Project Management Practice Quiz 1&2

_____ are an output of the executing process of project integration management. Select one: a. Deliverables b. Resource calendars c. Enterprise environmental factor updates d. Issue logs

a. Deliverables CorrectRationale: Feedback: Deliverables are an output of the executing process of project integration management.

Which of the following is a difference between projects and operations? Select one: a. Projects are temporary endeavors whereas an organization's operations are ongoing in nature. b. Operations have well-defined objectives whereas projects do not need to have a unique purpose. c. Projects are undertaken to sustain an organization's business whereas operations are not. d. Operations are undertaken to create unique products, services, or results whereas projects are not.

a. Projects are temporary endeavors whereas an organization's operations are ongoing in nature. CorrectRationale: Feedback: A project is "a temporary endeavor undertaken to create a unique product, service, or result." Operations, on the other hand, is work done in organizations to sustain the business.

Which of the following is a disadvantage of virtual teams as compared to traditional teams? Select one: a. Reduced opportunities for informal transfer of information b. Reduced dependence on technology and processes for accomplishing work c. Limited flexibility in team working hours d. Increased costs for office space and support

a. Reduced opportunities for informal transfer of information CorrectRationale: Feedback: Virtual teams reduce the ability of team members to network and transfer information informally.

Projects must operate in a broad organizational environment, and project managers need to consider projects within the greater organizational context. _____ describes this holistic view of carrying out projects within the context of the organization. Select one: a. Systems thinking b. The silo approach c. Linear analysis d. Reductionism

a. Systems thinking CorrectRationale: Feedback: To handle complex situations effectively, project managers need to take a holistic view of a project and understand how it relates to the larger organization. Systems thinking describes this holistic view of carrying out projects within the context of the organization.

The _____ process involves gaining stakeholder and customer acceptance of the final products and services and bringing the project, or project phase, to an orderly end. Select one: a. closing b. executing c. planning d. monitoring

a. closing CorrectRationale: Feedback: The closing process involves gaining stakeholder and customer acceptance of the final products and services and then bringing the project or project phase to an orderly end. It includes verifying that all of the deliverables are complete, and it often includes a final project report and presentation.

In the _____ phase, the project team creates a definitive or very accurate cost estimate, delivers the required work, and provides performance reports to stakeholders. Select one: a. implementation b. concept c. close-out d. development

a. implementation CorrectRationale: Feedback: The third phase of the traditional project life cycle is implementation. In this phase, the project team creates a definitive or very accurate cost estimate, delivers the required work, and provides performance reports to stakeholders.

The role of a _____ is to provide direction and funding for a project. Select one: a. project sponsor provides the direction and funding for the project. b. project team c. support staff member d. project manager

a. project sponsor Feedback: Most projects have many interested parties or stakeholders, but someone must take the primary role of sponsorship. The project sponsor usually provides the direction and funding for the project.

Which of the following provides certification as a Project Management Professional? Select one: a. PMI b. PMC c. PMP d. PMS

a. PMI

In which of the following areas of management is payback analysis most likely to be used? Select one: a. Quality b. Cost c. Human resource d. Communication

b. Cost CorrectRationale: Feedback: Tools used in cost management include payback analysis, earned value management, project portfolio management, and cost estimates among others.

Which of the following refers to a set of principles that guides decision making based on personal values of what is considered right and wrong? Select one: a. Laws b. Ethics c. Politics d. Civics

b. Ethics CorrectRationale: Feedback: Ethics is a set of principles that guides decision making based on personal values of what is considered right and wrong. Making ethical decisions is an important part of project managers' personal and professional lives because it generates trust and respect with other people.

