PMP TEST 2.1 Flashcards
1
Which organization structure is a combination of all structures?
SELECT THE CORRECT ANSWER
Tight Matrix
Strong Matrix
Composite
Functional
Correct Option:C
EXPLANATION
Composite structure is a combination of all organizational structures.
1) Tight Matrix- collocated
2) Strong Matrix - the project manager with equal or more power than the functional manager. The project manager has primary control over resources
3) Composite - combination of all structures
4) Functional - organization is grouped into departments where people with similar skills are kept together in forms of groups
3
You are in charge of managing a software development project that is related to simulations for driving racing cars. In one of your team meetings, it is revealed that a lot of issues have been reported in the air tunnel modelling module. On deeper analysis, it is found that many of the issues could have been prevented had a simple code review checklist been used. You prepare a code review checklist and ensure the code is reviewed per the checklist. This is a good example of:
SELECT THE CORRECT ANSWER
Corrective Action
Preventive Action
Defect Repair
Quality Control
Correct Option:A
Nonconformity - issues reported during Quality Assurance
1) Corrective action - is always preceded by nonconformity
2) Preventive action - is never preceded by nonconformity
3) Defect repair - issues found in the current delivery
5
You are managing a software development project for a banking product. In one of the team meetings, a debate arises if defects found during Quality control need to undergo change control. Some team members are convinced that all defects should undergo change control, while others are convinced that defects need not undergo change control. Which of the following statements is untrue?
SELECT THE CORRECT ANSWER
Defects to deliverables need to undergo change control
Defects to deliverables need not undergo change control
Corrective actions need to undergo change control
Preventive actions need to undergo change control
Correct Option:B
EXPLANATION
Defects to deliverables, corrective actions, and preventive actions need to undergo change control. So, all the above statements, except option B, are true.
7
You are in charge of a project that deals with laying out a lavish 18-hole golf course. You have a number of contractors working on the project and you know that communication is key to success of the project. You have identified 10 stakeholders with whom you need to communicate. Due to some internal and external organizational changes at the client’s end, three new stakeholders have been added with whom you need to communicate. You also had to reduce one of the contractors with whom you were communicating. How many communication channels do you have now?
SELECT THE CORRECT ANSWER
45
78
91
66
Correct Option:D
EXPLANATION
Originally, you had 10 stakeholders to communicate with, so the number of communication channels was 10 * (10-1) /2 = 45. However, 3 new stakeholders were added, while 1 stakeholder was removed. So, the total number of stakeholders = 10 + 3 -1 = 12. The total number of communication channels is (12 * (12-1)) /2 = 66.
8
You are in charge of a project, and to ensure things go well, you have had monthly meetings with the stakeholders. The project is running on schedule and budget. You are in your fourth month of execution, but the stakeholder indicates dissatisfaction with the deliverables. Making changes in the deliverables would mean a delay in the schedule. Which process could have prevented this situation?
SELECT THE CORRECT ANSWER
Scope Planning
Scope Control
Schedule Control
Risk Monitoring and Control
Correct Option:A
EXPLANATION
The process that could have prevented this situation is Scope Planning. Project deliverables are defined during scope planning, so proper implementation of this process could have prevented this situation.
10RISK
Your company has bagged a number of government contracts dealing with setting up infrastructure. This includes setting up roads and bridges. This is a very big and prestigious project, so your company wants to ensure everything is planned well in advance. You are the project manager of this project. Considering its importance, you and your team come up with a list of risks. One of the subject matter experts indicates that during the months of July and August, the construction work of the bridge across the river would need to stop on account of past history of flooding of the river. You agree with the expert and plan the schedule accordingly. What strategy did you just apply?
SELECT THE CORRECT ANSWER
Accept
Exploit
Mitigate
Transfer
Correct Option:A
EXPLANATION
This is an example of Risk acceptance strategy as there is nothing you can do about situations not in your control. Risk exploitation is meant for positive situations, while risk mitigation is where you have a strategy to either reduce the risk impact or probability. Transfer is also not correct as the question does not state that someone else will be responsible for handling the risk.
12
You are managing a project that has teams located in different parts of the world. While the advantage of colocation is beneficial, the team structure or locations cannot be changed. Being an experienced manager, you realize that lack of a proper communication channel can quickly lead to chaos. What would your choice of communication be?
SELECT THE CORRECT ANSWER
Formal and Verbal
Formal and Written
Informal and Written
Informal and Verbal
Correct Option:B
EXPLANATION
Considering cross-located teams and difference in cultures, the best choice of communication in this case would be formal and written.
14
You head the engineering department in your company. Lately, you have observed that certain deliveries of a specific team member are missing the schedule. You decide to discuss it with the team member. Initially, the team member is reluctant to discuss but finally opens up and indicates that the cause of the delays is often different instructions coming in from you as well as the project manager. She indicates that at such times she is confused about whose instructions to follow, thereby causing delays. What kind of an organizational structure is this most likely to be?
SELECT THE CORRECT ANSWER
Functional
Projectized
Weak Matrix
Balanced Matrix
Correct Option:D
EXPLANATION
1) Funcional - organization is grouped into departments where people with similar skills are kept togethe
2) Projectize - works by arranging activities into portfolios or programs and executing them through projects.
