Quiz 1 & 2

_____ refers to the process in which organizations group and manage projects and programs as a portfolio of investments that contribute to the entire enterprise's success.

PPM Project portfolio management

_____ are sets of interacting components working within an environment to fulfill some purpose.

Systems

Until the 1980s, project management primarily focused on providing schedule and resource data to top management in the military, computer, and construction industries. True False

True Feedback: Until the 1980s, project management primarily focused on providing schedule and resource data to top management in the military, computer, and construction industries. Today's project management involves much more, and people in every industry and every country manage projects.

Which problem-solving approach requires defining the scope of a system, dividing it into its components, and then identifying and evaluating its problems, opportunities, constraints, and needs? Systems analysis Independent component analysis Principal component analysis Linear programming

Systems analysis Feedback: Systems analysis is a problem-solving approach that requires defining the scope of the system, dividing it into components, and then identifying and evaluating its problems, opportunities, constraints, and needs.

In which development life cycle do stakeholders define and approve the detailed scope before the start on an iteration? Hybrid Iterative Incremental Adaptive

Adaptive Feedback: In an adaptive life cycle: stakeholders define and approve the detailed scope before the start of an iteration, producing a useable product at the end of each iteration.

Select an example of external stakeholders for an organization. Top managers Employees Functional managers Competitors

Competitors 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 refers to a set of principles that guides decision making based on personal values of what is considered right and wrong? Ethics Laws Civics Politics

Ethics 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.

Internal stakeholders include groups affected by the project such as government officials or concerned citizens. True False

False 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.

Most people believe that the underlying causes of many companies' problems can be traced to its organizational structure. True False

False Feedback: Organizational culture is very powerful, and many people believe the underlying causes of many companies' problems are not in the organizational structure or staff; they are in the culture.

The best way to sustain a project is to withhold the required money, human resources, and visibility for the project. True False

False Feedback: The best way to kill a project is to withhold the required money, human resources, and visibility.

The nature of hardware development projects is more diverse than software-oriented projects. True False

False Feedback: The nature of software development projects is even more diverse than hardware-oriented projects. A software development project might include creating a simple, stand-alone Microsoft Excel or Access application, or a sophisticated, global e-commerce system that uses state-of-the-art programming languages and runs on multiple platforms.

When you separate business and organizational issues from project management planning, you do a better job of ensuring project success. True False

False Feedback: When you integrate business and organizational issues into project management planning and look at projects as a series of interrelated phases, you do a better job of ensuring project success.

A difference between operations and projects is that operations end when their objectives have been reached, whereas projects do not. True False

False Feedback: Projects are different from operations in that they end when their objectives have been reached or the project has been terminated.

In Rizzati Corp, vice presidents in departments such as engineering, manufacturing, IT, and human resources report directly to the chief executive officer and undertake their tasks independently of each other. The staffs of these departments have specialized skills in their respective disciplines. Which type of organizational structure does Rizatti Corp have? Project Functional Matrix Symbolic

Functional Feedback: A functional organizational structure is the hierarchy most people think of when picturing an organizational chart. Functional managers or vice presidents in specialties such as engineering, manufacturing, IT, and human resources report to the chief executive officer (CEO).

In what type of organizational structure do project managers have the least amount of authority? Project Functional Matrix Circular

Functional Feedback: Project managers have the most authority in a pure project organizational structure and the least amount of authority in a pure functional organizational structure.

Which tool is most likely to be used in project schedule management? Fishbone diagrams Impact matrices Payback analysis Gantt charts

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

Which tool can best help in efficient communication management? Fast tracking Impact matrices Requests for quotes Kick-off meetings

Kick-off meetings 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.

_____ tools, a step up from low-end tools, are designed to handle larger projects, multiple users, and multiple projects.

Midrange

In which systems development life cycle do model developers use a model to generate functional requirements and physical design specifications simultaneously? Prototyping life cycle Waterfall life cycle Spiral life cycle RAD life cycle

Prototyping life cycle Feedback: The prototyping life cycle model is used for developing software prototypes to clarify user requirements for operational software. It requires heavy user involvement, and developers use a model to generate functional requirements and physical design specifications simultaneously. This approach is often used in systems that involve a great deal of user interface design, such as website projects.

Galaxy, a construction company, buys a particular brand of tiles manufactured by Tiles and Floors, an eco-friendly tile manufacturing company. However, Tiles and Floors has declared bankruptcy and closed down. At present, Galaxy is facing a crisis because there are no other manufacturers in the market that supplies eco-friendly tiles. Which constraint is Galaxy currently facing? Time Cost Resources Scope

Resources Exp: Every project is constrained in different ways. For some projects, resources are the main concern.

The same organization can have different subcultures. True False

True Feedback: It is also important to note that the same organization can have different subcultures. The IT department may have a different organizational culture than the finance department, for example.

Project managers in matrix organizations have staff from various functional areas working on their projects. True False

True Feedback: Project managers in matrix organizations have staff from various functional areas working on their projects.

Using a systems approach is critical to successful project management. True False

True Feedback: Using a systems approach is critical to successful project management. If top management and project managers are to understand how projects relate to the whole organization, they must follow a systems philosophy.

Every project should have a well-defined objective. True False Rationale:

True Feedback: A project has a unique purpose. Every project should have a well-defined objective.

