Deck 4: Defining the Project

Question 1

Scott has just been given a project that has a specific completion date.After a discussion with top management he finds that while the date is important the cost is more important and a slip in delivery would be acceptable if required to meet the cost targets.The completion date is best classified as

A)Constrained.
B)Reduced.
C)Accepted.
D)Limited.
E)Optional.

Answer 1

C
Explanation: For which criterion is it tolerable or acceptable not to meet the original parameters? When trade-offs have to be made, is it permissible for the schedule to slip, to reduce the scope and performance of the project, or to go over budget? In this incident cost is constrained and the date will be accepted.

Question 2

Jose is looking at a document that outlines the specific deliverables and sub-deliverables required to complete the writing of a technical support manual.He is most likely viewing the

A)Responsibility matrix.
B)Organization breakdown structure.
C)Work breakdown structure.
D)Priority matrix.
E)Work package.

Answer 2

C
Explanation: Once the scope and deliverables have been identified, the work can be successfully subdivided into smaller work elements.The outcome of this hierarchical process is called the work breakdown structure.

Question 3

The ability of a 911 emergency system to identify the caller's phone number and location is considered to be a

A)Technical requirement.
B)Milestone.
C)Project limit.
D)Project exclusion.
E)Project deliverable.

Answer 3

A
Explanation: More frequently than not, a product or service will have technical requirements to ensure proper performance.

Question 4

How is project scope defined?

A)The length of your project and how much it will cost
B)The deliverables or outputs during the course of the project
C)The range of resources you have available and their capabilities
D)What you expect to deliver to your customer when the project is complete
E)The range of customer expectations

Question 5

After reviewing the project scope statement, the owner specifies that costs MUST stay within $400,000.This criterion is classified as

A)Constrained.
B)Enhanced.
C)Accepted.
D)Limited.
E)Fixed.

Question 6

Which of the following is NOT one of the items that would appear on a project scope statement or checklist?

A)Deliverables
B)Technical requirements
C)Objectives
D)Work breakdown structure
E)Reviews with customer

Question 7

One of the primary jobs of a project manager is to manage the trade-offs associated with the project.Which of the following is NOT one of the basic classifications of project priorities?

A)Profit
B)Cost
C)Time
D)Performance
E)All of these are basic classifications.

Question 8

Which of the following is NOT true regarding scope creep?

A)It is when the cost of the project is more than expected.
B)It is the tendency for the project scope to expand over time.
C)It most likely caused by a scope statement that is too broad.
D)It can have both positive and negative impacts on a project.
E)It can lead to added costs and possible project delays.

Question 9

"To construct a high-quality, custom home within five months at costs not to exceed $150,000" is best classified as

A)A deliverable.
B)A milestone.
C)An objective.
D)A limit.
E)An exclusion.

Question 10

Linda has just been assigned manager of a project to develop a new advertising campaign for an established product.Her first step should be to

A)Establish project priorities.
B)Define the project scope.
C)Verify the budget available.
D)Assign team members to work on the project.
E)Determine the required completion date.

Question 11

The first step of project scope definition is to

A)Analyze the strategic plan.
B)Analyze the current budget plan.
C)Meet with team members.
D)Select team members.
E)Define the overall objective to meet the customer's needs.

Question 12

The highest element in the hierarchical breakdown of the WBS is

A)A work package.
B)Sub-deliverables.
C)A cost account.
D)Major deliverables.
E)The project.

Question 13

An expected output over the life of a project would be classified as

A)A deliverable.
B)A product.
C)An end object.
D)An objective.
E)A target.

Question 14

There are 5 steps involved when defining a project; which of the following is the second?

A)Analyze the strategic plan
B)Analyze the current budget plan
C)Establish project priorities
D)Select team members
E)Define the major objectives to meet the customer's needs

Question 15

There are 5 steps involved when defining a project; which of the following is the first?

A)Establish project priorities
B)Define the project scope
C)Verify the budget available
D)Assign team members to work on the project
E)Determine the required completion date

Question 16

In reviewing the project plan, Susan sees that the first prototype must be completed by October 12.This would be best classified as a

A)Project target.
B)Limit item.
C)Milestone.
D)Project objective.
E)Critical goal.

Question 17

All of the following are usually included in a work package EXCEPT

A)Work to be done.
B)The time needed to complete the work.
C)A single person who is responsible for its completion.
D)All the costs for the work package.
E)All of these are included in a work package.

