Determine Methodology Flashcards
You are a project manager in a large food supply company. Risk is a primary concern of your sponsor. You are documenting the effectiveness of risk responses on your project. What tool and technique are you currently using?
A. Lessons learned
B. Documentation reviews
C. Audits
D. SWOT analysis
Answer: C
Process - Task 13 - Determine Methodology
You are performing the Monitor Risks process. Audits for risk examine and document the effectiveness of risk responses in dealing with identified risks and their root causes, as well as the effectiveness of the risk management process. Risk audits may be included during routine project review meetings or separately in risk audit meetings. Documentation reviews and SWOT analysis are tools and techniques used to identify risks. You may document lessons learned as a result of this process as an output, but the question was asking what tools and techniques you are using.
As a project manager for a major railroad, you have been assigned to a project that involves a major rebuild of an interlocking plant, which is where multiple trains can converge at a common point on the line and are re-routed onto different tracks depending on their destination based on train number. This project includes two main components: (1) rebuilding the track switches so they will be thrown electronically instead of manually by an interlocking tower operator as is done currently, and (2) a new computerized software system that will automatically detect all inbound trains by train number from a remote location and switch them onto the correct outbound tracks so they will go to there correct destinations. Track reconstruction is fairly routine, while the software development for the new routing system will utilize technology that is new to the railroad. Which project life cycle or methodology would best be utilized for this project?
A. Agile
B. Predictive
C. Incremental
D. Hybrid
Answer: D
Process - Task 13 - Determine Methodology
This is a classic example of using a hybrid approach. While the track reconstruction portion of the project would best be handled via a predictive methodology, the software component would best be handled by an agile or possibly an incremental approach. In this case, you would blend both approaches.
Which of the following statements best describes the difference between project phases and project life cycles?
A. A project phase can contain one or more iterations of the project life cycle.
B. The project life cycle provides a basic framework for managing the project, whereas project phases are divisions within a project.
C. The project life cycle is known as the sequence of project activities, whereas phases are defined to control the overlapping activities.
D. The project life cycle contains the iterative, incremental elements inside a project phase.
Answer: B
Process - Task 13 - Determine Methodology
According to the PMBOK Guide, the project life cycle provides a basic framework for managing the project, whereas project phases are divisions within a project where extra control is needed to manage the completion of a major deliverable effectively (i.e. feasibility study).
You are working with Senior Management to determine the best approach for the next project. There is a lot of research and development that needs to be performed and some tasks can take months to complete. You have defined phases of the project and different teams may be working on different phases at the same time, but there also needs to be quick deliverables that the customer can test and sign off throughout the project. What will be the best project lifecycle approach in this situation?
A. Predictive
B. Iterative
C. Agile
D. Hybrid
Answer: D
Process - Task 13 - Determine Methodology
The best approach is Hybrid since there is uncertainty, clear phases and quick deliverables. A pure predictive will not work here since we do not know the final product. A pure Agile will not work since some tasks can take months to complete and there are phases that different teams are working on at the same time. Although iterative sounds promising, iterative produces one final deliverable at the end of the project and there is no evidence in the scenario that the customer just wants one final deliverable at the end. PMI Authorized PMP Exam Prep Student Guide/ Page 51
You are a project manager and you are talking to a new project manager that just joined your firm. Project phases comes up in the discussion. You are explaining the potential sequential phases of the project to the key stakeholders. What are you describing?
A. Project Process Groups
B. Rolling wave planning
C. Project Life Cycle
D. Product Life Cycle
Answer: C
Process - Task 13 - Determine Methodology
The project manager is explaining project life cycle, which is a collection of generally sequential or overlapping project phases. Remember that phases are not process groups, but are essentially whole projects unto themselves (since each phase proceeds from initiation through executing, monitoring and controlling, and closing, and also results in a deliverable, i.e. a Feasibility Analysis).
You are collecting requirements from your customer and working with Senior Management to determine the best approach for the project. Since this is a constantly changing global business environment your customer is not exactly sure of the final deliverable and keeps stating that those requirements they just gave you may change. What would be the best advice you could give Senior Management in this situation.
A. You should advise Senior Management that the project should be put on hold until the requirements can be understood.
B. You should advise Senior Management that you should take a predictive approach for managing this project.
C. You should advise Senior Management that you should take an Agile approach for managing this project.
D. You should advise Senior Management that since this is a high uncertainty project you would need enough Contingency
Answer: C
Process - Task 13 - Determine Methodology
The best approach in a high uncertainty environment such as this is to implement an Agile approach to the project where you can deliver incrementally and which allows for constant change. Normally for the exam you should not recommend putting the project on hold. A predictive works best when you know the final deliverable and can plan the project early on.
