(1) The customer responsible for overseeing your project asks you to provide a written cost estimate that is 30% higher than your estimate of the project's cost. He explained that the budgeting process requires managers to estimate pessimistically to ensure enough money is allocated for projects. What is the best way to handle it
a) add the 30% as a lump sum conginency fund to handle project risks
b) ask for information on risks that would cause your estimate to be too low (x)
NOTE: presenting anything besides your original estimate calls into question your competence and integrity as a PM.
(2) Your project is not very well defined. The sponsor hands you a project charter and ask you to confirm that the project can be completed within the project cost budget. What is the best method to handle this?
a) build estimate in the form of a range of possible results (x)
b) provide an analogous estimate based on past history
(3) Your cost forecast shows you will have a cost overrun at the end of the project. which of the following should you do?
a) eliminate risks in estimates (x)
b) meet with the sponsor to find out what work can be done sooner
(4) monitoring cost expended to date in order to detect variances from the plan occurs during:
a) product performance reviews (x)
b) updating cost baseline
c) creating cost change management plan
(5) A COST MANAGEMENT PLAN CONtains a description of
a) the project cost
b) the wbs level at which earned value wil be calculated (x)
(6) Earned value analysis is an example of
a) performance reporting
(7) The difference between the cost baseline and the cost budget can be described as:
a) The management reserve
(8) You provide a project cost estimate for the project to the project sponsor. He is unhappy with the estimate because he thinks the price should be lower. He asks you to cut 15% off the estimate. what should you do?
a) Inform the sponsor of the activities to be cut (x)
b) Add additional resources with low hourly rate
(9) Which estimating method tends to be most costly for creating a project cost estimate?
(a) analogous (b) parametric (c) bottom0up (x)
(10) A PM needs to analyze the project costs to find ways to decrease costs. It would be best if the PM looks at:
-> direct cost and variable cost
(11) Your project is being completed in another country where a local official informs you he will stops the project work unless you pay him US $50. What is the best thing to do?
-> This is a bribe, do not make the payment
(12) You are working on a new oil purification project in a foreign country. A person informs you that you will have to pay him a "transfer fee" for the permit to move heavy equipment through the city. What is the first thing you should do?
-> make sure the person is really a government official. Only government officials can collect routine government fees.
(13) while reviewing project performance, the PM determines that the schedule variance is -500. What is the next thing to do?
a) determine the cost variance
b) look for activities that can be done in parallel (x)
(14) The cost of material is most likely $100,000, optimistically $90,000, and pessimistically $120,000. What is the probability that the project will cost under $100,000?
-> (90000 + 120000 + 4* 100000) / 6 = 610000/6 > 100,000
so the probability that the project is less than 100,000 is less than 50%
(15) which of the following is the least effective way to influence the factors that create changes to the cost baseline?
a) explain to those requesting changes the negative impact of change to the project
b) notify all stakeholders that no more changes will be allowed (x)
(16) funding limit reconciliation:
--> it describes the checking of costs against the budget set for the project. funding may not be available when needed, causing changes to other parts of the project.
(17) all the following are relevant for analyzing a cost overrun except:
a) lag
b) communication management plan(x)
(18) all the following are tools of the determine budge process except:
a) aggregation
b) bottom-up estimate (x)
(19) what is 50/50 rule?
-> an activity is considered 50% complete when it begins and get credit for the last 50% when it is completed.
(20) A project team budgeted $3000 for the work performed and has spent $4000 to date. If they budgeted $5000 for the work scheduled, what is the cost variance? what is the schedule variance?
CV = 3000 -4000 = -1000
SV = 3000 - 5000 = -2000
(21) The best method to control costs is to:
a) estimate during planning and then re-estimate before each activity begins
b) estimate at the beginning of the project and check cost against cost baseline (x)
NOTE: this is a tricky question. Cost is estimated in both initiation process and planning process even though the cost estimate will not to be accurate (order of magnitude). choice (b) smells since you do not re-estimate before each activity begin, that is unnecessary work
(22) the best way to decrease the cost of a project is decreasing:
-> variable and direct
(23) Funding limit reconciliation
This is one of the tools used in determining budget process. The expenditure of funds needs to be reconciled with funding limits, and the limits / planned expenditures could necessitate the rescheduling of work to level out the rate of expenditure. For example, placing imposed date constraints for work in project schedule.
So the funding limit reconciliation should be done after schedule compression
(24) A seller submits an invoice that is outside of the funding limit reconciliation during project planning. What is the least likely cause?
a) The was a cost increase to the successor activity of a critical path activity
b) equipment was received earlier than planned
c) The critical path was fast tracked during project planning (x)
--> funding limit reconciliation could result in a schedule compression (fast tracking/crashing) during planning, and the schedule compression during planning process should be in line with the funding limit reconciliation
(25) A parking lot project was bid at $11 per foot, and one company is doing all the work. There are 4 equal sides of 125 feet and requires the installation of a culvert on one side. Fencing should be installed at a rate of 100 feet per day. The culvert installation should happen before installation of fence. It will cost $500 and take one day to complete. After three days of work, one side is complete, another has 75 feet installed, and the culvert is completely installed. What is the status of the project in terms of budget/cost management?
-> schedule plan: one day for culvert, and 125x4/100 = 5 days of fence installation
-> cost plan: first day of installation of culvert, for the rest of 5 days: cost at: 125 x 4 x 11/5 = $1100/per day
After three day: the planned cost: $500 + $1100 + $1100
-> actual cost: culvert installation is complete $500, fence installation: (125 + 75)x11 = 2200
-> meet the budge and schedule !!
