Project Management, 6th Edition

There are three tools and techniques used in the Plan Schedule Management process. What role does each one play?

Expert judgment provides insight based on experience with past similar projects Meetings bring experts and team members together to share ideas and make decisions Data analysis is used to sort through options and arrive at the best decisions regarding how to schedule the project

Following the final steps in the lessons learned process, it's vital that lessons learned are adopted in the organization. Which activities are essential for ensuring lessons learned are implemented?

Extending lessons to the entire organization Developing an implementation plan Gathering solution-implementation feedback Recognizing best practices

A law firm outsourcing document production to an external vendor is assessing its services before extending the contract. What tasks should a PM perform during the Direct & Manage Project Work process?

Extending the duration of the trial period when a decision is made and approved Logging information about a discovery that substandard documents were initially produced due to insufficient house style information Determining the average monthly cost of the vendor's service based on the number of documents created

What elements are typically included in a project charter?

High-level requirements, assumptions, and constraints Measurable objectives and related success criteria High-level project description and boundaries Summary milestone schedule Project purpose or justification Overall project risk

What are the main activities that need to be performed when validating a project's scope?

The customer or sponsor formally accepts the deliverables The customer, or sponsor, and the project manager inspect deliverables to confirm that they meet requirements

Which statements best describe the activities of the executing process group?

The executing process group overlaps with all the other process groups Activity in the executing process group starts off slowly, at the very beginning of the project life cycle

Activity H on path 1 and Activity D on path 2 converge into Activity E.What is used to determine the early start of Activity E?

The higher of the two early finishes of Activities H and D

How is the Close Project or Phase process linked to the Direct and Manage Project Work, Monitor and Control Project Work, Perform Integrated Change Control, and Manage Project Knowledge processes?

The project management plan, created or updated through the other processes, is an input to the Close Project or Phase process

Which examples of inputs should be included in the Develop Schedule process?

The project schedule network diagram Vendor sales agreements The scope baseline Government regulations Scheduling methodology

You issue a request to update a quality control process that checks the functionality of a new product you're developing. What are outcomes of the change control process given this change request?

The quality management plan is updated The change request is approved The change log is updated The change request status is updated

Which statements are true of the relationship between project life cycle stages and the phases in a project?

The stage of carrying out project work does not align with a single phase - many phases may occur during this stage, depending on the nature of the project. The project life cycle is made up of all the project phases. The starting, organizing and preparing, and closing project life cycle stages tend to have aligning phases.

Which documents do you use to compile the scope baseline?

The work package Project scope statement The planning package WBS dictionary The WBS

If Activity C has the same early and late finish of 9 and the same early and late start of 3, what can you determine about the float on Activity C?

There is no float

Which items exemplify outputs of the Estimate Activity Durations process?

Update the assumption log to include the quantity resources needed to complete an activity Three weeks plus or minus five days to complete training Six hours to edit a funding proposal Documentation on constraints that may slow down an activity

You're managing a project in which you've encountered a massive change request. Which examples represent outputs of the control scope process?

Updated requirements documentation, project scope statement, WBS, and WBS dictionary, including the new requirements Correlated information about how increased throughputs will affect schedule and cost baselines

Activity H is a predecessor to Activity E. If Activity H can be delayed up to 5 months without delaying the start of Activity E, what is the free float of Activity H?

5

What are possible outputs of the Close Project or Phase process?

A new matrix diagram created during the project that will now be used in other project work A digital file with all sign-offs from the customer and finalized project documents A call center service rolled out to clients A record of issues that arose during a project and how the issues were resolved A memo sent to key stakeholders informing them that a project phase deliverable has been signed off and transferred

In a project to boost the sales of a breakfast cereal, what are examples of inputs to the Monitor and Control Project Work process?

A prediction of future costs given the current trend of increased advertising costs A report on the current status of achievements in sales A lesson learned register with information from previous initiatives to boost sales A distributor agreement that outlines terms for expansion into new markets

You're managing a project to upgrade waste removal facilities at a hospital. Which examples are inputs to the Monitor and Control Project Work process?

A project management plan The hospital's own quality standards and processes for waste removal An expenditure review from the hospital's financial reporting system A quality baseline detailing the required legal standards for the new facilities

Which path would be the critical path in a project schedule?

A-B-C-D-E-F = 12

Activity E has predecessors B, C, and D. What does this mean?

Activities B, C, and D merge or converge into Activity E

Which elements are part of a typical project schedule?

