CW Questions 09

Question 1

The project team is creating an interface for the marketing department to send promotional material to those who visit the company website. In an effort to effectively utilize screen space, the developer decided to eliminate the favored form of address field, instead having the computer make the determination based on sex and marital status. This was rejected during the Perform Quality Control process. Of the following, which is the most likely description of the issue that would be used in a formal rejection?

(A) There is an attribute issue since “Ms” is an attribute of the variable “favored form of address” and both married and unmarried females could prefer the term “Ms.”

(B) There is a terminology issue since both married and unmarried females could prefer the term “Ms.”

(C) There is a mutual exclusivity issue since both married and unmarried females could prefer the term “Ms.”

(D) There is a marketing issue since both married and unmarried females could prefer the term “Ms.”

Answer 1

Correct Answer: (C) There is a mutual exclusivity issue since both married and unmarried females could prefer the term “Ms.”

Explanation: Mutual exclusivity, in this instance, requires that only one choice can be selected. Since “Mrs” or “Ms” could be applied to a married female and “Miss” or “Ms” could be applied to a non-married female, computer logic cannot determine the answer. The website visitor must make that determination. [section 8.10.6]

Question 2

The Project Manager of the systems upgrade project uses a variety of power types. Which of the following is an example of Reward power?

(A) The Project Manager instructs the team leaders to prepare status reports for the weekly meeting

(B) The Project Manager takes the most productive team member to lunch at an expensive restaurant

(C) The Project Manager announces that those who do not complete their tasks in a timely manner without sacrificing quality will be ineligible for a bonus

(D) The Project Manager’s degree and prior work experience were in systems engineering

Answer 2

Correct Answer: (B) The Project Manager takes the most productive team member to lunch at an expensive restaurant

Explanation: Reward power comes from the Project Manager’s ability to reward an employee for good work. Formal power is derived from the project charter for the Project Manager. Penalty power comes from the Project Manager’s ability to penalize an employee when his work is inadequate. Expert power derives from expertise in a discipline. [section 9.1.10]

Question 3

The project is approximately 50% complete. The Project Manager is communicating with stakeholders regarding the status of the project. Which will he likely use to determine what to communicate to whom?

(A) Communications technology, models, and methods

(B) Communications management plan

(C) Communications requirements analysis

(D) Stakeholder management strategy

Answer 3

Correct Answer: (B) Communications management plan

Explanation: The communications management plan helps determine the stakeholders communication needs. The other answers are noise. [section 10.4.1]

Question 4

A film distribution company involved in global expansion has a chief marketing officer who is familiar with cutting edge marketing techniques and strategies. The marketing project for the expansion is set to rollout in 10 countries via the internet and wetube. It’s discovered that the chief marketing officer has been embezzling from the company for the last 90 days to help a terminally ill relative. Senior management is extremely concerned because this person knows more about this type of campaign than anyone in the industry and it doesn’t want to impact the company negatively. Which of the following best represents an acceptance strategy?

(A) Allow him to remain at the company because the embezzlement was not done for personal gain

(B) Allow him to remain in his position and reimburse the company for the amount embezzled plus all incidental expenses

(C) Terminate him, file felony theft charges, and have someone different run the campaign

(D) Terminate him and outsource the marketing function to an ad agency

Answer 4

Correct Answer: (A) Allow him to remain at the company because the embezzlement was not done for personal gain

Explanation: Allowing him to stay because he did not use the money for personal gain would be to accept (or tolerate) the risk. Allowing him to stay at the company and pay back the amount represents an attempt to mitigate (or minimize) risk, but it could still occur again. An avoidance strategy is the strategy that eliminates the risk, i.e. terminating him to eliminate further exposure and having someone else run the campaign is the best answer in terms of an avoidance strategy. Outsourcing the work is a transference strategy. [section 11.6.5]

Question 5

The project will be using a vendor to purchase network equipment for a national network upgrade project. The buyer of the equipment is providing the list of models and quantity of each piece of equipment that it wants to purchase. What type of document is being provided to the sellers?