(26) During project execution, a new project manager is assigned to the project and finds that the activity cost estimates for the project have rarely been accurate. Which of the following was most probably not done?
a) obtain a cost constraint from management, perform a risk management, and form a team
b) form a team, create a WBS, and use historical records from previous project (x)
NOTE: b) is the correct process of estimate activity cost
(27) what would be the best explanation for the following: both cost variance and schedule variance are negative, but cost variance is lower than the schedule variance
a) the project overspent due to increased costs and yet completed some activities faster
b) the project underspent because all work was not completed, but overspent for work that was done (x)
NOTE: this is a tricky question. however, you need to understand that CV and SV are negative so that (a) is not correct.
The following is an example:
Actual cost : 400
Planned value: 500
Earned value: 300
Basically, there are some scheduled work not done: 300-500 = -200, and there is a cost overrun 300 - 400 = -(100) and actual cost is lower than planned value 400 - 500 = -100 (project underspent). A project underspent does not imply a positive CV and SV !!!
A project overspent means either a negative CV or SV or both
A project underspent is not always a good thing, and can also mean a negative CV and SV or both.
(28) Your project has a AC=$800million, PV=$890Millions, and a CPI=1.1. How is the project going?
a) The schedule is behind by 10 days
b) you have no real concerns about either schedule or budget (x)
NOTE: SPI = 1.1x800/890 = 0.99 CPI=1.1. Your project is slightly under schedule, however, that is not considered as seriously under schedule. (a) is definitely not correct since the SV=-10 millions. The correct way to say it is the project is behind schedule by 10 millions of work
(29) what does estimate at completion (EAC) mean?
a) Estimate average cost at project completion
b) Anticipated expense at project completion
c) Anticipated total cost at project completion (x)
(30) Analogous estimate use expert judgement and historical information to predict the future
(31) Your project spent $1,200.000, SPI=1.1. Considering you feel you should have spent $1,300.000 at this point. What is the CPI, SV, and CV?
AC=1,200.000
PV=1,300.000
SPI=1.1
-> EV = 1,300.000 x 1.1 = 1,430.000
-> CPI=1,430000/1,200.000 = 1.19
(32) Three precision levels of estimate:
rough order of magnitude: +/- 50%
budget estimate: -10% to 25%
definitive estimate: -5% to 10% (the most expensive method)
(33) CPI is 0.6 and SPI is 0.74. The project has 625 work packages and is being completed over a four-year period. The team members are very in experienced and project received little support for proper planning. Which of the following is the best thing to do?
a) reorganize the responsibility matrix
b) update the risk identification and analysis (x)
(34) You take over a project that is in a lot of trouble. CPI is 0.75 and SPI is 1.2. There are problems with the team dynamics, project scope, sponsor, and timeline. What is the first thing to do?
a) meet with the team
b) review all the project deliverables (x)
Sunday, November 22, 2009
PMP Question Series: Time Management
(1) Your project management plan results in a project schedule that is too long. If the network diagram cannot change but you have extra peronnel resources. what is the best thing to do?
a) fast track
b) resource leveling
c) crash the project (x)
d) Monte Carlo analysis
(2) A PM is using weighted average duration estimates to perform schedule network analysis. which type of the mathematical analysis is being used?
a) critical path method
b) PERT (x)
c) Monte Carlo
d) Resource leveling
(3) A new project has four levels in the WBS and has been sequenced using the PDM. The activity duration estimates have been received. What should be done next?
a) create activity list
b) finalize the schedule
c) compress the schedule (x)
(4) You are a PM for a project that has four levels in WBS. A network diagram has been created, the duration estimates have been compressed, and a schedule has been developed. What time management activity should be done next?
a) begine control schedule
b) estimate activity resources
c) analogous estimate the schdule
d) gain approval (x)
management has told you to get the project completed two weeks earlier (change of end date / timeline of the project). what is the best thing to do?
--> analyze the impact
--> crash / fast track
(5) The WBS and WBS dictionary are completed. The project team has begun working on identifying risks. The sponsor contacts the project manager, requesting that responsibility assignment matrix be issued. There is little risk expected for the project and the PM manager has managed many project similar to this one. What is the next thing to do?
(a) ensure the project scope is defined (b) complete risk managment and issue the responsibility assignment matrix (c) create an activity list (x)
NOTE: (a) should happen before (b) is not the immediate next thing to do
(6) you need to shorten the project by exactly 4 months, but spend no more than $20,000 to do it. based on the information in the chart, you would include activity A as part of the solution. however, during the planning, the resource completing activity A strongly argued for a particular method of completing the scope in order to agree to be on the team. his scope was accepted because his expertise was needed on the project. The best way to crash the project would be to crash which activity(s)?
(A) activity A and H
(b) activity
reference:
activity original duration crash duration time saving, original cost. crash cost extra cost
A 24 22 2 100K 114 14K
F 18 15 3 117K 135 18k
D 23 19 4 225 245 20K
H 25 23 2 127000k $50 130K
answer : D
(7) Management wants the project completed in 40 days. The cost performance index (CPI) is 1.1, the project critical path duration is 38 days with a standard deviation of two days. What is the maximum project float?
--> 4 days.
NOTE: the project could be completed at 38 -2 = 36 days. The project float is 40 - 36 = 4 days
(8) The customer on a project tells the project manager he has run out of money to pay for the project. What should the project manager do first?
--> close the project or phase.