Activity name and duration Start and finish dates Resources assigned to the activity Data Line Bar chart

A wind farm is executing a project to install new wind turbines in all its units so they can generate more power. What are the outputs of the Direct and Manage Project Work process for this project?

An update to a defect management process as result of the quality issue An increase in power output A log entry relating to a quality issue for certain turbine components The current status of completion of the wind turbines

You've created a prototype in the manufacturing phase of a new medical device and are ready to hand the project over to the next phase. What tasks use tools of the Close Project or Phase process?

Analyze data from a closing survey to assess the success of the project phase Collaborate with stakeholders on validating the device Gather the lessons learned during the project phase and decide which information to archive for future use

You've completed the construction of a block of apartments and you're now moving the project into the Close Project or Phase process. Which tasks use techniques of the Close Project or Phase process?

Analyze data from project audits and product evaluations Gather project files, sign-offs, and lessons learned during the project phase and archive the information for future use Meet with the customer to confirm that all acceptance criteria for the building have been met

What tools and techniques can help you define a project's scope?

Applying multicriteria decision analysis to examine solutions Using alternatives analysis to discover different ways to meet project requirements Using facilitation skills to get people from cross-functional teams to reach a consensus Applying a product breakdown method to analyze deliverables Asking a consultant about a product's specifications

What are the outputs of the Perform Integrated Change Control process?

Approved change requests Project management plan updates (any component) Project documents updates (change log)

What inputs do you need when directing and managing project work?

Approved change requests The project management plan Project documents Organizational process assets Enterprise environmental factors

What key principles of the Perform Integrated Change Control process should you follow?

Approved changes must be coordinated. Project baselines should be changed only when necessary. The impact of change requests must be documented.

What activities should you perform when carrying out variance analysis?

Assess the impact on the project Identify the variance Determine the cause of the variance Decide what action to take

Which examples are typical elements of a project charter?

Assigned project manager, responsibility, and authority level Key stakeholder list Project approval requirements Project exit criteria Preapproved financial resources Name and authority of the sponsor or other persons authorizing the project charter

What are the examples of inputs of the Develop Schedule process?

Business communications channels Project calendars The schedule management plan The milestone list Vendor contracts

Which inputs are used in the collect requirements process?

Business documents Project management plan Project documents Project charter Enterprise environmental factors Organizational process assets Agreements

Projects are used to implement business strategy and achieve an enterprise's goals or objectives. What are some elements of a project's strategic framework?

Business perspectives Business objectives Products or services Relative value

After the final steps in the lessons learned process, you must ensure the lessons learned are adopted into the organization. Which activities are important in implementing lessons learned?

Collecting solution implementation feedback Recognizing best practices Extending lessons learned to the whole organization Creating an implementation plan

Lessons learned can be passed on through a formal register. Which issues should be included in a lessons learned register?

Causes of shortcomings Results and reasons for successful outcomes Activities that did not provide value Specific management strategies

What statements about updating project baselines are correct?

Change requests often cause project baselines to be adjusted Changes to one baseline typically affect other baselines as well Project baselines may be increased or decreased, depending on the constraints and needs of the project

What are the decomposition activities involved in developing a work breakdown structure?

Completing the decomposition of identified deliverables Assigning identification codes to each WBS component Structuring and organizing WBS components Identifying and analyzing main deliverables and the work of the project Verifying that the WBS is complete and correct

What are some of the components that should be included in the schedule management plan?

Control thresholds Level of accuracy Reporting formats Rules of performance measurement Units of measure

What roles does Project Integration Management have in a project?

Coordinating processes so the project's objectives can be met in an organized way Effectively managing resource allocation to achieve the desired performance Managing stakeholder engagement and expectations throughout the project

Which techniques can you use to shorten overall schedule duration?

Crashing Fast tracking Leads

Which inputs are needed in the Define Activities process?

Enterprise environmental factors Project management plan Organizational process assets

What are some of the tools and techniques that you can use to collect project requirements?

Decision making Data gathering, analysis, and representation Prototypes Interpersonal and team skills Context diagram Expert judgment

The use of lessons learned is a principal component of an organizational culture committed to continuous improvement. What are some of the features of lessons learned?

Determining project management methodology Documenting valuable information Recommending changes to practices and procedures Being referred to as project audits

What decomposition activities are carried out when creating a work breakdown structure?

Developing and assigning identification codes to the WBS components Decomposing the upper WBS levels into lower level detailed components Verifying that the degree of decomposition of the deliverables is appropriate Structuring and organizing the WBS Identifying and analyzing the main deliverables

Which tools and techniques are appropriate when developing a project charter?

