication becomes simpler when you increase the number of team members.
False
Unknown risks can be managed proactively.
False
One main output of the _____ process is a risk register.
identifying risks
Which process involves determining what risks are likely to affect a project and documenting the characteristics of each?
identifying risks
The main output of which process is the stakeholder register?
identifying stakeholders
Project Quality Management addresses
The management of the project and the deliverables of the project.
In the Tuckman model, storming occurs when team members have different opinions for how the team should operate.
True
The term _____ is used to describe risks that the project team has identified and analyzed.
known risks
Revenues minus expenses
profits
Which document describes what the project team has accomplished during a certain period?
progress reports
_____ are predefined actions that the project team will take if an identified risk event occurs.
Contingency plans
What determines project success?
People
A schedule performance index of one means that the project is on schedule.
True
The original project plan plus approved changes
baseline
What term is used for analogous estimates?
top-down
Issue logs can be used to address issues related to other knowledge areas like project scope management or project quality management.
True
Large, complex projects involving leading-edge technologies often require extensive quantitative risk analysis.
True
One output of Project Quality Management is the Quality Management Plan
True
Parametric models are reliable when the models are flexible in terms of the project's size.
True
Rarely does the receiver interpret a message exactly as the sender intended.
True
Stakeholders might change during a project due to employee turnover, partnerships, and other events.
True
A team has 10 communication channels between its various members. Using the formula for calculating the number of communication channels, it can be deduced that the team has _____ members.
45
What type of chart is used to show resource loading?
A chart that shows resource loading is a resource histogram which displays the amount of work assigned to a resource over a period of time.
Give an example of a hygiene factor, as defined by Herzberg.
An example of a hygiene factor would be salary. It does not necessarily motivate, but if salary is too low, it can lead to low morale and employee dissatisfaction.
A RAM is used only to assign detailed work activities.
False
A leading stakeholder is one who is aware of the project and is neither supportive nor resistant to it.
False
Project members should either have strong technical skills or soft skills.
False
Project stakeholder management is completely unrelated to communications and resource management.
False
Sensitive information can be included in the stakeholder register as very few people in the organization have access to it.
False
The lower the earned monetary value calculation for a project, the chances of project success is higher.
False
The main output of the identifying stakeholders process is the project charter.
False
Which is a guideline that project managers should follow when communicating with teams through e-mail?
If the entire message can fit in the subject line, put it there.
Who created fishbone diagrams, and what are they used for?
Kaoru Ishikawa created the fishbone diagram, which is used to show a systematic view of effects and causes that create or contribute to those effects.
Keeps the errors out of the process
Prevention
Define quality and what is meant by stated and implied needs.
Quality is how well a product or service meets or exceeds the customer's expectations. Stated needs are the expectations of the customer that are communicated to the provider. Implied needs are unstated needs that are not explicitly communicated. Addressing these needs can lead to higher customer satisfaction.
What does RACI stand for in a RACI chart?
RACI stands for Responsible, Accountable, Consulted, and Informed. It is a responsibility matrix that clarifies roles and responsibilities in project tasks.
What do the letters RAM stand for as they relate to project human resource management?
RAM stands for Responsibility Assignment Matrix, which is used to show the connections between work that needs to be done and the project team members.
What types of influence are correlated with successful projects?
Successful projects typically have outgoing, enthusiasm, and leadership through acclimation.
Which for of COST is easily measurable?
Tangible
Which is better, Three Sigma, Four Sigma, Five Sigma, or Six Sigma?
This depends on the specifics of the product or service requirements, but the higher levels are more efficient and effective processes with fewer defects. Six sigma is thought to be the best in terms of quality management and process improvement.
Contingency plans are predefined actions that the project team will take if an identified risk event occurs.
True
Do not have a meeting if there is a better way of achieving the objective at hand.
True
Good information technology project managers must have strong technical and communication skills.
True
Groups representing consumer, environmental, or other interests can be identified as project stakeholders.
True
Identified risks may not materialize, or their probabilities of occurrence or loss may diminish.
True
The main output of qualitative risk analysis is updating the risk register.
True
The project manager often combines information from all of the lessons-learned reports into a project summary report.
True
The risk register can be created with a simple Microsoft Word or Excel file.
True
Though stakeholders cannot be controlled, their level of engagement can be monitored.
