Monitoring & Controlling Exam 1 Flashcards

1
Q

Performing Integrated Change control includes:

reviewing corrective actions
denying preventative actions
approving preventative actions
all of the above

A

all of the above

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2
Q

A configuration management system

is seldom used
provides a way to manage changes within a project
is controlled by the sponsor
none of the above

A

provides a way to manage changes within a project

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3
Q

The project management plan is updated and revised

Through the Monitor and Control of Project Work process.
Through the Direct Project Execution process.
Through the Integrated Change Control process.
Through the Project Management Plan process.

A

Through the Integrated Change Control process.

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4
Q

Variance analysis is used to

define scope.
control scope.
collect requirements.
define risk.

A

control scope.

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5
Q

Outputs from Validate Scope include:

accepted delivery.
change approvals.
project document updates.
none of the above.

A

project document updates.

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6
Q

Work performance information the project manager uses in controlling costs includes

Authorized and incurred costs.
Project scope assumptions.
Constraint estimates.
All of the above.

A

Authorized and incurred costs.

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7
Q

The ________ method is helpful for cost control, resource management, and production, and compares the budgeted cost of work performed to the cost of planned and actual work performed.

actual cost
earned value
estimated value
planned value

A

earned value

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8
Q

Inputs the project manager uses to control costs include

All of the above/below.
The project management and cost management plans.
Project funding requirements.
Work performance data.

A

All of the above/below.

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9
Q

The total funds required are those included in the cost baseline plus the management contingency reserve amount. Funding requirements derived from the cost baseline can be established to

allow for early progress.
negate funds for cost overruns.
act continuously.
increase cash flow when the project is completed.

A

allow for early progress.

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10
Q

Control cost outputs include

Work efforts
Project charter
Change requests
all of the above

A

Change requests

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11
Q

Determining the cause, magnitude, and corrective action of a _______ is an important element of Control Costs

project, phase, or activity
phase overrun
budget underrun
variance

A

variance

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12
Q

_______ includes influencing the factors that create cost baseline changes, managing actual changes when they occur, and monitoring cost performance to detect variances from the cost baseline.

Estimate costs
Determine budget
Control costs
Cost contingency

A

Control costs

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13
Q

______ are time-phased budgets and components of the project management plan that overall cost performance is measured against.

Cost aggregates
Cost management plans
Cash flow controls
Cost baselines

A

Cost baselines

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14
Q

Cost/schedule control systems are typically required when subcontractors work on government contracts. Information requirements that must be demonstrated by the cost/schedule control system include

Functional costs and schedules.
Estimated and budgeted costs at completion.
Forecasted work and costs.
Budget and schedule monitoring and control

A

Estimated and budgeted costs at completion.

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15
Q

During a routing meeting, the discussion becomes heated. The participants are evenly divided on what should be done about the overcrowded workspace. Those who are budget-conscious believe laying off workers and outsourcing is most beneficial. Those who are more socially sensitive contend relocating to a larger office space to accommodate the employees is a better solution. How should this decision be made?

Short- and long-term capital benefits must take precedence.
Based on past experiences of the senior members of the discussion.
Based on how the competition has handled similar situations.
Based on facts, obligations, and long-term as well as short-term overall effects on the firm.

A

Based on facts, obligations, and long-term as well as short-term overall effects on the firm.

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16
Q

Project cost control may be effectively implemented when

the comprehensive cost summary is divided into work packages.
historical data is acted on throughout project duration.
the project manager exclusively resolves problems or develops opportunities.
stakeholders and sponsors are assigned to resolve problems and troubleshoot changes.

A

the comprehensive cost summary is divided into work packages.

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17
Q

Information required for the cost/schedule control system includes

estimated cost.
budgeted cost.
knowing when the tasks are scheduled and if actual costs differ from budgeted costs.
all of the above.

A

all of the above.

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18
Q

What schedule activity value developed by the earned value technique represents the budgeted cost for the work scheduled for completion on a schedule activity or WBS component?

actual cost (AC).	 	 
cost variance (CV).	 	 
planned value (PV).		
earned value (EV).
A

planned value (PV).