Eliciting expert advice about which product and project requirements to include Gathering information through consultations Effectively organizing focus groups or interviews Using problem-solving skills to ensure meetings with experts run smoothly

Various tools can be used to analyze information. Suppose you want to explore the reasons that product quality does not match quality standards.Which tool should you use?

Fishbone diagram and 5 Whys

What are the primary activities of stakeholders in the validate scope process?

Formally accepting the deliverables Ensuring product meets requirements Inspecting deliverables

Continuous improvement is supported by best practices and benchmarking. Which statements describe how best practices and benchmarking can support continuous improvement?

If operations are confidential, internal benchmarking can be used to improve an organization Best practices provide insight into how best to do things in the future Benchmarking can be used as a tool for measuring your company's performance to others in the same industry to identify best practices to be incorporated

What are the purposes of a work breakdown structure, otherwise known as the WBS?

It facilitates project scheduling It helps you estimate project costs It enables you to define project team members' responsibilities It helps you monitor and control the progress of a project

What roles does the work breakdown structure, or WBS, dictionary play in the scope baseline?

It includes cross-references to the requirements database and facilitates integrated project management It describes the items that make up the WBS, including details about their scope, methods, costs, schedule, and quality

What statements accurately define the Project Management Institute (PMI)® and its role in the project management profession?

It sets standards and provides information and resources for project managers. It provides the only globally recognized certification for project managers. It is the leading association for the project management profession.

There are various methods that can be used to gather lessons learned during and after a project.Which methods are primary sources of lessons learned?

Item tracking Third parties Quality variance reports Project status reports

What are the tools and techniques used in the Monitor and Control Project Work process?

Meetings Decision making Data analysis Expert judgment

What does the control scope process aim to do?

Monitor scope changes Prevent and correct scope creep

What should you check when verifying the work breakdown structure, or WBS, for a project?

No unnecessary work is included All the work package descriptions are clear and complete

What are the three types of estimates used in three-point estimating?

Optimistic Most Likely Pessimistic

What are inputs to the Develop Project Charter process?

Organizational process assets Enterprise environmental factors Agreements Business documents such as the benefits management plan

What are necessary inputs when developing a project charter?

Organizational process assets Enterprise environmental factors Agreements Business documents such as the benefits management plan

What are the inputs to the Create WBS process?

Organizational process assets Enterprise environmental factors Project documents Project management plan

A hotel is updating its security system, which its sister hotel has recently implemented. The PM from that project will manage the current project. How should activities for this project be defined?

Organize meetings with stakeholders involved in the previous and current projects Decompose all work packages in the planning stage Take advantage of expert judgment to assist in defining activities

Which principles should apply when decomposing project deliverables?

Organize top levels by the size and nature of the project Ensure results are verifiable Ensure work durations will not exceed 8/80 rule

What are the examples of tools and techniques you can use to develop a project charter?

Organizing and facilitating meetings or interviews Using interpersonal skills to elicit key project information Gathering data in a brainstorming session Getting experts to evaluate all the project charter inputs

To capture lessons learned effectively, it's important to be familiar with best practices for conducting a lessons learned meeting. Which actions form part of best practices

Recognize nonmeaningful interaction of participants Use positive language and active listening Set guidelines on how the meeting will be conducted Enable effective communication

What are the inputs to the Close Project or Phase process?

Procurement documentation Agreements and accepted deliverables The project charter Organizational process assets The project management plan Project and business documents

What are the examples of inputs to the Estimate Activity Durations process?

Project calendars Activity list Scope baseline Productivity metrics

What are the outputs of the Develop Schedule process?

Project calendars Project management plan updates Project schedule Change requests Project documents updates Schedule data and baseline

What are the inputs to the control scope process?

Project documents Organizational process assets Work performance data Project management plan

What inputs feed into the validate scope process?

Project documents Verified deliverables Requirements management plan Work performance data

What are the inputs for the perform integrated change control process?

Project management plan Work performance information Change request Enterprise environmental factors Organizational process assets Project Documents

A pharmaceutical company wants to develop a range of omega-3 supplements that are safe for infants

Project management processes Planning risk management Monitoring and controlling project work Product-oriented processes Researching recommended daily omega-3 allowances for the 6- to 24-month age group Conducting Food and Drug Administration regulated product tests

What are key principles of the Perform Integrated Change Control process?

