Project Management Basics - 8.0 Project Quality Management

Question 1

Which of the following processes provides guidance and direction on how quality will be managed and verified throughout the project?

a. Manage Quality
b. Control Quality
c. Create Quality Metrics
d. Plan Quality Management

Answer 1

d. Plan Quality Management

Plan Quality Management is the process of identifying quality requirements and/or standards for the project and its deliverables and documenting how the project will demonstrate compliance with quality requirements and/or standards. The key benefit of this process is that it provides guidance and direction on how quality will be managed and verified throughout the project.

See Section8.1 Plan Quality Management

Question 2

Because of the temporary nature of and the potential benefits that may be derived from reducing the post-project cost of quality, ______ may choose to invest in product quality improvement, especially in the areas of prevention and appraisal.

a. Sponsoring organizations
b. The project management team
c. The project executive management team
d. The project quality funtion deployment (QFD) organization.

Answer 2

a. Sponsoring organizations

Organizations choose to invest in defect prevention because of the benefits over the life of the product. Because projects are temporary, decisions about the COQ over a product’s life cycle are often the concern of portfolio management, program management, the PMO, or operations.

See Section 8 Key Concepts for Project Quality Management

Question 3

Customer satisfaction requires a combination of which of the following?

a. Fitness for use and stakeholder teamwork.
b. Strict adherence to requirements and stakeholder teamwork.
c. Combination of conformance to requirements and fitness for use.
d. Sponsor participation and on-time schedule

Answer 3

c. Combination of conformance to requirements and fitness for use.

Customer satisfaction requires a combination of conformance to requirements ( to ensure the project produces what it was created to produce) and fitness for use ( the product or service needs to satisfy the real needs). In agile environments, stakeholder engagement with the team ensures customer satisfaction is maintained throughout the project.

See Section 8 Trends and Emerging practices in Project Quality Management

Question 4

Which of the following is the process of translating the quality management plan into executable quality activities that incorporate the organization’s quality policies into the project?

a. Plan quality management
b. Execute quality management
c. Control quality
d. Manage quality

Answer 4

d. Manage quality

Manage quality is the process of translating the quality management plan into executable quality activities that incorporate the organization’s quality policies into the project.

See Section 8.2 in PMBOK GUIDE

Question 5

Identifying quality requirements and/or standards for the project and its deliverables and documenting how the project will demonstrate compliance with quality requirements is:

a. Plan quality management
b. Conceptual phase
c. Control quality process
d. Project implementation phase

Answer 5

a. Plan quality management

Plan Quality Management is the process of identifying quality requirements and/or standards for the project and its deliverables and documenting how the project will demonstrate compliance with quality requirements.

See Section 8.1 Plan Quality Management in PMBOK

Question 6

Project Quality Management entails which 3 quality processes?

Answer 6

1. Plan Quality Management
2. Manage Quality
3. Control Quality

Question 7

Quality and grade are not the same. A fundamental distinction is that:

a. A Quality level that fails to meet quality requirements may not be a problem; a low grade of quality is always a problem.
b. Delivering the required levels of quality is not included in the responsibilities of the project manager and the project team.
c. Quality is the degree a set of inherent characteristics fulfills requirements: grade is a category of deliverables having the same functional use but different technical characteristics.
d. Delivering the required levels of grade is not included in the responsibilities of the project manager and the project team.

Answer 7

c. Quality is the degree a set of inherent characteristics fulfills requirements: grade is a category of deliverables having the same functional use but different technical characteristics.

Quality is a delivered performance or result is the degree to which a set of inherent characteristics fulfill requirements. Grade as a design intent is a category assigned to deliverables having the same functional use but different technical characteristics.

