20Q 06 Flashcards
PMP PREP
During the planning phase of a construction project, a project manager realizes that some key stakeholders have not been involved in defining the project scope. What process should the project manager revisit to ensure all stakeholders are engaged?
a.Collect Requirements
b.Create WBS
c.Plan Scope Management
d.Define Scope
The Collect Requirements process ensures that all project stakeholders are involved in defining the project scope. Revisiting this process allows the project manager to engage all stakeholders in defining scope. The other options are subsequent processes or steps in scope management and are not focused on stakeholder engagement.
What is a resource allocation technique that uses a mathematical model to simulate the impact of uncertainty on project schedules?
a.
Critical Path Method (CPM)
b.
Resource Breakdown Structure (RBS)
c.
Monte Carlo Simulation
d.
Heuristics
Monte Carlo Simulation is a resource allocation technique that uses a mathematical model to simulate the impact of uncertainty on project schedules. It can help project managers to identify potential roadblocks and obstacles that may arise and develop contingency plans to mitigate risk.
Your client is constantly changing their requirements, causing continuous revisions of the contract scope. Which type of contract would best manage this situation?
a.
Cost Reimbursable Contract
b.
Fixed Price Contract
c.
Time and Material (T&M) Contract
d.
Lump Sum Contract
A Time and Material (T&M) contract is most suitable for this scenario. It can accommodate the continuously changing scope and gives flexibility. Fixed Price Contracts, Lump Sum Contracts, or Cost Reimbursable Contracts can lead to constant renegotiation and scope creep.
What is exploratory testing?
a.
Testing the software according to a set of formal rules
b.
Testing the software with test cases prepared in advance
c.
Testing the software with user data
d.
Informal, ad hoc testing without predefined test cases
Exploratory testing involves testing the software in an ad hoc manner without predefined test cases.
During a project, a project manager is tasked with evaluating and selecting a vendor for a critical component. What is the most appropriate procurement document to use?
a.
Procurement statement of work (SOW)
b.
Request for proposal (RFP)
c.
Invitation for bid (IFB)
d.
Request for information (RFI)
An RFP is the best choice for evaluating and selecting a vendor based on a combination of factors such as price, qualifications, and technical capabilities. It allows for negotiation during the vendor selection process.
In a power plant project, the project manager is tasked with reducing fuel consumption. The team proposes two approaches: using solar energy and optimizing coal-based operations. Which tool should the project manager use to choose the best option?
a.
Historical cost data
b.
Focus group analysis
c.
Value engineering study
d.
Market research
The project manager should perform a value engineering study to review proposals for reducing fuel consumption, comparing alternatives based on criteria like cost, feasibility, and long-term benefits. Other tools or analyses may not provide a comprehensive comparison of the proposed solutions.
During a building construction project, stakeholders request to review and confirm the agreed deliverables for the work completed so far. How should the project manager proceed?
a.
Update the project schedule and provide it to the stakeholders.
b.
Request project team members submit completed work to stakeholders via email.
c.
Ask team members to provide an informal in-person update.
d.
Organize a formal inspection and review meeting.
The correct answer is to organize a formal inspection and review meeting. As part of the Validate Scope process, it’s essential to have a structured meeting with stakeholders to evaluate and confirm the deliverables. Informal in-person updates, email communications, or providing project progress alone are insufficient for adequate validation.
What is the difference between product validation and product verification in project management?
Product validation and verification are both key components of project quality management.
Product validation confirms that the product meets customer requirements, while product verification confirms that the product was built to specifications.
Together, these processes help ensure that the product is of the highest possible quality and meets the needs of the customer.
A renovation project is analyzing the cost-effectiveness of replacing old windows with energy-efficient ones. As a project manager, what is the first step to apply value engineering methodology?
a.
Acquisition - purchase the new windows.
b.
Implementation - install the new windows.
c.
Functional analysis - identify what functions the window must perform.
d.
Cost estimation - calculate the cost of the new windows.
The first step in applying the value engineering methodology is functional analysis. This means identifying what functions the entity (in this case, windows) must perform.
For a transportation project, you’re considering whether to purchase or lease a fleet of vehicles. As the project manager, which value engineering methodology should you apply?
a.
Stick with the option that was used in the past projects.
b.
Ask your team to vote.
c.
Simply pick the cheaper option.
d.
Life cycle cost analysis - calculate the total cost of each option over its useful lifecycle.
Life cycle cost analysis is an important part of value engineering, as it helps identify not only the immediate costs but also all the costs associated over the lifecycle of an asset. In this case, considering only the up-front or immediate costs would not be a complete value engineering exercise.
A project manager is looking for ways to increase the energy efficiency of a building. The team proposes upgrading the HVAC system, but the related costs are high. Which value engineering technique should the project manager apply in this situation?
a.
Functional cost analysis
b.
Function point analysis
c.
Discounted cash flow analysis
d.
Design-build approach
The project manager should use functional cost analysis to identify lower-cost alternatives for increasing energy efficiency in the building. This technique aims to optimize the balance between the functionality of the HVAC system and the associated costs, leading to a value-added solution.
laine, a project manager, receives important information from one of her project stakeholders about a resource shortage. What should Elaine do in response to this development?
a.
Talk to the resource supplier first
b.
Only inform high-ranking officials and not the full team
c.
Ignore the input and continue with the project
d.
Immediately share the information with relevant team members for further actions
Elaine should immediately share the communicated information with her team to properly reassess the project’s resource needs. This way, they can come up with a solution collectively. The other options suggest either keeping information from the team, acting in haste, or deciding on a course of action without collaborative input, all of which would hinder effective communication and potentially lead to project failure.
During an online meeting, a team member discloses sensitive and personal information that disturbs the meeting. What is your most ethical action?
a.
Publicly scold the team member for their inappropriate actions.
b.
Reveal their information to the top management to handle.
c.
Follow up privately with the individual, express your concern about the disclosure and remind them of the professional boundaries.
d.
Discuss the disclosed information with the other team members after the meeting.
Speaking privately with the individual respect their dignity and rectifies the situation in a professional manner. Other responses could create a more hostile work environment, breach their trust, or punish the person without addressing the actual issue.
Your team failed to meet a project deadline, which led to a loss of client trust. As the project manager, what is the best way to reestablish trust?
a.Blame the team for the failure.
b.Disregard the issue and continue with the project as usual.
c.Apologize to the client, clearly explain what went wrong and provide a concrete action plan for future deadlines.
d.Indicate that missed deadlines happen frequently in your industry.
By apologizing and providing an action plan, you take responsibility and show that steps are being taken to prevent this in future. Blaming others, avoiding the issue, denying responsibility or promising improvement without a plan does not build trust.
You are managing a remote team and notice that your team’s level of trust and communication has decreased. What is a good way to build trust in this situation?
a.Schedule regular meetings and check-ins providing updates, opportunity for dialogue and team bonding activities.
b.Blame the team for not being proactive.
c.Micromanage the team to enforce communication.
d.Ignore the situation and hope it improves over time.
Regular meetings and check-ins allow for communication hurdles to be addressed, project progress to be shared and rapport to be built. Simply hoping that the situation will resolve, blaming the team or micromanaging them will only serve to degrade trust further.
