Project Management Midterm Flashcards
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The advent of project management has been most profound in: Automobile manufacturing Construction Information technology The U.S. Department of Defense Film making
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Information Technology
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A professional organization for project management specialists is the PMI AMA MIS IPM PMBOK
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PMI
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Which of the following is not considered to be a characteristic of a project? An established objective A clear beginning and end Complex tasks Only for internal use Never been done before
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Only for internal use
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Which of the following activities is not considered a project? Developing a new software program Designing a space station Preparing the site for the Olympic Games Production of automobile tires Developing a new advertising program
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Production of automobile tires
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From among the following activities, which is the best example of a project? Processing insurance claims Producing automobiles Writing a term paper Completing a college degree All of these are good examples of projects
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Writing a term paper
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Which of the following constraints is not typically found in managing projects? Time People Cost Performance Both B and D are not typical constraints
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People
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Which of the following choices is not one of the stages of a project life cycle? Conceptualizing Initiation Planning Closing Executing
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Conceptualizing
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In which of the following stages is a major portion of the physical and mental project work performance? Initiation Defining Planning Executing Delivering
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Executing
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In which of the following stages are you more likely to find status reports, many changes, and the creation of forecasts? Conceptualizing Defining Planning Executing Delivering
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Executing
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Which of the following characteristics is not typical of a project manager? Managing a temporary activity Possesses in-depth technical knowledge Managing a non-repetitive activity Manages independently of the formal organization Provides a direct link to the customer
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Possesses in-depth technical knowledge
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Which of the following choices is not one of driving forces behind the increasing demand for project management? Compression of the product life cycle Knowledge explosion Development of third world and closed economies More emphasis on the product and less on the customer Corporate downsizing
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More emphasis on the product and less on the customer
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Which of the following is the number one characteristic that is looked for in management candidates? Overall intelligence Works well with others Experience Past successes Good reference
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Works well with others
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Two dimensions within the project management process are Technical and sociocultural Cost and time Planned and unexpected Established and new Unique and reoccuring
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Technical and sociocultural
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Which of these is not part of the "technical dimension" of project management? WBS Budgets Problem solving Schedules Status reports
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Problem solving
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Which of these is not part of the "sociocultural dimension" of project management? Negotiation Resource allocation Customer expectations Leadership Politics
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Resource allocation
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Corporate downsizing has increased the trend toward: Reducing the number of projects a company initiates Outsourcing significant segments of project work Using dedicated project teams Shorter project lead times Longer project lead times
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Outsourcing significant segments of project work
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The importance of project management has increased due to: The movement of manufacturing operations out of the U.S Time to market The movement toward flatter and leaner organizations Both A and B are true A, B and C are true
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A B and C are true
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Which of the following is not typically the responsibility of a project manager? Meeting budget requirements Meeting schedule requirements Meeting performance specifications Coordinated the actions of the team members All of these are typical responsibilities
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All of these are typical responsibilities
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A series of coordinated, related, multiple projects that continues over extended time intended to achieve a goal is known as a: Strategy Program Campaign Crusade Venture
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Program
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Like most organizational effort, the major goal of a project is to
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Satisfy the customer's need
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T/F: Because of the profitability motive, project management is nearly always limited to the private sector.
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False
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T/F: One of the defining characteristics of project management is that the project are not confined o a single department but involve several departments and professionals
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True
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T/F: One of the characteristics that separate project management from other endeavors of the organization is that there are specific time, cost, and performance requirements
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True
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T/F: The singular purpose of a project is often lacking in daily organizational life in which workers perform repetitive operations each day
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True
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T/F: Since a construction company build many buildings the projects after the first building do not fit the definition of a project
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False
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T/F: Because of the requirements for in/depth expertise, project management is generally restricted to specialists
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False
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Identify, according to the PMBOK, the five major processes of Project Management:
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Initiation, Planning, Execution, Control, Close
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The success of individual projects is typically measured by performance compared to three constraints usually placed on all projects. Identify and briefly describe those three constraints.
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Budget, Schedule, Scope
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Which of the following is not one of the commonly heard comments of project managers? Where did this project come from? Why are we doing this project? How can all these projects be first priority? Why is this project so strongly linked to the strategic plan? Where are we going to get the resources to do this project?