See Section 8 Project Quality Management

Question 8

all of the following are considerations for tailoring Project Quality Management EXCEPT:

a. Policy compliance and auditing
b. Stakeholder management
c. Standards and regulatory compliance
d. Continues improvement

Answer 8

b. Stakeholder management

Each project is unique: therefore, the project manager will need to tailor the way Project Quality Management processes are applied. Considerations for tailoring include, but are not limited to:

• Policy Compliance and auditing,
• Standards and regulatory compliance,
• Continues improvement,
• And stakeholder engagement.

See Section 8 Tailoring Considerations

Question 9

Understanding, evaluating, defining, and managing requirements are essential to satisfying:

a. Upper management
b. Functional requirements
c. The scope statement
d. Customer expectations

Answer 9

d. Customer expectations

Trens in Project Quality Management include but are not limited to: Customer satisfaction: Understand, evaluate, define and manger requirements so that customer expectations are met.

See Section 8 Trends and Emerging Practices in Project Quality Management

Question 10

Project Quality Management includes the processes for incorporating the organization’s quality policy regarding planning, managing, and controlling project and product quality requirements in order to:

a. Meet Stakeholders ‘ objectives
b. Meet standards of performance for the project team
c. Improve process capability
d. Control products, services, and results

Answer 10

a. Meet Stakeholder’s objectives

Project Quality Management includes the processes for incorporating the organization’s quality policy regarding planning, managing, and controlling project and product quality requirements in order to meet stakeholders’ objectives. Project Quality Management also supports continuous process improvement activities as undertaken on behalf of the performing organization.

See Section 8 Project Quality Management

Question 11

When tailoring processes for Project Quality Management, you should consider all of these EXCEPT:

a. Stakeholder engagement
b. Project complexity, uncertainty, and product novelty
c. Standards and regulatory compliance
d. Policy compliance and auditing

Answer 11

b. Project complexity, uncertainty, and product novelty

Considerations for tailoring Project Quality Management include but are not limited to:

• Policy compliance and auditing,
• standards and regulatory compliance,
• continuous improvement,
• and stakeholder engagement.

See Section 8 Tailoring Considerations

Question 12

Which of the following includes all costs incurred over the life of the product by investment in preventing nonconformance to requirements, appraisal of the product or service for conformance to requirements, and failure to meet requirements?

a. Cost of quality (COQ)
b. Cost of errors (COE)
c. Total cost (TC)
d. Budget at completion (BAC)

Answer 12

a. Cost of quality (COQ)

The cost of quality (COQ) includes all costs incurred over the life of the product by investment in preventing nonconformance to requirements, appraising the product or service for conformance to requirements, and failing to meet requirements (rework). Cost of quality is often the concern of program management, portfolio management, the PMO, or operations.

See Section 8 Key Concepts for Project Quality Management

Question 13

Whose objectives does the Project Quality Management aim to meet?

a. Sponsor’s
b. Stakeholder’s
c. Project Team Member’s
d. Seller’s

Answer 13

b. Stakeholder’s

Project Quality Management includes the processes for incorporating the organization’s quality policy regarding planning, managing, and controlling project and product quality requirements in order to meet stakeholders’ objectives. Project Quality Management also supports continuous improvement activities as undertaken on behalf of the performing organization.

See Section 8 Project Quality Management

Question 14

Which of the following considerations for tailoring in Project Quality Management?

a. Auditing and management responsibility
b. Stakeholder management and continuous improvement
c. Regulatory compliance and stakeholder management
d. Stakeholder engagement and policy compliance and auditing

Answer 14

d. Stakeholder engagement and policy compliance and auditing

Each project is unique: therefore, the project manager will need to tailor the way Project Quality Management processes are applied. Considerations for tailoring include, but are not limited to:

• Policy Compliance and auditing,
• Standards and regulatory compliance,
• Continues improvement,
• And stakeholder engagement.

See Section 8 Tailoring Considerations

Question 15

The process of implementing a set of planned and systematic acts and processes defined within the project’s quality management plan is:

a. Manage Quality
b. Plan Quality Assurance
c. Control Quality
d. Plan Quality Management

Answer 15

a. Manage Quality

The Manage Quality process implements a set of planned and systematic acts and processes defined within the project’s quality management plan.

