1. Project Management Framework

Question 1

What is the definition of a project?

Answer 1

Temporary endeavor - with a beginning and an end

Creates a unique product, service or result

Question 2

What is operational work?

Answer 2

Ongoing work to support the business and systems of the organization

Question 3

What is the definition of a program?

What is the definition of a portfolio?

Answer 3

Program: A group of related projects, managed in a coordinated way
Portfolio: A group of programs, individual projects, and other related operational work that are prioritized and implemented to achieve a specific strategic business goal

Question 4

What is the difference between a project team and a project management team?

Answer 4

A project team is a group of people, including the project manager, who will complete the work of the project
A project management team is a group of project team members selected by the project manager to help some project management activities.

Question 5

What is organizational project management (OPM)?

Answer 5

A framework that guides portfolio, program, and project management to achieve the organization’s strategic goals

Question 6

What is organizational governance?

What are internal requirements?

Answer 6

Organizational governance refers to the overall structure of an organization
Internal requirements include policies and procedures regarding portfolio, program, and project work which help to ensure that these endeavors are within the strategic plan of the organization and that they contribute to the delivery of the specific benefits or value.

Question 7

What is a project management office (PMO)?

What are three possible forms of a PMO?

Answer 7

A department that oversees and standardizes the management of projects

Supportive
Controlling
Directive

Question 8

List project constraints that may occur throughout the life of a project, and explain the potential impact of a constraint.

Answer 8

Schedule
Cost
Risk
Scope
Quality
Resources
Customer satisfaction

Constraints limit options during planning and beyond

Question 9

Who are stakeholders?

Answer 9

Anyone whose interests may be positively or negatively impacted by theproject, or the product of the project

A stakeholder may be an individual or an organization; may be internal or external to the organization

Question 10

What is the purpose of Stakeholder Management?

Answer 10

To keep stakeholders informed

To solicit their input

Work to satisfy their needs and expectations

Question 11

What are three primary forms of organizational structure?

Answer 11

Functional;
Project-oriented
Matrix

Question 12

What is a functional organization?

Answer 12

The organization is grouped by areas of specialization (for example, accounting or marketing)

Question 13

What is a project-oriented organization?

Answer 13

The organization is organized by project

The team has no department to go at project end

The project manager has control of the project

Question 14

What is a matrix organization?

Answer 14

In an attempt to maximize the strengths of both the functional and project-oriented structures, the team member reports to two managers (the project manager and functional manager)

Team members do project work in addition to normal department work

Question 15

What is a strong matrix organization?

Answer 15

A matrix organization where the balance of power rests with the project manager instead of the functional manager

Question 16

What is a weak matrix organization?

What role might the project manager play in a weak matrix?

Answer 16

A matrix organization where the balance of power rests with the functional manager instead of the project manager

A project expediter or project coordinator

Question 17

What is a balanced matrix organization?

Answer 17

A matrix organization where the power is equally balanced between the project manager and the functional manager

Question 18

What is a project expediter?

What is a project coordinator?

Answer 18

The project expediter acts primarily as a staff assistant and communications coordinator; the expediter cannot personally make or enforce decisions

The project coordinator is similar to the project expediter, except the coordinator has some authority and power to make decisions, and reports to a higher-level manager

Question 19

What are enterprise environmental factors (EEFs)?

Answer 19

Enterprise environmental factors provide context within which to plan the project; these factors can be either internal or external

They are generally outside the control of the project team

Question 20

What are the organizational process assets (OPAs)?

Answer 20

Company processes, procedures and policies

Organizational knowledge repositories (historical information, lessons learned)

Question 21

What can historical information include?

Answer 21

Historical information can include:
• Activities
• WBSs
• Benchmarks
• Reports
• Risks and risk response plans
• Estimates
• Resources used
• Project management plans
• Project documents
• Baselines
• Corespondence

Records of the current project that will become part of organizational process assets

Question 22

What is an assumption log?

Define assumptions.

Answer 22

A repository of both assumptions and constraints

What your management and stakeholders believe to be true about the project; assumptions may not be entirely based on fact

Question 23

What is a project management information system (PMIS)?

Answer 23

The PMIS may include automated tools such as scheduling software, a configuration management system shared workspaces for file storage or distribution, work authorization software, time-tracking software, and procurement management software

Question 24

What is work performance data?

Answer 24

Measurements and details about activities gathered during the Direct and Manage Project Work process in executing

Question 25

What is work performance information?

Answer 25

Work performance data analyzed to make sure it conforms to the project management plan and to assess what it means for the project as a whole

Question 26

What are work performance reports?

Answer 26

Work performance information organized into reports that are distributed to the stakeholders

Question 27

What is the purpose of expert judgement?

Answer 27

Sometimes, the easiest way to get information is to consult experts

This is a common tool for the project management planning process

Question 28

When is a meeting most useful?

Answer 28

Meetings are an effective way to get input or feedback from groups of people