(A) Request for information (RFI)

(B) Invitation for bid (IFB)

(C) Request for quote (RFQ)

(D) Request for proposal (RFP)

Answer 5

Correct Answer: (C) Request for quote (RFQ)

Explanation: A request for quotes (RFQ) obtains prices from a company for goods or services. A request for proposal (RFP) deals with a detailed, very specific approach to a customized solution. A request for information (RFI) deals with finding potential vendors for consideration for proposals or quotes. An invitation for bid (IFB) is similar to the RFP but is typically used in government contracting. [section 12.1.10]

Question 6

As a Project Manager, you have a professional and social responsibility to encourage the growth of project management at your company or in your industry. Of the following, which best describes concrete steps you can take to fulfill this responsibility?

(A) Conduct project management training, explain the value of project management to those who do not understand it, demonstrate how project management can solve problems

(B) Explain the value of project management to those who do not understand it and demonstrate how project management can solve problems

(C) Conduct project management training and demonstrate how project management can solve problems

(D) Explain the value of project management to those who do not understand it, demonstrate how project management can solve problems, and demonstrate the leadership qualities engendered by project management training

Answer 6

Correct Answer: (A) Conduct project management training, explain the value of project management to those who do not understand it, demonstrate how project management can solve problems

Explanation: Training people to do better project management and showing them the value of project management and how it can solve their problems are processes that help cultivate project management as a profession.

Question 7

On a large medical billing system project, the team is large and communication has been quite a challenge to control. The Project Expeditor has been used to help with this problem. What is one of the main differences between the Project Expeditor and the Project Coordinator?

(A) The Project Expeditor is another title for the Project Manager.

(B) The Project Expeditor is another title for Project Coordinator.

(C) The Project Expeditor has limited or no decision-making ability.

(D) The Project Expeditor has decision-making ability. .

Answer 7

Correct Answer: (C) The Project Expeditor has limited or no decision-making ability.

Explanation: The Project Expeditor and the Project Coordinator have similar responsibilities with the difference being that the Project Coordinator has some decision-making ability. [section 3.4.5]

Question 8

You are assigned to a new data warehouse system project and notice the project charter lists four business units listed as sponsors. The data warehouse system has been discussed at your organization for some time, but it’s everyone’s first exposure to implementing such a system. Which of the following could present the biggest challenge in implementing this project?

(A) Conflicting goals of the sponsors

(B) The implementation team

(C) The work breakdown structure (WBS)

(D) The Perform Integrated Change Control process

Answer 8

Correct Answer: (A) Conflicting goals of the sponsors

Explanation: Conflicting sponsor goals can significantly impact the project because any attempt to build what works for all sponsors could radically alter the plan. The creation of the WBS is a challenge as well, but not the best answer. The other answers are noise. [section 4.3.1]

Question 9

During the Create WBS process for the financial reporting improvement process, the team could create all the following breakdown structures as planning evolves except…

(A) Bill of materials

(B) Communication breakdown structure

(C) Risk breakdown structure

(D) Resource breakdown structure

Answer 9

Correct Answer: (B) Communication breakdown structure

Explanation: The communication breakdown structure is noise in that it does not exist. The bill of materials lists all the components, assemblies, and sub-assemblies. The risk breakdown structure decomposes the risks on a project. The resource breakdown structure shows the type of resources utilized on a project. [section 5.3.6]

Question 10

The city has approved an initiative to upgrade its infrastructure. One of the initiative’s projects is the redesign and construction of an old and dangerous overpass. The Project Manager and his team are performing the Develop Schedule process. Which tools and techniques will they likely use during this process?