You are the project manager on a large international project. The project has matured since it was envisioned 2 years ago. Which of the following terms describes the process of the project scope evolving and becoming more detailed?
A. Scope verification
B. Decomposition
C. Scope creep
D. Progressive elaboration
Answer: D
Process - Task 13 - Determine Methodology
Progressive elaboration is a term used to describe the scope development that happens in incremental steps. Scope creep is when scope continually expands beyond what was originally agreed.
You have an excellent idea for a new project that can increase productivity by 20 percent in your organization. However, management declines to approve the proposed project because resources are already devoted to other related projects. The decision as to which projects should proceed and which should be tabled is a function of which area?
A. Risk Management
B. Cost Management
C. Program Management
D. Accepting Opportunities or Positive Risk
Answer: C
Process - Task 13 - Determine Methodology
Program Management includes making decisions regarding which projects or resources should be prioritized to achieve the best overall outcome for the program.
You are an experienced project manager in a fast-paced software development company. You have been assigned to a new project which is different from your previous projects since this project includes a virtual team and utilizing vendors to complete some significant activities. In which of the following cases would you need to consider the contract when preparing the Project Charter?
A. The project is being done for an external customer
B. You need to procure materials from outside the project
C. The project is being done for a new customer
D. The project is strategically significant and particularly complicated
Answer: A
Process - Task 13 - Determine Methodology
Choice A is the correct answer. The contract only becomes relevant to this process when your project is being done for an external party. Thus A is correct.
Organizations performing projects will often divide each project into project phases to improve management control and provide links to the ongoing operations of the performing organization. Collectively, project phases are also called what?
A. Project Management Life Cycle
B. Project Life Cycle
C. Product Life Cycle
D. Project Phases Life Cycle
Answer: B
Process - Task 13 - Determine Methodology
Collectively, project phases are known as the project life cycle (e.g. feasibility, design, test, deploy, etc.)
You are managing a project to implement a new enterprise resource management system using an incremental life cycle, and the user acceptance testing team keeps coming across the same defects. This is causing key stakeholders to get upset and lose confidence in the project. What might you be missing and, if you improved, could help this situation?
A. Project performance appraisals
B. Capturing, analyzing, and managing lessons learned
C. Conflict management
D. Interpersonal skills
Answer: B
Process - Task 13 - Determine Methodology
B will allow the project team to improve continually and change anything that is causing defects and issues as they move through the project. While A, C, and D could all help, B is the best answer for this scenario.
Which would be the best project methodology to use for a project requiring frequent, rapid, time-boxed deliveries of working functionality to end users for a new web site?
A. Iterative
B. Incremental
C. Agile
D. Hybrid
Answer: C
Process - Task 13 - Determine Methodology
Pages 17 - 32, Agile Practice Guide.
Project processes are iterative and many can occur more than once throughout a given project or phase. All of the following should be done throughout the project except?
A. Risk Management
B. Capture lessons learned
C. Update EEFs
D. Collect and maintain project information
Answer: C
Process - Task 13 - Determine Methodology
Always anticipate potential project impacts (identify and respond to risks), continually improve (lessons learned), and know where the project performance stands (collect and maintain project information) to access and respond to the fluid reality of the project environment. EEFs are only updated during execution while developing and managing the project team.
The manager of an online retailer has a repetitive type of project; he creates a new product line every 3 to 4 months. The manager assumes he is involved in Operations rather than Project Management. Is he correct?
A. Yes, the manager is involved in operations as it’s repetitive.
B. No, the manager is involved in project management as each of the project has a start and end date along with a unique output.
C. Yes, because all projects are repetitive by nature.
D. Yes, project durations that are less than 4 months are not considered as projects.
Answer: B
Process - Task 13 - Determine Methodology
A project is a temporary endeavor to create a unique product, service, or result.
The project manager and one of the operations managers are having a discussion about their project implementation methods. Which of the following statements is true?
A. Both project and operations are limited by constraints and performed by individuals.
B. Operations are not planned, nor executed directly.
C. Projects are performed to achieve organizational objectives whereas operations are not.
D. Operations terminate like projects after a certain agreed upon time period.
Answer: A
Process - Task 13 - Determine Methodology
Operations and projects have some similarities, and Answer A includes two of them.