(9) Your project has a total float of negative 20. What should you do first?
a) fast track the project if overall project risk is already too high
b) acquire more resources for critical path activity (x)
(10) schedule compression
crashing often results in increased cost
fast tracking often results in increased risk.
(11) which of the following best explains why the team needs to approve the final schedule?
a) to enhance the team buy-in and loyalty
b) to ensure activities can be completed as scheduled(x)
(12) PM discovers that final deliverables will be completed two months after deliverable dates imposed by management. what should the PM do?
a) evaluate the impact on the company of completing this project late
b) look for options with stakeholders using some combination of scaling back work, reevaluating discretionary dependencies, and adding resources. (x)
(13) when project manager completes the detailed project schedule, it would be most important to get it approved by the
a) team
b) functional manager (x)
(14) You are managing a project with part-time resources in a weak matrix organization. Several of the team members attend team meetings and have not completed their activity assignments as scheduled. At your next team meeting, the most important agenda item would be:
a) To review project schedule and assignments
b) To define the impact of the delays (x)
(15)
a) fast track
b) resource leveling
c) crash the project (x)
d) Monte Carlo analysis
(2) A PM is using weighted average duration estimates to perform schedule network analysis. which type of the mathematical analysis is being used?
a) critical path method
b) PERT (x)
c) Monte Carlo
d) Resource leveling
(3) A new project has four levels in the WBS and has been sequenced using the PDM. The activity duration estimates have been received. What should be done next?
a) create activity list
b) finalize the schedule
c) compress the schedule (x)
(4) You are a PM for a project that has four levels in WBS. A network diagram has been created, the duration estimates have been compressed, and a schedule has been developed. What time management activity should be done next?
a) begine control schedule
b) estimate activity resources
c) analogous estimate the schdule
d) gain approval (x)
management has told you to get the project completed two weeks earlier (change of end date / timeline of the project). what is the best thing to do?
--> analyze the impact
--> crash / fast track
(5) The WBS and WBS dictionary are completed. The project team has begun working on identifying risks. The sponsor contacts the project manager, requesting that responsibility assignment matrix be issued. There is little risk expected for the project and the PM manager has managed many project similar to this one. What is the next thing to do?
(a) ensure the project scope is defined (b) complete risk managment and issue the responsibility assignment matrix (c) create an activity list (x)
NOTE: (a) should happen before (b) is not the immediate next thing to do
(6) you need to shorten the project by exactly 4 months, but spend no more than $20,000 to do it. based on the information in the chart, you would include activity A as part of the solution. however, during the planning, the resource completing activity A strongly argued for a particular method of completing the scope in order to agree to be on the team. his scope was accepted because his expertise was needed on the project. The best way to crash the project would be to crash which activity(s)?
(A) activity A and H
(b) activity
reference:
activity original duration crash duration time saving, original cost. crash cost extra cost
A 24 22 2 100K 114 14K
F 18 15 3 117K 135 18k
D 23 19 4 225 245 20K
H 25 23 2 127000k $50 130K
answer : D
(7) Management wants the project completed in 40 days. The cost performance index (CPI) is 1.1, the project critical path duration is 38 days with a standard deviation of two days. What is the maximum project float?
--> 4 days.
NOTE: the project could be completed at 38 -2 = 36 days. The project float is 40 - 36 = 4 days
(8) The customer on a project tells the project manager he has run out of money to pay for the project. What should the project manager do first?
--> close the project or phase.
(9) Your project has a total float of negative 20. What should you do first?
a) fast track the project if overall project risk is already too high
b) acquire more resources for critical path activity (x)
(10) schedule compression
crashing often results in increased cost
fast tracking often results in increased risk.
(11) which of the following best explains why the team needs to approve the final schedule?
a) to enhance the team buy-in and loyalty
b) to ensure activities can be completed as scheduled(x)
(12) PM discovers that final deliverables will be completed two months after deliverable dates imposed by management. what should the PM do?
a) evaluate the impact on the company of completing this project late
b) look for options with stakeholders using some combination of scaling back work, reevaluating discretionary dependencies, and adding resources. (x)
(13) when project manager completes the detailed project schedule, it would be most important to get it approved by the
a) team
b) functional manager (x)
(14) You are managing a project with part-time resources in a weak matrix organization. Several of the team members attend team meetings and have not completed their activity assignments as scheduled. At your next team meeting, the most important agenda item would be:
a) To review project schedule and assignments
b) To define the impact of the delays (x)
(15)
PMP Question Series: Scope Management
(1) How to resolve competing requirements
The priority should be given to requirements that
a) comply with business case
b) comply with project charter
c) comply with project scope statement
d) comply with project constains
(2) To manage a project effectively, work should be broken down into small pieces. Which of the following does not describe how far to decompose the work?
a) Until it has a meaningful conclusion
b) Until it can not be logically subdivided further
c) Until it can be done by one person (x)
d) Until it can be realistically estimated
(3) You are managing a project which is on schedule and budge. But the stakeholders are not satisfied with the deliverables. The situation will delay the project completion by one month. The most important process that could have prevented this situation is:
a) Monitor and control risks
b) control schedule
c) define scope (x)
d) control scope
(4) One of the stakeholders contacts the PM to add scope. The PM asks for details in writing and then works through the control scope process. What should the PM do when the evaluation of the scope is complete?
a) complete integrated change control (x)
b) make sure the impact of the change is understood by the stakeholder
c) find out the root cause of why the scope was not discovered during project planning.
5) The preparation of project scope baseline can best be described as involving
a) functional managers
b) project team (x)
c) all the stakeholders
6) who determines the project scope requirement for a project?