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19
Q

Why is it necessary to compare budgeting and scheduling system variance together?

The scheduling variance does not address actual performance.
The scheduling variance does not include costs.
The cost variance includes a measured comparison between work scheduled and work accomplished, which the scheduling variance does not.
The cost variance compares both the budget and work performance.

A

The scheduling variance does not include costs.

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20
Q

The project team is in the final test phases of a systems project, when one of the senior technical designers informs the project manager of a significant design glitch. The product is due to be released within weeks, and the cost and schedule overruns will be extreme without a guarantee of meeting the target rollout date. What should the project manager do?

Call a project team meeting to brainstorm possible urgent solutions to the problem.
Pass the decision onto higher management.
Push the project through and release it on the scheduled target date, with a disclaimer that upgrades will follow.
Stop work and launch a full review of the system.

A

Call a project team meeting to brainstorm possible urgent solutions to the problem.

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21
Q

Any schedule, technical performance, or cost deviation from a specific plan, which is used by all levels of management to verify the budgeting and scheduling systems is

a variance.
an undistributed budget.
a threshold.
an assumption.

A

a variance.

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22
Q

During brainstorming sessions, many ideas are introduced in an effort to gather all plausible solutions. In one instance, a project team engages in a brainstorming session led by a senior team member who voluntarily designates to the recorder which ideas should be documented for further discussion, and which ideas are irrelevant, have little merit and will consume too much time. She also says the team will stay there until they have the list narrowed down to a “top three solutions” list, if it takes all morning. What is wrong with the brainstorming procedure?

There should not be a time limit on the session.
The session should be informal and all ideas should be documented.
Nothing is wrong with the session structure.
The session should not have a leader, but rather a facilitator.

A

The session should be informal and all ideas should be documented.

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23
Q

Cost-benefit tradeoffs are primary concerns of the project manager. The primary benefit(s) achieved when the quality requirements of the project are met is

Less rework.
Higher productivity.
Stakeholder satisfaction.
All of the above.

A

All of the above.

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24
Q

Before deliverables are accepted, the ______ , which includes performance requirements and essential conditions, must be met.

Acceptance criteria
Thresholds
Benchmarks
Milestones

A

Acceptance criteria

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25
Q

What signifies the deliverables have met the needs of the customer?

Benchmark approval.
Acceptance of the quality baseline.
Formal acceptance.
Project payment.

A

Formal acceptance.

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26
Q

_______ provide the project manager with a basis to measure performance

Design experiments
Process analyses
Benchmarks
Work performance information

A

Benchmarks

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27
Q

A tool used in Control Quality is

Data gathering
Data analysis
Inspection
All of the above

A

All of the above

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28
Q

A measurement is

an actual value.
a defined parameter.
a quality planning tool.
a control standard.

A

an actual value.

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29
Q

A metric is

A quality objective.
An actual measurement.
a definition of what something is and how it is measured.
Verification that a set of required steps have been performed.

A

a definition of what something is and how it is measured.

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30
Q

Based on definitions of “metric” and “measurement,” “quality metrics” include

Risk.
Defect prevention.
Failure rate.
Conformity.

A

Failure rate.

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31
Q

Formal and informal project reports detail the

project status and inputs.
project status, and include lessons learned.
project closure report and historical database.
project inputs and outputs.

A

project status, and include lessons learned.

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32
Q

Lessons learned documentation output that becomes part of the historical project and performance database includes:

Formal and informal project and status reports.
causes for failures and corrective actions.
Feedback from all the stakeholders.
Project team members’ project diaries and reports, and changes.

A

causes for failures and corrective actions.

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33
Q

In Communications Management, identified lessons learned include _______.

causes of issues
histograms
top-down charts
none of the above

A

causes of issues

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34
Q

Project records should include:

Standard business policies and procedures.
Closure reports.
Correspondence and memos.
Project team members’ individual and collective performance reports.

A

Correspondence and memos.

35
Q

______ documents how all elements of risk activities will be recorded for current project and future project needs, and lessons learned.

Tracking
Information
Report
Probability and impact

A

Tracking

36
Q

How are indirect costs calculated?

