Chapter 1 Practice Questions

C This is where the project team members and stakeholders are introduced and the goals for the project are outlined.

After the project charter is signed, what meeting is held to introduce the project team and stakeholders as well as outlining the goals for the project? A. Lessons learned meeting B. Project introductory meeting C. Kickoff meeting D. Team building lunch

A As a general rule, agendas should be published at least 24 hours in advance. Remember that the project communication plan or company norms could set this target to a different threshold.

How far in advance should an agenda be published? A. 24 hours B. 48 hours C. 1 week D. 1 month

B The user story helps focus on how the product is going to be used to help shape how it is designed.

In an Agile methodology, what is a user story? A. Key information about stakeholders and their jobs B. Short stories about someone using the product or service C. Customer survey results after product release D. Visual representation of product burndown

C A program is a group of related projects that are managed together, with coordinated processes and techniques. Option A would be a stakeholder register, which might be a deliverable of the stakeholder analysis. Option B would be the software that is used as a part of the project management information system (PMIS). Option D is the definition of a portfolio. Make sure you know the difference between a project and a portfolio.

In terms of project management, what is a program? A. A listing of all individuals involved in the project, including key stakeholders B. The software package used to enter and track project management aspects C. Related projects that are coordinated and managed with similar techniques D. A collection of projects and subportfolios that support strategic goals of the business

D. In a functional organization, the authority resides with the functional manager, not the project manager.

In what organizational structure does a project manager have the most limited authority? A. Weak-matrix B. Projectized C. Strong-matrix D. Functional

D This is the ideal state teams are shooting for, where the team is productive and effective. Not all teams are able to achieve this stage of development.

In what stage of team development are teams the most productive and trust levels the highest among team members? A. Forming B. Storming C. Norming D. Performing E. Adjourning

C The purchasing of the build site must occur before the construction activity begins.

A building project requires the following steps: construction, purchasing the build site, blueprinting, and inspection. Purchasing the build site has what relationship to construction? A. It is a successor task. B. It is a mandatory task. C. It is a predecessor task. D. It is a discretionary task.

D More established organizations with mature processes and tenured staff would most likely have a functional organizational structure centered around specialties.

A large, well-established organization that has been in business for many decades would likely have which organizational structures? A. Weak-matrix B. Projectized C. Strong-matrix D. Functional

C. In stand-up meetings, participants typically stand, relying on the discomfort of physically standing to help keep the length of the meeting short. Often, stand-ups are held daily and last for approximately 15 minutes.

A meeting held daily or a couple of times a week where participants give updates on project status, often while standing, is what type of meeting? A. Status meeting B. Focus group C. Stand-up meeting D. Demonstration

B Status meetings are informative meetings. Informative meetings can also include demonstrations, presentations, and stand-ups.

A meeting to provide a status update on the progress and spending on a project would be what type of meeting? A. Collaborative B. Informative C. Decisive D. Focus groups

A. In this scenario, working with the team member to get the desired result is the best course of action. Removing or replacing a team member is not always an option, and thus is incorrect.

A project has a key contributor who is absent from meetings, not meeting deadlines, and affecting the morale of other individuals on a team. There is no other person within the company with the expertise needed to perform the tasks assigned to this team member. Which of the following would be the appropriate action for the project manager? A. Bring the team member in for a counseling session. B. Leave the employee alone and distribute work to other team members. C. Remove the team member from the project and seek a replacement. D. Relocate the team member to a different facility.

D A => C => D => E. The critical path has task A (2 days), task C (2 days), task D (2 days), and task E (3 days) for a total of 9 days.

A project has task A, which will take 2 days; task B, which will take 3 days, task C, which will take 2 days; task D, which will take 2 days; and task E, which will take 3 days. Task A is a predecessor for task B and for task C. Task C is a predecessor for task D. Both task B and task D are predecessors for task E. What is the task sequence for the critical path? A. A => B => E B. A => B => C => D => E C. A => B => D => E D. A => C => D => E

D The kickoff meeting typically happens at the beginning of the Executing phase and is a primary means of introducing the project team to each other.

A project is entering the Execution phase, the manager has completed the project planning, and is looking to introduce the key points to the project team. What is the appropriate form of communication for the next step? A. Video conference B. Impromptu meeting C. Email D. Kickoff meeting

B, D. Giving the project team a phone call or sending text messages are preferable because they immediately alert the receiver that you are attempting to communicate with them.

