CW Questions 06

Question 1

The Internet project is 65% complete, more or less, and has had its challenges. Senior management tells you that the sponsor has some serious concerns about the project. Based on the last status report, which reflected that the project is on track regarding cost, schedule, and scope, you don’t understand the sponsor’s concern. What should you do first?
(A) Evaluate the schedule and budget to verify the triple constraint health of the project
(B) Ignore senior management because the project is in good shape
(C) Tell senior management that the project is in good shape
(D) Meet with the sponsor about her concerns

Answer 1

Correct Answer: (D) Meet with the sponsor about her concerns
Explanation: Meeting with the sponsor to discuss her concerns is the best solution; it is proactive and can lead to clearing up the concern or obtaining sufficient information to alleviate any issues. The answers involving senior management are noise; they don’t help resolve the problem. The triple constraint answer is noise as well. [section 4.7.1]

Question 2

The Project Manager and his team have just collected requirements for a new system project. What have they created?
(A) Requirements traceability matrix, requirements management plan, requirements documentation, updated project management plan
(B) Requirements traceability matrix, requirements management plan, requirements documentation, prototypes of the major screens
(C) Requirements traceability matrix, requirements management plan, requirements documentation
(D) Requirements traceability matrix, requirements management plan, scope management plan

Answer 2

Correct Answer: (C) Requirements traceability matrix, requirements management plan, requirements documentation
Explanation: The key outputs of the Collect Requirements process are the requirements traceability matrix, the requirements management plan, and the requirements documentation. [section 5.1]

Question 3

The construction project is underway after encountering some initial schedule delays associated with the weather. As the team is working on the job site, the city building inspector shows up and asks for their building permit for the next phase. The Project Manager discovers it wasn’t applied for. The city inspector explains it will take a week to process the application after the application is submitted. This is an example of what?
(A) A city employee not wanting to do his job
(B) Discretionary dependency
(C) External dependency
(D) Mandatory dependency

Answer 3

Correct Answer: (C) External dependency

Explanation: The external dependency is a factor outside the organization’s control. The building inspector fits this criterion. The mandatory dependency is required and internal to the project. The discretionary dependency is at the option of the Project Manager and team. The city employee answer is noise. [section 6.2.1]

Question 4

The project team is planning an upgrade to a client’s Web site and infrastructure. During Planning, the team members are confronted with the cost options for a data communications line to connect to the servers. They consider the cost of purchasing the communication line for the time they need to develop the project. After that, the customer takes over the purchase of the line. They are also considering a long-term commitment that the customer can make with the communication line provider, which provides a less costly solution over the use of the system. What type of analysis is the team considering?

(A) Life cycle costing
 	(B) Make-or-buy analysis
(C) Fixed cost
(D) Procurement planning

Answer 4

Correct Answer: (A) Life cycle costing
Explanation: Life cycle costing looks at the long-term cost of something, instead of simply what it costs to create it. This can increase project cost but in the long run save the owner of the system money. The other answers are noise. [section 7.8]

Question 5

Crosswind Manufacturing is known for producing products with consistently high quality. The Project Manager for its design projects espouses prevention versus inspection. Which of the following is the best description of this approach to quality?
(A) A proactive approach to increase the stability and repeatability of a process
(B) A reactive approach to eliminate defects and potential defects from the process
(C) A reactive approach to increase the stability and repeatability of a process
(D) A proactive approach to eliminate defects and potential defects from the process

Answer 5

Correct Answer: (D) A proactive approach to eliminate defects and potential defects from the process
Explanation: Prevention versus inspection is a proactive approach to eliminate defects and potential defects from the process. Flowcharting is a proactive approach to increase the stability and repeatability of a process. The other answers are noise. [section 8.8.5]

Question 6

The staffing management plan is created during the Develop Human Resource Plan process. Which of the following best describes what this document helps the Project Manager and her team do?
(A) Establish the staffing policies and organizational chart, establish recognition and rewards, acquire staff, document roles and responsibilities, create a staff release plan, and ensure compliance and safety
(B) Establish resource calendars, establish recognition and rewards, acquire staff, create a staff release plan, and ensure compliance and safety
(C) Establish the staffing policies and organizational chart, establish recognition and rewards, acquire staff, create a staff release plan, and ensure compliance and safety
(D) Establish resource calendars, establish recognition and rewards, acquire staff, document roles and responsibilities, create a staff release plan, and ensure compliance and safety

Answer 6

Correct Answer: (B) Establish resource calendars, establish recognition and rewards, acquire staff, create a staff release plan, and ensure compliance and safety
Explanation: The Staffing management plan helps the Project Manager and team establish resource calendars, establish recognition and rewards, acquire staff, create a staff release plan, and ensure compliance and safety. [section 9.1.2]