According to the straight-line method.
As a percentage of direct costs.
By the accrual method.
On a net income basis.

A

As a percentage of direct costs.

37
Q

The ability to apply appropriate behavior and etiquette is an example of what personality trait?

Courteous
Creative
Service-oriented
Social

A

Courteous

38
Q

Integration is performed

at the process level
at the cognitive level
at the context level
all of the above

A

at the process level
at the cognitive level
at the context level
all of the above

39
Q

_____________ describes how the project scope will be managed and controlled.

The product management plan
The WBS dictionary
The project scope statement
The project scope management plan

A

The project scope management plan

40
Q

The project manager uses _____ to control scope.

activity attributes
organizational process history
variance analysis
procurement documents

A

variance analysis

41
Q

Which organizational process assets effect how project scope is controlled?

Formal and informal policies and procedures.
Risk management deficiencies.
Conditions and standard specifications.
The project charter and the WBS.

A

Formal and informal policies and procedures.

42
Q

______ reveal mistakes that cost less to prevent than to fix

Project reviews
Inspections
Progress reports
Performance reports

A

Inspections

43
Q

What benefit are the lessons learned and historical information inputs to the plan communications process?

They provide ongoing data.
They provide decisions and results based on previous similar projects.
They provide standards concerning communications.
They provide information that identifies the informational needs of the stakeholders.

A

They provide decisions and results based on previous similar projects.

44
Q

It is important for the organization to develop a _______ to meet requirements for each project.

project need
systematic risk schedule
consistent approach to risk
risk management commitment

A

consistent approach to risk

45
Q

On a different project, Jack finds he has a limited budget, and a project CPI of 0.8. He should

remove non-critical items from the project schedule.
determine ways to reduce project costs.
crash the project if possible, with the intent of reducing costs by decreasing the project schedule.
negotiate a tradeoff with the supplier, requesting a lower price per unit for slightly lower quality items.

A

determine ways to reduce project costs.

46
Q

Bob is a new employee at XYZ Company. During a review session, he realizes some of the financial statements are not in conformance with industry standards for accounting. As a result, the statements are inaccurate. What should Bob do?

Contact the US General Accounting Office to report inaccurate company accounting practices.
Ignore the issue, and assume that company just uses a different finance standard.
Before calling attention to the discrepancy, Bob should check with the finance manager of his old company for advice about accounting standards his new company is using.
Tell the finance managers what he found, and why it appears they might be in violation of accounting industry standards.

A

Tell the finance managers what he found, and why it appears they might be in violation of accounting industry standards.

47
Q

What is a cost baseline?

An estimated cost for each planned activity.
A time-phased budget used to measure and monitor cost performance.
A created plan for estimating scope and project costs.
A process that allows the project team to consider short- and long-term cost impacts.

A

A time-phased budget used to measure and monitor cost performance.

48
Q

When conflict arises between team members that impacts the project, to affect a resolution, the project manager

should select the best aspects from each member’s complaint and incorporate them into the project plan and execution.
should weigh member position, degree of experience, and knowledge about the issue.
should focus on objective criteria and options for mutual gain.
should restate the project objective and set priorities, and avoid any personal conflict between or among members.

A

should focus on objective criteria and options for mutual gain.

49
Q

______ Scope involves formalizing acceptance of the completed project deliverables

Validate
Complete
Closeout
Manage

A

Validate

50
Q

If conflicts arise during the project, regardless if they are about a task or between team members, it is the responsibility of the project manager to

stop project progress until the conflict can be resolved.
force a resolution so project activities can continue unencumbered.
determine the single best solution as quickly as possible.
settle the conflict without irreparable harm to the project’s objectives.

A

settle the conflict without irreparable harm to the project’s objectives.

51
Q

An engineer takes a series of on-site soil density readings and samples. He performs the necessary tests and calculations and gives the failing test results to the project manager, stating that the results fall below the acceptable passing percentage tolerance by just “a couple hundredths of a percent.” The project manager must determine what needs to be done with the failing material results since it impacts the decision to pay, not to pay, or penalize the contractor, and how much. Ethically, what should the project manager consider doing?

