Study Cards - Chapter 2

Question 0

What are the five process groups

Answer 0

Initiating, Planning, Executing, Monitoring and Controlling, and Closing

Question 1

Project Management is

Answer 1

The application of knowledge, skills, tools and techniques to project activities to meet project requirements

Question 2

Process Groups are not…

Answer 2

Project phases

Question 3

Project Constraints are…

Answer 3

Limiting factors that set boundaries for the project.

Question 4

What are the six areas of constraints

Answer 4

Schedule, budget, scope, quality, resources, risk

Question 5

All constraints have an impact on…

Answer 5

Customer satisfaction

Question 6

The project manager is…

Answer 6

Assigned by the organization to achieve project objectives by applying the correct tools and techniques.

Question 7

Three key characteristics of a project manager are…

Answer 7

Knowledge, performance, personal

Question 8

What are four key characteristics of a project?

Answer 8

• Time-scoped activity
• Has a beginning, middle and end
• Creates a unique product, service or result
• A ‘progressive elaboration’

Question 9

What are three key characteristics of operations?

Answer 9

• Endures for the lifetime of the product, process or service
• Can be incrementally improved or enhanced
• Enhancements are typically done as a series of small projects

Question 10

A project is…

Answer 10

A temporary endeavor undertaken to create a unique product, service, or result.

Question 11

Projects are similar to operations in that…

Answer 11

• Both are performed by individuals
• Both are subject to constraints
• Both are planned, executed, and controlled
• Both are designed to meet organizational/strategic objectives

Question 12

The key differences between projects and operations are…

Answer 12

Timeline

• Projects end at some point
• Operations continue for the product lifetime

Predictability

• Projects may contain unknown and unpredictable elements
• Operational elements are both known and predictable

Risk

• Project continually evaluate risk
• Operations are designed to minimize or eliminate risk

Question 13

A program is…

Answer 13

A group of related projects managed in a coordinated way.

Question 14

A portfolio is…

Answer 14

A collection of projects, programs and other work that may not be directly related, but have been grouped to meet strategic business objectives.

Question 15

A subproject is…

Answer 15

A smaller project of an overall project.

Question 16

The purpose of the PMO is to…

Answer 16

Centralize the management of projects across the organization.

Question 17

Typically a PMO provides…

Answer 17

• OPAs for managing projects
• Guidance and training on project management
• Resource pool of project managers

Question 18

The PMO may also play these roles…

Answer 18

• Audit Projects against PMO standards
• Provide Resources for project
• Cancel Projects
• Provide Templates and forms
• Offer Coaching and training for Project Managers
• Centralize Communication for projects
• Manage Dependencies between projects
• Function as a stakeholder

Question 19

The project life cycle is…

Answer 19

Frequently Unique. They vary as much as the industries they serve.

Question 20

The phase-end review achieves…

Answer 20

• Authorization to close the current project or phase

- Authorization to initiate the subsequent project or phase

Question 21

The three fundamental phase-to-phase relationships are…

Answer 21

Sequential, Overlapping, Iterative

Question 22

Sequential relationships are…

Answer 22

The typical finish-to-start relationship.

Question 23

Overlapping relationships can…

Answer 23

Increase risk and rework, but allow for schedule compression.

Question 24

Iterative relationships can...

Answer 24

Allow for progressive elaboration while sequentially delivering the highest priority features. (Agile)

Question 25

The Project Management life cycle is...

Answer 25

Unchanging. They always consist of the five process groups (IPECC).

Question 26

The five project management process groups will always be...

Answer 26

Executed within each phase of your project.

Question 27

Lessons Learned is...

Answer 27

A process that is applied at the completion of every phase of a project.

Question 28

The product life-cycle...

Answer 28

Endures for the life of the product

Question 29

A product is...

Answer 29

What is created as a result of executing a project.

Question 30

A stakeholder is...

Answer 30

- Anyone who is positively or negatively impacted by the project - Anyone who can exert influence over the project

Question 31

The project manager should do this for stakeholders...

Answer 31

- Identify them all to ensure that they are engaged | - Balance their needs while delivering the project's product.

Question 32

The three fundamental organizational structures are...

Answer 32

- Functional - Matrix (weak, balanced, strong) - Projectized

Question 33

A composite organization...

Answer 33

Uses a combination of organizational structures (functional, matrixed, projectized)

Question 34

Some advantages and disadvantages of a functional organization include...

Answer 34

- Expertise with clearly defined career paths | - Project manager has little authority on the project

Question 35

A tight matrix means...

Answer 35

Project resources are co-located in the same room.

Question 36

Some advantages and disadvantages of a matrixed organization include...

Answer 36

- Increased control by project manager | - Multiple bosses adds complexity

Question 37

Some advantages and disadvantages of a projectized organization include...

Answer 37

- Project loyalty | - Job is gone once the project is complete

Question 38

For the purpose of the exam you are...

Answer 38

A project manager in a strong matrix environment with control over the project budget.

Question 39

MBO is...

Answer 39

- Management by Objectives - A term that was introduced by Peter Drucker - Will only work if it is supported by management

Question 40

OPM3 is...

Answer 40

- Organizational Project Management Maturity Model - Based on CMMI (Capability Maturity Model Integration) - Helps organizations determine their level of PM maturity

Question 41

Progressive Elaboration is...

Answer 41

- Key to the entire PMI framework - More important for project success when unknowns are greater - States that you cannot definitively estimate timeline and budget at the start of a project

Question 42

The triple constraint model addresses... | It may also be influenced by...

Answer 42

- Time, cost and scope | - Quality and risk

Question 43

Who can authorize changes to the triple constraints of a project?

Answer 43

Senior management.