PMP Mindset

Question 1

Front

Answer 1

Back

Question 2

What is the most important thing to remember when answering exam questions regarding project management?

Answer 2

Assume that all of the information you need is included in the question. You may need to prioritize answers and avoid extremes.

Question 3

Who is the best judge of the overall deliverable?

Answer 3

The customer.

Question 4

Which estimating technique is more accurate: bottom-up or top-down?

Answer 4

Bottom-up estimating is more time-consuming but is also more accurate.

Question 5

Name three keywords that indicate an Agile framework.

Answer 5

Iterations, sprints, product owner, scrum master, retrospectives, sprint planning, and user stories.

Question 6

What are some keywords that indicate a Waterfall framework?

Answer 6

Change requests, project plans, issue logs, and risk registers.

Question 7

What is the first step in the change process?

Answer 7

Any stakeholder can raise a change, which is then noted in the change log.

Question 8

What is the difference between a risk and an issue?

Answer 8

A risk is a potential future event while an issue is an event that has already occurred.

Question 9

Can risks be positive?

Answer 9

Yes, risks can be positive (opportunities) or negative (threats).

Question 10

What should always be done with resources at the end of a project?

Answer 10

Resources should be formally released, in writing.

Question 11

What is the main output when closing a project?

Answer 11

The final report is the main output and summarizes project performance.

Question 12

When should you engage stakeholders?

Answer 12

Stakeholders should be engaged early and often.

Question 13

What are three traits of a servant leader in the Agile approach?

Answer 13

Servant leaders remove blockers, shield the team from outside distractions, and help the team grow.

Question 14

Who is responsible for prioritizing the product backlog in the Agile approach?

Answer 14

The product owner.

Question 15

Why is face-to-face communication encouraged?

Answer 15

Face-to-face communication is more effective because you can pick up on non-verbal cues.

Question 16

What is an information radiator?

Answer 16

Visual management, often displayed on a wall, for all to see.

Question 17

What is the purpose of a Kanban board?

Answer 17

Kanban boards show work, constraints, and help limit work in progress.

Question 18

What is a retrospective?

Answer 18

A review, usually held at the end of a sprint, to discuss what is working and what isn’t.

Question 19

What is the difference between a sprint review and a demonstration?

Answer 19

A demonstration showcases the actual product or feature.

Question 20

When answering exam questions, how should you approach situations involving conflict?

Answer 20

When there is a conflict, focus on solutions that benefit the project as a whole. Avoid favoring the needs of individuals over the needs of the project.

Question 21

As a project manager, should you consult your team regarding solutions to problems?

Answer 21

Yes, you should always consult your team for solutions. Your team members have the expertise and experience to provide valuable insights. This is referred to as ‘expert judgment.’

Question 22

What does it mean to be direct and collaborative as a project manager?

Answer 22

Being direct and collaborative means addressing issues head-on, actively involving the relevant parties, and working together to find solutions.

Question 23

Is it possible to close a project early?

Answer 23

Yes, you can close a project early. However, even if a project is closed early, you must still follow the steps of the project closing process.

Question 24

When does the cost of risk increase?

Answer 24

The cost of risk increases the closer you get to the customer. This is similar to the way that costs associated with fixing poor quality increase the closer a product or service gets to the customer.

Question 25

What should you do if you can’t stick to the original project plan in a Waterfall project?

Answer 25

If you cannot stick to the plan in a Waterfall project, you will need to submit a formal change request.

Question 26

List the steps in the change process for a Waterfall project.

Answer 26

1. A stakeholder raises a change request, which is documented in a change log. 2. The impact of the change on the schedule and budget is assessed. 3. The change request, along with the impact assessment, is submitted to the change control board. 4. The change control board either approves, rejects, or defers the request. 5. Stakeholders are informed of the outcome. 6. The outcome is noted in the change log.

Question 27

When determining stakeholders’ communication needs, should you assume what they need?

Answer 27

No, never assume what stakeholders need in terms of communication. You should always ask stakeholders about their communication preferences.

Question 28

In the Agile approach, what is the role of the project coach in relation to the product owner?

Answer 28

A project coach will coach the product owner but only if needed. The project coach can help the product owner understand how to prioritize the product backlog.

Question 29

What is a benefit of co-locating an Agile team?

Answer 29

Co-locating the team allows for more face-to-face communication. Information can be shared more easily, and team members can learn from each other through observation and overheard conversations.

Question 30

What does ‘limit work in progress’ mean in the context of an Agile project?

Answer 30

Limiting work in progress means restricting the number of tasks or user stories that are actively being worked on at any given time. This helps to prevent bottlenecks.

Question 31

When is a retrospective usually held?

Answer 31

In Agile projects, retrospectives are usually held at the end of each sprint.