Project Foundations and Characteristics

Question 1

Define:

A Guide to the Project Management Body of Knowledge

(PMBOK Guide)

Answer 1

The PMI publication that defines widely accepted project management practices. The CAPM and the PMP exam are largely based on this book.

PMI reports that the PMBOK Guide is just one of several books used as reference for the PMP exam questions.

Question 2

Define:

Abusive Manner

Answer 2

Treating others with conduct that may result in harm, fear, humiliation, manipulation, or exploitation.

For example, berating a project team member because they have taken longer than expected to complete a project assignment may be considered humiliation.

Question 3

Define:

Adaptive Life Cycle

Answer 3

This approach first creates a project scope for the project, which must be approved, and then the project may utilize an iterative or an incremental approach to create deliverables.

They are commonly called change-driven lifecycles as the project scope, though approved, is likely to change as the development team creates deliverables.

Question 4

Define:

Agile Manifesto: Simplicity

Answer 4

Allows team members to focus on what is necessary to achieve the requirements needed to create and deliver value to the project and customer.

Question 5

Define:

Agile Practice Guide

Answer 5

This paints the big picture of agile projects, recommendations for implementing agile projects, and organizational considerations for agile.

Question 6

Define:

Agile Practices

Answer 6

To make use of the Agile principles through activities.

Question 7

Define:

Application Areas

Answer 7

The areas of expertise, industry, or function where a project is centered.

Examples of application areas include architecture, IT, health care, and manufacturing.

Question 8

Define:

Benefit Measurement Methods

Answer 8

These include scoring models, benefit-cost ratios, and economic models.

Question 9

Define:

Business Value

Answer 9

A quantifiable return on investment. The return can be tangible, such as equipment, money, or market share. The return can also be intangible, such as brand recognition, trademarks, and reputation.

When a project takes place in a business organization, one of the primary goals is to achieve a return on the investment of money, time, and energy for the project.

Question 10

Define:

Certified Associate in Project Management

(CAPM)

Answer 10

A person who has slightly less project management experience than a PMP, but who has qualified for and then passed the CAPM examination.

Question 11

Define:

Compliance

Answer 11

To meet regulations, rules, and standards.

Question 12

Define:

Conflict of Interest

Answer 12

A situation where a project manager may have two competing duties of loyalty.

For example, purchasing software from a relative may benefit the relative, but it may do harm to the performing organization.

Question 13

Define:

Constrained Optimization Models

Answer 13

These include mathematical models based on linear, integer, and dynamic programming.

Question 14

Define:

Cultural and Social Environment

Answer 14

Defines how a project affects people and how those people may affect the project.

Cultural and social environments include the economic, educational, ethical, religious, demographic, and ethnic composition of the people affected by the project.

Question 15

Define:

Deliverable

Answer 15

A product, service, or result created by a project.

Projects can have multiple deliverables.

Question 16

Define:

Deming PDCA Cycle

Answer 16

In this flow, the end of one process launches the start of another.

PDCA stands for “Plan-Do-Check-Act”. For example, the end of the planning process enables the launch of the doing process.

Question 17

Define:

Duration

Answer 17

The amount of work periods required to complete an estimated activity.

This may be abbreviated as “du.” For example, du=8d means the duration is eight days.

Question 18

Define:

Duty of Loyalty

Answer 18

A project manager’s responsibility to be loyal to another person, organization, or vendor.

For example, a project manager has a duty of loyalty to promote the best interests of an employer rather than the best interests of a vendor.

Question 19

Define:

Fairness

Answer 19

This is our duty to make decisions and act impartially and objectively.

Our behavior, as project managers, is to be void of competing self-interests, prejudice, and favoritism.

Question 20

List:

Five Traits of Honesty

Answer 20

• Seek the truth.
• Be truthful in communications and conduct.
• Provide accurate and timely information.
• Provide commitments and promises in good faith.
• Strive to create an environment where others feel safe to tell the truth.

Question 21

List:

Four Values of the Code of Ethics

Answer 21

• Responsibility
• Respect
• Fairness
• Honesty

Question 22

Define:

General Management Skills

Answer 22

These include the application of accounting, procurement, sales and marketing, contracting, manufacturing, logistics, strategic planning, human resource management, standards and regulations, and information technology.

Question 23

Define:

Honesty

Answer 23

This refers to being truthful in our conversations and in our actions.

This means that we, as project managers, don’t overpromise, don’t agree to deadline dates that we know we can’t meet, and don’t sandbag our budgets and deliverables.

Question 24

Define:

Hotspot

Answer 24

This is a PMP Question type where you’ll click an area of a graphic to answer the question.

Question 25

# Define: Hybrid Lifecycle

Answer 25

This is a combination of predictive and adaptive lifecycles. Depending on the organization and the discipline, the components of the project that are established will follow a predictive life cycle, while the project components that are not fully defined may follow the adaptive life cycle approach.

Question 26

# Define: Incremental Lifecycle

Answer 26

This is almost like an assembly line process: the features are added in predefined increments from the start until the final finished product. ## Footnote This is simply building the project deliverable in increments. The assembly line process isn't the best definition. The product is built and delivered in increments.

