Project Management Chapter 4 Questions
In making project trade-offs, a criteria that is allowed to not meet the original target is classified as ________.
accept
The final step in the defining of a project is focused on assigning ________ to each of the work packages.
codes
A project parameter such as completion date or cost is ________ if it is fixed and must be met.
constrained
A(n) ________ is a grouping of work packages for monitoring progress and responsibility.
cost account
In a work breakdown structure the ________ is the focal point because all budgets, work assignments, time, cost, and technical performance come together at that point.
cost account
The first step in planning any project is to ________.
define the project scope
The Work Breakdown Structure is an outline of the project with different levels of __________.
detail
Taking advantage of opportunities to reduce costs or accelerate the schedule are examples of project criteria being classified as ________.
enhance
The agreement that training will be the responsibility of the customer is an example of a project ________.
limit and exclusion
The most commonly used method for coding the WBS is __________.
numeric indention
The primary purpose of the first step of defining a project is to identify the ________ for the end user and to focus project plans.
objective
The process of assigning specific work packages to a particular group or person within the organization is called ________.
organization breakdown structure
Developing a ________ provides a forum for clearly establishing priorities with customers and top management so as to create shared expectations and avoid misunderstandings.
priority matrix
The ________ summarizes, in graphic format, the tasks to be accomplished and who is responsible for what on a given project.
responsibility matrix
The gradual expansion of project requirements during the execution of project is known as __________.
scope creep
The need for a computer to function in countries having different electrical systems is an example of a ________.
technical requirement
Practice suggests that a work package should not exceed ________ workdays or one reporting period.
ten
A selective outline of the project that ensures the identification of all tasks and an understanding of what is to be done is called a _______________.
work breakdown structure
In a ________ the project is organized around phases or groups of activities rather than the more conventional deliverables.
work breakdown structure
The result of subdividing the work of a project into smaller and smaller work elements is called ________.
work breakdown structure
The most detailed element in the hierarchical breakdown of the project work to be accomplished is known as the ________.
work package
Identify and briefly describe the three categories used to classify the priority of major project parameters.
1. constrain (the parameter is fixed), 2. enhance (the parameter should be optimized), and 3. accept (lower results are acceptable)
Identify and briefly describe the three elements that are traditionally used to measure the ultimate success of a project.
1. costs (budget), 2. time (schedule), and 3. performance (scope)
Identify and briefly describe the five steps in defining a project.
1. defining the project scope, 2. establishing project priorities, 3. creating the work breakdown structure, 4. integrating the WBS with the organization, and 5. coding the WBS
Identify and briefly describe the six elements on the recommended project scope checklist.
1. project objectives, 2. deliverables, 3. milestones, 4. technical requirements, 5. limits and exclusions, and 6. reviews with customers
Identify in order from broadest to most specific, the six parts of the hierarchical breakdown of the WBS.
1. project, 2. deliverable, 3. sub deliverable, 4. lowest sub deliverable, 5. cost account, and work package
In terms of project management, what is a deliverable and give an example.
A deliverable is an expected output that occurs during the life of a project.