See Section 8.2 Manage Quality

Question 16

Project Quality Management includes all of the following EXCEPT:

a. Prevention is preferred over inspection.
b. Project managers may need to be familiar with sampling
c. The project manager and team are responsible for managing trade-offs associated with delivering the required levels of both quality and grade.
d. Project life cycles range along a continuum from predictive to adaptive or agile.

Answer 16

d. Project life cycles range along a continuum from predictive to adaptive or agile.

Key concepts for Project Quality Management include but are not limited to:

• Addresses the management of the project and the deliverables of the project;
• Quality and grade are different concepts;
• Prevention is preferred over inspection;
• Project managers may need to be familiar with sampling;
• Many projects establish tolerances and control limits for project and product measurements.

See Section X4.5 in PMBOk

Question 17

All of the following are primary benefits of meeting quality requirements EXCEPT:

a. Higher productivity
b. Fewer change orders
c. Lower costs
d. Less rework

Answer 17

b. Fewer change orders

The primary benefits of meeting quality requirements include:

• less rework,
• higher productivity,
• lower costs,
• increased stakeholder satisfaction,
• and increased profitability.

See Section 8.1.2.3 Data Analysis in Project Quality Management

Question 18

Which of the following involves comparing actual or planned project practices to those of comparable projects to identify best practices, generate ideas for improvement, and provide a basis for measuring performance?

a. Benchmarking
b. Matrix diagrams
c. Cost-benefit analysis
d. PERT chart

Answer 18

a. Benchmarking

Benchmarking involves comparing actual or planned project practices or the project’s quality standards to those of comparable projects to identify best practices, generate ideas for improvement, and provide a basis for measuring performance. Benchmarked projects may exist within the performing organization or outside of it, or can be within the same application area or other application areas.

See Section 8.1.2.2. Data Gathering in Project Quality Management

Question 19

Cost of quality includes all of the following EXCEPT:

a. Operating computers required for the project.
b. Failing to meet requirements (rework)
c. Preventing nonconformance to requirements
d. Appraising the product or service for conformance to requirements

Answer 19

a. Operating computers required for the project.

The cost of Quality (COQ) includes all cost incurred over the life of the product by investment in:

• preventing nonconformance to requirements,
• appraising the product or service for conformance to requirements,
• and failing to meet requirements (rework).

See Section 8.1.2.3. Data Analysis

Question 20

The quality management plan is a component of the ______, which describes how the organization’s quality policies will be implemented.

a. Project scope
b. Program management plan
c. Project management plan
d. Governance management plan

Answer 20

c. Project management plan

The quality management plan is a component of the project management plan that describes how applicable policies, procedures, and guidelines will be implemented to achieve the quality objectives.

See Section 8.1.3.1 in the PMBOK Guide

Question 21

Which of the following best describes benchmarking?

a. A financial analysis tool used to estimate the
strengths and weaknesses of alternatives
b. Workflow branching model used to associate
steps in a process
c. A diagrammatic method used to visually organize
information
d. A process that involves comparing actual or planned project practices to those of comparable projects.

Answer 21

d. A process that involves comparing actual or planned project practices to those of comparable projects.

Benchmarking involves comparing actual or planned project practices or the project’s quality standards to those of comparable projects to identify best practices, generate ideas for improvement, and provide a basis for measuring performance. Benchmarked projects may exist within the performing organization or outside of it, or can be within the same application area or other application area.

See Section 8.1.2.2. Data Gathering in Project Quality Management.

Question 22

The cost of quality associated with a project consists of one or more of which of the following costs?

a. Liability, acquisition, and failure costs
b. Prevention, acquisition, and failure costs
c. Appraisal, liability, and prevention costs
d. Prevention, appraisal, and failure costs

Answer 22

d. Prevention, appraisal, and failure costs

The cost of quality (COQ) includes all costs incurred over the life of the product by investment in preventing nonconformance to requirements, appraising the product or service for conformance to requirements, and failing to requirements (rework).