Since the particular contractor has done a significant amount of work for the firm in the past, and since the deviation is very small, the PM can make an exception and accept the substandard material at full price.
The PM should direct the contractor to remove all substandard material at the contractor’s expense, and bring in new material that will be re-tested. if it passes the contractor will be paid 90% of contract price.
Without liability, the PM can elect to have a second series of tests done to see if the small deviation is an indication of a larger problem or if the second tests show passing results.
The PM can document his decision to waive the test results, and allow the project to proceed.

A

Without liability, the PM can elect to have a second series of tests done to see if the small deviation is an indication of a larger problem or if the second tests show passing results.

52
Q

What ethical responsibilities does the project manager have to the profession?

Compliance with all organizational rules and policies.
To refrain from engaging in whistleblowing actions and activities.
To enforce PMP rules and discipline violators.
All of the above.

A

Compliance with all organizational rules and policies.

53
Q

One of the most widely used quality control techniques development of management systems for quality implementation throughout the total production or service process, or throughout the organization is

Plan-Do-Check-Act cycle.
TQM.
Six Sigma.
COQ.

A

TQM.

54
Q

What group of processes are used to ensure the project management team completes a project within the approved budget?

Estimate Costs
Determine Budget
Control Costs
Baseline Costs

A

Control Costs

55
Q

________ is a structured application of the tools and techniques of TQM, applied to a project to achieve strategic results, with a 99.99966% success rate

The design review process.
TQM
Six Sigma
COQ

A

Six Sigma

56
Q

There have been numerous efficiency studies done to determine effective time management to achieve maximum productivity. What is time management’s “80:20 Rule?

Managers spend 20% of their time planning and 80% on personnel issues.
Managers plan for 80% of unfocused effort generating 20% project risk.
Managers spend 20% of their time on planning and controlling which garners 80% in results.
Managers allocate 80% of their time to project management and delegate 20% of overall responsibilities to lower level managers.

A

Managers spend 20% of their time on planning and controlling which garners 80% in results.

57
Q

Tom’s boss just informed him the project they’d so diligently worked on might be postponed or cancelled due to upper management’s reallocation of funds. Tom had scheduled a procurement meeting with perspective contractors for tomorrow afternoon. What should Tom do?

Without committing to anything, Tom should inform the contractors at the meeting the project might be delayed.
Cancel the meeting, and wait to reschedule until after a determination has been made on the funding.
Have the contractors meet with his boss.
Conduct the meeting as planned, since often these funding types of postponements correct themselves within a couple weeks.

A

Cancel the meeting, and wait to reschedule until after a determination has been made on the funding.

58
Q

What is the purpose of Quality Management?

To identify quality standards, defects and errors prior to beginning the project.
To monitor activities to ensure quality standards for activities are met.
To inspect the results upon project completion to ensure they meet quality standards.
all of the above.

A

all of the above.

59
Q

The Monitoring and Controlling Process Group corresponds to the ______ components of the plan-do-check-act cycle

plan-do
do-check
check-act
act-do

A

check-act

60
Q

“Inspection” is an activity used in

processing the project management plan.
updating work breakdown.
validate scope.
define scope.

A

validate scope.

61
Q

________is essentially the converting of the project action plan into a functioning timetable which will serve as the basis for monitoring and controlling the project.

Scheduling
Planning
Sequencing
Activating

A

Scheduling

62
Q

What is the purpose of a creating a schedule management plan?

To aid in planning resource allocation.
To aid in controlling the project schedule.
To aid in establishing a milestone list.
To aid in performing the project time management processes.

A

To aid in controlling the project schedule.

63
Q

What is the difference between schedule control and schedule development?

Schedule control analyzes activity changes, and schedule development implements them.
Schedule control controls project schedule changes and schedule development analyzes activity component constraints to create the project schedule.
Schedule development identifies potential schedule changes and schedule control mitigates or avoids predicted schedule changes from happening.
Schedule control monitors the activity components planned during schedule development.

A

Schedule control controls project schedule changes and schedule development analyzes activity component constraints to create the project schedule.

64
Q

What is involved in project cost management?

Planning cost management, estimating costs, determining budget, and controlling costs.
Estimating, allocating, and correcting costs.
Planning, estimating, and combining budgets.
Defining, coordinating, and combining budgets.