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Why is this project so strongly linked to the strategic plan?
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Which of the following is true for organizations that have a coherent link of projects to strategy? There is more cooperation across the organization Performance is better on projects They have fewer projects Both A and B are true A, B, and C are all true
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A B and C are all true
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In today's business environment, project managers find it valuable to have a keen understanding of Strategic management Technical issues Project selection process Both A and C are correct A, B, and C are all correct
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Both A and C are correct
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Which of the following questions does the organization's mission statement answer? What are our long-term strategies? What are our long-term goals and objectives? How do we operate in the existing environment? What do we want to become? All of these are answered by the mission statement
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What do we want to become?
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Which of the following is not one of the traditional components found in mission statements? Major products and services Profitability Target customers and markets Geographic domain Contribution to society
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Profitability
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Which of the following is not one of the characteristics of effective objectives? Realistic Assignable Flexible Specific Measurable
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Flexible
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The assessment of the external and internal environments is called _______ analysis. SWOT analysis Competitive Industry Market Strategic
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SWOT Analysis
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Which of the following terms is often used to denote a project that a powerful, high-ranking official is advocating? Sacred cow Pet project Bread-and-butter Oysters White elephants
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Sacred cow
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Susie's department is implementing many projects. She finds herself starting and stopping work on one task to go and work on another task, and then return to the work on the original task. Susie is experiencing Poor scheduling Excess work burden Flexible tasking Multitasking Burnout
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Multitasking
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Project selection criteria are typically classified as: Financial and non-financial Short-term and long-term Strategic and tactical Required and optional Cost and schedule
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Financial and non-financial
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Projects are usually classified into all but one of the following categories. Which one is not one of the typical classifications? Compliance and emergency Operational Strategic Political necessity All of these are typical classifications
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Political necessity
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________ translate the organization's mission statement into specific, concrete, and measurable terms
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Objectives
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Project _________ are typically high-ranking managers who endorse and lend political support for the completion of a specific project
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Sponsors
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In some cases organizations will use a ______ to solicit ideas for projects when knowledge requirements for the project are not available in the organization
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RFP
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T/F: Project Management historically has been preoccupied solely with the planning and execution of projects while strategy was under the purview of senior management
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True
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T/F: Organizational objectives set targets for all levels of the organization not just for top management
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True
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T/F: It is a rare organization that does not have more project proposals than it can feasibly manage
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True
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T/F: If a proposed project does not meet one of the designated "must" objectives it is immediately removed from consideration
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True
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Identify and briefly describe the five characteristics of effective objectives
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Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Realistic, Time-Related
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The method used to collect information to use through all phases of the project life cycle is called? Responsibility matrix Organization breakdown structure Work breakdown structure Priority matrix Work package
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Work Breakdown Structure
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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? Responsibility matrix Organization breakdown structure Work breakdown structure Priority matrix Work package
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Work Breakdown Structure
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The first step in creating the necessary information to manage a project is to Establish project priorities Define the project scope Verify the budget available Assign team members to work on the project Determine the required completion date
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Define the project scope
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Linda has just been assigned a project to develop a new advertising campaign for an established product. Her first step should be to? Establish project priorities Define the project scope Verify the budget available Assign team members to work on the project Determine the required completion date
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Define the project scope
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Research shows the most frequently mentioned barrier to project success is? Not enough budget resources Poor performance by team members Weak project leadership Poorly defined scope or mission Political in-fighting
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Poorly defined scope or mission
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An expected output over the life of a project would be classified as? A deliverable A product An end object An objective A target
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A deliverable
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The first step of a project scope definition is to? Analyze the strategic plan Analyze the current budget plan Meet with team members Select team members Define the overall objective to meet the customer's needs
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Define the overall objective to meet the customers needs
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In reviewing the project plan, Susan sees that the first prototype is due by October 12. This would be best classified as a? Project target Limit item Milestone Project objective Critical goal
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Milestone
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The ability of 911 emergency systems to identify the caller's phone number and location are considered to be a? Technical requirement Milestone Project limit Project exclusion Project deliverable
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Technical Requirement