Question 27

# List: Intangible Benefits of Projects

Answer 27

* Brand recognition * Goodwill from clients and the public * Trademarks * Reputation

Question 28

# Define: International and Political Environment

Answer 28

The consideration of the local and international laws, languages, communication challenges, time zone differences, and other non-collocated issues that affect a project’s ability to progress.

Question 29

# Define: Interpersonal Skills

Answer 29

The ability to interact, lead, motivate, and manage people.

Question 30

# Define: Iron Triangle of Project Management

Answer 30

A triangle with the characteristics of time, cost, and scope. Time, cost, and scope each constitute one side of the triangle; if any side of the Iron Triangle is not in balance with the other sides, the project will suffer. ## Footnote Also known as the Triple Constraints of Project Management, as all projects are constrained by time, cost, and scope.

Question 31

# Define: Iterative Lifecycle

Answer 31

The project work is divided into chunks of time, called iterations, that enable the project team to tackle the top requirements first and also apply lessons learned to future iterations of project work. ## Footnote You might know iterations as time-boxed durations or sprints, but they are repeated cycles throughout the project.

Question 32

# Define: Just-In-Time Ordering

Answer 32

This reduces the cost of inventory but requires additional quality because materials would not be readily available if mistakes occurred.

Question 33

# Define: Limited Fill-in-the-Blank

Answer 33

This is a PMP question type where you must type in the correct answer.

Question 34

# List: Mandatory Values of Respect

Answer 34

- Project managers negotiate in good faith. - Project managers don’t influence decisions for personal gain at the expense of others. - Project managers are not abusive toward others. - Project managers respect the property rights of others.

Question 35

# Define: Matching

Answer 35

This is a PMP Question type where you must match items between two lists.

Question 36

# Define: Multiple Choice

Answer 36

This is a PMP Question type where only one answer is correct.

Question 37

# Define: Multiple Response

Answer 37

This is a PMP Question type where more than one answer can be selected.

Question 38

# Define: Operational Transfer

Answer 38

This is done at the end of a project when you transfer the deliverables from the project ownership into operations. ## Footnote Resources from the project team may be required to support the solution, train the staff on the deliverables, or just be available as part of a service-level agreement (SLA) with the recipients of the thing your project has created.

Question 39

# Define: Phase-End Review

Answer 39

This is the process used to determine that the phase deliverable has met all necessary obligations and then authorize the initiation of the subsequent phase. ## Footnote This is also known as a phase exit, phase gate, or a kill point.

Question 40

# Define: Physical Environment

Answer 40

The physical structure and surroundings that affect a project’s work.

Question 41

# Define: PMI Member

Answer 41

Anyone, whether certified as a project manager or not, who has joined the Project Management Institute.

Question 42

# Define: Portfolio Manager

Answer 42

They are in charge of the portfolio management processes—selecting projects, distributing risk exposure, and ensuring that the projects and programs are aligned with the organization’s strategies and business objectives.

Question 43

# Define: Practitioner

Answer 43

A person who is serving in the capacity of a project manager or contributing to the management of a project, portfolio of projects, or program. ## Footnote For example, a program manager is considered to be a project practitioner under this definition.

Question 44

# Define: Predictive Lifecycle

Answer 44

This is a project approach that “predicts” the work that will happen in each phase of the project. The outputs of one phase enable the next phase to begin, the project moves through a defined approach in each phase. ## Footnote Changes to the scope are more tightly controlled in this plan-driven approach than in other project management approaches. They are more commonly called a plan-driven or waterfall approach.

Question 45

# Define: Process

Answer 45

This is a set of actions and activities to achieve a product, result, or service.

Question 46

# Define: Process Groups

Answer 46

A collection of related processes in project management. ## Footnote There are five process groups and 49 project management processes. The five process groups are Initiating, Planning, Executing, Monitoring and Controlling, and Closing.

Question 47

# Define: Process Tailoring

Answer 47

To perfect agile processes for a particular project and environment.

Question 48

# Define: Product Lifecycle

Answer 48

The whole life of the product the project has created, from concept, to project, to usage and to retirement.

Question 49

# Define: Program

Answer 49

A collection of related projects working in unison toward a common deliverable. ## Footnote By creating a program, you can save time and effort by managing projects collectively. For example, the electrician, the telephone installer, and the network engineer can pool their resources to pull the electrical cables, telephone cables, and network cables all at once.

Question 50

# Define: Progressive Elaboration

Answer 50

The process of gathering project details using deductive reasoning, logic, and a series of information-gathering techniques to identify details about a project, product, or solution. ## Footnote This simply means that you start with a very broad concept, and then, through steady progressions, you gather more detail to clarify the concept your project centers on.

Question 51

# Define: Project

Answer 51

A temporary endeavor to create a unique product, service, or result, also known as a deliverable. ## Footnote Projects, like good stories, have a definite beginning and a definite ending. A project is over when the product, service, or result is created; the scope is fulfilled; and the customer has accepted the end result.