You are the project manager on an Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) implementation project for a health care organization. They are updating the system which documents and tracks patient health records. You are familiar with the highly-regulated industrial requirements, so you are paying particular attention to regulatory-required features and functionality. You noted during a review that the system had less functionality than planned at the critical design review. What process are you in and which tools and techniques are you utilizing?
A. Monitor Risk and technical performance measurement
B. Monitor Risk and risk reassessment
C. Validate Scope and variance analysis
D. Control Scope and reserve analysis
Answer: A
Process - Task 13 - Determine Methodology
Technical performance measurement compares technical accomplishments to date to the project schedule of technical achievement. Deviation, such as less functionality than planned at a key milestone, can help forecast the degree of success in achieving the project scope. Risk reassessment, reviews current risks, and the amount and detail of repetition depends on how the project relates to its objectives. Variance analysis, compares planned results to actual results to see if there are deviations from the baseline plan. Reserve analysis, is used to compare the amount of contingency reserves remaining to the amount of possible risk remaining to see if they are adequate. All four answers are tools and techniques in the process of Monitor Risks.
You are working with the project team to create the WBS. Your project team can’t break down the WBS any further. You and the team elect to break down these elements/items later in the project as more details become available. This approach to creating the WBS is also known as what?
A. Decomposition
B. Progressive elaboration
C. Parkinson’s law
D. Rolling-wave planning
Answer: D
Process - Task 13 - Determine Methodology
Rolling wave planning involves fine-tuning the project plans in incremental steps, as you proceed further along in the project planning process and more information is known.
Your sponsor has been adamant that the project must be completed on time and on budget. Most project requirements are known and discussed in the SOW. High-level risk events have also been identified and will be noted on the project charter. One of those risk events could result in the death or severe injury of a team member. What project lifecycle would be best in this situation?
A. Predictive Life Cycle
B. Adaptive Cycle
C. ScrumBan
D. SAFe
Answer: A
Process - Task 13 - Determine Methodology
A and B are the only “Project Life Cycles” listed. Predictive Life Cycle is the best fit for this situation based on project constraints and risk. Read more on p. 19 in your PMBOK Guide.
You have been chosen as the project manager for a new satellite program in development. Which of the following should you not take into consideration during planning for the project?
A. The rumor about the company going bankrupt
B. Past project information
C. Company resources
D. Company policies
Answer: A
Process - Task 13 - Determine Methodology
Past project information, company resources, and company policies should be taken into consideration; they are examples of OPAs and Activity Resource Requirements (used in various Planning Processes). Rumors about the company should not be considered. As a project manager you should make decisions based on facts, not rumors.
You are discussing the value of collecting lessons learned with your sponsor, but they feel it is important time wasted on non-value added activities. As the PM you understand the importance of organizational learning and the benefits of lessons learned. In regard to your project, how should you ensure to maximize benefits from knowledge management as you proceed?
A. Inform the sponsor of the importance of collecting lessons learned
B. Collect lessons learned throughout the project lifecycle
C. Use lessons learned from a past project, collect lessons learned, and then show the benefit to the Sponsor
D. Inform the CEO of its importance, collect lessons learned, demonstrate the importance of lesson learned
Answer: C
Process - Task 13 - Determine Methodology
We always assume past information is available. By using lessons learned from past projects, collecting lessons learned and then demonstrating how they benefited the organization and the project is the best way of approaching this situation. Informing the sponsor of the importance is important, but it does not solve the issue. Collecting lessons learned throughout the project is something the PM can do, but how does it impact the organization. Answer D is a play on words, the CEO was not part of the situation, this was an issue with the sponsor
Project management is the application of knowledge, skills, tools and techniques to project activities to meet project requirements. This is done through the appropriate application and integration of 49 logically grouped project management processes, which are categorized into five Process Groups. In a kick-off meeting for your project, you provided information to your team members about the different process groups which will be followed during project implementation. According to the PMI, what are the project management process groups?
A. Initiating, Executing, Monitoring, Controlling, Closing
B. Initiating, Planning, Executing, Monitoring and Controlling, Closing
C. Initiating, Verifying, Executing, Monitoring and Controlling, Closing
D. Initiating, Planning, Executing, Controlling, Project Closure
Answer: B
Process - Task 13 - Determine Methodology
The five process groups are: Initiating Process Group; Planning Process Group; Executing Process Group; Monitoring and Controlling Process Group; Closing Process Group
You are the project manager on a large research and development project. Being first with a new technology is critical so you often use progressive elaboration to expedite the planning process. One type of progressive elaboration occurs when the work to be performed in the near term is planned in detail while work scheduled further out is defined at only a high level in the work breakdown structure (WBS). As the task draws nearer, the amount of detail for the task is further defined. Which of the following terms defines this type of progressive elaboration?