3) Week matrix - functional manager controls the project budget
4) Balnced matrix - authority is balanced between the project manager and the functional manager
Here the team member is being expected to follow instructions from both the Project Manager and the Functional Manager. This is never the case in a Functional or Projectized organization where the lines of authority are clearly defined. A weak matrix organization is more like a Functional Organization where the project manager has almost no authority. The scenario explained above is typical of a balanced matrix organization where power resides equally distributed between the functional and project manager.
15The release criteria include:
SELECT THE CORRECT ANSWER
The timing of the release of team members
The method in which you will release them
Both of the above are true
None of the above
Correct Option:C
EXPLANATION
The release criteria include both the timing of the release of team members and the method in which you will release them.
16As a project manager, you have successfully delivered all project deliverables within stipulated timelines. Your senior management wants you to calculate the Cost of Quality. As a project Manager, what costs would you NOT consider while making this calculation?
SELECT THE CORRECT ANSWER
Cost of Hiring
Prevention costs
Appraisal costs
External and Internal Failure costs
Correct Option:A
EXPLANATION
Option A is incorrect as hiring costs have nothing to do with Cost of Quality. Prevention and Appraisal Costs refer to expenditure during the project to avoid failures, while Internal and External Failure Costs are those incurred during and after the project because of failures.
17Which of the following is part of the Manage Quality process?
SELECT THE CORRECT ANSWER
Benchmarking
Cost of Quality
Design of experiments
Quality audits
Correct Option:D
EXPLANATION
Quality audits are part of the Manage Quality process.
18You are the project manager for a project. You are updating the WBS during Define Activities. This process is often called ________.
SELECT THE CORRECT ANSWER
Refinement
Update
Analysis
Supporting detail
Correct Option:A
EXPLANATION
Updating the WBS during Define Activities is often called Refinement. It occurs with riskier projects.
19
The Project Quality Management process must __________.
SELECT THE CORRECT ANSWER
Address the quality of the product
Improve project management
Ensure that the project satisfies customer requirements
All of the above
Correct Option:D
EXPLANATION
Project Quality Management addresses both the management of the project and the product. It improves project management as well as the quality of the product. It ensures that the project will satisfy customer requirements.
21
You are managing a project and you have decided to outsource a part of the project to a vendor. You have offered a bonus to the vendor if the work is completed in two months. This is an example of:
SELECT THE CORRECT ANSWER
Project incentive
Project goal
Fixed price contract
None of the above
Correct Option:A
EXPLANATION
This is an example of project incentive.
Bonus as additional motivation
22
You and your team have just created a schedule network diagram. You have come up with the estimates, defined the durations, and identified the Critical Path. You now decide to do a Backward Pass through the Schedule Network Diagram. What would you be calculating?
SELECT THE CORRECT ANSWER
The Early Start and Early Finish for each activity
The Late Start and Late Finish for each activity
The duration of paths other than the critical path
The duration of the critical path
Correct Option:B
EXPLANATION
Options C and D are incorrect as Backward Pass is not used to calculate the duration. In fact, the critical path is calculated based on duration. Option A talks about Early Start and Early Finish, which are calculated using Forward Pass. Backward Pass is used to calculate the Late Start and Late Finish of all the activities in the network diagram.
23
Of the following types of contracts, which has the highest risk for the seller?
SELECT THE CORRECT ANSWER
Cost plus fixed fee - CPFF
Time and Material - T and M
Firm Fixed Price Contract - FFP
Cost plus Incentive fee CPIF
Correct Option:C
EXPLANATION
The riskiest for the seller among the options stated is Firm Fixed Price Contract, FFP. It’s a Fixed price contract in which total costs are fixed. The scope of work is clearly defined and stated. Cost-reimbursable contracts are the least risky for the seller since the costs are not fixed and paid at actuals. Time and material have medium risk from the perspective of the buyer and seller and are typically used for smaller dollar amounts.
25
You are in charge of a software project that is almost 40% complete. The project stakeholders want a performance report to date. You had planned to use Earned Value Management methodology. You come up with the following numbers: EV = 100, AC = 300, PV = 150, and BAC = 600. Your team has faced numerous issues till now. However, you choose to ignore the current work performance and decide to go with what was originally planned. Based on this information, what would be the EAC for the project?
SELECT THE CORRECT ANSWER
800
200
600
1800
EV - Earn value AC - Actual cost PV - Planned value BAC - Budget at complete EAC - Estmate at complete
Correct Option:A
EXPLANATION
It is stated that the issues experienced in the project were ignored, so the past performance is not considered and the planned values are considered. So, EAC = AC + (BAC - EV) = 300 + (600 - 100) EAC = 800.
26
Your team has delivered phase one of a project to the client. Based on client feedback and issues found by the client, you decide to do some introspection to identify root causes so that the subsequent deliverables do not face the same issues. What techniques would you choose to apply?
SELECT THE CORRECT ANSWER
Perform Quality Audits
Review Activity Network Diagrams
Look up Process decision program charts
Perform Process Analysis
Correct Option:D
Quality Audits - project activities conform to the policies and procedures
Activity Network Diagrams - used for scheduling,
Process decision program charts - used to anticipate intermediate steps
Process Analysis - used to identify a problem and its cause and develop preventive actions
EXPLANATION
Quality Audits are meant to ascertain if the project activities conform to the policies and procedures, so it is not the correct answer. Activity Network diagrams are used for scheduling, while Process decision program charts are used to anticipate intermediate steps. The correct answer is Process Analysis, which is used to identify a problem and its cause and develop preventive actions.
