Archive for September 2020

Companies like Boeing, Kodak, and IBM are using which of the following for improving the estimating process?

Companies like Boeing, Kodak, and IBM are using which of the following for improving the estimating process? 


A. Adjusting estimates based on individual forecasting abilities

B. Benchmarking using the experience of other companies

C. Using time and motion studies

D. Creating historical databases of previous projects

E. All of these are correct


Answer: Creating historical databases of previous projects

Which of the following is not one of the recommended guidelines for developing useful work package estimates?

Which of the following is not one of the recommended guidelines for developing useful work package estimates? 


A. Estimates should be made by those responsible for the work

B. Use several people to estimate the same work

C. Estimates should be based on normal conditions

D. Estimates should include a normal level of contingency

E. Estimates should be independent of other projects


Answer: D. Estimates should include a normal level of contingency

Which of the following would be considered a direct project cost?

Which of the following would be considered a direct project cost? 


A. Labor

B. Materials

C. Equipment

D. Both A and B are direct costs

E. A, B, and C are all considered direct costs


Answer: A, B, and C are all considered direct costs

Typical kinds of costs found in a project include

Typical kinds of costs found in a project include 


A. Direct costs

B. Project overhead costs

C. General and administrative costs

D. Only A and B are included

E. A, B, and C are all included


Answer: A, B, and C are all included

Sean is forecasting the time and cost of developing a customized software program by looking at the number of inputs, outputs, inquires, files, and interfaces. Which of the following methods is he using?

Sean is forecasting the time and cost of developing a customized software program by looking at the number of inputs, outputs, inquires, files, and interfaces. Which of the following methods is he using? 


A. Ratio

B. Template

C. Apportion

D. Function point

E. Learning curve


Answer: Function point

Which of the following is a good condition for bottom-up estimating?

Which of the following is a good condition for bottom-up estimating? 


A. Strategic decision making

B. Internal, small project

C. Fixed price contract

D. High uncertainty

E. Both C and D are good conditions for bottom-up estimating


Answer: Fixed price contract

Which of the following is a good condition for top-down estimating?

Which of the following is a good condition for top-down estimating? 


A. Cost and time important

B. Fixed price contract

C. Customer wants details

D. Internal, small project

E. All of these are good conditions for top-down estimating


Answer: Internal, small project

Janet is forecasting how much money her department needs to support a new project. She estimates that two people and $25,000 in expenses will cover her needs. Because management typically insists on reducing forecasts by 20 percent, she increases her estimates to allow for that reduction. Which of the following factors is illustrated in this situation?

Janet is forecasting how much money her department needs to support a new project. She estimates that two people and $25,000 in expenses will cover her needs. Because management typically insists on reducing forecasts by 20 percent, she increases her estimates to allow for that reduction. Which of the following factors is illustrated in this situation? 


A. Padding estimates

B. Planning horizon

C. Project structure

D. People

E. Organization culture


Answer: Padding estimates

Ed is looking over the actual results of projects and comparing them to what was estimated. He notices that projects that took six months or longer to complete were noticeably more off the estimates. Which of the following factors is he recognizing?

Ed is looking over the actual results of projects and comparing them to what was estimated. He notices that projects that took six months or longer to complete were noticeably more off the estimates. Which of the following factors is he recognizing? 


A. Padding estimates

B. Planning horizon

C. Project structure

D. People

E. Organization culture


Answer: Planning horizon

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 client's trainers. This is an example of:

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 client's trainers. This is an example of: 


