Midterm

Question 1

1. Which of the following examples is NOT a typical or appropriate situation to employ project management?
   a) Improving existing work progress
   b) Installing a new computer system
   c) Conducting a routine, standard customer service operation
   d) Developing a new product

Answer 1

c) Conducting a routine, standard customer service operation

Question 2

2. Which of the following examples is NOT a typical or appropriate situation to employ project management
   a) Improving a soldering process in an assembly line
   b) Processing deposits and withdrawals in a bank
   c) Installing a new accounting application on a server
   d) Developing a new medical device for use by clinics

Answer 2

b) Processing deposits and withdrawals in a bank

Question 3

3. Projects often require trade-offs among all of the following EXCEPT:
   a) Scope
   b) Cost
   c) Schedule
   d) Programs

Answer 3

d) Programs

Question 4

4. Once projects are completed, they will typically yield all of the following results EXCEPT
   a) A unique product or service
   b) Make or buy decisions
   c) Stakeholders whose interests are affected by the outcome
   d) A primary deliverable along with supporting deliverables

Answer 4

b) Make or buy decisions

Question 5

5. Which of the following statements regarding project life is most accurate?
   a) All research and development projects use the same four-stage project life cycle model.
   b) The project life cycle is the same for the diverse types of projects managed by an organization.
   c) Many different project life cycle models are used for different types of projects.
   d) Project life cycles are very similar regardless of the industry.

Answer 5

c) Many different project life cycle models are used for different types of projects.

Question 6

6. Projects are considered successful for all of the reasons below EXCEPT:
   a) members of the team learn new skills and/ or refine existing skills
   b) Organizational learning takes place and is captured for future projects
   c) The team has used heroics to meet project objectives
   d) The performing organization reaps business-level benefits

Answer 6

c) The team has used heroics to meet project objectives

Question 7

7. Which of the following actions will likely cause a project to fail?
   a) Dedicating valuable team member time to identify risk events
   b) Spending project funds to procure needed tools and spare parts
   c) Unclear or unrealistic stakeholder expectations

Answer 7

c) Unclear or unrealistic stakeholder expectations

Question 8

8. Typically, a steering team or leadership team is responsible for all of the following project related roles EXCEPT:
   a) Selecting, prioritizing and resourcing projects
   b) Standardizing project-related governance processes to facilitate sharing of methodologies, tools and techniques
   c) Ensuring accurate progress is reported and adjustments made
   d) Evaluating projects and portfolios midstream to ensure they produce expected results

Answer 8

d) Evaluating projects and portfolios midstream to ensure they produce expected results

Question 9

9.Which of the following role sis typically associated with the project manager
a) Assigned by the performing organization to lead the team that is responsible for achieving the project objectives
b) An ongoing manager of the organization with responsibility for a department or division
c) Supports projects by mentoring, training and assisting teams and facilitating sharing of resources and technologies
d) A senior manager serving in a formal role, given authority and responsibility for successful completion of a project.

Answer 9

a) Assigned by the performing organization to lead the team that is responsible for achieving the project objectives

Question 10

10. Typically, the senior customer representative is responsible for which of the following project roles?
    a) Develops the project schedule and budget
    b) Determines how the project work will be accomplished
    c) Ensures requirements are clear and communications are maintained throughout the project
    d) Helps the project manager with running meetings and providing status reports

Answer 10

c) Ensures requirements are clear and communications are maintained throughout the project

Question 11

11. All of the following are advantages associated with managing projects in a projectized organization EXCEPT:
    a) One boss – the project manager
    b) Response times and decision-making are swift
    c) Departmental barriers are reduced
    d) Workers know they still have a job when they finish work on a project

Answer 11

d) Workers know they still have a job when they finish work on a project

Question 12

12) Projectized organizations often adopt which of the following techniques where project team members are physically placed close to one another to improve communications and working relationships?
a) Collaboration
b) Co-location
c) Coordination
d) Consolidation

Answer 12

b) Co-location

Question 13

13. Which of the following is a disadvantage associated with managing projects in a projectized organization?
    a) Response times and decision making are slow
    b) Team members assigned to a project are often underutilized and have idle time
    c) Team members have difficulty focusing on project issues
    d) Traditional department barriers are reduced