29
As a project manager, you are expected to calculate the cost of Poor Quality. The project work is in progress. What costs would you consider?
SELECT THE CORRECT ANSWER
Cost of Hiring
Prevention costs
Appraisal costs
External and Internal Failure costs
Correct Option:D
EXPLANATION
Cost of Hiring has nothing to do with cost of Poor Quality, so it is not the correct answer. Cost of Poor Quality is just another term for Failure Cost. Failure Costs are generally categorized into External and Internal Failure costs, so option D is correct. Prevention and Appraisal costs are costs of conformance, which are the costs incurred to avoid failures. Hence, these are not considered cost of Poor Quality.
33
Earned Value Analysis is used to measure performance based on a few parameters. Identify them.
SELECT THE CORRECT ANSWER
Scope and Cost
Scope and Schedule
Scope, Cost, and Schedule
Cost and Schedule
Correct Option:C
EXPLANATION
Earned Value Analysis is used to measure performance based on Scope, Schedule, and Cost.
36
Which of the following best describes Vroom’s Expectancy theory?
SELECT THE CORRECT ANSWER
Employees will put in efforts dependent on expectancy, valence, and instrumentality.
Employee motivation is not achievable
Hygiene factors will ensure that job dissatisfaction does not occur; however, it does not ensure job satisfaction.
People have needs starting with Physiological Needs and ending with self-actualization.
Correct Option:A
EXPLANATION
Vroom’s Expectancy theory is based on the idea that people believe there are relationships between the effort they put in at work, the performance reviews/ratings they are credited for the effort, and the rewards they receive from their effort and performance review ratings. So, people will be motivated if they believe that hard work and effort will lead to good performance reviews and good performance reviews will lead to desired rewards. This theory consists of three key elements: Expectancy (perception of an employee of how much and what amount of effort will lead to a desirable performance rating), Instrumentality (perception or expectation that a good performance rating would translate into a hefty salary hike), and Valence (preference of an employee for a certain reward). Option B is clearly unrelated to this theory, so it is not the correct answer. Option C is related to Herzberg’s Hygiene theory, so it too is not the correct answer. Option D is about Maslow’s Theory of Hierarchical needs, so it’s not the correct answer.
37
Who among the following gave the framework for Continuous improvement?
SELECT THE CORRECT ANSWER
Peter Drucker
Joseph Juran
Philip Crosby
Edward Deming
Correct Option:D
EXPLANATION
Deming’s cycle is known as PDCA-Plan-Do-Check-Act
39
The Scope Baseline consists of _____.
SELECT THE CORRECT ANSWER
Approved Project Scope Statement, WBS, WBS Dictionary
Preliminary Project Scope Statement, Approved Project Scope Statement, WBS, WBS Dictionary
Scope Management Plan, WBS, WBS Dictionary
Scope Management Plan, Approved Project Scope Statement, WBS Dictionary
Correct Option:A
EXPLANATION
Scope Baseline
Baseline: an initial estimate (scope, cost, schedule)
used for further planning and control.
Includes
* Scope Statement - describes, in detail, the project’s deliverables and
the work required to create those
* Work Breakdown Structure (WBS)
* WBS Dictionary - extra scope details organized
to assist in further planning and control
41RISK
As a manager on a project, you have to ensure that the project delivers within the scheduled timelines with minimal rework and customer delight. For some time now, the project work is proceeding smoothly with a CPI and SPI a perfect 1. One of your team members approaches you and indicates the possible need for a long vacation on personal grounds two months from now. You look up the schedule and find that this team member is scheduled to execute activities that are on the critical path, and the team member’s absence in two months’ time would cause a delay in schedule. You decide to take some action and reschedule task allocation to ensure that this team member is not planned to work on any of the critical path activities. What did you just do?
SELECT THE CORRECT ANSWER
Mitigate the risk
Avoid the risk
Transfer the risk
Exploit the risk
Correct Option:B
EXPLANATION
You have avoided the risk. By interchanging the tasks, you have ensured that the resource who wants to go on a long vacation does not work on critical path activities. There is no question of exploiting the risk as this is not a positive risk. This is not a case of risk mitigation since you have neither created a backup plan nor come up with an alternate strategy.
43
Which of the following activities is not performed as a part of Project Closure?
SELECT THE CORRECT ANSWER
Ensuring all the deliverables meet contract requirements
Creating lessons learned and updating Organizational Process Assets
Final acceptance
Verifying scope
Correct Option:D
EXPLANATION
All the options except verifying scope are performed during project closure. Ensuring deliverables meet contract requirements and formal acceptance are key activities of project closure. Capturing lessons learned is also a very important activity performed during project closure. However, verifying scope is not performed during project closure. It belongs to the Monitoring and Controlling process group.
44
You have recently taken over a project that is using Agile methodology. Your team is in the process of understanding the user requirements and trying to prioritize them. Which technique will be most useful?
SELECT THE CORRECT ANSWER
Interviews
Kano Model
Delphi Technique
None of the above
Correct Option:B
EXPLANATION
MoSCoW model, 100 points method, and Kano model are techniques generally used in Agile projects.
Kano model
Breaks down quality definitions of a project into 5
categories:
* Must-be - customers expect these and take them for
granted.
* 1-dimensional - result in satisfaction when fulfilled,
result in dissatisfaction when unfulfilled.
* Attractive - result in satisfaction when fulfilled,
do NOT result in dissatisfaction when unfulfilled.