--> a) The customer b ) The stakeholders (x)
7) product verification is different than that of scope verification in that product verfication
a) occurs during the executing process group
b)make sure all the work is completed satisfactorily (x)
8) Scope verification (verify scope) focuses on customer acceptance while product verification focuses on making sure all the work is completed satisfactorily
9) The client demands changes to the product specification that will add only two weeks to the critical path. which of the following is the best thing for the PM to do?
a) compress the schedule
b) cut scope
c) advise the client of the impact of the change
d) consult with the sponsor about the options (x)
-> Generally,
you need to first evaluate the impact,
then find options,
then get the change request approval internally,
then get customer buy-in
10) A PM receives a deliverable from a team member to provide to the customer. While looking at the deliverable, the PM notes that the document is smaller than what he expected and does not contain what he thought it should. The PM should first:
a) discuss it with the team member
b) complete the verification of scope process (x)
NOTE: The PM might have misunderstood and it would be best to check before talking to the team member
(11) During a review, it is discovered that the software application is missing functionality required to complete a key business process. however, the product scope never specified this functionality. What should the project manager do?
a) reject the functionality as out of scope
b) assess the impact on the project of including the functionality, and inform the sponsor. (x)
(12) You have a signed project charter, and are in the process of creating a project scope statement. You have asked the team for input to ensure that the project scope statement is complete. However, the team is struggling with defining the scope. Which of the following best describes the problem?
a) The project objectives were not identified before the project scope statement was begun
b) The team is working on the project scope statement without the benefit of organizational process assets (x)
Note: the project objectives should be available in project charter
The priority should be given to requirements that
a) comply with business case
b) comply with project charter
c) comply with project scope statement
d) comply with project constains
(2) To manage a project effectively, work should be broken down into small pieces. Which of the following does not describe how far to decompose the work?
a) Until it has a meaningful conclusion
b) Until it can not be logically subdivided further
c) Until it can be done by one person (x)
d) Until it can be realistically estimated
(3) You are managing a project which is on schedule and budge. But the stakeholders are not satisfied with the deliverables. The situation will delay the project completion by one month. The most important process that could have prevented this situation is:
a) Monitor and control risks
b) control schedule
c) define scope (x)
d) control scope
(4) One of the stakeholders contacts the PM to add scope. The PM asks for details in writing and then works through the control scope process. What should the PM do when the evaluation of the scope is complete?
a) complete integrated change control (x)
b) make sure the impact of the change is understood by the stakeholder
c) find out the root cause of why the scope was not discovered during project planning.
5) The preparation of project scope baseline can best be described as involving
a) functional managers
b) project team (x)
c) all the stakeholders
6) who determines the project scope requirement for a project?
--> a) The customer b ) The stakeholders (x)
7) product verification is different than that of scope verification in that product verfication
a) occurs during the executing process group
b)make sure all the work is completed satisfactorily (x)
8) Scope verification (verify scope) focuses on customer acceptance while product verification focuses on making sure all the work is completed satisfactorily
9) The client demands changes to the product specification that will add only two weeks to the critical path. which of the following is the best thing for the PM to do?
a) compress the schedule
b) cut scope
c) advise the client of the impact of the change
d) consult with the sponsor about the options (x)
-> Generally,
you need to first evaluate the impact,
then find options,
then get the change request approval internally,
then get customer buy-in
10) A PM receives a deliverable from a team member to provide to the customer. While looking at the deliverable, the PM notes that the document is smaller than what he expected and does not contain what he thought it should. The PM should first:
a) discuss it with the team member
b) complete the verification of scope process (x)
NOTE: The PM might have misunderstood and it would be best to check before talking to the team member
(11) During a review, it is discovered that the software application is missing functionality required to complete a key business process. however, the product scope never specified this functionality. What should the project manager do?
a) reject the functionality as out of scope
b) assess the impact on the project of including the functionality, and inform the sponsor. (x)
(12) You have a signed project charter, and are in the process of creating a project scope statement. You have asked the team for input to ensure that the project scope statement is complete. However, the team is struggling with defining the scope. Which of the following best describes the problem?
a) The project objectives were not identified before the project scope statement was begun
b) The team is working on the project scope statement without the benefit of organizational process assets (x)
Note: the project objectives should be available in project charter
Saturday, November 21, 2009
PMP Question Series: Integration Management
(1) A work authorization system can be used to
manage what time and in what sequence work is done
(2) A project is plagued by changes to the project charter. Who has the primary responsibility to decide if the changes are necessary?
Project sponsor
(3) You are taking over a project during the planning process group and discover that 6 individuals have signed the project charter. What should concern you most?
Spending more time on configuratin management
(4) Are the following the responsibility of the project manager?
develop schedule,
estimate cost,
define activity,
estimate activity resource
NOTE: team members can make some contribution, but all the above should be done by PM
(5) If a project team member delivers a corrective action without going through formal process and documenting the action. What do you do as PM?
Add the implemented corrective action to historical records, discuss the value of documentation at the next team meeting
(6) The client demands changes to the product specification. What is the best thing to do?
consult with the sponsor about options
The process of making changes:
(1) prevent the root cause of changes
(2) identify changes
(3) evaluate the impact to all seven project constraints
(4) create a change request
(5) perform integrated change control:
5a): see if the change fall within the project charter?
