PM Chapter 3 Learn Smart
Experts feel it takes how long for a matrix system to fully mature. -up to six months -up to a year -1-2 years -3-5 years -five or more years
3-5 years
Which factors in organizational culture bind people together and create shared meaning? -Motivation -Beliefs -Norms -Assumptions -Values
Beliefs Norms Assumptions Values
Which PMO type had direct authority over projects
Command and Control Center
This type of PMO has direct authority over projects. -Command and Control Center -Resource Pool -Control Tower -Weather Station -Control and oversight office
Command and control center
Which PMO type has its primary function to improve project execution?
Control Tower
Which statement best describes the connection between corporate cultures and project management structure for success? -Project structure influences corporate culture. -Corporate culture and project structure are mutually exclusive in determining success. -Culture influences project structure.
Culture influences project structure
_______________ project teams operate as units separate from the rest of the parent organization.
Dedicated
Which two are primary benefits of using a matrix type of project management structure. -Dysfunctional conflict is avoided -Relatively fast project completion -Efficient use of resources -Strong project focus
Efficient use of resources & Strong project focus
True or False: Evaluation of individual factors will clearly define company culture.
False
True or false: Matrix organizations face their greatest challenge in post-project transition.
False
What is an advantage of the functional organization structure? -new skill sets gained by team members -team members are fixed for the life of the project -in-depth expertise is available
In depth expertise is available
Which type of project management structure is preferred If a primary concern is resource availability and the continuation of business operations while implementing projects? -Functional -Dedicated Project -Matrix
Matrix
Which statement best describes the connection between corporate cultures and project management structure for success? -Functional project management structure do not work in cultures that support cross-functional integration. -Independent project teams should not be used unless the culture supports the need for speed and innovation. -Matrix management structures are highly dependent upon company culture. -Corporate culture will take a "back seat" to project management structure.
Matrix management structures are highly dependent upon company culture.
All of the following are good clues to determine an organization's culture except for? -Personality stereotypes by geographic location -Determining if the organization focuses on the people who make up the company -Direct observation of how people interact with each other -Studying the physical characteristics of the organization
Personality stereotypes by geographic location
Which are the project factors that should guide an organization in determining the type of project management structure to utilize? -Novelty. -Type of industry. -Strategic importance. -External organizations involved. -Number of departments involved. -Project size. -Stability of resource requirements. -Budget and time restrictions. -Type of product.
Project size. Strategic importance. Novelty. Budget and time restrictions. Stability of resource requirements. External organizations involved. Number of departments involved.
Which PMO type has its goal to provide the organization with a cadre of trained project managers and professionals
Resource Pool
As an employee, which best describes how to define corporate culture? -Seeing how people act to achieve career success. -Paying close attention to the company's profits.
Seeing how people act to achieve career success.
Of the three types of matrix organizations, which has the best chance to diminish internal power struggles within team members? -weak -balanced -strong
Strong
Research suggests 10 primary characteristics that can define culture. What can be said about how these organizational characteristics define company culture? -The factors will have varying degrees of influence/utilization. -All employees would exhibit common attitudes for each factor. -Evaluation of individual factors will clearly define company culture.
The factors will have varying degrees of influence/utilization.
All are the key reasons project managers have to be able to "read and speak" the culture in which they are working except for.... -To hire the vendors which best fit the organizational culture of the project team. -To get buy-in from internal and external stakeholders. -To influence team members to complete the project to the client's specifications.
To hire the vendors which best fit the organizational culture of the project team.
True or false: In the matrix organizational structure, project team members report simultaneously to both functional and project managers.
True
Which PMO type has its primary function to track and monitor performance
Weather Station
What is considered a potential negative result of utilizing dedicated project teams, especially in a historically functional organization? -a "we-they" attitude -lack of personal responsibility -cross-functional integration
a "we-they" attitude
Who typically coordinates a project when one functional area plays a dominant role, or has a dominant interest, in a project being executed with a functional organization structure? -A high ranking manager from that area -The project sponsor -The entire management staff -The project "customer" for an internal project
a high ranking manager from that area
No single organizational culture can guarantee project success, however it is clear that ___. -the most successful cultures operate at the extremes of the various factors. -an optimal culture would balance success with process. -risk avoidance is key to project success.
an optimal culture would balance success with process.