* Indifferent - neither good, or bad, don’t result in
satisfaction or dissatisfaction
* Reverse - by satisfying some, dissatisfy others.
49
Which factors can either support or limit the project management options, act as inputs for planning processes, and have a negative or positive influence on a project outcome?
SELECT THE CORRECT ANSWER
Enterprise Environmental Factors
Organizational Standards
Norms
PMIS
Correct Option:A
EXPLANATION
These factors are conditions not under the immediate control of the team, but can influence, constrain, or direct the project, program, or portfolio
51
You are in your third month of project execution, which is expected to continue for 14 months. Your sponsor has asked for a performance report. You decide to create an S curve. Based on the S curve, you report your Actual Cost, which is more than the Earned Value. Also, the Planned Value is greater than the Earned Value. What would be the interpretation of this data?
SELECT THE CORRECT ANSWER
The project is over budget and behind schedule
The project is on schedule and on budget
The project is over budget but on schedule
The project is on budget but behind schedule
Correct Option:A
EXPLANATION
This is because both SPI and CPI are less than 1.
Schedule Performance Index = EV/PV
Cost Performance Index = EV/AC
52
You have been asked to provide cost estimates for a project involving complete electrical installation in warehouses. As a project manager, you have had past experience in similar projects in your previous organization. The organization you have joined also has recently done a similar project. The executive management wants you to quickly come up with an estimate. What estimation technique would you adopt?
SELECT THE CORRECT ANSWER
Ask your previous organization for the estimates
Use Parametric Estimating technique
Use Bottom-up Estimating
Use Analogous Estimating
Correct Option:D
EXPLANATION
Analogous estimating relies on previous similar projects as the basis of estimation. So, it relies on historical information. This technique is used when there is limited amount of detailed information, like during the early phases of the project. It is less costly and less time-consuming. As time is a constraint, this is the best choice.
Top-down I perform an analysis at the whole-project level.
Fast, not too accurate.
(2) variations that are top-down.
* Analogous (estimating by analogy, or history)
"uses history"
'Since similar projects have cost about $65,000,
this project should also cost about $65,000.'
* Parametric (estimating by history and a little math/parameters)
"uses history and a bit of math
'Other projects have taught us it takes about 10 days to build
1 km of road. This project requires 10 km, therefore should take
about 100 days.'
Parameter -> 1 km road = 10 days duration...
Bottom-up I perform an analysis on each activity, and roll
the totals up to a single project total.
Accurate, not too fast.
No variations. Merely Bottom-up.
56
You have been assigned to a project that deals with developing a software product for the BFSI domain. You and your team are building the schedule network diagram. While sequencing activities, one of the Architects in your team suggests that rather than interacting with the database on every activity, you should introduce an activity that would cache the data. The team member argues that this will improve performance and suggests that the activity be introduced in the sequence prior to other activities that deal with database interaction. What kind of a dependency is this?
SELECT THE CORRECT ANSWER
This is an example of Mandatory Dependency.
This is an example of External Dependency.
This is an example of Discretionary Dependency or Soft Logic.
This is an example of Hard Logic.
Correct Option:C
EXPLANATION
Discretionary Dependency is also known as Soft Logic or Preferred Logic or Preferential Logic. Note that this is not a mandatory dependency as it is not a Must Have but more a Should have. Discretionary dependency decisions are usually based on best practices and business knowledge. In this case, a Software architect can be assumed to be an expert in his field.
Dependency:
- Mandatory “hard logic”
‘Part of the way you have to do the work’ (“nature” of the work)
“We need to wait 2 weeks for concrete to dry and cure before
we start building.” - Discretionary “soft logic”
‘The team can use their preference or “discretion”’.
‘We can build the servers at our desk and then take them to the lab, or just build them in the lab…’ - External (outside the work/project)
“We can’t start construction until City Hall has approved Blue-prints.” - Internal (inside the work/project)
‘… within the team’s control…’
“As soon as we’ve brought the concrete mix on-site, we can start building the concrete pad.”
57
You and your team are in the process of creating WBS and WBS Dictionary. What would be the best choice of attributes in a WBS Dictionary?
SELECT THE CORRECT ANSWER
Work Package ID and Work Package Description
Work Package ID, Control Account ID, and Work Package Description
Work Package Description
Work Package ID, Control Account ID, Work Package Description, Acceptance Criteria, Responsible Organization, Cost, Assumptions
Correct Option:D
EXPLANATION
Options A, B, and C describe what a WBS Dictionary should contain. So, they all seem like the right choices. However, the question asks about the BEST choice of attributes in a WBS Dictionary, which is provided in Option D. Note that the WBS and WBS Dictionary are correlated by WBS Name and Work Package ID
58
Project manager’s role is part time in _________ organization structure?
SELECT THE CORRECT ANSWER
Matrix
Composite
Functional
Projectized
Correct Option:C
EXPLANATION
PM’s role is part time in functional type of organization structure. The functional manager has authority.
59S Curve depicts a relationship between:
SELECT THE CORRECT ANSWER
Resource Availability and time
Remaining budget and time
Actual Cost, Planned Value, and Earned Value
Cost and Quality
Correct Option:C
EXPLANATION
S curve shows a relationship between Actual Cost, Planned Value, and Earned Value.
60Which of the following statements is false regarding Risk Management?
SELECT THE CORRECT ANSWER
All identified risks are maintained in the Risk Register.
Risk prioritization occurs in Qualitative Risk Analysis.
