final study day Flashcards
Why is it important for a project to have a formally signed authorization document before starting any work?
Because it defines the project’s existence, assigns the project manager, and authorizes the use of resources.
In what scenario might work begin without a Work Authorization System, and what risk does that create?
Work might begin prematurely, leading to misalignment with scope, cost overruns, or unauthorized spending.
How can pre-project assessments help reduce project failure risk?
They ensure alignment with strategic goals and clarify expected benefits before formal initiation.
How might using a fictional representation of a customer change the way a product is designed?
It keeps development focused on user goals and challenges, leading to more relevant features.
What risk arises when a project manager assumes responsibility for gathering detailed product requirements?
It may result in missed or misunderstood requirements, which are better captured by a business analyst.
Describe a real-world consequence of not using a WBS Dictionary on a large project.
Team members may interpret deliverables differently, leading to inconsistent outputs or duplicated effort.
Why might a project team choose to use a network diagram instead of just a Gantt chart?
Because it provides a visual map of task dependencies and helps identify the critical path.
How do activity IDs improve communication during schedule reviews?
They provide a reference point to track progress, make updates, and resolve scheduling issues.
What Agile principle supports allowing the team to choose how work gets done during planning?
Empowered teams produce better results and are more accountable for outcomes.
In a hybrid project, what scheduling details should be clarified before iteration planning begins?
Iteration cadence, required reporting formats, and alignment with waterfall components.
How does the time value of money influence project selection decisions?
It ensures future benefits are appropriately discounted to reflect present-day value.
What makes MCDA a more strategic project selection tool than simple cost-benefit analysis?
It considers multiple dimensions like value, urgency, and strategic fit with weighted scoring.
Why might a project with a higher ROI still not be selected?
It may have higher risk, longer duration, or misalignment with organizational goals.
How is opportunity cost used when comparing two projects that cannot both be selected?
It represents the value sacrificed by not selecting the alternative project.
Why might a company choose accelerated depreciation for new equipment in a project?
To maximize tax deductions early and reflect faster loss of value for tech-heavy assets.
Why is it important for teams to measure defects per opportunity rather than just raw defect count?
It accounts for complexity and provides a standard metric across different processes.
How does the Control phase in DMAIC help maintain gains achieved through process improvement?
It sets up ongoing monitoring and corrective actions to prevent regression.
How can changing project scope eliminate a risk entirely?
By removing or replacing the risky component through an ‘avoid’ strategy.
What’s a good example of transferring risk outside the project team?
Purchasing insurance to cover equipment delays.
When should a risk be escalated instead of mitigated?
When it is outside the project manager’s authority or affects the organization as a whole.
In a remote Agile team, what replaces osmotic communication, and what challenge does it create?
Digital tools and standups must replace it, but they lack the immediacy of co-located absorption.
How can visual tools like Kanban boards improve stakeholder engagement?
They provide transparency and allow stakeholders to track progress in real time.
Why is it important to hold a retrospective even after a successful sprint?
Because improvement opportunities exist even in success, helping teams evolve continuously.
Why might stakeholders with high influence but low interest still be critical to manage?
They can block or support the project if engaged poorly or effectively.
