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.
How does misclassifying stakeholder impact lead to engagement failure?
Underestimating power or interest can lead to lack of support or unexpected resistance.
Why is it important to update stakeholder classifications throughout the project?
Stakeholder influence and interest can change as the project evolves.
What’s the danger of building too many features beyond the MVP in early iterations?
It wastes resources and delays feedback on core value delivery.
How does a Sprint Review differ from a traditional milestone review?
It focuses on showing working product and incorporating feedback immediately.
What’s the purpose of anonymous voting during Agile estimation sessions?
It prevents bias and encourages honest input from all team members.
Why is valuing working product over documentation critical in fast-paced projects?
Because it validates progress with actual output, not just plans or ideas.
What’s a key benefit of using a RACI chart in a cross-functional project?
It clarifies accountability and prevents overlap or confusion in responsibilities.
How might an OBS be used to allocate resources efficiently in a matrix organization?
It aligns project tasks with the organizational units responsible for them.
What risk does unclear resource categorization in an RBS present?
It can lead to inaccurate budgeting or gaps in resourcing.
What’s a benefit of the Delphi technique in politically sensitive environments?
It allows experts to provide input without fear of conflict or reprisal.
When might a facilitated workshop be better than individual interviews?
When aligning diverse stakeholder groups around shared goals or features.
How can a project team turn tacit knowledge into usable assets?
By encouraging knowledge sharing through documentation, mentoring, and collaborative tools.
Why might a team rely on a business analyst to lead early requirement workshops?
Because they specialize in eliciting and refining business needs from stakeholders.
Why might a company retain a ‘Dog’ product in its portfolio?
It may support a niche market, legacy customers, or strategic partnerships.
What trade-off does a Product Portfolio Matrix help visualize?
The balance between risk, market potential, and resource allocation.
Why should every meeting end with an action summary?
To ensure accountability and clarify next steps.
What is a better alternative to saving a whiteboard image as final documentation?
Transforming it into a validated and shareable requirement artifact.
Why might a project with a higher IRR be less desirable than one with a lower NPV?
Because IRR doesn’t reflect total value — only return rate, which can be misleading.
How can cost and value curves help select between multiple project options?
They illustrate diminishing returns and help identify optimal investment points.
How should stakeholder feedback be managed in a hybrid project?
Agile components allow frequent check-ins, while predictive components use formal reviews.
What’s one way to ensure iteration plans stay aligned with waterfall constraints?
By syncing iteration boundaries with key milestone gates.
Why is it essential to document lessons learned in a structured way?
To make insights searchable and applicable for future teams.
How can a lessons learned session contribute to continuous organizational improvement?
By identifying root causes of success and failure to improve future practices.
What does the principle ‘responding to change over following a plan’ imply for team adaptability?
Teams must remain flexible and adjust priorities based on real-world learning.
Why is frequent customer collaboration emphasized in Agile methodologies?
It ensures that the solution evolves in sync with customer needs and expectations.