Answer 13

b) Team members assigned to a project are often underutilized and have idle time

Question 14

14. Project planning teams use project life cycle models because various types of projects have differing demands, Which of the following sequence of stages is most appropriate for a life-cycle model for construction projects.
    a) define – measure – analyse – improve – control
    b) concept definition – demonstration – development – production
    c) pre-planning – design – procurement – construction – start up
    d) concept – requirements – design – code – test – turnover

Answer 14

c) pre-planning – design – procurement – construction – start up

Question 15

15. Subject matter experts often perform specific project activities when necessary. Which of the following statements regarding subject matter experts is accurate?
    a) The number of subject matter experts is generally limited to fewer than the number of core team members
    b) The subject matter experts are typically assigned to the project from start to finish
    c) The subject matter is not a core team member and therefore is less important than other team members
    d) Subject matter experts are brought in for meetings and for performing specific project activities when necessary

Answer 15

d) Subject matter experts are brought in for meetings and for performing specific project activities when necessary

Question 16

16. Which of the following is an advantage associated with the matrix organization?
    a) Increased knowledge transfer between projects
    b) Unity of command – one “boss” for each employee
    c) Shorter response times and quicker decisions
    d) Hard to monitor and control

Answer 16

a) Increased knowledge transfer between projects

Question 17

17. When trying to understand a corporate culture, it is helpful to understand the types of power that are used. In “power cultures”:
    a) Workers closely follow their appointed roles
    b) Supervisors exert a great deal of economic and political power
    c) More deference is paid to knowledge than formal authority
    d) Display an attitude that collaboration is satisfying and stimulating

Answer 17

a) Workers closely follow their appointed roles

Question 18

18. Through shared values, organizational cultures can informally do all the following EXCEPT:
    a) Motivate the ethical actions and communications of managers and subordinates
    b) Determine how people are treated, controlled and rewarded
    c) Establish how cooperation, competition, conflict and decision making are handled
    d) Eliminate politics in the workplace

Answer 18

d) Eliminate politics in the workplace

Question 19

19. Responsibilities of the Chief Projects Officer (CPO) for each individual serving on a project team include all of the following EXCEPT:
    a) That they follow the detailed project plan that the CPO has created
    b) That they capture lessons learned from completed projects
    c) That they use templates and standards when appropriate
    d) That they receive the training they need

Answer 19

a) That they follow the detailed project plan that the CPO has created

Question 20

21. During project execution, the project sponsor’s responsibilities include all of these EXCEPT:
    a) Ensure communications
    b) Charter the project
    c) Nurture key stakeholders
    d) Ensure quality

Answer 20

b) Charter the project

Question 21

20. According to PMI’s “Code of Ethics and Professional Conduct”, project managers should exhibit all of the following behaviors EXCEPT:
    a) Authority – exert economic and political power
    b) Fairness – make decisions and act impartially
    c) Honesty – understand the truth and act in a truthful manner
    d) Responsibility – take ownership for decision

Answer 21

a) Authority – exert economic and political power

Question 22

22. Project planning teams use project life cycle models because various types of projects have different demands. Which of the following sequences of stages is most appropriate for a life cycle model for research and development (R&D) projects?
    a) define – measure – analyze – improve – control
    b) project envisioning – requirements gathering – incremental implementation – production release
    c) pre-planning – design – procurement – construction – start up
    d) idea generation – idea screening – concept development – validation – transition

Answer 22

d) idea generation – idea screening – concept development – validation – transition

Question 23

23. Which of the following organizational structures runs contrary to the unit of command principle – that each employee works for a single supervisor
    a) functional organization
    b) projectized organization
    c) matrix organization
    d) siloed organization

Answer 23

c) matrix organization

Question 24

24. Which of the following statements accurately describes a communications management plan?
    a) a formal document that describes how the project will be initiated and planned
    b) a living document that considers stakeholders’ information desires and guides the project communications
    c) a formal document that defines how the project will be terminated and closed
    d) a formal document that focuses on how the project’s financial results will be tracked
    Explanation: A communications management plan is a dynamic, evolving document that ensures all stakeholders receive the information they need throughout the project.