A project manager is trying to get a safety update to project team members out in the field. What are appropriate methods to communicate the update to the team? (Choose two). A. Fax B. Text message C. Social media D. Voice conferencing E. Distribution of printed media

D A project schedule determines start and finish dates for project activities and will also have activity durations and order of precedence.

A project schedule serves what function? A. Determines the project cost accounting codes B. Creates a deliverable-based decomposition of the project C. Lists the actions that should be resolved to fulfill deliverables D. Determines start and finish dates for project activities

A When requirements are changing, an Agile approach allows an organization to be readily able to adapt to the environment.

A start-up company is attempting to compete in an emerging product market. There are constant disruptive technology changes, and the market is shifting in their product tastes. This type of situation would be best served by which of the following? A. Agile approach B. Projectized environment C. Functional environment D. Traditional, or waterfall

A. The project manager is attempting to make the conflict appear less important than it really is by implying they would have to work this weekend if they didn't stay tonight. No attempt is made to see if there was another solution, like coming in early tomorrow.

A team member is upset about having to stay late as he will miss a scouts meeting with his son. He approaches the project manager, who lets him know that it is a one-time thing and if they work tonight, they will not have to come in this weekend. Upset, the team member stays and finishes his work. This is an example of what type of conflict resolution? A. Smoothing B. Confronting C. Compromising D. Avoiding E. Forcing

C The best answer is communication archiving. Likely established in the project plan or communication plan, the retention of the emails, instant messages, text messages, and other forms of communication should be established. It is likely the company has a retention schedule already established that would just need to be followed.

All electronic communications and meetings notes are stored with the project file at the conclusion of the project. This is an example of: A. Communication security B. Communication integrity C. Communication archiving D. Communication planning

D There is no heroic effort that occurs during an Agile sprint, which is a short burst of activity on a project focusing on a few tasks and working them to a completed state.

All of the following are aspects of an Agile sprint, EXCEPT: A. It is limited to a timeframe such as two weeks. B. A planning meeting is held to figure out what the team can accomplish. C. A small feature set is taken to completion. D. The team works at an incredible pace for the entire time.

A The project manager is not the critical role in this answer. Unless it falls into one of the other three phases, this does not hold true.

All of the following are ways to determine whether a project is completed, EXCEPT: A. When the project manager declares the project is complete B. When the project is canceled C. When it has been determined that the goals and objectives of the project cannot be accomplished D. When the objectives are accomplished and stakeholders are satisfied

B In this scenario, all of the power and authority are present with the project manager and not the functional manager, which is indicative of a strong-matrix organizational structure.

April works for Wigitcom and has recently been assigned to a project. She was given assignments from both her functional manager and the project manager but was directed to do the project work. When April requested leave, it was granted by her functional manager but then denied by the project manager. What type of organizational structure is Wigitcom using? A. Projectized B. Strong-matrix C. Balanced-matrix D. Weak-matrix

C. This is where both parties give up something to help reach a workable solution. The commitment to meeting the deadline and the agreement to allow for time off but adjusting the timing are the key decision points.

As a project nears a critical deadline, Ed approaches the project manager and wants to take a couple of days off. The project manager needs Ed's skills to meet the deadline but can see how exhausted Ed has become. They agree that Ed will work through the deadline and then get a couple of days off. Ed accepts this plan and goes back to work. This is an example of what type of conflict resolution? A. Smoothing B. Confronting C. Compromising D. Avoiding E. Forcing

C Instant messaging is less disruptive than an impromptu meeting where Bridget's concentration might be disrupted beyond just answering the question. Instant messaging allows Bridget to respond and return to her work and is also more expedient than email

Brad is a junior software developer who is having problems remembering where the source code is for a certain routine. He needs to contact Bridget, the senior developer on the project. What would be the ideal way to contact her? A. Email B. Impromptu meeting C. Instant messaging D. Fax

C The Closure meeting will give the status of all activities, allow the project team to turn in any property like ID badges/key cards, and bring that phase of the work effort to an end.

Cheryl is a technical lead on a project that is wrapping up remote work at a customer site. What is the best method to communicate the work efforts and next steps with the customer? A. Virtual meeting B. In-person meeting C. Closure meeting D. Kickoff meeting

C Working on three different continents would mean one work team is likely off-duty/ sleeping at any given time during the day. As such, the best method would be email so that the off-duty team would get the information when they begin their shift, while the other teams would get the information instantly.

DewDrops is a struggling global start-up with a project team located on three different continents. The customer of the project just radically altered one of the triple constraints. What is the best communication method to share this information with the project team? A. Impromptu meetings B. Virtual meeting C. Email D. Instant messaging

D What did I accomplish yesterday?, What will I do today?, and What obstacles are preventing progress? are the three questions asked during a stand-up, or Scrum, meeting.