Which of the following is true about the agile method? Select one: a. It is used when project teams want to use the predicative approach to a project. b. It uses several iterations or deliveries of software instead of waiting until the end of the project to provide a product. c. It is often used when a project team can express the scope early in the product life cycle. d. It is used when a project team wants to provide a potentially shippable product earlier rather than later.

b. It uses several iterations or deliveries of software instead of waiting until the end of the project to provide a product. CorrectRationale: Feedback: An agile approach is often used for projects in which the business team cannot clearly express the scope early in the product life cycle, but the team does want to provide a potentially shippable product earlier rather than later. An agile project team typically uses several iterations or deliveries of software instead of waiting until the end of the project to provide one product.

Which of the following tools can best help in efficient communication management? Select one: a. Impact matrices b. Kick-off meetings c. Fast tracking d. Requests for quotes

b. Kick-off meetings CorrectRationale: Feedback: Kick-off meetings are an important tool in project communication management. Other tools in project communication management are communications management plans, conflict management, communications media selection, and progress reports.

A _____ is an organizational group responsible for coordinating the project management function throughout an organization. Select one: a. Project Management Professional b. Project Management Office c. Project Management Center d. Portfolio Group

b. Project Management Office CorrectRationale: Feedback: In the 1990s, many companies began creating Project Management Offices to help them handle the increasing number and complexity of projects. A Project Management Office (PMO) is an organizational group responsible for coordinating the project management function throughout an organization.

The _____ model of a systems development life cycle provides for progressive development of operational software, with each release providing added capabilities. Select one: a. RAD life cycle b. incremental build life cycle c. waterfall life cycle d. spiral life cycle

b. incremental build life cycle CorrectRationale: Feedback: The incremental build life cycle model provides for progressive development of operational software, with each release providing added capabilities.

The project time management knowledge area maps to the _____ process group through the activity of schedule control. Select one: a. planning b. monitoring and controlling c. initiating d. executing

b. monitoring and controlling CorrectRationale: Feedback: The project time management knowledge area maps to the monitoring and controlling process group through the activity of schedule control.

Project _____ management involves defining and managing all the work required to complete the project successfully. Select one: a. time b. scope c. cost d. human resource

b. scope CorrectRationale: Feedback: Project management knowledge areas describe the key competencies that project managers must develop. Project scope management involves defining and managing all the work required to complete the project successfully.

In organizational culture, means-end orientation refers to _____. Select one: a. the degree to which the organization monitors and responds to changes in the external environment b. the degree to which management focuses on outcomes rather than on techniques and processes used to achieve results c. the degree to which rules, policies, and direct supervision are used to oversee and control employee behavior d. the degree to which employees are encouraged to be aggressive, innovative, and risk seeking

b. the degree to which management focuses on outcomes rather than on techniques and processes used to achieve results CorrectRationale: Feedback: Means-ends orientation refers to the degree to which management focuses on outcomes rather than on techniques and processes used to achieve results.

Which of the following is a planning process associated with project scope management? Select one: a. Estimating costs b. Planning schedule management c. Collecting requirements d. Performing qualitative risk analysis

c. Collecting requirements CorrectRationale: Feedback: Process improvement plans are an output of project quality management.

_____ are an example of external stakeholders for an organization. Select one: a. Functional managers b. Top managers c. Competitors d. Employees

c. Competitors CorrectRationale: Feedback: External project stakeholders include the project's customers (if they are external to the organization), competitors, suppliers, and other external groups potentially involved in the project or affected by it, such as government officials or concerned citizens.

Which of the following tools are most likely to be used in project time management? Select one: a. Impact matrices b. Payback analysis c. Gantt charts d. Fishbone diagrams

c. Gantt charts CorrectRationale: Feedback: Time management uses Gantt charts, project network diagrams, critical path analysis, crashing, fast tracking, and schedule performance measurements.

_____ processes include defining and authorizing a project or project phase. Select one: a. Planning b. Executing c. Initiating d. Monitoring and controlling

c. Initiating CorrectRationale: Feedback: Initiating processes include defining and authorizing a project or project phase. Initiating processes take place during each phase of a project.