Answer 24

b) a living document that considers stakeholders’ information desires and guides the project communications

Question 25

25. During project execution, the project sponsor’s responsibilities include all of these EXCEPT: a) ensure communications b) charter the project c) nurture key stakeholders d) ensure quality

Answer 25

b) charter the project

Question 26

29. Workers know they still have a job when they finish work on a project. Which of the following is an advantage associated with the matrix organization? a) Increased knowledge transfer between projects b) Unity of command – one “boss” for each employee c) Shorter response times and quicker decisions d) Hard to monitor and control

Answer 26

a) Increased knowledge transfer between projects

Question 27

33. Which of the following is a disadvantage associated with managing projects in a projectized organization? a) Response times and decision making are slow. b) Team members assigned to a project are often underutilized and have idle time. c) Team members have difficulty focusing on project issues. d) Traditional department barriers are reduced.

Answer 27

b) Team members assigned to a project are often underutilized and have idle time.

Question 28

34. Which of the following executive roles is responsible for overall priority setting, project selection and prioritization, general guidance, and encouragement? a) Steering Team b) Sponsor c) Project Management Office d) Chief Projects Officer

Answer 28

d) Chief Projects Officer

Question 29

36. Which of the following are among the challenges faced by project managers? a) They frequently have more authority than responsibility. b) They must effectively deal with networks of people both within and outside the parent company. c) They must learn how to accomplish project work unilaterally on their own d) They are not allowed to be flexible about how the project should be accomplished

Answer 29

b) They must effectively deal with networks of people both within and outside the parent company.

Question 30

38. Projectized organizations often adopt which of the following techniques where project team members are physically placed close to one another to improve communications and working relationships? a) collaboration b) co-location c) coordination d) consolidation

Answer 30

b) co-location

Question 31

39. Which of the following roles and attributes do NOT describe the core team members on a project? a) Core team members often make project decisions jointly with the project manager. b) Core team members are the small group of people who are usually on the project from start to finish. c) Core team members join the project on a temporary basis to perform specific project activities as necessary. d) Core team members may supervise the work of subject matter experts who are brought in on an as-needed basis.

Answer 31

c) Core team members join the project on a temporary basis to perform specific project activities as necessary.

Question 32

40. Subject matter experts often perform specific project activities when necessary. Which of the following statements regarding subject matter experts is accurate? a) The number of subject matter experts is generally limited to fewer than the number of core team members. b) The subject matter experts are typically assigned to the project from start to finish. c) The subject matter is not a core team member and is therefore less important than other team members. d) Subject matter experts are brought in for meetings and for performing specific project activities when necessary.

Answer 32

d) Subject matter experts are brought in for meetings and for performing specific project activities when necessary.

Question 33

41. Project planning teams use project life cycle models because various types of projects have differing demands. Which of the following sequences of stages is most appropriate for a life cycle model for construction projects? a) define-measure - analyze - improve - control b) concept definition - demonstration - development - production c) pre-planning-design - procurement - construction - start up d) concept-requirements - design - code - test-turnover

Answer 33

c) pre-planning-design - procurement - construction - start up

Question 34

42. Which of the following is an advantage associated with the matrix organization? a) Increased knowledge transfer between projects. b) Unity of command - one "boss" for each employee. c) shorter response times and quicker decisions. d) Hard to monitor and control.

Answer 34

a) Increased knowledge transfer between projects.

Question 35

43. This technique is an iterative process that identifies and defines the work to be completely accomplished in the near term and plans the future work at a higher level. a) Rolling wave planning. b) Decomposition. c) Traceability d) Agile.

Answer 35

a) Rolling wave planning.

Question 36

44. Work Breakdown Structures typically include one or more intermediate levels. Which of the following statements correctly describes the nature of these intermediate levels? a) They generally represent items that need to be created in order to produce the final deliverables. b) They generally represent the raw materials required to create the final deliverables. c) They generally represent the resource assignments to create the final deliverables. d) They generally represent the sequence and timing of work packages

Answer 36

a) They generally represent items that need to be created in order to produce the final deliverables.