Question 18

All of the following are ways the WBS helps in managing projects EXCEPT

A)With cost and time estimates the WBS makes it possible to plan, schedule and budget the project.
B)It provides management with information appropriate to each level.
C)Can be used to define communication channels.
D)Allows the project manager to establish the overall objective of the project.
E)As it is developed, organizational units and individuals can be assigned responsibility of work packages.

Question 19

The _________ is used to assist in making project trade-offs among schedule, budget, and performance objectives.

A)Responsibility matrix
B)Work breakdown structure
C)Project priority matrix
D)Work package
E)Criterion matrix

Question 20

The lowest element in the hierarchical breakdown of the WBS is

A)A deliverable.
B)A work package.
C)A cost account.
D)A lowest sub-deliverable.
E)An object.

Question 21

The definition of the end result or mission of your project, or what you expect to deliver to your customer when the project is complete is the project ___________.

Question 22

One way for a project manager to communicate the authority granted to individual project members is to publish a

A)Work Breakdown Structure.
B)Project Plan.
C)Responsibility Matrix.
D)Project Communication Plan.

Question 23

A communication plan is a key component for giving guidelines on how to track project

A)Issues.
B)Costs.
C)Defects.
D)Both costs and defects.

Question 24

A selective outline of the project that ensures the identification of all tasks and an understanding of what is to be done is called a(n)____________.

Question 25

When work packages are integrated with organizational units, a control point is created called a

A)Responsibility matrix.
B)Priority matrix.
C)Work package.
D)Cost account.
E)Project overlap.

Question 26

Which of the following is a good example of a Process Breakdown Structure?

A)New car prototype
B)New software program
C)New instruction manual
D)New sports stadium
E)New project management book

Question 27

Which of the following is least likely to be included in a work package?

A)How long the work package should take to complete
B)A description of work to be performed
C)Overhead expenses
D)How much the work package should cost to complete
E)The person responsible for the work package

Question 28

Significant events in a project that occur at a specific point in time, are natural control points, and are easily recognized by project participants are known as ___________.

Question 29

A "Dissemination Mode" is

A)How project schedules are version controlled.
B)A description of what is important to project stakeholders.
C)What defines how project communication is to occur.
D)None of these choices.

Question 30

The project scope statement indicates that the client is responsible for training the people who will be using the equipment and that the project team will train the client's trainers.This is an example of

A)Project objectives.
B)Deliverables.
C)Limits and exclusions.
D)Technical requirements.
E)Milestones.

Question 31

Having a strong communication plan can go a long way toward mitigating project problems.A communication plan should address all of the following EXCEPT

A)When the information will be communicated.
B)How information should be communicated and to whom.
C)Which methods will be used to gather and store information.
D)What information needs to be collected and are there limits as to who has access to it.
E)All of these should be addressed in a communication plan.

Question 32

If a project is small and does not require an elaborate system to assign tasks, which of the following is a good choice?

A)Responsibility matrix
B)Organization breakdown structure
C)Work breakdown structure
D)Priority matrix
E)Process breakdown structure

Question 33

There are 5 steps involved when defining a project; which of the following is the last?

A)Code the WBS for tracking
B)Assign the cost account to a manager
C)Assign the work package to a manager
D)Develop the responsibility matrix
E)All of these are included in the final step.

Question 34

The integration of the lowest level of the WBS with the organizational units responsible for performing the work is known as

A)Responsibility matrix.
B)Organization breakdown structure.
C)Work breakdown structure.
D)Priority matrix.
E)Process breakdown structure.

Question 35

A Process Breakdown Structure can provide a reasonable alternative to a Work Breakdown structure for an extensive development project if

A)Phase exit criteria is firmly established.
B)There are appropriate predecessor relationships in place.
C)Deliverables are tightly aligned to milestones.
D)Risk planning is included early in the project.

Question 36

The WBS is best suited for projects that have a tangible outcome.Which of the following is used when the final outcome of the project is less tangible or is a product of a series of steps or phases?

A)Responsibility matrix
B)Organization breakdown structure
C)A work breakdown structure is still effective for these types of projects.
D)Priority matrix
E)Process breakdown structure

Question 37

A Responsibility Matrix will clarify

A)Tasks.
B)Supports.
C)Responsibilities.
D)Both supports and responsibilities.