Question 7

Of the following, which are the key tools available for use during the Identify Stakeholders process?
(A) Stakeholder analysis and expert judgment
(B) Stakeholder analysis, stakeholder management strategy chart, and expert judgment
(C) Stakeholder analysis, power/interest grid, and expert judgment
(D) Stakeholder analysis, stakeholder management strategy chart, power/interest grid, and expert judgment

Answer 7

Correct Answer: (A) Stakeholder analysis and expert judgment
Explanation: Stakeholder analysis and expert judgment are the key tools cited for the Identify Stakeholders process. [section 10.3]

Question 8

The construction company has been awarded a $20M contract to build a shopping community center. The company is relatively small, and this contract is bigger than anything it has been awarded to date. To ensure that it can effectively complete the contract and not jeopardize other work, it has chosen to pursue a share strategy. Of the following, which is the best example of the share strategy?
(A) The company subcontracts the finishing work to a company with large cash reserves
(B) The company partners with a company that specializes in foundation and concrete work
(C) The company assigns its best employees to the shopping center contract and uses the remaining employees and day workers from Employee Share, Inc. for its other projects
(D) None of the answers

Answer 8

Correct Answer: (B) The company partners with a company that specializes in foundation and concrete work
Explanation: Sharing the risk with another company is the basis of a share strategy. Subcontracting is not risk sharing. [section 11.6.5]

Question 9

You are the owner of a house painting company.  You occasionally have the need for an automated paint sprayer.  This tool sells for $1,250 and costs $20 a day to maintain. You can rent one for $150 a day with maintenance included.  How many days would you need to use this tool before it makes sense to buy instead of rent? 
	(A) Twelve days
 	(B) Six days
	(C) Ten days
	(D) Eight days

Answer 9

Correct Answer: (C) Ten days
Explanation:To complete this question, solve for the number of days. The number of days is the variable D in the formula. $1,250+20D=$150D is the formula. First, move D to one side of the equation. Subtracting $20D from both sides gives $1,250=$130D. Next, divide both sides by 130, which isolates D.

Question 10

A Project Manager must be responsible. Which of the following best describe the specific areas that responsibility addresses?
(A) Accountability, honesty, and reliability
(B) Accountability, behavior, honesty, and reliability
(C) Accountability, behavior, and reliability
(D) Accountability, timeliness, and reliability

Answer 10

Correct Answer: (C) Accountability, behavior, and reliability
Explanation: Responsibility is a standard that addresses accountability, behavior, and reliability. [section 13.2]

Question 11

What are the five process groups used in the PMI methodology?
(A) Initiating, Planning, Executing, Monitoring and Controlling, Closing
(B) Initiating, Planning, Executing, Testing, Signoff
(C) Requirements, System Development, Testing, UAT, Signoff
(D) Initiating, Planning, Executing, Testing, Closure

Answer 11

Correct Answer: (A) Initiating, Planning, Executing, Monitoring and Controlling, Closing
Explanation: Per the PMBOK Guide Fourth Edition, the Process Groups that make up the PMI methodology or “project management life cycle” are Initiating, Planning, Executing, Monitoring and Controlling, and Closing. [section 3.4.1]

Question 12

The healthcare project is in the planning stage and the Project Manager and his team are making decisions about the Project Management Information System (PMIS). In discussing the system they feel will work best, which of the following statements is the Project Manager most likely to make?
(A) It is vital that the system accommodates our need to update payroll for the project management team
(B) It is vital that the system accommodates our need to update the charter of accounts for procurement items
(C) It is vital that the system accommodates our need to access functional management records to identify expert judgment candidates
(D) It is vital that the system accommodates our need to send the right information to the right people in a timely and appropriate manner

Answer 12

Correct Answer: (D) It is vital that the system accommodates our need to send the right information to the right people in a timely and appropriate manner
Explanation: The purpose of the Project Management Information System (PMIS) is communication and information distribution. It is often a combination of technical and non-technical tools used by various project participants to communicate and distribute project related information. The other answers reference systems or information which would not be directly accessible to the project management team. [section 4.4.5]

Question 13

A Project Manager is beginning the Define Scope process. Which of the following is the most important activity he should perform?
(A) Create a list of preferred vendors for outsourcing.
(B) Create the work breakdown structure (WBS).
(C) Create the project scope statement in sufficient detail to enable further planning.
(D) Verify that all key stakeholders have provided their input.

Answer 13

Correct Answer: (D) Verify that all key stakeholders have provided their input.

Explanation: Verifying that all key stakeholders have provided their input is the most important item. If this doesn’t occur, the project could be delayed or derailed. The WBS isn’t addressed in the Plan Scope process. Creating the project scope statement in sufficient detail is valid, but still less important than having the right requirements from the right stakeholders. The other answers are noise. [section 5.2]

Question 14

The Project Manager and her team are just beginning to create the network diagram for the machine retooling project. What will they consider to create this?