Question 37

45. Which of the following is NOT a format that is typically used to represent a Work Breakdown Structure? a) Hierarchical or "org chart" b) Indented outline c) Requirements Traceability Matrix d) Free format

Answer 37

c) Requirements Traceability Matrix

Question 38

46. Which of the following items best describes a project Work Breakdown Structure (WBS)? a) an organizational chart depicting who will perform project work b) a schedule depicting when project work will be performed c) a tool that the team uses to progressively divide deliverables into smaller and smaller pieces d) a list of activities to complete the project work packages

Answer 38

c) a tool that the team uses to progressively divide deliverables into smaller and smaller pieces

Question 39

47. The method of dividing the project scope into many parts that, when combined, would constitute the project deliverable is called a) rolling wave planning b) decomposition c) collect requirements d) requirements traceability

Answer 39

b) decomposition

Question 40

48. Which of the information below would NOT typically be included in the WBS dictionary for a specific work package? a) description of the work b) communication requirements c) activities d) expected duration

Answer 40

b) communication requirements

Question 41

49. Work Breakdown Structures can be displayed in a variety of formats including which of the following? a) a sequential process diagrams b) an inverted pyramid c) an indented outline formats d) fishbone or cause and effect diagram

Answer 41

c) an indented outline formats

Question 42

50. A ______________ is a written request or formal proposal to propose changes to any project planning component such as a document, project deliverable, or baseline (scope, cost, and time). a) scope statement b) change request c) project charter d) request for proposal (RFP)

Answer 42

b) change request

Question 43

51. Joseph Juran provided guidance regarding how to control quality. Which of the following items is consistent with his quality control guidance? a) identify all team members and their needs b) establish measurement systems c) prove effects d) expend necessary efforts to exceed requirements

Answer 43

b) establish measurement systems

Question 44

52. During which DMAIC phase would you find the objectives of: identify possible root causes, collect data, and confirm root causes through data analysis? a) Define b) Measure c) Analyze d) Improve

Answer 44

c) Analyze

Question 45

53. Which of the following documents describes how the project team will implement the performing organization's quality policy? a) quality benchmarking plan b) quality control plan c) quality management plan d) quality audit plan

Answer 45

c) quality management plan

Question 46

54. Which of these would NOT typically be found in a Quality Management Plan? a) Team selection criteria b) Quality roles and responsibilities c) Plan for reporting quality control and assurance problems d) Key project deliverables and processes to be reviewed for satisfactory quality level

Answer 46

a) Team selection criteria

Question 47

55. The decision process for developing relevant quality standards on a project includes all of the following activities EXCEPT: a) identify all stakeholders b) understand the prioritized stakeholders' requirements c) design work systems d) make trade-off decisions

Answer 47

c) design work systems

Question 48

56. Normal or random variations that are considered part of operating the system at its current capability are ___________ a) special cause variations. b) common cause variations. c) systemic variations. d) life cycle variations

Answer 48

b) common cause variations.

Question 49

57. All of the following items contribute to developing empowered performance in an organization EXCEPT: a) setting an expectation for managers to encourage associates to treat risk events as learning opportunities b) accepting the fact that the project manager has total decision-making authority c) training and equipping workers so that they're willing to take risks d) helping develop specialists who can aid anyone in the organization Explanation: Empowered performance encourages collaboration and shared decision-making rather than concentrating authority solely in the hands of the project manager.

Answer 49

b) accepting the fact that the project manager has total decision-making authority

Question 50

58. Joseph Juran provided guidance regarding how to conduct quality planning, quality control, and quality improvement. Which of the following items is NOT part of Juran's Quality Trilogy? a) identify all customers and their needs, develop requirements, and develop methods to satisfy those requirements. b) work to identify root causes, not just symptoms c) determine what to control, establish measurement systems, establish standards and compare performance to standards. d) select and support improvement projects, select and implement solutions, and maintain control of improved processes.

Answer 50

c) determine what to control, establish measurement systems, establish standards and compare performance to standards.

Question 51

59. Which of the following quality management thought leaders is generally credited with contributing the insight that team learning is necessary to improve quality? a) Ishikawa b) Senge c) Taguchi d) Harrington

Answer 51

b) Senge

Question 52

60. Which of the following activities are typically included in a project kick-off meeting? a) The project manager evaluates team member performance. b) The project team collects lessons learned for use on future projects. c) The project manager outlines the project goals. e) The project sponsor brings in a facilitator to conduct a brainstorming exercise

Answer 52

c) The project manager outlines the project goals.

Question 53

61. It is important to assign a unique name and a unique number to every component in the project Work Breakdown Structure. a) true b) false

Answer 53

a) true

Question 54

62. Stakeholders include all of the following people EXCEPT: a) those who work on the project b) those who provide people or resources for the project c) those whose routines may be disrupted by the project d) those who will not be impacted by the project

Answer 54

d) those who will not be impacted by the project