True
_____ are unplanned responses to risk events used when project teams do not have contingency plans in place.
Workarounds
A(n) _____ forces meeting organizers to plan the meeting and gives potential participants the chance to decide whether they need to attend.
agenda
Costs that can be directly related to creating the products and services of the project
direct costs
A project performance measurement technique that integrates scope, time, and cost data
earned value management (EVM)
An estimate of what it will cost to complete the project based on performance to date
estimate at completion (EAC)
A(n) _____ is a tool that helps clarify expectations and lists project measures of success as well as priorities, expectations, and guidelines related to each measure.
expectations management matrix
Which document predicts future project status and progress based on past information and trends?
forecasts
The stakeholder register is the output of the _____ stakeholders process of project stakeholder management.
identifying
What process involves determining everyone involved in the project or affected by it, and determining the best ways to manage relationships with them?
identifying stakeholders
As the number of people involved in a project _____, the complexity of communications _____.
increases, increases
Costs that are not directly related to the products or services of the project, but are indirectly related to performing the project
indirect costs
Costs or benefits that are difficult to measure in monetary terms
intangible costs or benefits
The project sponsor, project team and the support staff would be the _____ project stakeholders.
internal
A(n) _____ is a tool that is used to document, monitor, and track problems that need resolution.
issue log
Dollar amounts included in a cost estimate to allow for future situations that may be partially planned for (sometimes called contingency reserves) and that are included in the project cost baseline
known unknowns
A(n) _____ stakeholder is one who is aware of the project and its potential impacts and actively engaged in helping it succeed.
leading
Doctors who actively participate in a project related to using information technology for chronic health problems would be examples of which stakeholder?
leading
A theory that when many items are produced repetitively, the unit cost of those items normally decreases in a regular pattern as more units are produced
learning curve theory
The items discussed in a(n) _____ include reflections on whether project goals were met, whether the project was successful or not, causes of variances on the project, reasoning behind corrective actions chosen, use of different project management tools and techniques, and personal words of wisdom based on team members' experiences.
lessons-learned report
The total cost of ownership, or development plus support costs, for a project
life cycle costing
Dollar amounts included in a cost estimate to allow for future situations that are unpredictable (sometimes called unknown unknowns)
management reserves
One of the main outputs of the _____ process are change requests.
managing stakeholder engagement
Risk _____ refers to reducing the impact of a risk event by reducing the probability of its occurrence.
mitigation
Which process involves monitoring identified and residual risks, identifying new risks, carrying out risk response plans, and evaluating the effectiveness of risk strategies throughout the life of the project?
monitoring risk
Which process involves monitoring stakeholder relationships and adjusting plans and strategies for engaging stakeholders as needed?
monitoring stakeholder engagement
The formula to determine the number of communication channels is _____, where n is the number of people involved.
n (n-1)/2
Potential problems that might occur on the project and how they might impede project success are _____ risks.
negative
A(n) _____ stakeholder is one who is aware of the project and is neither supportive nor resistant.
neutral
The additional percentage or dollar amount by which actual costs exceed estimates
overrun
A cost-estimating technique that uses project characteristics (parameters) in a mathematical model to estimate project costs
parametric estimating
_____ are normally provided as status reports or progress reports.
performance reports
Which process involves prioritizing risks based on their probability and impact of occurrence?
performing qualitative risk analysis
The portion of the approved total cost estimate planned to be spent on an activity during a given period
planned value (PV)
Which process involves determining the information and communications needs of the stakeholders?
planning communications
The outputs of the _____ process are communications management plan and project documents updates.
planning communications management
What process involves deciding how to approach and plan the risk management activities for the project?
planning risk management
You can create a(n) _____ to group stakeholders based on their level of authority (power) and their level of concern (interest) for project outcomes.
power/interest grid
The _____ lists the relative probability of a risk occurring and the relative impact of the risk occurring.
probability/impact matrix
Dollar amounts included in a cost estimate to mitigate cost risk by allowing for future situations that are difficult to predict
reserves
Which tool is a column chart that shows the number of resources assigned to a project over time?
resource histogram
Which action involves eliminating a specific threat, usually by eliminating its causes?
risk avoidance
A(n) _____ documents the procedures for managing risk throughout the project.