Risk prioritization occurs in Quantitative Risk Analysis.
Low-priority risks are maintained in a Watch List.
Correct Option:C
EXPLANATION
All of the statements are true except the statement regarding Quantitative Risk Analysis. Quantitative Risk analysis does not deal with prioritizing risks. The prioritization occurs in the Qualitative Risk Analysis process. Quantitative Risk Analysis deals with assigning numeric values to risks.
62
You are in charge of a project for the electrical layout of a five-star hotel. You see this as a very simple project as you and your team have a lot of experience executing similar projects. As a result, your organization has a wealth of Organizational Process assets. You have worked out the exact details of the work involved and have a very detailed WBS with granular-level activities defined. You decide to employ the services of a contractor for laying out of the cable trays. What kind of a contract would be the best choice?
SELECT THE CORRECT ANSWER
Cost-reimbursable contract
Fixed-price contract
Time and Material contract
None of the above
Correct Option:B
EXPLANATION
When as a buyer you are clear of the scope and statement of work, the contract choice should be Fixed-price. In this type of contract, the scope is clearly defined, and almost all the risk lies with the seller. Here, the buyer has experience executing similar projects in the past and has also broken down WBS into detailed activities. So, the scope is clear, and the correct answer is option B.
66You have asked your team members to provide estimates of tasks. You see that a specific team member has provided estimates on the higher side. You discuss this with the team member. The team member admits that they did not have an idea of how long the task would take, so they came up with an estimate and then doubled it to be safe. What is this known as?
SELECT THE CORRECT ANSWER
Lead
Lag
Free Float
Pad
Correct Option:D
EXPLANATION
Pad is adding time as a buffer to project estimate. As the team member was uncertain of the time it would take, they doubled the estimate to be safe. Padding is a sign of poor Project Management.
PAD - is adding time as a buffer to project estimate.
LAG - delay between tasks that have a dependency
69
You are starting a new project. You break up the work into discrete work packages. To ensure that each work package has all the necessary details, you and your team decide to write down detailed information for each work package, such as Statement of work, details of the work package, and who will be responsible for the work package. Where would you store this information?
SELECT THE CORRECT ANSWER
Project Management Plan
WBS
WBS Dictionary
Approved Project Scope Statement
Correct Option:C
EXPLANATION
This is where this information is stored.
71You know that the success of your project will be determined by how well you manage risks. You know that identifying risks upfront can help you be better prepared with risk response strategies. So, you decide to identify risks by taking help of experts. You have identified some experts, and rather than calling them to your office, you send them questionnaires. You promise them complete anonymity so that they give unhindered responses. What information gathering technique are you adopting?
SELECT THE CORRECT ANSWER
Brainstorming
Root Cause Identification
SWOT analysis
Delphi Technique
Correct Option:D
EXPLANATION
All the four options listed above are information gathering techniques, but the correct answer is Delphi Technique. This is a form of information gathering technique where inputs from experts is solicited anonymously without gathering them together.
72Which of the following options best describes Achievement Theory of Motivation?
SELECT THE CORRECT ANSWER
Employees given a reward are most likely to be motivated.
People cannot be trusted and must be governed and monitored regularly to ensure tasks get done.
People are motivated by achievement, power, and affiliation.
Employees will put in an effort in direct proportion to the perceived review and reward.
Correct Option:C
EXPLANATION
Option A and Option D are related to Expectancy theory; Option B is related to Theory X style of management. So, these options are not the correct answers. Option C is the correct answer. The Achievement Theory of Motivation states there are three types of motivational needs: need for achievement, need for authority and power, and need for affiliation. As per this theory, a strong affiliation motivation undermines a manager’s objectivity because of the need to be liked, and this affects a manager’s decision-making capability. A strong authority motivation will produce a determined work ethic and commitment to the organization. Such people are attracted to the leadership role, though they may not possess the required flexibility and people-centered skills. People with strong achievement motivation make the best leaders, although there can be a tendency to demand too much of their staff in the belief that they are all highly achievement-focused and results-driven, which most people are not.
73
The key benefits of __________ process is that it will maintain or increase the efficiency and effectiveness of stakeholder engagement activities as the project evolves and the environment changes.
SELECT THE CORRECT ANSWER
Plan Stakeholder Engagement
Identify Stakeholders
Manage Stakeholder Engagement
Monitor Stakeholder Engagement
Correct Option:D
EXPLANATION
The key benefits of Monitor Stakeholder Engagement process is that it will maintain or increase the efficiency and effectiveness of stakeholder engagement activities as the project evolves and the environment changes.
82Identify the basic quality tools to facilitate, measure, and control quality.
SELECT THE CORRECT ANSWER
Cause and effect diagrams, Flowcharts, Check sheets, Pareto diagrams, Histograms, Control Charts, Sequence Diagrams
Cause and effect diagrams, Flowcharts, Check sheets, Histograms, Control Charts, Scatter Diagrams
Activity diagrams, Flowcharts, Check sheets, Pareto diagrams, Histograms, Control Charts, Sequence Diagrams
Cause and effect diagrams, Monte Carlo analysis, Check sheets, Pareto diagrams, Histograms, Control Charts, Scatter Diagrams
Correct Option:B
EXPLANATION
As per PMBOK Guide - Sixth Edition, Pareto chart is not included as a tool under control quality process.
87The goal of value analysis is to improve the overall:
SELECT THE CORRECT ANSWER
Share Value
Product Value
Business Value
Stakeholder value
Correct Option:C
EXPLANATION
Value analysis is the process of examining each of the components of business value with an aim of increasing business value.