A. Decomposition
B. Sequence activities
C. Alternative analysis
D. Rolling wave planning
Answer: D
Process - Task 13 - Determine Methodology
Rolling wave planning is a form of progressive elaboration in which the work to be performed within the near term is planned in detail while work scheduled for further out is defined at only a high level in the work breakdown structure (WBS). Rolling wave planning is a tool and technique of the Define Activities process.
On a project, tailoring means determining the appropriate combination of processes, inputs, tools, techniques, outputs and life cycle phases to manage a project. In Project Quality Management, considerations for tailoring include all of the following except what?
A. Life cycle approach
B. Policy compliance and auditing
C. Stakeholder engagement
D. Continuous improvement
Answer: A
Process - Task 13 - Determine Methodology
Life cycle approach is a tailoring consideration for Project Schedule Management and Project Resource Management, not Quality Management.
You have just been assigned to a new project that will create a testing device for the local school system. You are having your initial meeting with your sponsor. You are discussing the project selection methodology and starting to document the project charter. Inputs to the Develop Project Charter process include all of the following except which one?
A. Enterprise Environmental Factors
B. Agreements
C. Stakeholder register
D. Business Documents
Answer: C
Process - Task 13 - Determine Methodology
The inputs to the Develop Project Charter process are business documents, agreements, enterprise environmental factors, and organizational process assets. The stakeholder register is not an input to this process.
As part of your team risk analysis, you are considering each risk from several perspectives in order to have a fuller sense of each one. Since your project is not an island unto itself, you explain to the team that you must also identify any threats to your project that arise from within your organization. The best technique to do that would be to use:
A. SWOT analysis
B. Organizational process assets analysis
C. Risk/reward analysis
D. Data analysis
Answer: A
Process - Task 13 - Determine Methodology
SWOT analysis examines the project from each of the stands for strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats (SWOT) perspectives. and In general, SWOT analysis identifies opportunities that may arise from strengths, and any threats resulting from weaknesses. Neither B nor C exist, and D is a generic name for certain techniques, one of which in this case is SWOT.
Which of the following is not included in the business documents?
A. Business need
B. Cost Benefit Analysis
C. Project Implementation Plan
D. Benefits Management Plan
Answer: C
Process - Task 13 - Determine Methodology
Choice c is correct. Both the business need and Cost Benefit Analysis are contained within the business case, which is part of the Business Documents input to Develop Project Charter
Your sponsor has been adamant that the project must be completed on time and on budget. Most project requirements are known and discussed in the SOW. High-level risk events have also been identified and will be noted on the project charter. One of those risk events could result in the death or severe injury of a team member. What project lifecycle would be best in this situation?
A. Predictive Life Cycle
B. Adaptive Cycle
C. ScrumBan
D. SAFe
Answer: A
Process - Task 13 - Determine Methodology
A and B are the only “Project Life Cycles” listed. Predictive Life Cycle is the best fit for this situation based on project constraints and risk. Read more on p 19 in your PMBOK Guide
According to the Agile Practice Guide, which of the following is not a project factor that should influence tailoring?
A. The demand pattern of the project: either steady or sporadic
B. The quality of the product increments have met or exceeded expectations
C. The flow of work is often interrupted by delays / impediments
D. More than one team is needed to build the product
Answer: B
Process - Task 13 - Determine Methodology
Option B is correct. According to the Agile Practice Guide, a poor quality product increment a project factor that that influences tailoring. Answers A, C, and D are all factors that could influence tailoring. Please see page 32 of the Agile Practice Guide for more information.
Which of the following degrees of project uncertainty work best with predictive life cycles?
A. Complicated
B. Simple
C. Chaos
D. Complex
Answer: B
Process - Task 13 - Determine Methodology
Simple works best with linear/predictive/waterfall methods. Complicated and complex work best with adaptive/agile. Chaos is a challenge no matter which method is used. Page 14; Agile Practice Guide.
What agile method allows for frequent delivery but does not use the same size iterations, instead the iterations are based on the completion of a feature, not a specific timebox?
A. MDMP
B. Iteration-based agile
C. Flow-based agile
D. RDMP
Answer: C
Process - Task 13 - Determine Methodology
Flow-based agile does not use the same amount of time for each sprint (that is Iteration-based agile). Read more on p 24 in your Agile Practice Guide.