A. Project objectives

B. Deliverables

C. Limits and exclusions

D. Technical requirements

E. Milestones


Answer: Limits and exclusions

The final step in the creation of a Work Breakdown Structure is to

The final step in the creation of a Work Breakdown Structure is to 


A. Code the WBS for tracking

B. Assign the cost account to a manager

C. Assign the work package to a manager

D. Develop the responsibility matrix

E. All of these are included in the final step


Answer: Code the WBS for tracking

All of the following are usually included in a work package except

All of the following are usually included in a work package except 


A. What will be done?

B. The time needed to complete the work

C. A single person who is responsible for its completion

D. All the costs for the work package

E. All of these are included in a work package


Answer: All of these are included in a work package

All of the following are true about work packages except

All of the following are true about work packages except 


A. Consume resources

B. Assigned to only one manager

C. Have medium to long duration

D. Definitive starts and stops dates

E. All of these are true


Answer: Have medium to long duration

Scott has just been given a project that has a specific target date. After discussion with top management he finds that while the date is important the cost is more important and a slip in delivery would be acceptable if required to meet the cost targets. The target date is best classified as

Scott has just been given a project that has a specific target date. After discussion with top management he finds that while the date is important the cost is more important and a slip in delivery would be acceptable if required to meet the cost targets. The target date is best classified as 


A. Constrain

B. Enhance

C. Accept

D. Limit

E. Optional


Answer: accept

The second step in the defining of a project would be to

The second step in the defining of a project would be to 


A. Analyze the strategic plan

B. Analyze the current budget plan

C. Establish project priorities

D. Select team members

E. Define the major objectives to meet the customer's needs


Answer: Establish project priorities

The first step of project scope definition is to

The first step of project scope definition is to 


A. Analyze the strategic plan

B. Analyze the current budget plan

C. Meet with team members

D. Select team members

E. Define the overall objective to meet the customer's needs


Answer: Define the overall objective to meet the customer's needs

Research shows the most frequently mentioned barrier to project success is

Research shows the most frequently mentioned barrier to project success is 


A. Not enough budget resources

B. Poor performance by team members

C. Weak project leadership

D. Poorly defined scope or mission

E. Political in-fighting


Answer: Poorly defined scope or mission

Linda has just been assigned a project to develop a new advertising campaign for an established product. Her first step should be to

Linda has just been assigned a project to develop a new advertising campaign for an established product. Her first step should be to 


A. Establish project priorities

B. Define the project scope

C. Verify the budget available

D. Assign team members to work on the project

E. Determine the required completion date


Answer: Define the project scope

The first step in creating the necessary information to manage a project is to

The first step in creating the necessary information to manage a project is to 


A. Establish project priorities

B. Define the project scope

C. Verify the budget available

D. Assign team members to work on the project

E. Determine the required completion date


Answer: Define the project scope

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

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 


A. Responsibility matrix

B. Organization breakdown structure

C. Work breakdown structure

D. Priority matrix

E. Work package


Answer: Work breakdown structure

Which of the following cultural characteristics relates to the degree to which management focuses on outcomes rather than on techniques and processes used to achieve those results?

Which of the following cultural characteristics relates to the degree to which management focuses on outcomes rather than on techniques and processes used to achieve those results? 


A. Risk tolerance

B. Reward criteria

C. Conflict tolerance

D. Means versus end orientation

E. Open-systems focus


Answer: Means versus end orientation

Which of the following cultural characteristics relates to the degree to which groups within the organization are encouraged to operate in a coordinated or independent manner?

Which of the following cultural characteristics relates to the degree to which groups within the organization are encouraged to operate in a coordinated or independent manner? 


A. Member identity

B. Team emphasis

C. Managerial focus

D. Unit integration

E. Control


Answer: Unit integration

Which of the following cultural characteristics relates to the degree to which employees identify with the organization as a whole rather than with their type of job or field of professional expertise?

Which of the following cultural characteristics relates to the degree to which employees identify with the organization as a whole rather than with their type of job or field of professional expertise? 


A. Member identity

B. Team emphasis

C. Managerial focus

D. Unit integration

E. Control


Answer: member identity

Matrix management violates the management principle of

Matrix management violates the management principle of 


A. Span of control

B. Unity of command

C. Parity principle

D. Empowerment

E. All of these management principles


Answer: Unity of command

Computers R Us is concerned about keeping project costs low and wants to be sure that all pools of expertise are used. Additionally they want to minimize duplication of efforts across projects. Their best choice for project management structure is the _______ organization structure.