(A) Activity list, activity duration estimates, and project scope statement
 	(B) Activity list, milestone list, and project management plan
(C) Activity list, activity duration estimates, and project management plan
(D) Activity list, milestone list, and project scope statement

Answer 14

Correct Answer: (D) Activity list, milestone list, and project scope statement

Explanation: The key inputs for the Sequence Activities process are activity list, milestone list, and project scope statement. [section 6.2]

Question 15

Activity A is worth $200, is 100% complete, and actually cost $200. Activity B is worth $75, is 90% complete, and actually cost $120 so far. Activity C is worth $200, is 75% complete, and has cost $175 so far. The total budget is $1,000. What is the total earned value for the project?

(A) $417.50
 	(B) -$417.50
(C) $495.00
(D) $475.00

Answer 15

Correct Answer: (A) $417.50

Explanation: To calculate earned value (EV), multiply the percent complete of each activity by its planned value (PV); that provides the EV for each activity. The next step is to add the earned value for each activity to determine the total earned value for the project. This amount is $417.50. [section 7.14.4]

Question 16

The project is about to begin testing of the engine it is creating. The Project Manager and his team have decided to use sample testing rather than population testing. Which of the following reasons to use sample testing is inaccurate?

(A) Sample testing is less expensive
 	(B) Sample testing is less destructive
(C) Sample testing is more thorough
(D) Sample testing is quicker

Answer 16

Correct Answer: (C) Sample testing is more thorough.

Explanation: It is very thorough is not always the case with testing a sample. Testing the population is thorough because it tests everything; whereas, sample testing tests only a portion of the population. [section 8.10.2]

Question 17

The Project Manager on the systems alignment project is characterized by his penchant for delegation. Effective delegation is a very positive managerial tool. Of the following, which best describes effective delegation?

(A) Effective delegation involves effective communication: a clear	definition of the work to be done, the time frame in which the work is to be	done, and descriptions of the evaluation process, the milestones, and 	expected results are all necessary
 	(B) Effective delegation involves effective communication: a clear	definition of the work to be done, the steps needed to accomplish the 	work, the time frame in which the work is to be done, and descriptions of 	the evaluation process, the milestones, and expected results are all 	necessary
(C) Effective delegation involves effective communication: a clear	definition of the work to be done, the steps needed to accomplish the 	work, the time frame in which the work is to be done, and descriptions of 	the evaluation process and expected results are all necessary
(D) Effective delegation involves effective communication: a clear	definition of the work to be done, the time frame in which the work is to be	done, and descriptions of the evaluation process and expected results are 	all necessary

Answer 17

Correct Answer: (D) Effective delegation involves effective communication: a clear definition of the work to be done, the time frame in which the work is to be done, and descriptions of the evaluation process and expected results are all necessary

Explanation: Effective delegation involves effective communication: a clear definition of the work to be done, the time frame in which the work is to be done, and descriptions of the evaluation process and expected results are all necessary [section 9.1.7]

Question 18

Although the communications model only contains three components, there is another facet of communications that must be considered. Of the following, which best describes that other facet?

(A) Language, specifically the special usages of a professional group
 	(B) Medium, specifically the technique that dictates the format of a	message
(C) Feedback, specifically in regard to message interpretation
(D) Confirmation, specifically tracking communication receipt

Answer 18

Correct Answer: (B) Medium, specifically the technique that dictates the format of a message
Explanation: The Communication Model includes the sender, the receiver, and the message. The medium should also be considered in that it sets the format of the message. [section 10.5.1]

Question 19

Your company is evaluating two projects for consideration. Project A has a 40% probability of $69,000 and a 60% probability of -$10,000. Project B has a 60% probability of $56,000 and a 40% probability of -$15,000. Which of the projects do you select based on the greatest expected monetary value?

(A) Project A
 	(B) Project B
(C) Project A and B are of even value
(D) The expected monetary value is not high enough on either to make a	selection

Answer 19

Correct Answer: (B) Project B

Explanation: To calculate the expected monetary value (EMV), multiply the probabilities by their dollar amounts and add the products of the multiplication for each project. This results in a value of $21,600 for Project A and $27,600 for Project B. With the highest expected monetary value, Project B is the one to select. [section 11.5.3]

Question 20

The customer is doing a national network upgrade program. The customer has issues with the vendor accomplishing the work in accordance with the schedule set out in the contract. The customer informs the vendor that it is in default for failure to execute per the terms of the contract. A senior manager for the customer suggests stopping payment for work already accomplished, but the procurement department rejects this idea. What most accurately describes this situation?

(A) The senior manager

’

s suggestion to stop payment until the issue is resolved is the best course of action

(B)  The procurement department's rejection of the senior manager's idea 	is the best course of action
(C)  Both sides appear to be in default of the contract
(D)  The vendor appears to be wrong and needs to accept lack of 	payment until it corrects the situation

Answer 20

Correct Answer: (B) The procurement department’s rejection of the senior manager’s idea is the best course of action

Explanation: A company who fails to perform as defined in the contract is in default of the contract. That the vendor is in default is obvious; the customer will only be in default if it stops payment for work already accomplished. [section 12.2.10]