(A) Critical chain method, resource leveling, critical path method, schedule network analysis, what-if scenarios, alternatives analysis, schedule compression, and scheduling tool

(B) Critical chain method, resource leveling, critical path method, schedule network analysis, what-if scenarios, schedule compression, and scheduling tool

(C) Critical chain method, resource leveling, critical path method, schedule network analysis, what-if scenarios, applying leads and lags, alternatives analysis, schedule compression, and scheduling tool

(D) Critical chain method, resource leveling, critical path method, schedule network analysis, what-if scenarios, applying leads and lags, schedule compression, and scheduling tool

Answer 10

Correct Answer: (D) Critical chain method, resource leveling, critical path method, schedule network analysis, what-if scenarios, applying leads and lags, schedule compression, and scheduling tool

Explanation: The key tools and techniques for the Develop Schedule process are critical chain method, resource leveling, critical path method, schedule network analysis, what-if scenarios, applying leads and lags, schedule compression, and scheduling tool. [section 6.5]

Question 11

Company-wide software licensing fees are an example of what type of project cost?

(A) Variable indirect

(B) Variable

(C) Fixed

(D) Fixed direct

Answer 11

Correct Answer: (A) Variable indirect

Explanation: This type of cost typically increases for every user and is not likely associated with a project. Therefore, variable indirect is the best description. Variable is not the best answer. Fixed and fixed direct cost descriptions don’t fit this type of cost. [section 7.1]

Question 12

The project management team is analyzing defects and trying to isolate the cause of a problem on the project. They have isolated two variables via the data that is available. They suspect the problem is compounded by the impact of one variable on another. They want to see if there is a relationship between the two variables. Which of the following will help them verify this relationship and why?

(A) Run chart because the closer the lower control limit is to +/-3 sigma, the more dependent the variables are

(B) Pareto diagram because the closer the percentages are on the separate problems, the more dependent the variables are

(C) Control chart because the closer the upper control limit is to +/-3 sigma, the more dependent the variables are

(D) Scatter diagram because the closer the output resembles a diagonal line, the more dependent the variables are

Answer 12

Correct Answer: (D) Scatter diagram because the closer the output resembles a diagonal line, the more dependent the variables are

Explanation: The scatter diagram shows a relationship (or lack of a relationship) between two variables. The run chart (sometimes called a control chart) shows output over time. The Pareto diagram shows defect by quantity. [section 8.10.10]

Question 13

The project is experiencing conflict as the planning evolves. Of the following, which is the most common set of tools the Project Manager can utilize to minimize conflict?

(A) Ground rules, interpersonal skills, and project management practices

(B) Ground rules, group norms, and project management practices

(C) Ground rules, group norms, networking and project management practices

(D) Ground rules, interpersonal skills, networking, and project management practices

Answer 13

Correct Answer: (B) Ground rules, group norms, and project management practices

Explanation: The common set of tools the Project Manager can utilize to minimize conflict are ground rules, group norms, and project management practices. [section 9.3]

Question 14

Of the following, which are the key tools and techniques of the Plan Communications process?

(A) Communications analysis, communication technology, communication methods, and communication models

(B) Communications requirements analysis, information distribution tools, communication technology, communication methods, and communication models

(C) Communications analysis, information distribution tools, communication technology, communication methods, and communication models

(D) Communications requirements analysis, communication technology, communication methods, and communication models

Answer 14

Correct Answer: (D) Communications requirements analysis, communication technology, communication methods, and communication models

Explanation: Communications requirements analysis, communication technology, communication methods, and communication models are the key tools and techniques used during the Identify Stakeholders process. [section 10.4]

Question 15

Correct Answer: (D) Communications requirements analysis, communication technology, communication methods, and communication models

Explanation: Communications requirements analysis, communication technology, communication methods, and communication models are the key tools and techniques used during the Identify Stakeholders process. [section 10.4]

Answer 15

Correct Answer: (B) Plan Risk Responses which entails determining what will be done if risk events occur and who will be responsible for executing those actions

Explanation: Plan Risk Responses documents who should do what if risk events occur. Identify Risks is the process of determining what risks and triggers could occur on the project. Monitor and Control Risks focuses on observing project activities for risk triggers and risks and implementing the means to control them. Perform Qualitative Risk Analysis assigns probability and impact ratings to the risk. [section 11.6]

Question 16

You are purchasing 67 desktop computers, monitors, and a standard desktop software package for an upcoming project. What type of contract will you likely use?