89Legal or Regulatory requirements are part of:
SELECT THE CORRECT ANSWER
Compliance requirements
Non-functional requirements
Technical Requirements
Support Requirements
EXPLANATION
It is mandatory to comply with legal and regulatory requirements. Non-conformance is a potential threat to the project.
92Which of the following is a classification model that groups stakeholders on the basis of their level of authority, their immediate needs, and how appropriate their involvement is in terms of the project?
SELECT THE CORRECT ANSWER
Power-interest Model
Power-Influence Model
Salience Model
Legal-Influence Model
Correct Option:C
EXPLANATION
Salience Model classifies stakeholders based on their authority, urgency (immediate involvement), and legitimacy.
95A data point in a control chart that requires investigation is called:
SELECT THE CORRECT ANSWER
A special cause
A quality fault
A rule of seven
A rule of five
EXPLANATION
A data point in a control chart that requires investigation is called a special cause.
96You have just begun a project. Some members have been given training on some skilled tasks, but you are apprehensive that the knowledge and skills may not be sufficient. You decide to put a few customer stakeholders together to enable them to interact with the team and learn from one another. This is called:
SELECT THE CORRECT ANSWER
Hands-on Training
Pairing and Mentoring
Shadow Training
None of the above
Correct Option:B
EXPLANATION
This is one of the ways by which a project manager can ensure knowledge transfer on the job.
98You are managing a project, and to ensure things run smoothly, you have decided to provide project information periodically to all the stakeholders. You have decided that you would report against the baselines for scope, cost, and schedule. Which of the following would be the best choice?
SELECT THE CORRECT ANSWER
Performance reporting
Status reports
Forecasts
Risk Register
Correct Option:A
EXPLANATION
The best choice is Performance reporting with respect to the triple constraints - Scope, Schedule, and Cost. Forecasts are future projections, and risk register deals with risks. These are not the right options. While status reports could be an option, the best answer is Performance reporting.
107Which of the following is NOT a form of communication?
SELECT THE CORRECT ANSWER
Formal and Informal
Written and Verbal
Precise and Vague
Vertical and Horizontal
Correct Option:C
EXPLANATION
Precise and vague are not forms of communication, while all others are.
114You are in the process of making a cost estimate for a large prestigious project. You decide to use the Three Point Estimation technique with Triangular Distribution. Based on your analysis, you are confident that the project will be completed with a total cost of $108,000. You also estimate that a best-case estimate would be $90000, while a worst-case scenario would result in the costs shooting up to $138000. What would the Three point Cost estimate be?
SELECT THE CORRECT ANSWER
112000
110000
28000
None of the above
EXPLANATION
The question states the use of Three point estimate using triangular distribution. The formula for this estimation technique is a + b + c /3, where a = Most Likely estimate, b = Estimate based on analysis of the Best-case scenario, and c = Estimate based on analysis of the Worst-case scenario. So, the Three point estimate using Triangular distribution is 108000 + 90000 + 138000 / 3 = 336000/3 = $ 112000.
115The project you’re managing is around 50% complete. You are creating Earned Value Methodology to report performance. Based on your calculations, you realize that the initial plan is no longer valid. However, you still need to provide an EAC. What is the best course of action?
SELECT THE CORRECT ANSWER
Calculate EAC as EAC = BAC / CPI
Calculate EAC as EAC = AC + BAC - EV
Calculate EAC as EAC = AC + (BAC - EV/(CPI * SPI )
Calculate EAC as EAC = AC + Bottom-up Estimate
Correct Option:D
EXPLANATION
Option A is to be used if past CPI is expected to continue. Option B is to be used if future work is going to be performed at the planned rate. Option C is to be used if both CPI and SPI influence remaining work. Option D is to be used when the initial plan is no longer valid, which is the case here.
117Minimum Business Increment (MBI) works best when:
SELECT THE CORRECT ANSWER
Customer agrees to the scope
Sprints have long duration
Business team supports the sprint
Incremental increase in value can be seen
Correct Option:D
EXPLANATION
In Agile, earliest delivery of value is of paramount importance. The team decides the incremental value to be delivered in the next iteration.
118In order to determine the details of the work to be performed in work packages, which of the following can be used?
SELECT THE CORRECT ANSWER
WBS
WBS Dictionary
Control Account
Work Packages
Correct Option:B
EXPLANATION
WBS Dictionary provides details such as description of work to be done for each work package, any schedule milestones, and statement of work. It is also used to prevent scope creep.
119You need to provide estimates for activities on the project. You and your team discuss and conclude that as detailed information is not yet available, the best option would be to use Parametric Estimates. Which of the following is used to create Parametric Estimates?
SELECT THE CORRECT ANSWER
Critical Path Method
One-Time Estimate
Regression Analysis and Learning Curve
Correct Option:C
EXPLANATION
To arrive at parametric estimate, you need historical data based on which you will be able to parametrize the variables and arrive at a mathematical relationship between such variables.
129Which of the following is not a Project Artifact?
SELECT THE CORRECT ANSWER
Business Case
Assumptions
Minutes of Board Meeting
Constraints
Correct Option:C
EXPLANATION
A Project artifact is any document related to the management of a project. Minutes of board meeting is not a part of the project.