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"To construct a high-quality, custom home within five months at costs not to exceed $150,000" is best classified as? A deliverable A milestone An objective A limit An exclusion
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An objective
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The second step in the defining of a project would be to? Analyze the strategic plan Analyze the current budget plan Establish project priorities Select team members Define the major objectives to meet the customers' needs
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Establish project priorities
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If a project criterion indicates that the project must meet a specific date, that criterion is classified as Constrained Enhanced Accepted Limited Fixed
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Constrained
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The lowest element in the hierarchical breakdown of the WBS is? A deliverable A work package A cost account A lowest sub deliverable An object
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A work package
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The highest element in the hierarchical breakdown of the WBS is? A work packages Sub deliverables A cost account Major deliverables The project
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The project
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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 clients trainers. This is an example of: Project objectives Deliverables Limits and exclusions Technical requirements Milestones
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Limits and exclusions
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The tendency for the project deliverables to expand over time - usually by changing requirements, specifications, and priorities - is called: Scope erosion Scope creep Project bloat Scope enhancement Project add-ons
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Scope creep
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Which of the following is a good example of a Process Breakdown Structure? New car prototype New software program New computer hardware New sports stadium New project management book
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New software program
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Which of the following is least likely to be included in a Work Package? Materials Labor Overhead Duration Responsibilities
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Overhead
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A selective outline of the project that ensures the identification of all tasks and an understanding of what is to be done is called a
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Work Breakdown Structure
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The first step in planning any project is to define the project
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Scope
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The need for a computer to function in countries having different electrical system is an example of a _________ requirement
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Technical
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The agreement that training will be responsibility of the customer is an example of a project
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Limit and Exclusion
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The ___________ summarize, in graphic format, the tasks to be accomplished and who is responsible for what on a given project
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Responsibility Matrix
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T/F: The development of a work breakdown structure with appropriate dates and budget is usually accomplished in a single iteration
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False
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T/F: Studies suggest that there is a strong correlation between project success and clear project scope definition
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True
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T/F: Project scope describes what you expect to deliver to your customers when the project is complete
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True
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T/F: One of the items included on a project scope checklist is the reviews with the customer
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True
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T/F: Quality and ultimate success of a project are traditionally defined as meeting or exceeding the expectations of the customer or management
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True
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In terms of project management, what is a deliverable and give an example
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A deliverable is an expected output that occurs during the life of a project
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Identify and briefly describe the three elements that are traditionally used to measure the ultimate success of a project
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Budget (Cost), Schedule (Time), Scope (Performance)
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What is meant by a work breakdown structure and how does it help manage projects?
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WBS is the logical sub diving of major activities into smaller elements. It is useful to ensure complete planning of a project as well as a basis for monitoring progress.
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What is meant by "Scope Creep" and why is it significant to project managers?
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It is the gradual expansion of project deliverables to the point that overall project constraints (costs and schedule) can no longer be met
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Information to develop a project network is collected from the : Organization breakdown structure Work breakdown structure Budget Project proposal Responsibility matrix
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Work Breakdown Structure
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The critical path in a project network is the: Shortest path through the network Longest path through the network Network path with the most difficult activities Network path using the most resources Network path with the most merge activities
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Longest path through the network
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Activities which can take place at the same time are termed: Parallel activity Critical path Burst activity Merge activity Independent activity
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Parallel activity
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A sequence of connected, dependent activities is termed a(n): Critical path Parallel activity Activity chain Path Dependent chain
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Path
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___ activities must be completed immediately before a particular activity. Merge Burst Predecessor Successor Critical
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Predecessor
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___ activities are to be completed immediately following a particular activity. Merge Burst Predecessor Successor Critical
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Sucessor
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The forward pass in project network calculations determines the: Earliest time's activities can begin Earliest time's activities can be finished Duration of the project Both A and B are correct A, B, and C are all correct
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A B and C are all correct
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The backward pass in project network calculations determines the: Latest time's activities can begin Earliest time's activities can be finished Critical path Both A and C are correct A, B, and C are all correct
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Both A and C are correct