5b): look for options such as crashing, fast tracking, cutting scope etc
5c): get change request approved or rejected
5d): update the status of changes in change control system
(6) update the pmp, project documents, and baselines
(7) manage stakeholders' expectation by inform the stakeholders of the changes
Scope management:
a stakeholder requiring to add scope to the project that is not related to the project was initiated should be rejected
how to facilitate the resolution of competing requirement:
priority in selecting competing requirements:
business case, project chart, project chart, project scope statement, project constraint
Questions:
(1) The need for --- is one of the major driving force for communication in a project
(a) integrity (b) integration (x)
(2) after a great deal of effort, the project team has finally determined the specifications for a major scope change to the project. In light of this, what should be the PM do first?
a) look for other changes
b) calculate the risks associated with this change (x) ( identify impacts to other project constraints)
(3) Your project team is spending so much time reviewing potential changes to a project that you do not have time to complete project work. Which of the following is the least reason for this problem?
a) no change control board
b) a poor communication management plan (x)
(4) Who should be responsible for defining project objectives:
a) stakeholders
b) sponsor (x)
(5) The PM's role during the executing process group of the project can best be described as a:
a) leader
b) integrator (x)
(6) When is it most important that integration is performed?
a) during project planning
b) during project execution
c) at key interface points (x)
(7) You are taken to lunch by one of your sellers who has become a friend. He gives you an opportunity to participate in a new venture in association with his company, unrelated to your current employment. What should you do?
a) refuse to participate
b) request your employer's consent for your participation (x)
(8) During what part of the project management process is most of a project's budget expended?
--> Executing process
NOTE: executing process requires most time and money
(9) What is the difference between control scope process and perform integrated change control process?
-> control scope focuses on controlling the scope of the project and perform integrated change control focuses on determining the impact of a change of scope on time, cost, quality, risk, resource, and customer satisfaction
(10) Which of the following best describe the project manager's role regarding project changes?
a) prevent changes that affect the project scope (you can't prevent all changes that affect scope)
b) discover changes as early as possible (x)
(11) If a PM is concerned with gathering, integrating, and disseminating the outputs of all project management processes, she should concentrate on creating a better:
a) communication management plan
b) project management information system (x)
(12)
NOTE: a common practice in other country does not automatically make the practice a fair business practice. This is not a measure that determines if it is unethical or violating basic human right.
(13) You are a new project manager who has never managed a project before. It would be best in this situation to rely on historical information to improve your chance of success
(14) The client demands changes to the product specification that will add only two weeks to the critical path. Which of the following is the best thing to do?
a) advise the client of the impact
b) consult the sponsor about the options (x)
NOTE: scope change needs to be handled:
a) evaluate impact b) create option c) gain approval internally d) gain approval from customer
(15) A team member notifies you that she has added extra functionality to the project. She tells you there was no impact on the cost or schedule. What should be done as a result of this change?
a) Instruct the team member to remove the change
b) Understand what functionality was added (x)
NOTE: b) is the first step of integrated change control. Analyze it first.
(16) A work authorization system can be used to:
-> manage when and in what sequences work is done
(17) Your organization is having a difficult time managing all of its projects. You have been asked to help senior management get a better understanding of the problems. What do you do first?
a) review the project charters and bar charts for all projects
b) Meet with individual project managers to get a better sense of what is happening (x) (problem solving)
(18) A project is considered closed when :
a) client accepts the product
b) lesson learned are completed
c) archive are completed
d) releasing resources
NOTE: archive happen after lesson learned and the last thing to do is releasing resource
(19) In most of the cases, a change control board is involved to approve changes. However, some changes get automatic approval and do not need a change control board's approval. For example, an emergency
(20) All of the following should be done by the project manager during the monitoring and controlling process group except:
a) determine that a change has occurred
b) make sure all changes are approved by management (x)
-> NOTE: some changes are approved by PM
(21) The customer requested a change during user testing. As PM, how should you best address this issue?
-> create a formal change request
(22) when managing a project, which of the following is the best order to deal with problems?
a) go to resource manager, go to management, go to customer
b) resolve the problem with resources you control, go to the resource managers, go to the
customer (x)
(23) You are given a new project to manage and a brief project scope statement. The project sponsor tells you that there is no required completion date for the project. The best thing to do is:
a) Ask for better definition of project scope before accepting the project
b) plan the project as you would a normal project, but build in schedule flexibility (x)
NOTE: a brief scope statement may be good enough
(24) What does it mean by "influencing the factors that affect change"?
-> determine the sources of changes and fixing the root causes
(25) which of the following best describes what a project charter may be used for when the work is being completed?
-> to help determine if a scope change should be approved
(26) During the executing process group of the project, you realize the subcontractor are working with incomplete and different project scope statement. As PM, what should you do first?
a) check the work completed against the correct project scope statement (you need some effort to get a "correct project statement" )
b) review the scope with the stakeholders (x)
(27) Many more changes were made to the project during the project executing processes than had been expected. What is the best thing for the PM to do now?
-> Make the changes as needed, but maintain a schedule baseline
(28) The buyer asks the PM or the status of the project. What is the best way to determine the status of a project?
a) compare the earned value to the planned value (This is about cost performance only)
b) compare the project performance against project baselines (x) This is about scope, time, cost
(29) You are assigned as PM in a project. You discovered that a deliverable will be late. Your analysis shows that the item can be purchased from another seller at a higher price without affecting the schedule. What is the best thing to do?
a) evaluate the impact of the decision
b) discuss the impact with the customer and ask for a decision (x)
NOTE: the impact: delay of schedule and higher price to purchase the item is already evaluated.
(30) What does a benefit cost ratio (BCR) of 2.1 mean?
