Chapter 4: Defining the Project

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

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

After reviewing the project scope statement, the owner specifies that costs MUST stay within $400,000. This criterion is classified as A. Constrained. B. Enhanced. C. Accepted. D. Limited. E. Fixed.

A

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

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

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

There are 5 steps involved when defining a project; which of the following is the last? 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

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

Which of the following is NOT true regarding scope creep? A. It is when the cost of the project is more than expected B. It is the tendency for the project scope to expand over time C. It most likely caused by a scope statement that is too broad D. It can have both positive and negative impacts on a project E. It can lead to added costs and possible project delays

A

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

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

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

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

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

There are 5 steps involved when defining a project; which of the following is the first? A. Establish project priorities B. Define the project scope C. Verify the budget available D. Assign team members to work on the projectE. Determine the required completion date

B

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

There are 5 steps involved when defining a project; which of the following is the second? 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

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

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

A control point of one or more work packages used to plan, schedule, and control the project. The sum of all the project _________ represents the total cost of the project.

Cost account

All of the following are ways the WBS helps in managing projects EXCEPT A. With cost and time estimates the WBS makes it possible to plan, schedule and budget the project. B. It provides management with information appropriate to each level. C. Can be used to define communication channels. D. Allows the project manager to establish the overall objective of the project. E. As it is developed, organizational units and individuals can be assigned responsibility of work packages

D

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

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

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

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

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

E

Having a strong communication plan can go a long way toward mitigating project problems. A communication plan should address all of the following EXCEPT A. When the information will be communicated. B. How information should be communicated and to whom. C. What methods will be used to gather and store information. D. What information needs to be collected and are there limits as to who has access to it. E. All of these should be addressed in a communication plan.

E

The WBS is best suited for projects that have a tangible outcome. Which of the following is used when the final outcome of the project is less tangible or is a product of a series of steps or phases? A. Responsibility matrix B. Organization breakdown structure C. A work breakdown structure is still effective for these types of projects D. Priority matrix E. Process breakdown structure

E

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

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

An event that represents significant, identifiable accomplishment toward the project's completion.

Milestone

A structure used to assign responsibility for work packages.

Organization Breakdown Structure (OBS)

The tendency for the scope of a project to expand once it has started.

Scope creep

A matrix that is set up before the project begins that establishes which criterion among cost, time, and scope will be enhanced, constrained, or accepted.

Priority matrix

A document that authorizes the project manager to initiate and lead a project.

Project charter

A matrix whose intersection point shows the relationship between an activity (work package) and the person/group responsible for its completion.

Responsibility matrix

A definition of the end result or mission of a project. _________ typically includes project objectives, deliverables, milestones, specifications, and limits and exclusions.

Scope statement

A hierarchical method that successively subdivides the work of the project into smaller detail.

Work Breakdown Structure (WBS)

A task at the lowest level of the WBS. Responsibility for the package should be assigned to one person and, if possible, limited to 80 hours of work.

Work package