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If, for some reason, the project must be expedited to meet an earlier date, which of the following actions would the project manager take first? Check to see which activities cost the least Check to see which activities have the longest duration Check to see which activities are on the critical path Check to see which activities have the most slack Check to see which activities have the highest risk
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Check to see what activities are on the critical path
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An uncertain event or condition that, it if occurs, has a positive or negative effect on a project objectives is termed: Risk Random chance A disaster Risk Hazard Bad luck
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Risk
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The chance of a risk event occurring as a project proceeds through its life cycle tends to: Slowly rise Drop sharply and then level out Rise sharply and then level out Remain about the same Slowly drop
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Slowly drop
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The cost impact of a risk event occurring as a project proceeds through its life cycle tends to: Slowly rise Drop sharply and then level out Rise sharply and then level out Remain about the same Slowly drop
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Slowly rise
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The attempt to recognize and manage potential and unforeseen trouble spots that may occur when a project is implemented is know as: Risk forecasting Risk management Contingency planning Scenario analysis Disaster protection
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Risk management
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Which of the following is not one of the steps in the risk management process? Risk response development Risk assessment Risk identification Risk tracking Risk response control
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Risk tracking
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In the beginning the focus of risk management should be on risks that: Impact the whole project Impact the critical path Are known Have the greatest cost impact Have the greatest schedule impact
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Impact the whole project
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Which of the following would not be considered a threat? Inflation Meeting the project schedule International disruptions Economic conditions Competition
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Meeting the project schedule
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All of the following are included in the risk identification process except: Customers Subcontractors Competitors Vendors None of these are included
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Competitors
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The two scales of a risk severity matrix measure: Time, cost Cost, schedule impact , cost Time, impact Likelihood, impact
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Likelihood, impact
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Which of the following is not one of the potential responses to a specific risk event? Mitigating Retaining Ignoring Transferring Sharing
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Ignoring
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Which of the following will not increase schedule risk? Use of slack Competition announcing a new product Imposed duration dates Compression of project schedules All of these will increase schedule risk
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Competition announcing a new product
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Which of the following is identified for specific work packages or segments of a project found in the baseline budget or work breakdown structure? Time buffers Budget reserves Management reserves Both A and B are correct A, B and C are all correct
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Both A and B are correct
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All of the following are kinds of resources constraints except: Materials People Equipment Information All of the above are resource constraints
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Information
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Sam is trying to order the concrete needed to continue his project, however, the suppliers won't be able to deliver it until next week. This is an example of a ____ constraint. Working capital People Equipment Information Materials
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Materials
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A special truck that George needs on his project has been scheduled on another project. This is a _____ constraint. Working capital People Equipment Information Materials
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Equipment
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When developing a new software package, the software must be designed, the code must be written, and the code must be tested. This is an example of a ____ constraint. Physical Technical Resource Schedule Time
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Technical
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In reviewing the status of her project with top management, Shirley was told that there only were two programmers that she could use for her project. Her project is ____ constrained. Time Quality Cost Performance Resource
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Resource
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In a resource-constrained project, which of the following is most likely to be changed? The completion date The budget Project quality Both A and B are equally likely A and B and C are all equally likely
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The completion date
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Identify and briefly describe the four types of lags giving an example for each type
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Finish-to-start, start-to-start, finish-to-finish, start-to-finish
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Name the triple constraint
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Budget, schedule, and scope
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What is project stakeholder?
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Someone/something that can make or break a project
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What does the acronym SMART stand for?
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Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Realistic, and Time-Related
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What is the definition of a project?
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Has a beginning and an end, and delivers a unique product, service, or result
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What are the five project phases?
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Initiation, Planning, Execution, Control, and Close
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The tendency for the project scope to expand over time due to changing requirements, specifications, priorities, pushy customers, etc. is known as
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Scope creep
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What does the acronym WBS stand for?
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Work Breakdown Structure
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What is project "float/slack"
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How much a project can be delayed without hurting the project and deadline
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Name at least four of the six elements of a typical scope statement
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Milestone, Technical Requirements, Deliverable, and Review
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What is project lag?
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The minimum amount of time a project must be delayed to begin or end