A

Planning cost management, estimating costs, determining budget, and controlling costs.

65
Q

______ are considered in developing the cost management plan, as well as in selecting the cost estimating tools and monitoring and reporting methods to be used.

The WBS and WBS dictionary
The project management plan
Existing formal and informal cost estimating polices and procedures
Historical information and team knowledge

A

Existing formal and informal cost estimating polices and procedures

66
Q

The cost management plan provides for various thresholds for costs or other indicators at designated times over the duration of the project, called:

cost thresholds.
cost indicators.
cost variances.
control thresholds.

A

control thresholds.

67
Q

What management process includes quality policies, objectives, and responsibilities to ensure the finished project will satisfy its specified needs?

Risk management.
Quality management.
Project management.
Contract management.

A

Quality management.

68
Q

________ is a category assigned to products or services having the same functional use but different technical characteristics

Grade
Precision
Integrity
Par

A

Grade

69
Q

Non-proprietary approaches to quality management are contained in ______ processes

TQM
Six Sigma
COQ
Any of the above.

A

Any of the above.

70
Q

The _______ process monitors specific project results to determine if they comply with quality standards, and eliminates causes of unsatisfactory performance

Plan Quality Management
Control Quality
Perform Quality Assurance
Perform Quality Review

A

Control Quality

71
Q

Project quality applies to ____ projects, but product quality measures are ______ product(s)

all; specific to a particular type of
all; applicable to any
specific; for all
all; for most

A

all; specific to a particular type of

72
Q

What does the project manager need to know to effectively ensure the relevant parameters of quality control for the project are met?

Potential project risks.
The degree of need for formal project performance appraisals.
Communication channels.
Industry standards and regulations.

A

Industry standards and regulations.

73
Q

Performance information activities that are included in communication management include

Issue logging.
Organizational charting.
Training sessions.
Forecasting.

A

Forecasting.

74
Q

What project communications management process involves status reports, progress measurements, and forecasting input?

Plan Communications Management
Control Communications
Manage Communications
Transmit Communications

A

Manage Communications

75
Q

________ management addresses the processes concerned with conducting risk management planning, identification, analysis, implementation, and control.

Project procurement
Project risk
Professional responsibilities
Project quality

A

Project risk

76
Q

What is the primary purpose of monitoring risks?

Analyzing the organization’s environment for contributing risk factors.
Tracking identified risks and identifying new risks.
Documenting occurrence frequency toward risk analysis.
All of the above.

A

Tracking identified risks and identifying new risks.

77
Q

One of the only prudent responses the project team can take for ______ risks is to allocate general contingency against such risks.

unknown
managed
known
calculated

A

unknown

78
Q

Risks are rooted in uncertainty. ______ risks are those that have been identified and analyzed

Unknown
Managed
Known
Calculated

A

Known

79
Q

What are the primary objectives of project risk management?

To document projects, services, and results and identify potential sellers.
To complete and settle the contract without recrimination.
To manage the contract, including taking corrective actions.
To increase the probability of positive project-related events, while decreasing negative and problematic events.

A

To increase the probability of positive project-related events, while decreasing negative and problematic events.

80
Q

Control Procurements includes

managing contract-related changes.
project management.
establishing preventive actions.
completing and selling the contract.

A

managing contract-related changes.

81
Q

What is included in Procurement Management?

Control and Conduct Procurements.
Managing communications to satisfy requirements of the stakeholders.
Prioritizing products, services, and results.
Applying specific, planned, systemic resource disbursement and control.

A

Control and Conduct Procurements.

82
Q

Some identified project risks may be avoided or mitigated by ______through various project procurement processes

allocating responsibility for managing risks
applying documented policies and procedures
actively managing the contract life cycle
managing relationships

A

actively managing the contract life cycle

83
Q

What is the purpose of the contract review and approval process?

To ensure project administration accuracy.
To ensure the language describes items that will satisfy the identified need.
To legally state the project life cycle process.
To ensure all managerial responsibilities and assumed risks are identified.

A

To ensure the language describes items that will satisfy the identified need.