See Section 8.1.2.3. Data Analysis

Question 23

What input to the Plan Quality Management process includes assumption log, requirements documentation, requirements traceability matrix, risk register, and stakeholder register?

a. Organizational process assets
b. Quality metrics
c. Project documents
d. Quality management plan

Answer 23

c. Project documents

Project Quality Management: Inputs

• project charter;
• project management plan;
• project documents (assumption log, requirements documentation, requirements traceability matrix, risk register, stakeholder register);
• enterprise environmental factors;
• Organizational process assets

See Figure 8-3

Question 24

Which of the following are primary benefits of meeting quality requirements?

a. Sponsor acceptance and on time schedule
b. Higher productivity and fewer change orders
c. Lower costs and fewer change orders
d. Less rework and lower costs

Answer 24

d. Less rework and lower costs

The primary benefits of meeting quality requirements include

• less rework,
• higher productivity,
• lower costs,
• increased stakeholder satisfaction,
• and increased profitability

See Section 8.1.2.3. Data Analysis in Project Quality Management

Question 25

Which of the following best defines the purpose of test and evaluation documents?

a. They are used to evaluate the achievement of quality objectives
b. They are used to map dependent activities to one another within a schedule
c. They are used in sensitivity analysis for comparing the relative importance of variables.
d. They are used to determine the appropriate combination of inputs, tools, and techniques used to manage a project.

Answer 25

a. They are used to evaluate the achievement of quality objectives

Test and evaluation documents can be created based on industry needs and the or organization’s templates. They are inputs to the Control Quality process and are used to evaluate the achievement of quality objectives. These documents may include dedicated checklists and detailed requirements traceability matrices as part of the document.

See Section 8.2.3.2 Tes and Evaluation Documents

Question 26

Which of the following is the best definition of a quality audit?

a. Establishes the basic principles that should govern the organization’s actions as it implements its system for quality management.
b. A document that includes quality management issues, recommendations for corrective actions, and a summary of findings from quality control activities.
c. A structured, independent process to determine if project activities comply with organizational and project policies, processes, and procedures.
d. A description of a project or product attribute and how to measure it.

Answer 26

c. A structured, independent process to determine if project activities comply with organizational and project policies, processes, and procedures.

A quality audit is a structured, independent process to determine if project activities comply with organizational and project policies, processes, and procedures.

See Section 8 Glossary: Quality Audit

Question 27

What input to the Manage Quality process may influence quality assurance work and should be monitored within the context of a configuration management system?

a. Process improvement plan
b. Project documents
c. Quality management plan
d. Quality metrics

Answer 27

b. Project documents

The process of translating the quality management plan into executable quality activities that incorporate the organization’s quality policies into the project. Inputs include:

• Project management plan ( quality management plan);
• Project documents ( lessons learned register, quality control measurements, quality metrics, risk report);
• Organizational process assets.

See Section 8.2 Manage Quality

Question 28

Manage quality is the process of:

a. Providing the project team and stakeholders with
standards by which project performance is measured
b. Applying planned, systematic quality activities to
ensure effective policing and conformance of the
project team to the approved specifications
c. Translating the quality management plan into executable quality activities that incorporate the organization’s quality policies into the project.
d. Assuring the implementation of appropriate
specifications, which generally reduces the probability
of the project being completed on schedule

Answer 28

c. Translating the quality management plan into executable quality activities that incorporate the organization’s quality policies into the project.

Manage quality is the process of translating the quality management plan into executable quality activities that incorporate the organization”s quality policies into the project.

See Section 8.2

Question 29

What do affinity diagrams allow to be classified into groups for review and analysis?

a. A select group of concepts
b. A set of deliverables
c. A group of quality grades
d. A large number of ideas

Answer 29

d. A large number of ideas

Affinity diagrams are a technique that allows large numbers of ideas to be classified into groups for review and analysis.