-> The payback is 2.1 times of the cost
(31) All of the following are purpose of the project charter except:
a) establish the project
b) gives the PM authority
c) includes stakeholder's requirements
d) identifies the product acceptance criteria (x) -> in project scope statement
(32) An activity needs more time because an identified risk has occurred. The PM determined that there is enough reserve to accomodate the change. Who needs to approve the change?
a) management
b) project manager (x)
NOTE: It is PM's responsibility to manages the project scope completion within budge and reserves.
(33) Which of the following is correct concerning a change managment plan?
a) it should be created during executing process group (actually in planning group)
b) it should include a method for controlling schedule (x)
(34) Documents that serve as historical records for future projects are archived:
a) throughout the project
b) during closure (x)
(35) You are a new PM for company B. Your previously worked for company A which had an extensive project management practice. Company B has its own procedure. but you are more familiar with those from company A. You should:
--> use the forms from company B and begin to instruct them on ways to upgrade them.
(36) work authorization system ensure work is done at right time and in the right sequence.
(37) You are assigned as a project manager to lead a new quality improvement project. management is asking for a project management plan. Which of the following should you create first?
a) a quality management plan
b) a project scope statement (x)
(38) Your project no longer ties into the company's objectives. What would be the best thing to do?
a) decrease the cost
b) change the target opportunity cost
c) extend the schedule(x)
--> extends the schedule and allow flexibility to accommodate the delays and other risks a lower priority adds to the project
(39) This is a tricky question
During project executing, you find that the customer has requested a change to the scope of work even though it was previously not approved. The are no objections to the cost of the change. Whaat should you do first?
a) evaluate the document the risks that might result from this change
b) follow the change control process (x)
(40) A new project manager works on a relatively low priority project, and you feel that the project manager is planning too many project control meetings. Which of the following would be the best thing to tell her?
-> Strike a balance between the extent of the control system and the risk of unfavorable project outcomes.
(41) Which of the following could happen during project executing as a result of fast tracking the project?
-> subsequent activities will have additional risk.
manage what time and in what sequence work is done
(2) A project is plagued by changes to the project charter. Who has the primary responsibility to decide if the changes are necessary?
Project sponsor
(3) You are taking over a project during the planning process group and discover that 6 individuals have signed the project charter. What should concern you most?
Spending more time on configuratin management
(4) Are the following the responsibility of the project manager?
develop schedule,
estimate cost,
define activity,
estimate activity resource
NOTE: team members can make some contribution, but all the above should be done by PM
(5) If a project team member delivers a corrective action without going through formal process and documenting the action. What do you do as PM?
Add the implemented corrective action to historical records, discuss the value of documentation at the next team meeting
(6) The client demands changes to the product specification. What is the best thing to do?
consult with the sponsor about options
The process of making changes:
(1) prevent the root cause of changes
(2) identify changes
(3) evaluate the impact to all seven project constraints
(4) create a change request
(5) perform integrated change control:
5a): see if the change fall within the project charter?
5b): look for options such as crashing, fast tracking, cutting scope etc
5c): get change request approved or rejected
5d): update the status of changes in change control system
(6) update the pmp, project documents, and baselines
(7) manage stakeholders' expectation by inform the stakeholders of the changes
Scope management:
a stakeholder requiring to add scope to the project that is not related to the project was initiated should be rejected
how to facilitate the resolution of competing requirement:
priority in selecting competing requirements:
business case, project chart, project chart, project scope statement, project constraint
Questions:
(1) The need for --- is one of the major driving force for communication in a project
(a) integrity (b) integration (x)
(2) after a great deal of effort, the project team has finally determined the specifications for a major scope change to the project. In light of this, what should be the PM do first?
a) look for other changes
b) calculate the risks associated with this change (x) ( identify impacts to other project constraints)
(3) Your project team is spending so much time reviewing potential changes to a project that you do not have time to complete project work. Which of the following is the least reason for this problem?
a) no change control board
b) a poor communication management plan (x)
(4) Who should be responsible for defining project objectives:
a) stakeholders
b) sponsor (x)
(5) The PM's role during the executing process group of the project can best be described as a:
a) leader
b) integrator (x)
(6) When is it most important that integration is performed?
a) during project planning
b) during project execution
c) at key interface points (x)
(7) You are taken to lunch by one of your sellers who has become a friend. He gives you an opportunity to participate in a new venture in association with his company, unrelated to your current employment. What should you do?
a) refuse to participate
b) request your employer's consent for your participation (x)
(8) During what part of the project management process is most of a project's budget expended?
--> Executing process
NOTE: executing process requires most time and money
(9) What is the difference between control scope process and perform integrated change control process?
-> control scope focuses on controlling the scope of the project and perform integrated change control focuses on determining the impact of a change of scope on time, cost, quality, risk, resource, and customer satisfaction
(10) Which of the following best describe the project manager's role regarding project changes?
a) prevent changes that affect the project scope (you can't prevent all changes that affect scope)
b) discover changes as early as possible (x)
(11) If a PM is concerned with gathering, integrating, and disseminating the outputs of all project management processes, she should concentrate on creating a better:
a) communication management plan
b) project management information system (x)
(12)
NOTE: a common practice in other country does not automatically make the practice a fair business practice. This is not a measure that determines if it is unethical or violating basic human right.
(13) You are a new project manager who has never managed a project before. It would be best in this situation to rely on historical information to improve your chance of success
(14) The client demands changes to the product specification that will add only two weeks to the critical path. Which of the following is the best thing to do?
a) advise the client of the impact
b) consult the sponsor about the options (x)
NOTE: scope change needs to be handled:
a) evaluate impact b) create option c) gain approval internally d) gain approval from customer
(15) A team member notifies you that she has added extra functionality to the project. She tells you there was no impact on the cost or schedule. What should be done as a result of this change?
a) Instruct the team member to remove the change
b) Understand what functionality was added (x)
NOTE: b) is the first step of integrated change control. Analyze it first.