Computers R Us is concerned about keeping project costs low and wants to be sure that all pools of expertise are used. Additionally they want to minimize duplication of efforts across projects. Their best choice for project management structure is the _______ organization structure. 


A. Functional

B. Balanced matrix

C. Weak matrix

D. Strong matrix

E. Project


Answer: Project

Elizabeth is considering how to structure a project team that will not directly disrupt ongoing operations. The project needs to be done quickly and a high level of motivation will be needed in order to do that. For this situation, the ______ organization would be the best choice.

Elizabeth is considering how to structure a project team that will not directly disrupt ongoing operations. The project needs to be done quickly and a high level of motivation will be needed in order to do that. For this situation, the ______ organization would be the best choice. 


A. Functional

B. Balanced matrix

C. Weak matrix

D. Strong matrix

E. Project


Answer: project

MegaComputers, Inc. has assigned a project manager for each of the five new-product teams. The managers as well as the project team members work on the projects on a full-time basis. The structure being used is ________ organization.

MegaComputers, Inc. has assigned a project manager for each of the five new-product teams. The managers as well as the project team members work on the projects on a full-time basis. The structure being used is ________ organization. 


A. Functional

B. Balanced matrix

C. Weak matrix

D. Strong matrix

E. Project


Answer: project

Which of the following combinations represents the extremes of project organization?

Which of the following combinations represents the extremes of project organization? 


A. Strong matrix and balanced matrix organizations

B. Functional and project organizations

C. Project and balanced matrix organizations

D. Project and strong matrix organizations

E. Strong matrix and functional organizations


Answer: Functional and project organizations

Kim is reviewing a proposed project. The scope of the project is narrow with a lot of in-depth expertise required and it will take a short period of time to complete. The best choice for organizing the project is ________ organization.

Kim is reviewing a proposed project. The scope of the project is narrow with a lot of in-depth expertise required and it will take a short period of time to complete. The best choice for organizing the project is ________ organization. 


A. Functional

B. Balanced matrix

C. Weak matrix

D. Strong matrix

E. Project


Answer: functional

Which of the following is an advantage of a functional project management organization?

Which of the following is an advantage of a functional project management organization? 


A. Maximum flexibility in the use of staff

B. Good integration across functional units

C. Shorter project duration

D. Strong motivation of project team members

E. All of these are advantages


Answer: Maximum flexibility in the use of staff

Bill is working on a project involving the upgrading of a management information system. The project is being managed by the information systems department with coordination with other departments occurring through normal channels. He is working in a _________ organization.

Bill is working on a project involving the upgrading of a management information system. The project is being managed by the information systems department with coordination with other departments occurring through normal channels. He is working in a _________ organization. 


A. Functional

B. Balanced matrix

C. Weak matrix

D. Strong matrix

E. Project


Answer: functional

Organizations have difficulty in creating a system for managing projects because

Organizations have difficulty in creating a system for managing projects because 


A. Contrary to typical operations, projects are one-time efforts

B. Projects are multidisciplinary while organizations are usually departmentalized by discipline

C. Projects are not focused on profits

D. Both a and b are correct

E. A, B, and C are all correct


Answer: Both a and b are correct

A good project management system provides for defining the interface between the project team and the organization in all the following areas except

A good project management system provides for defining the interface between the project team and the organization in all the following areas except 


A. Authority

B. Allocation of resources

C. Development of project team members

D. Integration of the project into the organization

E. All of these are provided


Answer: Development of project team members

Which of the follow is not one of the commonly heard comments of project managers?

Which of the follow is not one of the commonly heard comments of project managers? 


A. Where did this project come from?

B. Why are we doing this project?

C. How can all these projects be first priority?

D. Why is this project so strongly linked to the strategic plan?

E. Where are we going to get the resources to do this project?


Answer: Why is this project so strongly linked to the strategic plan?