See Glossary: Affinity Diagrams

Question 30

All of the following are true about affinity diagrams EXCEPT:

a. They are part of the tools and techniques of the Manage Quality process.
b. They allow large numbers of ideas to be classified into groups for analysis.
c. They can be used to organize potential causes of defects.
d. They are used to identify the key issues to be prioritized as a set of decisions for implementation

Answer 30

d. They are used to identify the key issues to be prioritized as a set of decisions for implementation

Affinity diagrams can organize potential causes of defects into groups showing areas that should be focused on the most. Affinity diagrams are a technique that allows a large number of ideas to be classified into groups for review and analysis.

See Section 8.2.2.4 Data Representation; Figure 8-7 Manage Quality: Inputs, Tools & Techniques, and Outputs; and Glossary: Affinity Diagrams

Question 31

Which of the following best describes test and evaluation documents:

a. A special type of bar chart used in a sensitivity analysis
for comparing the relative importance of the variables
b. A document used to determine the appropriate
combination of processes, inputs, tools, techniques
outputs, and lifecycle phases to manage a project
c. A dependent activity that logically comes after another
activity in a schedule
d. Project documents that describe the activities used to determine if the product meets the quality objectives stated in the quality management plan.

Answer 31

d. Project documents that describe the activities used to determine if the product meets the quality objectives stated in the quality management plan.

Test and evaluation documents can be created based on industry needs and the organization’s templates. They are inputs to the Control Quality process and are used to evaluate the achievement of quality objectives. These documents may include dedicated checklists and detailed requirements traceability matrices as part of the document.

See Section 8.2.3.2 Test and Evaluation Documents

Question 32

Which of the following is a structured
independent process used to determine:

a. Regulatory compliance
b. Interviews
c. Surveys
d. Audits

Answer 32

d. Audits

A quality audit is a structured, independent process to determine if project activities comply with organizational and project policies, processes, and procedures.

See Section 8 Glossary: Quality Audit.

Question 33

Which of the following is an output of Control Quality process associated with the Project Quality Management Knowledge Area?

a. Data gathering checklists
b. Approved change requests
c. Cause-and-effect diagrams
d. Work performance information

Answer 33

d. Work performance information

Control Quality: Outputs

• Quality control measurements;
• Verified deliverables;
• Work performance information;
• Change requests;
• Project management plan updates (quality management plan);
• Project documents updates ( issues log, lessons learned register, risk register, test and evaluation documents).

See Figure 8-10 Inputs, Tools & Techniques, and Outputs

Question 34

The main purpose of control charts is to:

a. Illustrate control limits that fit with sponsor requirements
b. Illustrate how various factors might be linked to potential problems
c. Determine whether or not a process is stable or has predictable performance
d. Determine root cause analysis

Answer 34

c. Determine whether or not a process is stable or has predictable performance

Control charts are used to determine whether or not a process is stable or has predictable performance.

See Section 8.3.2.5 Data Representation

Question 35

Inputs to control quality include all of the following EXCEPT:

a. Work performance data
b. PERT chart
c. Project management plan
d. Quality metrics

Answer 35

b. PERT chart

The Control Quality process has the following inputs:

• Project management plan (Quality management plan, project documents, lessons learned register, quality metric, and test and evaluation documents),
• approved change requests,
• deliverables,
• Work performance data,
• Enterprise environmental factors,
• and organizational process assets

See Figure 8-10 Control Quality Inputs, Tools & Techniques, and Outputs

Question 36

Control charts have all of the following characteristics EXCEPT:

a. They are a graphical displays of process data over time and against established control limits.
b. They can be used to monitor various types of output variables.
c. They are used to illustrate how various factors might be linked to potential problems or effects.
d. They are used to determine whether or not a process is stable or has predictable performance.

Answer 36

c. They are used to illustrate how various factors might be linked to potential problems or effects.