Which of the following statements is true of project management? Select one: a. It has specific tools which work universally across all kinds of projects. b. It is a simple discipline with a limited scope. c. It does not guarantee successes for all projects. d. Its framework consists solely of project management knowledge areas.

c. It does not guarantee successes for all projects. CorrectRationale: Feedback: Despite its advantages, project management is a very broad, often complex discipline. What works for one project may not work for another. Thus it is essential for project managers to continue to develop their knowledge and skills in managing projects.

Which of the following is true of virtual teams? Select one: a. Negative incentives do not impact virtual team members. b. It is easier for a virtual team to build relationships and trust. c. It is important to select team members carefully. d. As they never meet, virtual teams do not have conflicts.

c. It is important to select team members carefully. CorrectRationale: Feedback: It is important to select team members carefully and to form a team in which all roles are covered. All virtual team members must also understand their roles on the team.

Which of the following types of tools is usually recommended for small projects and single users? Select one: a. High-end b. Midrange c. Low-end d. Upper range

c. Low-end CorrectRationale: Feedback: Low-end tools provide basic project management features and generally cost less than $200 per user. They are often recommended for small projects and single users.

Which of the following is a difference between low-end and midrange tools of the project management software? Select one: a. Low-end tools provide robust capabilities to handle dispersed workgroups whereas midrange tools do not. b. Midrange tools provide basic project management features whereas low-end tools offer enterprise and portfolio management functions. c. Midrange tools are designed to handle larger projects than low-end tools. d. Low-end tools are designed to handle primarily multiple users whereas midrange tools are created to handle single users.

c. Midrange tools are designed to handle larger projects than low-end tools. CorrectRationale: Feedback: In a project management software, midrange tools is a step up from low-end tools. They are designed to handle larger projects, multiple users, and multiple projects.

_____ refers to the degree to which the organization monitors and responds to changes in the external environment. Select one: a. Risk tolerance b. Means-ends orientation c. Open-systems focus CorrectRationale: Feedback: Open-systems focus refers to the degree to which the organization monitors and responds to changes in the external environment d. Conflict tolerance

c. Open-systems focus CorrectRationale: Feedback: Open-systems focus refers to the degree to which the organization monitors and responds to changes in the external environment

Which of the following project management knowledge areas is an overarching function that affects and is affected by the different knowledge areas? Select one: a. Project stakeholder management b. Project cost management c. Project integration management d. Project communications management

c. Project integration management CorrectRationale: Feedback: Project management knowledge areas describe the key competencies that project managers must develop. Project integration management is an overarching function that affects and is affected by all of the other knowledge areas.

A common _____ process is reporting performance, where project stakeholders can identify any necessary changes that may be required to keep the project on track. Select one: a. planning b. closing c. monitoring and controlling d. executing

c. monitoring and controlling CorrectRationale: Feedback: Monitoring and controlling processes include regularly measuring and monitoring progress to ensure that the project team meets the project objectives. A common monitoring and controlling process is reporting performance, where project stakeholders can identify any necessary changes that may be required to keep the project on track.

The project scope management knowledge area maps to the _____ process group through the activities of scope validation and scope control. Select one: a. executing b. initiating c. monitoring and controlling d. planning

c. monitoring and controlling CorrectRationale: Feedback: The project scope management knowledge area maps to the monitoring and controlling process group through the activities of scope validation and scope control.

The most difficult and unappreciated process in project management is often Select one: a. monitoring and controlling b. executing c. planning d. initiating

c. planning CorrectRationale: Feedback: Because planning is not always used to facilitate action, many people view it negatively. However, the main purpose of planning is to guide project execution. As such, plans must be realistic and useful, so a fair amount of time and effort must go into the process.

The first two traditional project phases (concept and development) focus on planning, and are often referred to as _____. Select one: a. project close-out b. project acquisition c. project feasibility d. project implementation

c. project feasibility CorrectRationale: Feedback: The first two traditional project phases (concept and development) focus on planning, and are often referred to as project feasibility.

