Question 1

The number of organizations implementing some type of PMO is declining.

Accepted Answer

The statement is not true. The trend over the past decade has actually shown an increase in the number of organizations implementing some type of PMO, although the extent and type of PMO may vary.

Question 2

Describe the drawbacks of a PMO.

Accepted Answer

Project management offices are not without issues or drawbacks. A PMO is not a "silver bullet" that, once implemented, will fix all of the organization's project issues. Establishing a well-functioning PMO requires a culture change across the organization. Some departments or divisions need to give up some control or authority to the PMO. A PMO requires upfront expenses and training, sometimes for long periods, before it begins to show a positive ROI. Finally, implementers need to make sure that the PMO doesn't become a bureaucracy of paperwork that ultimately gets in the way of getting projects completed successfully.

Question 3

Describe five reasons organizations outsource.

Accepted Answer

Organizations looking for competitive advantages are outsourcing for a variety of reasons. The number-one reason is cost. Hiring IT workers outside the United States offers cost advantages in terms of salaries. Table 14-1 lists the average IT worker salaries from various countries, as reported in a recent article from BusinessWeek. (King, 2008) Other common reasons for outsourcing include the following:
• Transferring the risk to a seller
• Flexibility in resource management (that is, freeing up internal resources to work on other projects or to aid in completing a task more quickly)
• Access to expertise not available in-house
• Allowing the organization to concentrate on its core competencies
• Disaster recovery

Question 4

The chief project officer of the PMO owns project management for the enterprise, business unit, or department. Expert and mentor in all areas of project management.

Accepted Answer

The Chief Project Officer of the PMO is responsible for overseeing project management for the entire organization, providing expertise and guidance as needed to ensure successful completion of projects. They are a mentor and leader in project management best practices.

Question 5

The chief project officer handles consolidating and managing of project plans, including schedule development, budgeting, and resources.

Accepted Answer

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Question 6

Describe at least five best practices when implementing a PMO.

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Question 7

Describe at least three ethical issues that many IT workers deal with.

Accepted Answer

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Question 8

The project librarian of the PMO maintains a repository of project knowledge (records, standards, methods, and lessons learned).

Accepted Answer

The project librarian is responsible for maintaining a repository of project knowledge. This includes records, standards, methods, and lessons learned. This repository serves as a resource for current and future projects within the PMO.

Question 9

Describe five key processes that still need to be owned by the company (versus outsourcing).

Accepted Answer

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Question 10

Explain why the number of organizations implementing some type of PMO is growing rapidly.

Accepted Answer

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Question 11

Name and describe five different alternatives available for outsourcing.

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Question 12

The best practice expert of the PMO develops and maintains project management methodology and processes.

Accepted Answer

The best practice expert of the PMO is responsible for developing and maintaining project management methodology and processes to ensure consistent and successful project delivery.

Question 13

Define the five levels of CMMI maturity.

Accepted Answer

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Question 14

The best practice expert of the PMO prepares and executes process quality assurance plans. Documents and maintains project processes and standards.

Accepted Answer

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Question 15

What are the benefits provided an organization by its PMO.

Accepted Answer

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Question 16

The project management office (PMO) is an organizational entity (for example, group, department, business unit) with full-time personnel assigned to provide a wide range of project management support and services across an entire organization.

Accepted Answer

The statement accurately describes the role and function of a PMO.

Question 17

Define the three broad levels at which the PMO might operate, according to Kent Crawford (2002), in his book The Strategic Project Office.

Accepted Answer

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Question 18

What are some reasons the use of virtual teams is on the rise?

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Question 19

Describe at least six of the resources who make up the PMO.

Accepted Answer

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Question 20

Describe at least eight tasks performed by the PMO.

Accepted Answer

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Quiz 14: Advanced Topics in Project Management