A Control chart is a graphic display of process data over time and against established control limits, which has a centerline that assists in detecting a trend of plotted values toward either control limit. Control charts are used to determine whether or not a process is stable or has predictable performance.

See Glossary; Control Charts, and Section 8.3.2.5 Data Representation

Question 37

What quality control tool may be used to gather data about customer satisfaction after the deployment of the product or service?

a. Audits
b. Quality improvement methods
c. Expert judgment
d. Questionnaires and Surveys

Answer 37

d. Questionnaires and Surveys

Questionnaires and surveys. Surveys may be used to gather data about customer satisfaction after the deployment of the product or service. The cost regarding defects identified in the surveys may be considered external failure costs in the cost of quality (COQ) model and can have extensive cost implications for the organization.

See Section 8.3.2.1 Data Gathering

Question 38

The main purpose of control charts is to :

a. Illustrate how various factors might be linked to potential problems
b. illustrate control limits that fit with sponsor requirements
c. Determine whether or not a process is stable or has predictable performance
d. Determine root cause analysis

Answer 38

c. Determine whether or not a process is stable or has predictable performance

Control charts are used to determine whether or not a process is stable or has predictable performance.

See Section 8.3.2.5 Data Representation

Question 39

Control charts have all of the following
characteristics EXCEPT:

a. They can be used to monitor various types of output variables.
b. They are used to determine whether or not a process is stable or has predictable performance.
c. They are graphical displays of process data over time and against established control limits.
d. They are used to illustrate how various factors might be linked to potential problems or effects

Answer 39

d. They are used to illustrate how various factors might be linked to potential problems or effects

A control chart is a graphic display of process data over time and against established control limits, which has a centerline that assists in detecting a trend of plotted values toward either control limit. Control charts are used to determine whether or not a process is stable or has predictable performance.

See Glossary: Control Charts, and Section 8.3.2.5 Data Representation

Question 40

All of the following are inputs to the Estimate Activity Resources process EXCEPT:

a. Enterprise environmental factors
b. Activity list
c. Resource management plan
d. Resource breakdown structure (RBS)

Answer 40

d. Resource breakdown structure (RBS)

Estimate Activity Resources: Inputs:

• Project management plan (resource management plan, scope baseline),
• Project documents ( activity attributes, activity list, assumption log, cost estimates, resources calendars, risk register),
• Enterprise environmental factors,
• and Organizational process assets.

See Figure 9-5 Estimate Activity Resources: Inputs, Tools & Techniques, and Outputs

Question 41

Which of the following is an input to the Estimate Activity Resources process?

a. Basis of estimates
b. Risk register
c. Bottom-up estimating
d. Project management information system

Answer 41

b. Risk register

Estimate Activity Resources: Inputs:

• Project management plan ( resource management plan, scope baseline),
• Project documents (activity attributes, activity list, assumptiom log, cost estimates, resource calendards, risk register),
• Project documents (activity attributes, activity list, assumption log, cost estimates, resource calendards, risk register),
• Enterprise environmental factors,
• and organizational process assets.

See Figure 9-5 Estimate Activity Resources: Inputs, Tools & Techniques

Question 42

The types and quantities of resources required for each activity in a work package are included in which of the following?

a. Resource requirements
b. Organizational chart
c. Resource breakdown structure.
d. Resource package

Answer 42

a. Resource requirements

Resource Requirements. The types and quantities of resources required for each activity in a work package.

See resource requirements in the Glossary.

Question 43

Which of the following is an output of the Estimate Activity Resources process?

a. Project management information system.
b. Analogous estimating
c. Scope baseline
d. Resource breakdown structure (RBS)

Answer 43

d. Resource breakdown structure (RBS)

Estimate Activity Resources: Outputs:
- Resource requirements,
- Basis of estimates,
- Resource breakdown structure,
and Project documents updates  ( Activity attributes, assumption log, lessons learned register). 

See Figure 9-5 Estimate Activity Resources : Inputs, Tools & Techniques