132To Complete Performance Index is used to:
SELECT THE CORRECT ANSWER
Determine when the project would be complete
Determine the feasibility of the project
Identify the risks in the project
Determine the cost performance required to meet certain objectives
ANSWER D
EXPLANATION
TCPI is a measure of the ratio of the work remaining to the funds remaining.
133You are managing a project, and based on risk identification, you feel very confident that the project will run smoothly. The next day, the lead architect indicates a risk that was not envisioned. She indicates a 10% possibility of the risk occurring and the effort involved in choosing an alternate path worth 2000 USD. The impact of alternate path implementation is that a lot of testing efforts worth 4500 USD would get reduced and the possibility being 30%, what would be the EMV?
SELECT THE CORRECT ANSWER
-200
1350
1150
1550
Correct Option:C
EXPLANATION
The correct answer is $1150. In the case of the rework effort, the EMV is -$200. The EMV of the side effect is $1350. So, the total EMV is $1150.
138Which of the following is NOT part of a quality plan?
SELECT THE CORRECT ANSWER
Benchmarking
Cost of Quality
Mind mapping
Quality audits
Correct Option:D
EXPLANATION
Quality audits are part of the Manage Quality process.
139As a senior member in the executive management team, you have asked project managers within your team to provide cost estimates for a huge project. You foresee the cost estimate of the project to run into millions of dollars. Along with the cost estimate, you are also expecting the Basis of Estimates. What would you expect to be included in the documentation for Basis of Estimates?
SELECT THE CORRECT ANSWER
Basis of estimate, assumptions, known constraints, range of estimate, confidence level
Cost at unit level and confidence level
WBS
None of the above
Correct Option:A
EXPLANATION
The correct answer is A, which states that all the necessary details that must be provided as the Basis of estimates.
140Your team has just bagged a big software development project. Considering the complexity of the project, you decide to try and identify the possible risks. You get all relevant stakeholders together and conduct discussions. Together, you come up with a number of risks. However, based on your experience, you still feel that not all the risks have been identified. You decide to set aside some budget for the risks that you have not identified but are sure you will encounter. Where does this budget come from?
SELECT THE CORRECT ANSWER
Cost Management Plan
Cost Baseline
Contingency Reserves
Management Reserve
Correct Option:D
EXPLANATION
The type of risk here is an unknown risk. For known risks, risk responses can be proactively planned for. For the known risks, where we cannot plan proactively, we set aside a reserve called Contingency Reserves. For unknown risks, we set aside a Management Reserve. Cost management Plan deals with how you will manage costs on your project, and Cost baseline is the baselined cost expected to be expended on the project.
143Which of the following statements is NOT true regarding WBS?
SELECT THE CORRECT ANSWER
Provides a graphical picture of the hierarchy of the project
Identifies all the work that needs to be performed
Helps estimate costs and schedule
Helps identify dependencies
Correct Option:D
EXPLANATION
WBS does not help identify dependencies.
145You were handling a complex project involving a lot of challenges, but with good management and a motivated team, all deliverables have been completed successfully. What should you do next as a project manager?
SELECT THE CORRECT ANSWER
Perform Quality Control
Update lessons learned
Verify scope
Disband the team
Correct Option:B
EXPLANATION
The question is looking for details related to the closing process group. Scope verification is performed during the monitoring and controlling process group. This is also the case with Perform Quality Control. One of the most important things to do during project closure is to create the lessons learned prior to disbanding the team.
147You have just created a schedule network diagram. You have come up with the estimates, defined the durations, and subsequently identified the Critical Path. You now decide to do a Forward Pass through the Schedule Network Diagram. What would you be calculating?
SELECT THE CORRECT ANSWER
The Early Start and Early Finish for each activity
The latest start and latest finish for each activity
The duration of the other paths
The duration of the critical path
Correct Option:A
EXPLANATION
Options C and D are incorrect as the Forward Pass is not used to calculate the duration. In fact, the critical path is calculated based on duration. Option B talks about Late Start and Late Finish, which are calculated using Backward Pass. Using Forward Pass, we calculate the Early Start and Early Finish of all the activities in the network diagram.
148You are working on identifying risks in a project. You have done extensive brainstorming and discussions with your team. You have also looked up the Organizational process assets and have come up with an exhaustive list of risks. You feel fairly confident now that you know all the risks. You decide to prioritize the risks and only focus on the high-priority ones. A team member indicates that a large number of risks have very low priority. She suggests you simply ignore them. You disagree and decide to maintain a list of such low-priority risks. Where will you maintain these low-priority risks?
SELECT THE CORRECT ANSWER
Risk Register
Risk Management Plan
Watch List
Issue Log
Correct Option:C
EXPLANATION
The risks have been identified in the Risk register. Based on prioritization, risk priorities are also updated in the risk register. All risks that are deemed low on priority are maintained in the Watch List specifically. The Risk Management Plan and the Issue Log are not meant to note or log risks. So, the correct answer is Watch List.
150A software development project has been awarded a vendor. Your company and the vendor have agreed to build this project using the Waterfall Methodology. The vendor informs you that the actual development can only start after the completion of design. Which type of relationship best describes the dependency between design and actual development?
SELECT THE CORRECT ANSWER
Finish-to-Finish
Finish-to-Start
Start-to-Start
Start-to-Finish
Correct Option:B
EXPLANATION
Finish-to-Start means that the Successor Activity cannot start without the Predecessor activity being completed. In this case, the Design is the Predecessor activity and Development is the Successor Activity. So, Development (Successor Activity) cannot start without completion of Design (Predecessor Activity).