An expected output over the life of a project would be classified as A. A deliverable B. A product C. An end object D. An objective E. A target
A. A deliverable
The final step in the creation of a Work Breakdown Structure is to A. Code the WBS for tracking B. Assign the cost account to a manager C. Assign the work package to a manager D. Develop the responsibility matrix E. All of these are included in the final step
A. Code the WBS for tracking
If a project criterion indicates that the project must meet a specific date, that criterion is classified as A. Constrained B. Enhanced C. Accepted D. Limited E. Fixed
A. Constrained
Which of the following is not one of the basic classifications of project priorities? A. Profit B. Cost C. Time D. Performance E. All of these are basic classifications
A. Profit
If a project is small or of narrow scope and does not require an elaborate system, which of the following is a good choice? A. Responsibility matrix B. Organization breakdown structure C. Work breakdown structure D. Priority matrix E. Process breakdown structure
A. Responsibility matrix
The ability of 911 emergency systems to identify the caller's phone number and location are considered to be a A. Technical requirement B. Milestone C. Project limit D. Project exclusion E. Project deliverable
A. Technical requirement
The lowest element in the hierarchical breakdown of the WBS is A. A deliverable B. A work package C. A cost account D. A lowest sub deliverable E. An object
B. A work package
Linda has just been assigned a project to develop a new advertising campaign for an established product. Her first step should be to A. Establish project priorities B. Define the project scope C. Verify the budget available D. Assign team members to work on the project E. Determine the required completion date
B. Define the project scope
The first step in creating the necessary information to manage a project is to A. Establish project priorities B. Define the project scope C. Verify the budget available D. Assign team members to work on the project E. Determine the required completion date
B. Define the project scope
Which of the following is a good example of a Process Breakdown Structure? A. New car prototype B. New software program C. New computer hardware D. New sports stadium E. New project management book
B. New software program
The integration of project work packages within the organization's management structure is known as A. Responsibility matrix B. Organization breakdown structure C. Work breakdown structure D. Priority matrix E. Process breakdown structure
B. Organization breakdown structure
The tendency for the project deliverables to expand over time—usually by changing requirements, specifications, and priorities—is called: A. Scope erosion B. Scope creep C. Project bloat D. Scope enhancement E. Project add-ons
B. Scope creep
Scott has just been given a project that has a specific target date. After discussion with top management he finds that while the date is important the cost is more important and a slip in delivery would be acceptable if required to meet the cost targets. The target date is best classified as A. Constrain B. Enhance C. Accept D. Limit E. Optional
C. Accept
"To construct a high-quality, custom home within five months at costs not to exceed $150,000" is best classified as A. A deliverable B. A milestone C. An objective D. A limit E. An exclusion
C. An objective
The second step in the defining of a project would be to A. Analyze the strategic plan B. Analyze the current budget plan C. Establish project priorities D. Select team members E. Define the major objectives to meet the customer's needs
C. Establish project priorities
All of the following are true about work packages except A. Consume resources B. Assigned to only one manager C. Have medium to long duration D. Definitive starts and stops dates E. All of these are true
C. Have medium to long duration
The project scope statement indicates that the client is responsible for training the people who will be using the equipment and that the project team will train the client's trainers. This is an example of: A. Project objectives B. Deliverables C. Limits and exclusions D. Technical requirements E. Milestones
C. Limits and exclusions
In reviewing the project plan, Susan sees that the first prototype is due by October 12. This would be best classified as a A. Project target B. Limit item C. Milestone D. Project objective E. Critical goal
C. Milestone
Which of the follow is least likely to be included in a Work Package? A. Materials B. Labor C. Overhead D. Duration E. Responsibilities
C. Overhead
The tool used to assist in making project trade-offs between schedule, budget, and performance objectives is called a A. Responsibility matrix B. Work breakdown structure C. Project priority matrix D. Work package E. Criterion matrix
C. Project priority matrix
The Snapshot from Practice dealing with Big Bertha II illustrated how important a project's __________ is to the successful completion of a project. A. Objective B. Deliverables C. Technical requirements D. Milestones E. Limits and exclusions
C. Technical requirements
Creating an extranet website or an internal software database system would be most closely associated with the A. Responsibility matrix B. Organization breakdown structure C. Work breakdown structure D. Priority matrix E. Process breakdown structure
C. Work breakdown structure
Jose is looking at a document that outlines the specific tasks and subtasks required to complete the writing of a technical support manual. The method that was probably used to develop the document is most likely A. Responsibility matrix B. Organization breakdown structure C. Work breakdown structure D. Priority matrix E. Work package
C. Work breakdown structure
The method used to collect information to use through all phases of the project life cycle is called A. Responsibility matrix B. Organization breakdown structure C. Work breakdown structure D. Priority matrix E. Work package
C. Work breakdown structure
The intersection of the WBS and the OBS is called the A. Responsibility matrix B. Priority matrix C. Work package D. Cost account E. Project overlap
D. Cost account
Research shows the most frequently mentioned barrier to project success is A. Not enough budget resources B. Poor performance by team members C. Weak project leadership D. Poorly defined scope or mission E. Political in-fighting
D. Poorly defined scope or mission
Which of the following is not one of the items that would appear on a project scope checklist? A. Deliverables B. Technical requirements C. Objectives D. Work breakdown structure E. Reviews with customer
D. Work breakdown structure
In project management terms, what is meant by "managing the trade-offs?"