During an Agile daily stand-up meeting, what are three questions that are asked and answered? A. What did I accomplish yesterday? What will I do today? What are the necessary next steps? B. What did I accomplish today? Who will I be working with today? What obstacles are preventing progress? C. What did I accomplish yesterday? Who will I be working with today? What obstacles are preventing progress? D. What did I accomplish yesterday? What will I do today? What obstacles are preventing

D The project manager has the authority to task team resources and conduct performance evaluations, making this a projectized organizational structure.

Kayla works for Wigitcom, and she has been assigned to work on a project. Kayla's project manager gives her direction. At the end of the project, the project manager will conduct Kayla's performance review and she will be free to be given a new work assignment. What type of organizational structure is Wigitcom using? A. Agile B. Functional C. Matrix D. Projectized

D Brainstorming is a great way to generate ideas quickly where a group discussion can produce ideas or solve problems.

Kim is a project manager who has just been assigned a software development project. She needs help in identifying all the tasks that need to be completed for the project to be successful. What kind of meeting should she use? A. Joint application development B. Joint application review C. Status meeting D. Brainstorming

B All authority in this example rests with the functional manager who is pulling Marcus back to work on other assignments rather than the project. In a functional organizational structure, resources typically report to a functional manager and the project manager has limited or no authority.

Marcus works for Wigitcom, and he has been assigned to work on a project. Marcus's regular boss pulls him back to work on assignments and will conduct his performance review. What type of organizational structure is Wigitcom using? A. Agile B. Functional C. Matrix D. Projectized

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B. Well-formed, written communication such as email is a great format to share complex information because the receiver can digest and process the information, refer back to it, and send follow-up questions as needed.

New, complex instructions need to be communicated to a project team. What is the best communication method to distribute this information? A. Distribution of printed media B. Email C. Text message D. Social media

D The project manager should refer to the communication plan and inform appropriate stakeholders that the change has been implemented.

Once a change to the project has been accepted and implemented, what is the next step the project manager should perform? A. Conduct a preliminary review. B. Collocation. C. Determine decision-makers. D. Communicate change deployment.

D For non-urgent information, regular scheduled meetings would the ideal format to share this type of information. On the standing agenda, including a portion to discuss routine updates is a good practice.

The project manager has been gathering a batch of routine organizational messages, project updates, and status reports. What would be the best communication method to share this information? A. Video conference B. Impromptu meeting C. Social media D. Scheduled meeting

A. The best answer is communication security. By utilizing the established communication tools, the organizations can enable encryption and multifactor authentication to prevent unauthorized release of information. Communication integrity deals with ensuring information is protected by policies and rules proving the information to be correct and true. Communication archiving refers to making sure records are stored correctly and are deleting according to an established schedule. (Author's note: There is an argument to be made that A, B, and C are all correct as this kind of company or project policy can have positive effects on communication security, integrity, and archiving. So, if you answered one of those options, give yourself a pass).

The project team has been asked to use only the company established tools for instant communication and not use their personal cell phones or computers for such communication. This is an example of: A. Communication security B. Communication integrity C. Communication archiving D. Escalating communication issues

A Providing governance on the project is the responsibility of a project management office, not the project team. The project team is responsible for contributing expertise to the project, contributing deliverables according to the schedule, estimating task duration, and estimating costs and dependencies.

The project team is responsible for all of the following, EXCEPT: A. Providing governance on the project B. Contributing to the deliverables according to the schedule C. Contributing expertise to the project D. Estimating costs and dependencies

A For routine messages, or for very complex messages, email is the best method as it allows the project team to consume the information when they choose and minimizes the disruption of project work.

To help celebrate the completion of a major project milestone, the project sponsor wants to hold a barbeque on Friday afternoon. What is the best communication method to share this information with the team? A. Email B. Impromptu meeting C. Scheduled meeting D. Fax

A, C The two most correct answers are that the project has a definitive start and end date and that it creates a unique product or service. Projects are considered a success when the goals they set out to accomplish are fulfilled and the stakeholders are satisfied with the results.

What are the defining characteristics of a project? (Choose two.) A. Has a definitive start and end date B. Is assigned to a portfolio C. Creates a unique product or service D. Is a part of ongoing operational activities E. Is part of an organization's strategic plan

B & E A project can be summarized as having the following properties: It is temporary in nature, it creates a unique product or service, it has a definite start and finish, it contains a reason/purpose, and it may be part of a program or portfolio. A group of related tasks is not necessarily a project but could be a to-do list of any kind. Operational activities are activities that take place after a project has been completed. Reworking an existing project is not creating a new product or service, and it doesn't meet the properties of a project.