Projects should be developed in increments. True False

True Feedback: A project is developed using progressive elaboration. Projects are often defined broadly when they begin, and as time passes, the specific details of the project become clearer. Therefore, projects should be developed in increments.

A project's stakeholders include its customers, users, and suppliers. True False

True Feedback: Stakeholders are the people involved in or affected by project activities, and include the project sponsor, project team, support staff, customers, users, suppliers, and even opponents of a project.

An important tool for project scope management is _____. a kickoff meeting fast tracking a work breakdown structure a Gantt chart

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

Some projects have a senior manager called a(n) _____ who acts as a key advocate for a project.

champion

In a(n) _____ organizational structure, project managers have little or no authority.

functional

Three general classifications of organizational structures are _____, project, and matrix.

functional

High-end tools in project management software have enterprise and _____ functions that summarize and combine individual project information to provide an enterprise view of all projects.

portfolio management

A _____ is a tool used in risk management. critical path analysis probability matrix project organizational chart work breakdown structure

probability matrix Feedback: Risk management plans, risk registers, probability/impact matrices, and risk rankings are different tools used in risk management.

A(n) _____ is a temporary endeavor undertaken to create a unique product, service, or result.

project

In a _____organizational structure, program managers, rather than functional managers or vice presidents, report to the CEO. Their staffs have a variety of skills needed to complete all required tasks within their programs. symbolic project functional matrix

project Feedback: A project organizational structure also is hierarchical, but instead of functional managers or vice presidents reporting to the CEO, program managers report to the CEO.

Passing the CPA exam is a standard for accountants. Similarly, passing the PMP exam is becoming a standard for _____.

project managers

The role of a _____ is to provide direction and funding for a project. support staff member project sponsor project team project manager

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.

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. symbolic structural human resources political

symbolic 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?

Projects must operate in a broad organizational environment, and project managers need to consider projects within the greater organizational context. Which approach describes the holistic view of carrying out projects within the context of the organization? Reductionism Systems thinking The silo approach Linear analysis

Systems thinking 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.

Individual projects always address strategic goals whereas portfolio management addresses tactical goals. True False

False Feedback: Tactical goals are generally more specific and short-term than strategic goals, which emphasize long-term goals for an organization. Individual projects often address tactical goals, whereas portfolio management addresses strategic goals.

Which characteristic of organizational culture describes the degree to which management's decisions take into account the effect of outcomes on people within the organization? People focus Unit integration Group emphasis Member identity

People focus Feedback: The people focus characteristic of organizational culture describes the degree to which management's decisions take into account the effect of outcomes on people within the organization. Good project managers often balance the needs of individuals and the organization.

Which of the following is true of a matrix organizational structure? Project managers in matrix organizations have staff from only a single functional area working on their projects. In a strong matrix organizational structure, the project manager controls the project budget and has moderate to high authority. A matrix organizational structure is hierarchical, but instead of functional managers reporting to the CEO, program managers report to the CEO. In a matrix organizational structure, employees are organized into departments according to their skills, and there is little interaction between employees from different departments.

In a strong matrix organizational structure, the project manager controls the project budget and has moderate to high authority. Feedback: In a strong matrix organizational structure, the project manager controls the project budget and has moderate to high authority.

The term "_____" refers to work done in organizations to sustain the business.

Operation Operations

In organizational culture, what does means-end orientation refer to? The degree to which employees are encouraged to be aggressive, innovative, and risk seeking The degree to which the organization monitors and responds to changes in the external environment Correct! The degree to which management focuses on outcomes rather than on techniques and processes used to achieve results The degree to which rules, policies, and direct supervision are used to oversee and control employee behavior

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

Project procurement management primarily involves identifying stakeholder needs while managing their engagement throughout the life of the project. True False

False Feedback: Project management knowledge areas describe the key competencies that project managers must develop. Project procurement management involves acquiring or procuring goods and services for a project from outside the performing organization.

Questions about how a team will track schedule performance is related to a project's scope. True False

False Feedback: Project scope deals with questions such as, "What work will be done as part of the project?", "What unique product, service, or result does the customer or sponsor expect from the project?", or "How will the scope be verified?"

In what type of organizational structure do project managers have the most authority? Functional Matrix Project Circular

Project Feedback: Project managers have the most authority in a pure project organizational structure and the least amount of authority in a pure functional organizational structure.

A _____ is an organizational group responsible for coordinating the project management function throughout an organization. Project Management Office Project Management Center Project Management Professional Portfolio Group

Project Management Office 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.

Which project management knowledge area primarily involves generating, collecting, disseminating, and storing project information? Project procurement management Project cost management Project time management Project communications management

Project communications management Feedback: Project management knowledge areas describe the key competencies that project managers must develop. Project communications management involves generating, collecting, disseminating, and storing project information.

Which project management knowledge area ensures that the project will satisfy the stated or implied needs for which it was undertaken? Project risk management Project time management Project cost management Project quality management

Project quality management Exp: Project management knowledge areas describe the key competencies that project managers must develop. Project quality management ensures that the project will satisfy the stated or implied needs for which it was undertaken.

Which characteristic highlights a difference between projects and operations? Operations are undertaken to create unique products, services, or results whereas projects are not. Projects are undertaken to sustain an organization's business whereas operations are not. Projects are temporary endeavors whereas an organization's operations are ongoing in nature. Operations have well-defined objectives whereas projects do not need to have a unique purpose.

Projects are temporary endeavors whereas an organization's operations are ongoing in nature. 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.