Which of the following is not typically the responsibility of a project manger?

Which of the following is not typically the responsibility of a project manger? 


A. Meeting budget requirements

B. Meeting schedule requirements

C. Meeting performance specifications

D. Coordinates the actions of the team members

E. All of these are typical responsibilities


Answer: All of these are typical responsibilities

The importance of project management has increased due to

The importance of project management has increased due to 


A. The movement of manufacturing operations out of the U.S

B. Time to market

C. The movement toward flatter and leaner organizations

D. Both a and b are true

E. A, B, and C are all true


Answer: A, B, and C are all true

Corporate downsizing has increased the trend toward

Corporate downsizing has increased the trend toward 


A. Reducing the number of projects a company initiates

B. Outsourcing significant segments of project work

C. Using dedicated project teams

D. Shorter project lead times

E. Longer project lead times


Answer: Outsourcing significant segments of project work

Two dimensions within the project management process are

Two dimensions within the project management process are 


A. Technical and sociocultural

B. Cost and time

C. Planned and unexpected

D. Established and new

E. Unique and reoccurring


Answer: Technical and sociocultural

Which of the following has increased the demand for project management?

Which of the following has increased the demand for project management? 


A. ISO 9000 certification

B. Specialization and concentration of knowledge

C. Time to market

D. The reduction in small projects and increase in large projects

E. Both A and C are correct


Answer: Both A and C are correct

Which of the following statements is true?

Which of the following statements is true? 


A. Project management is becoming a standard way of doing business

B. Project management is increasingly contributing to achieving organizational strategies

C. Project management is being used at a consistent percentage of a firm's efforts

D. Both A and B are true

E. A, B, and C are all true


Answer: Both A and B are true

Which of the following choices is not one of the driving forces behind the increasing demand for project management?

Which of the following choices is not one of the driving forces behind the increasing demand for project management? 


A. Compression of the product life cycle

B. Knowledge explosion

C. Development of third world and closed economies

D. More emphasis on the product and less on the customer

E. Corporate downsizing


Answer: More emphasis on the product and less on the customer

Which of the following characteristics is not typical of a project manager?

Which of the following characteristics is not typical of a project manager? 


A. Managing a temporary activity

B. Possesses in-depth technical knowledge

C. Managing a non-repetitive activity

D. Manages independently of the formal organization

E. Provides a direct link to the customer


Answer: Possesses in-depth technical knowledge

Which of the following activities is not considered a project?

Which of the following activities is not considered a project? 


A. Developing a new software program

B. Designing a space station

C. Preparing the site for the Olympic Games

D. Production of automobile tires

E. Developing a new advertising program


Production of automobile tires

The advent of project management has been most profound in

The advent of project management has been most profound in 



A. Automobile manufacturing

B. Construction

C. Information technology

D. The U.S. Department of Defense

E. Film making


Answer: Information Technology

Which of the following is a common multicriteria selection model?

Which of the following is a common multicriteria selection model? 


A. Checklist

B. Net Present Value

C. Weighted criteria model

D. Both A and C are correct

E. All of these are common multicriteria selection models


Answer: net present value

Which of the following is not true of multi-weighted scoring models?

Which of the following is not true of multi-weighted scoring models? 


A. Will include quantitative criteria

B. Will include qualitative criteria

C. Each criterion is assigned a weight

D. Projects with higher scores are considered more desirable

E. All of the above are true


Answer: All of the above are true

In the Snapshot from Practice, Intel's CEO has concentrated Intel's strategy toward?

In the Snapshot from Practice, Intel's CEO has concentrated Intel's strategy toward? 


A. Creating chips to support the digital device market

B. Eliminating AMD as a competitor

C. Strengthening Intel's position in the PC market

D. Expanding Intel's international market

E. Expand efforts in the mainframe computer market


Answer: Creating chips to support the digital device market

Which of the following is the reason(s) why project managers need to understand their organization's mission and strategy?

