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