158You are managing a project that is responsible for setting up an alcohol distillery. Your team is in its eighth month of execution. One of the vendors informs you that the delivery of agitators is going to be delayed by a week. You look up the project management plan and the schedule baselines and decide to set up all the reactors first. By moving tasks around based on your analysis, you see that there would be no impact on any of the performance measurement baselines. What should you do next?
SELECT THE CORRECT ANSWER
Go ahead and execute the rescheduled tasks as there is no impact on any of the baselines
Write up a change request and submit it to change control for approval
Analyze the impact of the change on the triple constraints and then submit a change request
Do nothing as this would cause changes to the baselines
Correct Option:A
EXPLANATION
In this case, the change is not going to impact any of the baselines. The project manager has the authority to make changes to the project if there is no impact on the baselines. This is one condition where changes can be made without undergoing change control, but note that this is done after ensuring that there is no impact on the baselines.
159Which of the following statements is true regarding Control Account?
SELECT THE CORRECT ANSWER
Used as a Tool and Technique in Activity Definition process
Used to estimate cost at a level lower than the work package
Used to control costs of the project
Used in Integrated Change Control
Correct Option:A
EXPLANATION
Control Accounts are used to provide a cost estimate at a level higher than the work package. They are used as a technique in activity definition process. They are not used to control costs of the project or in Integrated change control.
160Given a project which reports a CPI less than 1, you have asked one of your managers to generate the TCPI. Which formula should the project manager use in this case?
SELECT THE CORRECT ANSWER
( BAC - EV ) / ( BAC - AC )
( BAC - EV ) / ( EAC - AC )
EV / AC
EV / PV
Correct Option:B
EXPLANATION
( BAC - EV ) / ( BAC - AC ) -when the project is within budget. In
this case, the CPI value is less than 1,
so the project is not within budget.
( BAC - EV ) / ( EAC - AC )- when the project is over budget
EV / AC - not TCPI formulas. They are the CPI and SPI calculations
EV / PV - not TCPI formulas. They are the CPI and SPI calculations
The correct answer is Option B. Option A is to be used when the project is within budget. In this case, the CPI value is less than 1, so the project is not within budget. Option B is to be used when the project is over budget, which is the case here. So, it is the correct formula to use. Options C and D are not TCPI formulas. They are the CPI and SPI calculations and thus are not the correct choice.
163Which hierarchical chart shows all the tasks in a list?
SELECT THE CORRECT ANSWER
RBS
OBS
WBS
Scope statement
Correct Option:C
EXPLANATION
Work Breakdown Structure shows all the tasks.
164Which of the following is NOT part of the Control Quality process?
SELECT THE CORRECT ANSWER
Fishbone Diagram
Quality Audits
Checksheet
Histogram
Correct Option:B
EXPLANATION
Quality audits are part of the Perform Quality Assurance process.
174You are managing a project that is scheduled to run for an entire year. Things were looking good after the first two months. However, due to some mistakes made by the construction crew at the end of the third month, you realize that the expected work to be completed at this stage is not complete. As a result, the project is behind schedule and is also over budget. However, there are stiff penalties in the contract if the project is not complete within the stipulated timelines. As a result, your senior management has committed to additional staff to the project if required. What would be the Estimate at Completion for this project?
SELECT THE CORRECT ANSWER
EAC = BAC/CPI
EAC = AC + BAC - EV
EAC = AC + (BAC - EV/(CPI * SPI )
EAC = AC + Bottom-up Estimate
Correct Option:C
EXPLANATION
Option A is to be used if past CPI is expected to continue. Option B is to be used if future work is going to be performed at the planned rate. Option D is to be used when the initial plan is no longer valid. Option C is to be used if deadlines must be met, and both CPI and SPI influence remaining work. Here, the project must be completed within stipulated timelines.
178A project is reporting a negative Cost Variance. What does this mean?
SELECT THE CORRECT ANSWER
The project is under Budget.
The project is over Budget.
The project is running as per Budget.
None of the above
Correct Option:B
EXPLANATION
CV = (EV - AC). So, if the Cost Variance is in the negative, the Actual Cost is greater than the earned value, which means the project is running over budget.
179Which of the following is NOT a Risk Identification tool or technique?
SELECT THE CORRECT ANSWER
Risk Register
Documentation analysis
Brainstorming
Interviewing
Correct Option:A
EXPLANATION
Documentation reviews help identify risks based on the plans and assumptions, so this is a Risk Identification tool. Brainstorming deals with getting together various stakeholders and identifying potential risks. Interviewing experienced project participants, stakeholders, and subject matter experts is also a great way of identifying risks. Risk Register is not a tool; it is the document in which identified risks are documented. The Risk Register is not a Risk Identification tool.
180As a project manager of a large product, you and your team have shipped the deliverables to your customer. However, the customer has reported a number of serious issues in the quality of deliverables. As a result of this, the cost of quality of your project is deemed high. In the above scenario, which of the following would have decreased the cost of quality?
SELECT THE CORRECT ANSWER
Less Rework
Higher productivity
Lower costs
Stakeholder satisfaction
Correct Option:D
EXPLANATION
Options A, B, and C are benefits of meeting Quality Requirements. The question is about the reason for increase in cost of Quality. Generally, when stakeholders are not satisfied with the deliverables, there is rework involved. This increases the cost of quality. Hence, option D is correct.