(16) A work authorization system can be used to:
-> manage when and in what sequences work is done
(17) Your organization is having a difficult time managing all of its projects. You have been asked to help senior management get a better understanding of the problems. What do you do first?
a) review the project charters and bar charts for all projects
b) Meet with individual project managers to get a better sense of what is happening (x) (problem solving)
(18) A project is considered closed when :
a) client accepts the product
b) lesson learned are completed
c) archive are completed
d) releasing resources
NOTE: archive happen after lesson learned and the last thing to do is releasing resource
(19) In most of the cases, a change control board is involved to approve changes. However, some changes get automatic approval and do not need a change control board's approval. For example, an emergency
(20) All of the following should be done by the project manager during the monitoring and controlling process group except:
a) determine that a change has occurred
b) make sure all changes are approved by management (x)
-> NOTE: some changes are approved by PM
(21) The customer requested a change during user testing. As PM, how should you best address this issue?
-> create a formal change request
(22) when managing a project, which of the following is the best order to deal with problems?
a) go to resource manager, go to management, go to customer
b) resolve the problem with resources you control, go to the resource managers, go to the
customer (x)
(23) You are given a new project to manage and a brief project scope statement. The project sponsor tells you that there is no required completion date for the project. The best thing to do is:
a) Ask for better definition of project scope before accepting the project
b) plan the project as you would a normal project, but build in schedule flexibility (x)
NOTE: a brief scope statement may be good enough
(24) What does it mean by "influencing the factors that affect change"?
-> determine the sources of changes and fixing the root causes
(25) which of the following best describes what a project charter may be used for when the work is being completed?
-> to help determine if a scope change should be approved
(26) During the executing process group of the project, you realize the subcontractor are working with incomplete and different project scope statement. As PM, what should you do first?
a) check the work completed against the correct project scope statement (you need some effort to get a "correct project statement" )
b) review the scope with the stakeholders (x)
(27) Many more changes were made to the project during the project executing processes than had been expected. What is the best thing for the PM to do now?
-> Make the changes as needed, but maintain a schedule baseline
(28) The buyer asks the PM or the status of the project. What is the best way to determine the status of a project?
a) compare the earned value to the planned value (This is about cost performance only)
b) compare the project performance against project baselines (x) This is about scope, time, cost
(29) You are assigned as PM in a project. You discovered that a deliverable will be late. Your analysis shows that the item can be purchased from another seller at a higher price without affecting the schedule. What is the best thing to do?
a) evaluate the impact of the decision
b) discuss the impact with the customer and ask for a decision (x)
NOTE: the impact: delay of schedule and higher price to purchase the item is already evaluated.
(30) What does a benefit cost ratio (BCR) of 2.1 mean?
-> The payback is 2.1 times of the cost
(31) All of the following are purpose of the project charter except:
a) establish the project
b) gives the PM authority
c) includes stakeholder's requirements
d) identifies the product acceptance criteria (x) -> in project scope statement
(32) An activity needs more time because an identified risk has occurred. The PM determined that there is enough reserve to accomodate the change. Who needs to approve the change?
a) management
b) project manager (x)
NOTE: It is PM's responsibility to manages the project scope completion within budge and reserves.
(33) Which of the following is correct concerning a change managment plan?
a) it should be created during executing process group (actually in planning group)
b) it should include a method for controlling schedule (x)
(34) Documents that serve as historical records for future projects are archived:
a) throughout the project
b) during closure (x)
(35) You are a new PM for company B. Your previously worked for company A which had an extensive project management practice. Company B has its own procedure. but you are more familiar with those from company A. You should:
--> use the forms from company B and begin to instruct them on ways to upgrade them.
(36) work authorization system ensure work is done at right time and in the right sequence.
(37) You are assigned as a project manager to lead a new quality improvement project. management is asking for a project management plan. Which of the following should you create first?
a) a quality management plan
b) a project scope statement (x)
(38) Your project no longer ties into the company's objectives. What would be the best thing to do?
a) decrease the cost
b) change the target opportunity cost
c) extend the schedule(x)
--> extends the schedule and allow flexibility to accommodate the delays and other risks a lower priority adds to the project
(39) This is a tricky question
During project executing, you find that the customer has requested a change to the scope of work even though it was previously not approved. The are no objections to the cost of the change. Whaat should you do first?
a) evaluate the document the risks that might result from this change
b) follow the change control process (x)
(40) A new project manager works on a relatively low priority project, and you feel that the project manager is planning too many project control meetings. Which of the following would be the best thing to tell her?
-> Strike a balance between the extent of the control system and the risk of unfavorable project outcomes.
(41) Which of the following could happen during project executing as a result of fast tracking the project?
-> subsequent activities will have additional risk.
PMP Question Series: Project Management Processes
(1) The project team has just completed the initial project schedule and budget, the next things to do are:
a) Determine quality standard
b) Create process improvement plan
c) Determine roles and responsibilities
d) Create communication plan
e) Identify risk
(2) The high-level project schedule constraints have just been determined. What project management process group are you in?
Initiating
(3) The WBS and WBS dictionary are completed. What is the next thing to do?