Question 38

The tendency for the project deliverables to expand over time-usually by changing requirements, specifications, and priorities-is called

A)Scope erosion.
B)Scope creep.
C)Project bloat.
D)Scope enhancement.
E)Project add-ons.

Question 39

A key aspect to communication plans are that they allow the project manager and the project team to

A)Meet deadlines more effectively.
B)Focus on defect resolution.
C)Effectively control costs on the project.
D)Actively control the flow of information.

Question 40

The first step in planning any project is to ___________.

Question 41

The result of subdividing the work of a project into smaller and smaller work elements is called a(n)__________.

Question 42

The last element of a project scope statement or checklist ensures an understanding and agreement of expectations.This is known as ____________.

Question 43

The need for a functioning computer in countries having different electrical systems is an example of a ________.

Question 44

The type of information that will need to be collected during a project and who will receive this information can be found in the project __________ plan.

Question 45

In regard to project priorities, if a project parameter such as the completion date or the cost of a project is fixed and must be met it is considered ____________.

Question 46

Taking advantage of opportunities to reduce costs or accelerate the schedule are examples of project criteria classified as ____________.

Question 47

A document that is issued by upper management and provides the project manager with written authority to use organizational resources for project activities is called a(n)__________.

Question 48

One tool that is used by project managers of small projects to summarize the tasks to be accomplished and who is responsible for what on a project is called a(n)__________.

Question 49

The final step in defining a project is __________ the WBS for the information system.

Question 50

Once the __________ has been established, it is the basis for making trade-off decisions later in the project.

Question 51

The WBS is best suited for design and construction projects that have tangible outcomes.When the final outcome of the project is less tangible or it is result of a series of steps or phases, some project managers choose to utilize a(n)___________.

Question 52

The gradual expansion of project requirements, specifications and priorities during the execution of project is known as ____________.

Question 53

In making project trade-offs, a criterion that is allowed not to meet the original target, for example, allowing the schedule to slip, is classified as ___________.

Question 54

Scope creep can be reduced by carefully writing a(n)__________ statement.

Question 55

The intersection of work packages and the organizational unit creates a project control point called a(n)___________.

Question 56

One of the primary jobs of a project manager is to manage the trade-offs among time, cost, and performance.To do so, the project manager must define and understand the ___________ of the project.

Question 57

The most detailed element in the hierarchical breakdown of the project work to be accomplished is known as the __________.

Question 58

A technique that clearly establishes priorities with customers and top management so as to create shared expectations and avoid misunderstandings is developing a(n)___________.

Question 59

The agreement that training will be the responsibility of the customer and not the team is an example of a project ________.

Question 60

When specific work packages are assigned to a particular group or person within the organization, the result is called a(n)___________.

Question 61

Scope creep occurs when your project is completed over-budget.

Question 62

The highest element in the hierarchical breakdown of the WBS is the first major deliverable for the project and the lowest element is a work package.

Question 63

A robust ______________ can go a long way to reducing project problems over the life of the project.

Question 64

If the project time should be accepted, then the project must be completed on time.

Question 65

The intersection of work packages and the organizational unit creates a project control point called a cost account.

Question 66

Process breakdown structures are used when the size and the scope of the project do not warrant an elaborate WBS or OBS.

Question 67

If a project criterion should be optimized if at all possible, it is classified as being constrained.

Question 68

A communication plan should include limits on who has access to certain kinds of information.

Question 69

Integrating a project's work packages within the organization's management structure is known as work breakdown structure.

Question 70

The fact that a new home being built must meet local building codes is an example of a limit and exclusion.

Question 71

Project scope describes what you expect to deliver to your customers when the project is complete.

Question 72

One of the items included on a project scope statement or checklist is the review with the customer.

Question 73

For large companies, the organization breakdown structure is used rather than the work breakdown structure.

Question 74

Responsibility matrices are used primarily with small and medium-sized projects and have limited use in large projects.

Question 75

The project charter provides the project manager with written authority to use organizational resources for project activities.

Question 76

There is a strong correlation between project success and clear project scope definition.

Question 77

An activity that represents a major segment of work is a good example of a milestone.

Question 78

Profit, time and performance are all basic classifications of project priorities.

Question 79

During the course of a project, it is possible that the project priorities may change.

Question 80

An expected output over the life of a project would be classified as a target.