risk management plan
Which action involves reducing the impact of a risk event by reducing the probability of its occurrence?
risk mitigation
_____ is the amount of satisfaction or pleasure received from a potential payoff.
risk utility
A cost estimate prepared very early in the life of a project to provide a rough idea of what a project will cost
rough order of magnitude (ROM) estimate
The ratio of earned value to planned value; can be used to estimate the projected time to complete a project
schedule performance index (SPI)
The earned value minus the planned value
schedule variance (SV)
Which risks are direct results of implementing risk responses?
secondary
Which technique is used to show the effects of changing one or more variables on an outcome?
sensitivity analysis
Which method of communication is likely to be most effective for conveying sensitive or important information?
short face-to-face meetings
A(n) _____ is a technique for analyzing information to determine which stakeholders' interests to focus on and how to increase stakeholder support throughout the project.
stakeholder analysis
Which process involves choosing part of a population of interest for inspection?
statistical sampling
Which document describes where the project stands at a specific point in time?
status reports
Money that has been spent in the past
sunk cost
Costs or benefits that can be easily measured in dollars
tangible costs or benefits
Involves estimating the most likely, optimistic, and pessimistic costs for items.
three-point estimate
A cost-estimating technique that uses the actual cost of a previous, similar project as the basis for estimating the cost of the current project; also called analogous estimates
top-down estimates
A(n) _____ stakeholder is one who is oblivious to a project and its potential impact.
unaware
A(n) _____ is a website that enables anyone who accesses it to contribute or modify its content.
wiki
According to research by Albert Mehrabian, which is NOT a way that information is communicated through face-to-face interaction?
written content
Which statement is true of a order of magnitude estimate?
It provides an estimate of what a project will cost.
One clear reason for Project Cost Overrun is
Unclear Project Scope
The total of direct and indirect costs incurred in accomplishing work on an activity during a given period
actual cost (AC)
What is the first step in project cost management?
allocate project cost estimates to individual material resources
The original total budget for a project
budget at completion (BAC)
The ratio of earned value to actual cost; can be used to estimate the projected cost to complete the project
cost performance index (CPI)
The earned value minus the actual cost
cost variance (CV)
Six Sigma's target for perfection is the achievement of no more than _____ defects, errors, or mistakes per million opportunities.
3.4
_____ should receive frequent performance feedback, and although money is not an important motivator to them, it is an effective form of feedback.
Achievers
Which statement is one of Juran's ten steps to quality improvement?
An organization should build awareness of the need and opportunity for improvement.
Who wrote Quality Is Free in 1979 and is best known for suggesting that organizations strive for zero defects?
Crosby
_____ is a quality planning technique that helps identify which variables have the most influence on the overall outcome of a process.
Design of experiments
Which statement is one of Deming's 14 Points for Management?
Eliminate the annual rating or merit system.
A budgetary estimate is the most accurate of the three types of estimates.
False
A negative schedule variance means that it took less time than planned to perform the work.
False
A run chart is a bar graph that depicts data points and their order of occurrence.
False
If the cost performance index (CPI) is less than 100 percent, the project is under budget.
False
It is important for project managers to focus on indirect costs because they can be easily controlled.
False
Managers who believe in Theory Y assume that workers dislike and avoid work if possible, so managers must use coercion, threats, and various control schemes to get workers to make adequate efforts to meet objectives.
False
Reliability is the ability of a product or service to perform as expected under unusual conditions.
False
The forcing mode is one in which the project manager deemphasizes or avoids areas of differences and emphasizes areas of agreement.
False
Who is best known for distinguishing between motivational factors and hygiene factors when considering motivation in work settings?
Frederick Herzberg
________ are a means of measuring software size based on what the software does for end users.
Function points
Which Quality management technique assists in deciding the priority order?
Prioritization Matrices
_____ is a relation of harmony, conformity, accord, or affinity and is important for communication.
Rapport
The _____ model focuses on defining user requirements and planning software projects.
SQFD
In the MBTI, which dimension relates to the manner in which you gather information?
Sensation/Intuition
_____ is the concept that the whole is equal to more than the sum of its parts.
Synergy
What theory emphasizes factors such as job rotation, broadening of skills, generalization versus specialization, and the need for continuous training of workers?