What are the defining characteristics of a project? (Choose two.) A. A group of related tasks B. Temporary in nature C. Operational activities D. Reworking of an existing project E. Creation of a unique product or service

B. A portfolio is a collection of programs, subportfolios, and projects that support strategic business goals or objectives.

What is the definition of a portfolio? A. A collection of the sample work a project manager has done that they should bring to an interview B. A collection of programs, subportfolios, and projects that support strategic business goals or objectives C. A group of related projects that are managed together using shared resources and similar techniques D. A group of project investments that are maintained to help finance projects

D. The Communication plan is where all the elements of the who, what, when, where, and why of communication needs are documented.

What plan determines the information needs of the stakeholders, format of information delivery, delivery frequency, and the preparer? A. Stakeholder Analysis plan B. Project Charter C. Human Resources plan D. Communication plan

B. To help control costs and to minimize disruption to project work, a virtual meeting would be the ideal choice to handle routine meetings.

What type of communication method would make sense for routine status meetings on a project where the team is spread out in different cities on the same continent? A. In-person meetings B. Virtual meetings C. Closure meetings D. Kickoff meetings

C. This is where most of the expenditures on materials and people time will occur

When evaluating the project phases, in which phase will project costs be the highest? A. Initiating B. Discovery C. Execution D. Closing

C An external dependency is where an entity or condition outside of the project drives the scheduling for that task.

When the project team is dependent on an entity outside the organization, like a product vendor delivering equipment, this is known as what type of dependency? A. Discretionary B. Mandatory C. External D. Financial

A, C, E. Using team-building activities, using recognition and rewards, and setting the ground rules are some of the tools that you can use to develop an effective project team.

Which of the following are tools and techniques used for developing a project team? (Choose three.) A. Team-building activities B. Project requirements C. Recognition and rewards D. Lessons learned meetings E. Setting the ground rules F. Project kickoff meetings

B A portfolio is a collection of programs, subportfolios, and projects that support strategic business goals or objectives. Programs and projects within a portfolio are not necessarily related to one another in a direct way, and projects may independently exist within the portfolio.

Which of the following describes a portfolio? A. A collection of the sample work a project manager has done that should be brought to an interview B. A collection of programs, subportfolios, and projects that support strategic business goals or objectives C. A group of related projects that are managed together using shared resources and similar techniques D. A group of project investments that are maintained to help finance projects

B Sprint planning is a tactical activity that is left to the project manager and project team. Steering committees operate in the strategic realm of the project by setting strategies and goals, advocating for different initiatives and projects, and offering their expert opinion to the project team to help guide project success.

Which of the following is not a role of a project steering committee? A. Monitoring project progress B. Sprint planning C. Advocacy D. Offering expert opinion

C The Gantt chart is a type of bar chart that shows task duration and dependencies.

Which of the following is the form in which project schedules are typically displayed? A. PERT B. Calendar C. Gantt chart D. Pareto chart

A, D, F. Some of the important steps required in the development of the critical path include determining the tasks, determining task start/finish dates, determining task durations and milestones, putting them in sequential order by identifying predecessors and setting dependencies, and identifying the critical path. Scheduling activities also address the allocation of resources, setting of baselines, and quality/governance gates.

Which of the following steps are important in the development of the project schedule? (Choose three.) A. Determine tasks. B. Set the quality plan. C. Set the communication plan. D. Sequence the tasks. E. Construct a Pareto diagram. F. Identify the critical path.

B Leadership, time management, team building, and listening are soft skills that are important for a project manager. Critical path diagrams are an artifact, and the creation of them would be considered a hard skill, so options A and C are incorrect. Following and independence are soft skills, but not typically associated with project management, so D is also incorrect.

Which soft skills are important for a project manager? A. Time management, earned value calculation, listening, critical path diagrams B. Leadership, time management, team building, listening C. Time management, earned value calculation, leadership, critical path diagrams D. Leadership, following, independence, listening

B Where there is a significant change in the situation, interrupting the meeting and letting the CEO know with an in-person meeting would be the best choice due to the urgency.

Wigitcom has just been hacked, and millions of records containing personal information of their customers has been stolen. The CEO is in a meeting for the rest of the day. What is the best communication method to let the boss know of the situation? A. Social media B. Impromptu meeting C. Text messaging D. Distribution of printed media