Project management systems need to balance the organizational structure and that of the project group with respect to ___. -costs -authority -scope creation
authority
There is empirical evidence that project success is directly linked to the amount of ____________ and _____________ project managers have over their projects.
autonomy & authority
Under adverse cultural conditions, to succeed, a project manager's authority of a project team should ___. -operate using the weak or balance matrix model. -be "significant", such as a strong matrix or a dedicated project team. -operate using a functional organization.
be "significant", such as a strong matrix or a dedicated project team.
______________ helps define what is permissible and inappropriate behavior
culture
The metaphor the textbook choose to describe the relationship between organizational culture and project management is that of a riverboat trip. _________ is the river and the _____________ is the boat.
culture; project
The lack of horizontal (direct) lines of communication in a functional project organization will generally cause a longer project completion time due to... -delayed realization of the impact of other team members work -team members not keeping their supervisor/manager informed
delayed realization of the impact of other team members work
Which organizational structure works best for projects? -the functional organization structure -the projectized organization structure -the matrix organizational structure -depends on the project and the organization
depends on the project and the organization
A functional structure is best suited when a single department has what two things? -dominant interest -dominant role -surplus of resources -project sponsor
dominant interest & dominant role
The advantages of a functional project organization include what two things?. -easy post-project transition -focus on regular work maintained -maximum flexibility in the use of staff -quicker completion time
easy post-project transition & maximum flexibility in the use of staff
Which are the two primary benefits of using a dedicated project management structure. -faster -cheaper -simpler
faster & simpler
Which of the following is FALSE about companies that are predominantly project organizations, such as construction or software firms? -personnel may work on multiple projects at the same time -the organization is structured around the projects -functional departments exist to be support staff for project teams -functional departments, as in classic organizations, do not exist
functional departments, as in classic organizations, do not exist
When deciding on a project management structure, the needs of the parent organization and the project have to be balanced in all of these terms EXCEPT for: -how authority will be delegated -how team members will be evaluated -how project outcomes will be used -how resources will be allocated
how team members will be evaluated
Matrix management is a _____ organizational structure, in which a horizontal project management structure is overlaid on the normal functional structure. -hybrid -traditional
hybrid
What is an advantage of the functional organization structure? -new skill sets gained by team members -team members are fixed for the life of the project -in-depth expertise is available
in depth expertise available
______________ projects are low-risk, short-term projects that involve minor adjustments in existing products and processes.
incremental
Which 3 project factors should lead an organization toward a dedicated project team structure? -large project size -tight time restrictions -repetitive project type -type of industry -high strategic importance
large project size, tight time restrictions, and high strategic importance
What are 3 weaknesses of the project team approach? -limited technological expertise -it is less expensive -lower levels of conflict -it is expensive -difficult post-project transition
limited technological expertise, it is expensive, difficult post-project transition
When projects are completed using a functional project management organization, it typically takes ____________ to complete projects through its functional arrangement
longer
The ________________ structure is designed to utilize resources optimally by having individuals work on multiple projects as well as being capable of performing normal functional duties.
matrix
When projects are organized within the functional organization, coordination is maintained through __________________ management channels
normal
In a functional organization, coordination of projects is maintained through _____. -normal channels -the project portfolio office -the project sponsor
normal channels
In the case of firms where projects are the dominant form of business the entire organization is designed to support project teams. This type of organization is referred to in the literature as a _________________ organization
projected
With a matrix type of project management structure, ___________ may emerge as the members develop a strong team identity.
projectitis
If large percentage of work involves projects, then an organization should consider a fully _______________ organization.
projectized
When the dominant organizational culture inhibits collaboration and innovation, it is advisable to insulate the project team from the dominant culture. Here it becomes necessary to create a ___________-____________ project team.
self-sufficient
What two reasons would a company choose to create a dedicated project team structure if that is not their normal project approach? -concern about post project team assignments -the need for speed -the need for a high level of cross functional integration -concern over excess project cost
the need for speed & the need for a high level of cross functional integration
Which of the following is a characteristic responsibility of the project manager on a dedicated project team? -the project manager works part-time on the project -the project manager recruits project team members -the project manager sets the budget for the project
the project manager recruits project team members
What differentiates a weak matrix project management structure from a functional project management structure? -functional managers determine team members work priorities -the weak matrix has a formally designated project manager -functional managers determine schedules and project plans
the weak matrix has a formally designated project manager
A ___________ or ____________ culture is one that is not widely shared or practiced within a firm.
thin; weak
In general, what two reasons should be considered when selecting a management style for a project? -type of project -project managers expertise -Organizational culture
type of project & organizational culture