Create activity list
(4) What are the things need to be done in planning process:
Finalize requirement
Create project scope statement
Determine what to purchase
Determine project team
Create WBS
Create Activity list
Create network diagram
Estimate activity resource
Estimate cost
Determine critical path
Develop schedule
Develop budget
Determine quality standards, policies
Create process improvement plan
Determine roles and responsibilities
Create communication plan
Identify risk
GB
Create procurement documents
Finalize the "how to execute and control part" of PMP
Develop final Project management plan and the realistic performance measurement baseline
Gain formal approval of the project management plan
Hold kick-off meeting
P.S.:
C: create
D: determine / develope
E: estimate
(5) the following is not correct:
The stakeholders do not have a role in determine the project management plan unless they are part of the project team.
(6) the PM is making sure the product of the project has been completed according to the project management plan. What part of the project management process is he in?
a) Monitoring and control
b) closing (x)
Note: product verification is done in closing stage while project scope verification is done in monitoring and control process
(7) the project schedule constraints have just been determined. what project management process are you in?
-> Initiation
(8) A project team is working on manufacturing a new product, but they are having difficulty creating a project charter. what is the best description of the real problem?
--> they are working on a process and not a project.
(9) A PM does not have much time to spend on planning before the mandatory start date arrives. He therefore wants to move through planning as effectively as possible. Which of the following would you recommend?
a) make sure you have a signed project charter and then start the WBS (skip creating scope statement0
b) document all the known risks before you document the high-level assumptions (wrong order)
c) create an activity list before creating a network diagram (x)
(10) Your company has just presented its new 5-year strategic plan. You have received a new product request from a customer that is in line with the previous 5-year strategic plan, but it does not meet the objectives of the new plan. The product description seems to have a valid business driver and to be a straightforward development effort. As project manager, what is the Best course of action?
--> submit the new product request to the PMO for review and approval before proceeding
(11) A form of project organization where power is evenly shared between the functional manager and project manager is called:
--> balanced matrix
(12) A PM is managing a project which seems to be growing in size everyday. As each day passes, the PM is beginning to feel more and more in need of help. The PM has recently heard that there was another project in the company last year that is similar to this project. What should he do?
a) contact the other project manager and ask for assistance.
b) obtain lessons learned and guidance from PMO (x)
--> a) is not the best choice since the PM should be able to receive the knowledge of many project managers and historical information from many projects.
a) Determine quality standard
b) Create process improvement plan
c) Determine roles and responsibilities
d) Create communication plan
e) Identify risk
(2) The high-level project schedule constraints have just been determined. What project management process group are you in?
Initiating
(3) The WBS and WBS dictionary are completed. What is the next thing to do?
Create activity list
(4) What are the things need to be done in planning process:
Finalize requirement
Create project scope statement
Determine what to purchase
Determine project team
Create WBS
Create Activity list
Create network diagram
Estimate activity resource
Estimate cost
Determine critical path
Develop schedule
Develop budget
Determine quality standards, policies
Create process improvement plan
Determine roles and responsibilities
Create communication plan
Identify risk
GB
Create procurement documents
Finalize the "how to execute and control part" of PMP
Develop final Project management plan and the realistic performance measurement baseline
Gain formal approval of the project management plan
Hold kick-off meeting
P.S.:
C: create
D: determine / develope
E: estimate
(5) the following is not correct:
The stakeholders do not have a role in determine the project management plan unless they are part of the project team.
(6) the PM is making sure the product of the project has been completed according to the project management plan. What part of the project management process is he in?
a) Monitoring and control
b) closing (x)
Note: product verification is done in closing stage while project scope verification is done in monitoring and control process
(7) the project schedule constraints have just been determined. what project management process are you in?
-> Initiation
(8) A project team is working on manufacturing a new product, but they are having difficulty creating a project charter. what is the best description of the real problem?
--> they are working on a process and not a project.
(9) A PM does not have much time to spend on planning before the mandatory start date arrives. He therefore wants to move through planning as effectively as possible. Which of the following would you recommend?
a) make sure you have a signed project charter and then start the WBS (skip creating scope statement0
b) document all the known risks before you document the high-level assumptions (wrong order)
c) create an activity list before creating a network diagram (x)
(10) Your company has just presented its new 5-year strategic plan. You have received a new product request from a customer that is in line with the previous 5-year strategic plan, but it does not meet the objectives of the new plan. The product description seems to have a valid business driver and to be a straightforward development effort. As project manager, what is the Best course of action?
--> submit the new product request to the PMO for review and approval before proceeding
(11) A form of project organization where power is evenly shared between the functional manager and project manager is called:
--> balanced matrix
(12) A PM is managing a project which seems to be growing in size everyday. As each day passes, the PM is beginning to feel more and more in need of help. The PM has recently heard that there was another project in the company last year that is similar to this project. What should he do?
a) contact the other project manager and ask for assistance.
b) obtain lessons learned and guidance from PMO (x)
--> a) is not the best choice since the PM should be able to receive the knowledge of many project managers and historical information from many projects.
PMP Question Series: Project Management Framework
(1) About project life cycle and product life cycle
(a) project life cycle is different for each industry
(b) product life cycle can spawn many projects
(2) A new contract project manager is using new project management methodology required by the company. Some stakeholders are concerned about many new terms and policies. What should the PM do?
The PM should not waste any time by sending their concerns directly to PMO since PMO is the only authority managing the company policies for project management
(a) project life cycle is different for each industry
(b) product life cycle can spawn many projects
(2) A new contract project manager is using new project management methodology required by the company. Some stakeholders are concerned about many new terms and policies. What should the PM do?
The PM should not waste any time by sending their concerns directly to PMO since PMO is the only authority managing the company policies for project management
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