Which statement best characterizes OPAs regarding how a Project Manager should document lessons learned within their organization?
A. Lessons learned are collected throughout the project as way of improving organizational learning
B. Policies established for how lessons learned are collected, knowledge management processes and leveraging how prior knowledge is used to improve projects
C. Policies established for promoting organizational knowledge, collection, archiving and distribution external to the organization for shareholders
D. External influences on the project out of Project Manager control
Answer: B
Process - Task 13 - Determine Methodology
The simplest way of understanding OPAs, is knowing they are written down policies and processes internal to the organization. Answer B specifically talks about policies and processes referencing prior knowledge and how Lessons Learned will be collected, managed and used. A is not wrong, but it is not the best answer. C is wrong, because it mentions external shareholders. D is actually about Enterprise Environmental Factors.
You are the project manager for a large IT Services company. You are currently managing a project to provide analytics, machine learning, big data implementations, and data integration services. What term is used to explain when major projects are divided to allow for extra control over the completion of major deliverables?
A. Program
B. Work packages
C. Phases
D. Operations
Answer: C
Process - Task 13 - Determine Methodology
Phases are divisions within a project where extra control is needed to effectively manage the completion of a major deliverable.
You are a project manager assigned to develop a new air traffic control system for drones. This system is needed to help prevent drone collisions, which are becoming more frequent since so many people now own and operate drones. The technology is new, and the key stakeholders have very vague requirements. They want to get something up and running quickly, even if all features and functions aren’t ready with the first release. What is the best life cycle or methodology to use for this project?
A. Agile
B. Predictive
C. Incremental
D. Hybrid
Answer: A
Process - Task 13 - Determine Methodology
The clear choice here is agile. Predictive is the worst choice since it would require a single release only after all features and functions are complete, the technology being employed has been used before, and the requirements are fully understood up front. Incremental would be the next best answer, but since the stakeholders want something fast, agile is the better choice, though it would likely be done incrementally via multiple releases. Hybrid isn’t a good choice since there really aren’t any predictive elements to consider.
What agile method allows for frequent delivery but does not use the same size iterations, instead the iterations are based on the completion of a feature, not a specific timebox?
A. MDMP
B. Iteration-based agile
C. Flow-based agile
D. RDMP
Answer: C
Process - Task 13 - Determine Methodology
Flow-based agile does not use the same amount of time for each sprint (that is Iteration-based agile). Read more on p. 24 in your Agile Practice Guide.
You are the project manager in a large telecommunications company. Projects are assigned quickly without time for extensive planning. You use sequential phase relationships and fast track wherever possible. You are considering other methods to speed up the process. Which of the following best describes rolling-wave planning?
A. Plan for all activities as soon as possible and modify estimates as necessary
B. Using a portion of the activity list from a previous project to plan for your project
C. Breaking down the project scope
D. Planning the near-term portions of the project in detail and the future project portions at a higher (summary) level
Answer: D
Process - Task 13 - Determine Methodology
Rolling wave planning is a form of progressive elaboration where you plan the immediate (near-term) portions of the project work in greater detail and the future work at a higher (summary) level of detail.
A frequent complaint about matrix organizations is that communications are:
A. Hard to automate
B. Closed and inaccurate
C. Complex
D. Misleading
Answer: C
Process - Task 13 - Determine Methodology
Automation is outside the scope of project management, or it is equally possible in any organization, and this is not a complaint. This makes A incorrect. Matrix organizations do work, and many corporations choose to run their company with a matrix structure, and this is not a frequent concern. There is no saying stating matrix organizations are ‘closed and inaccurate.’ This makes answer B incorrect. Under functional organization, there is more than one manager for a particular project. One would be a project manager, and the other would be a functional manager, which would eventually make the communication process complicated compared to either a function organization or project type, and this is the right answer. Answer D is a distractor.
You are part of the PMO and have been asked to develop a training program on effective project management. You understand that a key document in any project is the project charter. Your organization has been inconsistent in documenting what is in the project charter. When documenting your training which of the following would you not include as a component of the Project Charter?
A. Business case
B. Specific Training Materials
C. High level requirements
D. Project Objectives
Answer: B
Process - Task 13 - Determine Methodology
Choice B is the correct answer. The specific training materials would be created during the planning stage of the project, after the Scope Statement is defined. Business case, project objectives, and high level requirements are generally part of a project charter.