(A) Net 30 because interest charges are avoided if you pay the entire cost within 30 days

(B) Fixed-price because the price will be locked in

(C) Net 90 because interest charges are avoided if you pay the entire cost within 90 days

(D) Purchase order because it is a general purchase vehicle for commodity purchases

Answer 16

Correct Answer: (D) Purchase order because it is a general purchase vehicle for commodity purchases

Explanation: The purchase order is a general purchase vehicle for commodity type purchases. Typically, it is for items that are standard, non-customized, and non-negotiable in price. Fixed-price is typically for a detailed, customized, negotiated solution. “Net 30” and “Net 90” are noise. [section 12.1.6]

Question 17

Your project, which is time-sensitive, requires intranet development which you have estimated will take three weeks. The IT director has agreed to let you utilize one of his three senior intranet developers for no more than three weeks or a junior developer for five weeks. You have worked with all of these developers in the past and are in a position to accurately assess their work. Of the following, which developer should you select?

(A) Developer A, a senior developer, works fast and accurately, but without appreciation for your management style and will report everything in a negative light to the director

(B) Developer B, a senior developer, works fast and accurately, but requires supervision to insure that he works on the project at hand

(C) Developer C, a junior developer, works accurately, but is not as fast or knowledgeably as A and B; however, his attitude is ideal from a management perspective

(D) Developer D, a senior developer, works fast and accurately, but insists on doing things his way and is not amenable to direction

Answer 17

Correct Answer: (A) Developer A, a senior developer, works fast and accurately, but without appreciation for your management style and will report everything in a negative light to the director

Explanation: As Project Manager, your job is to make decisions fairly; that is, to set your own interests aside and make decisions that advance the project towards its goal. Although Developer A may make you feel uncomfortable, he is clearly the right choice in terms of meeting the three week deadline in accordance with the project plan. Developer B and C might not make the deadline and Developer D might not accomplish the task in accordance with the project plan. [section 13.4]

Question 18

What is the main role of Functional Managers related to projects?

(A)To provide subject matter experts or services

(B) To manage the project when the Project Manager isn’t available

(C) To incorporate the project deliverables into normal operations

(D) To manage the Project Managers

Answer 18

Correct Answer: (A) To provide subject matter experts or services

Explanation: Functional managers like human resources managers or accounting managers have a permanent staff and a clear directive to manage all tasks within their domain. Related to projects, however, they may provide SMEs or services to support projects. Project Managers do not always report to Functional Managers. The Functional Manager runs a department or area of business, not the Project Manager. “To incorporate the project deliverables into normal operations” is the role of Operations Management. [section 3.4.5]

Question 19

The team has completed the Planning process group and received approval from the sponsor and senior management to move to the Executing process group. During the Executing processes, the team will compare their work to…

(A) The project actuals

(B) The project baseline

(C) The stakeholder expectations

(D) The project variance

Answer 19

Correct Answer: (B) The project baseline

Explanation: The baseline is the estimate for the project. It can be for the scope, time, and cost of the project. The actuals are the scope, time, and cost data for the project at a certain point in time. The variance is the difference between the baseline and actual. Stakeholder expectations is noise. [section 4.4.4]

Question 20

Due to the complexity of the project to design and manufacture robotic guard dogs for use at remote government sites, a number of breakdown structures will be used. Of the following breakdown structures and descriptions, which is correct?

(A) Organizational breakdown structure, which graphically illustrates how project management is structured to accomplish project activities

(B) Risk breakdown structure, which lists risks grouped by probability of occurrence and listed by severity of impact

(C) Resource breakdown structure, which graphically illustrates the availability of resources

(D) Bill of Materials, which lists the components, assemblies, and sub-assemblies used to build the product

Answer 20

Correct Answer: (D) Bill of Materials, which lists the components, assemblies, and sub-assemblies used to build the product

Explanation: The Bill of Materials lists the components, assemblies, and sub-assemblies used to build the product or service of the project. The organizational breakdown structure shows how the project organization is structured to accomplish project activities. The risk breakdown structure shows the risks that can potentially occur on a project, broken down by risk category. The resource breakdown structure shows the type of resources used on a project. [section 5.3.6]