Project managers' main activity in change control is reviewing, assessing, and approving or rejecting change requests Project managers should implement only approved changes Project managers must address changes promptly Project managers need a method for identifying changes

What are the roles of Project Integration Management in a project?

Providing solutions to meet changing project needs Coordinating processes to accomplish the project's objectives in a methodical way Balancing the needs of competing objectives and Knowledge Areas

What is the formula used for parametric estimating?

Quantity of work x productivity rate / number of resources

Knowledge acquired from lessons learned is a key organizational process asset.What are the characteristics of lessons learned?

Relates experiences to future circumstances Can be captured using benchmark tools Ensures teams avoid repeating failures Has results that are the outcomes of activities from previous projects

Which tools and techniques provide high-level duration estimates?

Reserve analysis Decision making Three-point estimating Meetings and expert judgment Analogous and parametric estimating Bottom-up estimating

Which tools and techniques can be used to define your project's activities?

Rolling-wave planning Expert judgment Meetings Decomposition

What are the characteristics of the critical path and critical chain methods?

The critical path is the shortest time in which a project can be completed A critical chain network diagram includes buffers to account for possible delays Sequential activities with the longest duration lie on the critical path

What business needs may trigger the start of a new project?

Satisfying customer requests Adapting to changes in market demand Complying with governmental standards Meeting organizational needs

Which tools and techniques can be used for the Develop Schedule process?

Schedule compression Data analysis and the critical path method Schedule network analysis Resource optimization Project management information system Agile release planning and leads and lags

What types of business needs may create the need for a project?

Social needs Compliance with legal requirements Training requirements Adaptation to technology advances

What are some of the Knowledge Areas involved in project management?

Stakeholder Management Procurement Management Resource Management Cost Management Quality Management

What types of information should be included in a project management plan?

Subsidiary management plan Performance management baseline Information about the project life cycle

Which types of information should you include in a project management plan?

Subsidiary management plans Cost performance baselines Information about the development approach

What are some of the inputs for the Develop Project Management Plan process?

Subsidiary plans Governmental regulations Historical information Project charter

What is the best description of project scope?

The boundary around the work required to complete the deliverables the project is intended to produce

Activity H on path 1 and Activity D on path 2 converge into Activity E.What is used to determine the late finishes of Activities H and D?

The late start of Activity E

The first two processes in Project Integration Management are Develop Project Charter and Develop Project Management Plan. What is the link between these processes?

The project charter forms the basis for the Develop Project Management Plan process

Develop Project Charter and Develop Project Management Plan are the first two processes in Project Integration Management.How are these processes linked?

The project charter is a key input to the develop project management plan process

Which statements correctly describe the characteristics of project phases?

They each end with the transfer of a deliverable They end at points where it's logical to assess a project before continuing with it They usually occur in sequence, one at a time They each include a discrete type of work They repeat project management processes

What are the purposes of milestones?

They trigger the monitoring and controlling processes. They trigger the invoicing of the customer. They initiate the processes used to close a project or phase.

What are the purposes of the control scope process?

To avoid scope changes that would detrimentally affect the project To control scope creep

What aim does the Sequence Activities process have?

To find logical relationships between activities so you can develop a realistic schedule

You're managing the development of a program to assist underprivileged children in your city. What types of information will you put in the project's scope management and requirements management plans?

Who will be involved in writing and approving the scope statement. How the team will decide which areas of support and development to include in the new program. What the deliverables of the new program will be, and how acceptance will be formalized The process for expanding the program if the children identify a new activity they would like to do

How do the Direct and Manage Project Work process and the Monitor and Control Project Work process interact with each other?

Work performance data, an output of the Direct and Manage Project Work process, is processed and work performance information becomes an input to the Monitor and Control Project Work process The Monitor and Control Project Work process often generates change requests that, if approved, becomes inputs to the Direct and Manage Project Work process

What are the outputs of the validate scope process?

Work performance information Change requests Project documents updates Accepted deliverables

How do you finalize the work breakdown structure, or WBS?

You add control accounts at strategically placed control points

Which statements correctly describe the iterative nature of the Process Groups?

You continue repeating Planning and Executing processes until all work in the phase is completed. You repeat Monitoring and Controlling processes continually, until the phase ends. You implement the Initiating and Closing processes only once for the phase.

What inputs do you need when you develop a project management plan?

project management information systems Stakeholder management plan Project charter Change control procedures

Which functions do the entries in the activity list serve?

they track activities in the schedule and project management information system. they explain the project team members how to carry out the work