Question 52

# Define: Project Benefits Management Plan

Answer 52

A document created and maintained by the project sponsor and the project manager. The project benefits management plan defines what benefits the project will create, when the benefits will be realized, and how the benefits will be measured. ## Footnote The plan typically includes: * Target Benefits * Strategic Alignments * Timeframe * Benefits Owner * Metrics * Assumtions * Risks

Question 53

# Define: Project Business Case

Answer 53

Created and maintained by the project sponsor and shows the financial validity of why a project is chartered and launched within the organization. Typically, the project business case is created before the launch of the project and may be used as a go/no-go decision point. ## Footnote This typically defines the following: * Why the project is needed * What the project will accomplish * High-level scope description * Stakeholders affected by the project * Root cause of the problem or opportunity * Known risks the project will likely encounter * Critical success factors the project must achieve

Question 54

# Define: Project Environment

Answer 54

The location and culture where the project work will reside, including social, economic, and environmental variables the project must work with or around.

Question 55

# Define: Project Life Cycle

Answer 55

The phases that make up the project, unique to the type of work being performed and are not universal to all projects.

Question 56

# Define: Project Management

Answer 56

The application of knowledge, skills, tools, and techniques to project activities to meet project requirements. ## Footnote Managing a project centers on four things: 1. Identifying your project’s requirements. 2. Establishing clearly defined project objectives. 3. Managing project stakeholders by adapting your plans and approaches to keep those folks happy and the project moving along. 4. Keeping scope, schedule, costs, risk, resources, and quality all in balance.

Question 57

# Define: Project Management Institute | (PMI)

Answer 57

An organization of project management professionals from around the world, supporting and promoting the careers, values, and concerns of project managers.

Question 58

# Define: Project Management Office | (PMO)

Answer 58

A business unit that centralizes operations and procedures of all projects within the organization. ## Footnote The PMO can be supportive, controlling, or directive. A central office that oversees all projects within an organization or within a functional department. A PMO supports the project manager through software, training, templates, policies, communication, dispute resolution, and other services.

Question 59

# Define: Project Management Professional | (PMP)

Answer 59

A person who has proven project management experience and has qualified for and then passed the PMP examination.

Question 60

# Define: Project Manager

Answer 60

The role of leading the project team and managing the project resources to effectively achieve the objectives of the project.

Question 61

# Define: Project Portfolio Management

Answer 61

The management and selection of projects that support an organization’s vision and mission. It is the balance of project priority, risk, reward, and return on investment. This is a senior management process. ## Footnote The project portfolio defines the rules for selecting, maintaining, and even funding the projects within an organization. Portfolio management focuses on the selection and initiation of the best programs and projects that the organization should invest in.

Question 62

# Define: Quantitative Risk Analysis

Answer 62

This method assigns numeric values to probability and impact. ## Footnote This approach calculates a risk factor (or exposure) in dollars or time.

Question 63

# Define: Regulation

Answer 63

This is a rule that your industry must follow or risk fines and penalties. ## Footnote Regulations are project constraints and must be adhered to in the project. Each application area has associated regulations; consider laws that are specific to health care, construction, or manufacturing. They are not optional and may likely land you in jail when you fail to follow them.

Question 64

# Define: Respect

Answer 64

According to the PMI Code of Ethics and Professional Conduct, this refers not only to the respect we may deserve as project managers but also to the respect that others are due through their work and contributions to our projects and also to the environment we operate within. ## Footnote Respect among individuals and toward the environment promotes trust, confidence, and shared ownership of the project work and deliverables.

Question 65

# Define: Responsibility

Answer 65

According to the Code of Ethics and Professional Conduct, it is our responsibility, or duty, to take ownership for the decisions we make, or fail to make; ownership of our actions, or lack of actions; ownership of the results of those decisions and actions. ## Footnote For example, if you plagiarize someone else’s work and get caught, you don’t shift the blame.

Question 66

# Define: Standard

Answer 66

This is a generally accepted guideline for your industry. ## Footnote They are optional and may not land you in jail.

Question 67

# Define: Subprojects

Answer 67

A smaller project managed within a larger, parent project. Subprojects are often contracted work whose deliverable allows the larger project to progress. ## Footnote This is managed as an independent project but has constraints and requirements within the larger project. For example, a project to build a new house may create a subproject for the installation of home automation.

Question 68

# List: Tangible Benefits of Projects

Answer 68

* Money * Stockholder equity * Equipment * Fixtures * Market share

Question 69

# Define: Waterfall

Answer 69

Resistant to change that requires heavy planning and sequential, traditional approach.

Question 70

# Define: Work Performance Data

Answer 70

Raw data, observations, and measurements about project components. ## Footnote It is gathered and stored in the project management information system (PMIS), such as Microsoft Project, Smartsheet, or your favorite project management software.

Question 71

# Define: Work Performance Information

Answer 71

It is the processed and analyzed data that will help the project manager make project decisions. ## Footnote This can determine what resources are needed in the project, what activities are late and how their lateness may introduce risks, and how the project team’s performance is trending. Work performance information, unlike work performance data, is useable.

Question 72

# Define: Work Performance Reports

Answer 72

This is the formatted communication of work performance information. ## Footnote Work performance reports communicate what is happening in the project through status reports, memos, dashboards, or other modalities.