During project execution decisions will be needed to balance the three success criteria; costs, schedule, and performance. Typically one will be degraded in order to maintain or improve another. Thus the criteria are traded off.
All of the following are usually included in a work package except A. What will be done? B. The time needed to complete the work. C. A single person who is responsible for its completion. D. All the costs for the work package. E. All of these are included in a work package.
E. All of these are included in a work package.
The first step of project scope definition is to A. Analyze the strategic plan B. Analyze the current budget plan C. Meet with team members D. Select team members E. Define the overall objective to meet the customer's needs
E. Define the overall objective to meet the customer's needs
The highest element in the hierarchical breakdown of the WBS is A. A work package B. Sub deliverables C. A cost account D. Major deliverables E. The project
E. The project
For large companies, the organization breakdown structure is used rather than the work breakdown structure. T/F
FALSE
If a project criterion should be optimized if at all possible, it is classified as being constrained. T/F
FALSE
In a work breakdown structure deliverables are ignored and replaced with activities or tasks that have been grouped in phases. T/F
FALSE
Integrating a project's work packages within the organization's management structure is known as work breakdown structure. T/F
FALSE
Responsibility matrices are used primarily with small and medium sized projects and have limited use in large projects. T/F
FALSE
Reviews with customers only refers to projects with external customers who are paying for the project. T/F
FALSE
The criteria for project success include attaining objectives relating to cost, schedule, and revenue. T/F
FALSE
The development of a work breakdown structure with appropriate dates and budget is usually accomplished in a single iteration. T/F
FALSE
The most commonly used scheme for coding the work breakdown structure is to use a department project number assigned by the accounting department. T/F
FALSE
What is meant by "Scope Creep" and why is it significant to project managers?
It is the gradual expansion of project deliverables to the point that overall project constraints (costs and schedule) can no longer be met.
Significant events in a project that occur at a specific point in time, are natural control points, and are easily recognized by project participants are known as ___________.
Milestones
The purposes of the ____________ are to provide a framework to summarize organization unit work performance, identify organization units responsible for work packages, and tie the organizational unit to cost control accounts.
OBS (Organization Breakdown Structure)
Once the __________ has been established, it is the basis for making trade-off decisions later in the project.
Priority Matrix
A typical responsibility matrix will include not only those responsible for a specific task but also those who supply support and assistance. T/F
TRUE
A work breakdown structure is frequently used on projects such as software development where the project is focused on activities rather than deliverables. T/F
TRUE
Basically, the WBS is an outline of the project with different levels of detail. T/F
TRUE
In a Work Breakdown Structure for a software development project, the typical structure follows the major phases of software development. T/F
TRUE
In general, work packages should not exceed 10 work days. T/F
TRUE
One of the items included on a project scope checklist is the reviews with the customer. T/F
TRUE
Project scope describes what you expect to deliver to your customers when the project is complete. T/F
TRUE
Quality and the ultimate success of a project are traditionally defined as meeting or exceeding the expectations of the customer or management. T/F
TRUE
Scope definitions are usually brief with only one or two pages being typical for small projects. T/F
TRUE
Statements of project scope are sometimes referred to as Statements of Work or Project Charters. T/F
TRUE
Studies suggest that there is a strong correlation between project success and clear project scope definition. T/F
TRUE
The hierarchical work breakdown structure can be used to represent the need for information at various levels of management. T/F
TRUE
The intersection of the WBS and the OBS represents a control point, called a cost account. T/F
TRUE
The intersection of work packages and the organization unit creates a project control point called a cost account. T/F
TRUE
What is an OBS and how would you use it to plan a project?
The OBS is the process of defining which organization units are responsible for performing the work outlined in the individual work packages.
What is a Project Priority Matrix and how would you use one?
The Project Priority Matrix is a graphic representation classifying the major project parameters of time, performance, and cost according to their priority. It is used to assist in making project trade-off decisions.
What is a Responsibility Matrix and how would it be used in project management?
The RM summarizes the tasks to be accomplished and who is responsible for what on a project. It is used to ensure that all participants understand and agree on their assignments.
What is meant by a work breakdown structure and how does it help manage projects?
WBS is the logical subdividing of major activities into smaller elements. It is useful to ensure complete planning of a project as well as a basis for monitoring progress.