Theory Z
Managers who believe in McGregor's _____ assume that individuals do not inherently dislike work, but consider it as natural as play or rest.
Theory y
A staffing management plan describes when and how people will be added to and taken off the project team.
True
Budgetary estimates are made even before a project is officially started.
True
Spreadsheets are a common tool for cost estimating, cost budgeting, and cost control.
True
The affinity diagram organizes many ideas into their natural relationships. Output of brainstorming session.
True
The formulas for variances and indexes start with EV, the earned value.
True
The project management plan and project funding requirements are inputs of the process of controlling costs.
True
Using Six Sigma principles is an organization-wide commitment and all employees must embrace its principles.
True
According to Maslow, only after meeting _____ needs can individuals act upon growth needs.
deficiency
What are the bottom four needs in Maslow's structure are referred to as?
deficiency
Which phase of the DMAIC process includes tools such as a project charter, a description of customer requirements, process maps, and Voice of the Customer (VOC) data?
define
What type of estimate is used for making many purchasing decisions for which accurate estimates are required and for estimating final project costs?
definitive
What term is used for taking time to renew oneself physically, spiritually, mentally and socially?
sharpening the saw
Which is a measure of quality control equal to one fault in one million opportunities problems?
six 9s of quality rule
In the Tuckman model, what occurs as team members have different opinions as to how the team should operate?
storming
According to Lencioni, which quality is present in organizations that succeed?
teamwork
Which test is done to test each individual component (often a program) to ensure that it is as defect-free as possible?
unit
Which system involves a three-part, continuous cycle of planning, controlling, and documenting quality in an organization?
ISO 9000
Keeps the errors out of the customer's hands
Inspection
Which costs are difficult to measure in monetary terms?
Intangible costs
Which reserves allow for future situations that are unpredictable?
Management reserves
A cost-estimating technique that uses the actual cost of a previous, similar project as the basis for estimating the cost of the current project; also called top-down estimates
analogous estimates
Which type of estimate uses the actual cost of a previous, similar project as the basis for estimating the cost of the current project?
analogous estimates
Psychologist David Merril describes which behavioral profile as reactive and task-oriented?
analyticals
A cost-estimating technique based on estimating individual work items and summing them to get a project total
bottom-up estimate
A cost estimate used to allocate money into an organization's budget
budgetary estimate
The main outputs of the _____ process are activity cost estimates, basis of estimates, and project document updates.
cost estimating
The main output of the planning cost management process is a(n) _____.
cost management plan
The _____ means taking responsibility for failures or not meeting quality expectations.
cost of non-conformance**
Which type of estimate should be used if the cost estimate for a project is used a basis for contract awards and performance reporting?
definitive
A cost estimate that provides an accurate estimate of project costs
definitive estimate
Which process involves allocating the overall cost estimate to individual work items to establish a baseline for measuring performance?
determining the budget
The main outputs of which process are team performance assessments, change requests, and updates to several documents?
developing the project team
Variances are calculated by subtracting the actual cost from which value?
earned value
Which statement best defines cost variance?
earned value minus the actual cost
What is the purpose of a cost performance index (CPI)?
estimate the projected cost of completing the project
What is the first step in the framework for defining and assigning work?
finalizing the project requirements
The term _____ means a product can be used as it was intended.
fitness for use
Which term is used for the ability of a product to be used as it was intended?
fitness for use
Understanding your own emotions, feelings and motivations is:
intrapersonal intelligence
What does the process of controlling costs primarily involve?
managing changes to the project budget
Which concept refers to matching certain behaviors of the other person?
mirroring
Which addresses how well a product or service performs the customer's intended use?
performance
In the Tuckman model, what occurs when the emphasis is on reaching the team goals, rather than working on team process?
performing
The main outputs of which process are a quality management plan, quality metrics, project management plan updates, and project documents updates?
planning quality management
Covey, like Maslow, believes that people have the ability to be _____ and choose their responses to different situations.
proactive
Project costs, like project schedules, grow out of the basic documents that initiate a project, like the _____.
project charter
Which process is often associated with the technical tools and techniques of quality management, such as Pareto charts, quality control charts, and statistical sampling?
quality control
What term is used for the relation of harmony, conformity, accord, or affinity?
rapport
What term is used for the ability of a product or service to perform as expected under normal conditions?
reliability