Which of the following is the reason(s) why project managers need to understand their organization's mission and strategy? 


A. To make appropriate decisions and adjustments

B. To be effective project advocates

C. To be able to get their job done

D. Both A and B are correct

E. A, B, and C are all correct


Answer: Both A and B are correct

A project screening matrix typically contains all of the following except:

A project screening matrix typically contains all of the following except: 


A. The list of available projects

B. Specific criteria

C. Weights assigned to specific criteria

D. Costs to complete each project

E. All of the above are typically contained


Answer: Costs to complete each project

Project selection criteria are typically classified as:

Project selection criteria are typically classified as: 


A. Financial and non-financial

B. Short-term and long-term

C. Strategic and tactical

D. Required and optional

E. Cost and schedule


Answer: Financial and non-financial

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

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 


A. Poor scheduling

B. Excess work burden

C. Flexible tasking

D. Multitasking

E. Burnout


Answer: Multitasking

Strategy formulation includes which of the following activities?

Strategy formulation includes which of the following activities? 


A. Determining alternatives

B. Creating profitability targets

C. Evaluating alternatives

D. Both a and c are correct

E. A, B, and C are all correct


Answer: Both a and c are correct

Which of the following questions does the organization's mission statement answer?

Which of the following questions does the organization's mission statement answer? 


A. What are our long-term strategies?

B. What are our long-term goals and objectives?

C. How do we operate in the existing environment?

D. What do we want to become?

E. All of these are answered by the mission statement


Answer: What do we want to become?

Which of the following is the correct order for the strategic management process?

Which of the following is the correct order for the strategic management process? 


A. Strategies, mission, goals, projects

B. Goals, projects, mission, strategies

C. Mission, goals, strategies, projects

D. Goals, mission, strategies, projects

E. Projects, mission, strategies, goals


Answer: Mission, goals, strategies, projects

Which of the following is not true for strategic management?

Which of the following is not true for strategic management? 


A. It should be done once each year just before developing the operating plan

B. It supports consistency of action at every level of the organization

C. It develops an integrated and coordinated long-term plan of action

D. It positions the firm to meet the needs of its customers

E. All of these are true statements


Answer: It should be done once each year just before developing the operating plan

The textbook indicated that ________ is the major dimension of strategic management.

The textbook indicated that ________ is the major dimension of strategic management. 


A. Responding to changes in the external market

B. Allocating scarce resources of the organization

C. Beating competition to the market

D. Both a and b are correct

E. Both a and c are correct


Answer: Both a and b are correct

Project managers who do not understand the role that their project plays in accomplishing the organization's strategy tend to make all the following mistakes except:

Project managers who do not understand the role that their project plays in accomplishing the organization's strategy tend to make all the following mistakes except: 


A. Focusing on low priority problems

B. Overemphasizing technology as an end in and of itself

C. Focusing on the immediate customer

D. Trying to solve every customer issue

E. All the above are likely mistakes


Answer: All the above are likely mistakes

Which of the following is a main reason why project managers need to understand their organization's mission and strategy?

Which of the following is a main reason why project managers need to understand their organization's mission and strategy? 


A. They can better focus on the immediate customer

B. They can make appropriate decisions and adjustments

C. So they can be effective project advocates

D. Both B and C are correct

E. A, B, and C are all correct


Answer: Both B and C are correct

The intended outcome of strategy/projects integration is

The intended outcome of strategy/projects integration is 


A. Clear organization focus

B. Best use of scare organization resources

C. Improved communication across projects and departments

D. Both A and C are correct

E. A, B, and C are all correct


Answer: A, B, and C are all correct

A critical factor to ensure the success of integrating the strategic plan with projects lies in a process that

A critical factor to ensure the success of integrating the strategic plan with projects lies in a process that 


A. Is open and published for all participants to review

B. Starts with top management's directives

C. With projects first and integrates them with the strategic plan

D. Both B and C are correct

E. A, B, and C are all correct


Answer: Is open and published for all participants to review

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