Enterprise environmental factors are an output of the executing process of _____. Select one: a. project quality management b. project integration management c. project human resource management d. project procurement management

c. project human resource management CorrectRationale: Feedback: Enterprise environmental factors are an output of the executing process of project human resource management.

Grey's Infotech sells customized hardware and software solutions for businesses. The salespeople for Grey's have a strict dress code when meeting clients. They are required to wear dark business suits, in order to convey the company's dedication to quality. The meaning conveyed to the clients' through the salespeople's clothing is part of the _____ frame of the organization. Select one: a. political b. human resources c. symbolic d. structural

c. symbolic CorrectRationale: Feedback: The symbolic frame focuses on symbols and meanings. In this frame, the most important aspect of any event in an organization is not what actually happened, but what it means. The symbolic frame also relates to the company's culture. How do people dress? How many hours do they work? How do they run meetings?

Martha works as a project manager at a bank. Due to certain changes in external factors, Martha needs to make a few alterations in the tactical goals of her project. In such a scenario, which of the following will best help Martha cope with the change? Select one: a. Soft skills b. Motivation c. Negotiation d. Project environment knowledge

d. Project environment knowledge CorrectRationale: Feedback: The project environment differs from organization to organization and project to project, but some skills will help in almost all project environments. These skills include understanding change and understanding how organizations work within their social, political, and physical environments. Project managers must be comfortable leading and handling change, because most projects introduce changes in organizations and involve changes within the projects themselves.

An important tool for project scope management is _____. Select one: a. a Gantt chart b. fast tracking c. crashing d. a work breakdown structure

d. a work breakdown structure CorrectRationale: Feedback: Scope management uses scope statements, work breakdown structures, statements of work, requirements analyses, scope management plans, scope verification techniques, and scope change controls.

A _____ is a tool used in quality management. Select one: a. critical path analysis b. request for proposal c. probability matrice d. checklist Feedback: Quality management uses include quality metrics, checklists, quality control charts, Pareto diagrams, and fishbone diagrams among others.

d. checklist Feedback: Quality management uses include quality metrics, checklists, quality control charts, Pareto diagrams, and fishbone diagrams among others.

A difference between strategic and tactical goals is that: Select one: a. tactical goals encompass broader dimensions than strategic goals. b. tactical goals are more important for a project than strategic goals. c. strategic goals are more specific than tactical goals. d. strategic goals are long-term in nature whereas tactical goals are short-term.

d. strategic goals are long-term in nature whereas tactical goals are short-term. CorrectRationale: Feedback: Tactical goals are generally more specific and short-term than strategic goals, which emphasize long-term goals for an organization.

Steve, an engineer in a construction company, is at present working on a home construction project. The home is being built for the Robinson family, the owners of the home. Steve is working with his project team and support staff to ensure the project is completed on time. In such a scenario, the project sponsor is _____. Select one: a. the project team b. Steve c. the support staff d. the Robinson family

d. the Robinson family CorrectRationale: Feedback: Stakeholders are the people involved in or affected by project activities, and include the project sponsor, project team, support staff, customers, among others. In a home construction project, the project sponsors would be the potential new homeowners.

Fast tracking is an example of a tool used in _____ management. Select one: a. communication b. risk c. quality d. time

d. time CorrectRationale: Feedback: Time management tools include Gantt charts, project network diagrams, critical path analysis, crashing, fast tracking, and schedule performance measurements.

Which of the following is true of program managers? Select one: a. They report to project managers who represent the next level in the hierarchy. b. They recognize that managing a program is simpler than managing a project. c. They are responsible solely for the delivery of project results. d. They provide leadership and direction for project managers heading the projects within a program.

d. They provide leadership and direction for project managers heading the projects within a program. Feedback: A program manager provides leadership and direction for the project managers heading the projects within a program. Program managers also coordinate the efforts of project teams, functional groups, suppliers, and operations staff supporting the projects to ensure that products and processes are implemented to maximize benefits.