Deck 3: Managing the Information Systems Project

Question 1

Task identification structure refers to the process of dividing a project into manageable tasks and logically ordering them to ensure a smooth evolution between tasks.

Answer 1

False

Question 2

A systems development project may be undertaken to take advantage of business opportunities or to solve business problems.

Answer 2

True

Question 3

Project planning is the first phase of the project management process in which activities are performed to assess the size,scope,and complexity of the project and to establish procedures to support later project activities.

Answer 3

False

Question 4

A resource analysis plan determines if the proposed information system makes sense for the organization from an economic and operational standpoint.

Question 5

The focus of developing a communications plan activity is to collect and organize the tools that will be used while managing the project.

Question 6

The project workbook serves as a repository for all project correspondence,inputs,outputs,deliverables,procedures,and standards established by the project team.

Question 7

A deliverable is an end product in a phase of the SDLC.

Question 8

Project initiation is the second phase of the project management process,which focuses on defining clear,discrete activities and the work needed to complete each activity within a single project.

Question 9

Establishing a relationship with the customer is a project initiation activity.

Question 10

The project manager is responsible for initiating,planning,executing,and closing down the project.

Question 11

When a project manager works closely with customers to assure project deliverables meet expectations,he/she is performing a customer relations activity.

Question 12

Project planning involves defining clear,discrete activities and the work needed to complete each activity within a single project.

Question 13

Gantt charts typically show how tasks must be ordered and when an activity should begin and end.

Question 14

The focus of project management is to assure that systems development projects meet customer expectations and are delivered within budget and time constraints.

Question 15

A logic model is a graphical representation of a project that shows each task as a horizontal bar whose length is proportional to its time for completion.

Question 16

Task sequence depends on which tasks produce deliverables needed in other tasks,when critical resources are available,the constraints placed on the project by the client,and the process outlined in the SDLC.

Question 17

In order to determine the resources required for project completion,an organization should analyze the project's scope and determine the project's probability of successful completion.

Question 18

Establishing the project initiation plan involves organizing an initial core of project team members to assist in accomplishing the project initiation activities.

Question 19

The most instrumental person to the successful completion of a project is the database analyst.

Question 20

When a project manager is getting projects completed through the effective utilization of resources,he/she is performing a risk and change management activity.

Question 21

During project execution,plans created in prior phases are put into action.

Question 22

The status report project team communication method is used to inform project team members.

Question 23

A project can terminate naturally or unnaturally.

Question 24

Projects are deemed a success or failure at project closedown.

Question 25

Creating a work breakdown structure requires that you decompose phases into activities and activities into specific tasks.

Question 26

When executing the Baseline Project Plan,the project manager will initiate the execution of project activities,acquire and assign resources,orient and train new team members,keep the project on schedule,and assure the quality of project deliverables.

Question 27

The hallway discussion project team communication method has a medium to high formality rating.

Question 28

Team members are assessed as part of the conducting postproject reviews activity.

Question 29

Within the context of the SDLC,project closedown occurs when the design phase is completed.

Question 30

A Project Scope Statement is developed during the project execution phase.

Question 31

Gantt charts typically do not show how tasks must be ordered.

Question 32

When compared to network diagrams,Gantt charts are more useful for depicting the activities associated with large projects.

Question 33

During the development of a preliminary schedule activity,you specify how various deliverables are produced and tested by you and your project team.

Question 34

Project time estimates for task completion and overall system quality are significantly influenced by the assignment of people to tasks.

Question 35

The focus of closing the customer contract activity is to ensure that all contractual terms of the project have been met.

Question 36

A slipped completion date for an activity may initiate a change to the Baseline Project Plan.

Question 37

The Project Scope Statement provides a detailed estimate of the project's tasks and resource requirements.

Question 38

Having a known method or technique is characteristic of a task.

Question 39

A network diagram depicts project tasks and their interrelationships.

Question 40

The meeting minutes project team communication method has a low formality rating.

Question 41

A major disadvantage of the network diagram is its inability to represent completion times and show interrelationships between activities.

Question 42

A controlled process of initiating,planning,executing,and closing down a project best defines:

A)systems development
B)project management
C)project development
D)systems management

Question 43

Influencing the activities of others toward the attainment of a common goal through the use of intelligence,personality,and abilities refers to which of the following project manager activities?

A)conflict management
B)management
C)leadership
D)team management

Question 44

Which of the following are primary reasons for undertaking systems development projects?

A)to take advantage of business opportunities
B)to solve business problems
C)to use state-of-the-art technology
D)both A and B

Question 45

Arguably,the most instrumental person to the successful completion of any project is the:

A)project manager
B)chief information officer
C)department manager
D)staff consultant

Question 46

A work method is any person,group of people,piece of equipment,or material used in accomplishing an activity.

Question 47

If an activity's optimistic time is 4 days,its realistic time is 10 days,and its pessimistic time is 25 days,then its estimated time would be 11.5 days.

Question 48

Identifying,assessing,and managing the risks and day-to-day changes that occur during a project best defines which of the following project manager activities:

A)conflict management
B)risk and change management
C)team management
D)problem solving

Question 49

If an activity's optimistic time is 4 weeks,its realistic time is 6 weeks,and its pessimistic time is 8 weeks,then its estimated time would be 6 weeks.

Question 50

An individual with a diverse set of skills - management,leadership,technical,conflict management,and customer relationship - who is responsible for initiating,planning,executing,and closing down a project best defines:

A)systems analyst
B)consultant
C)project scheduler
D)project manager

Question 51

A planned undertaking of related activities to reach an objective that has a beginning and an end best defines:

A)task development
B)activity plan
C)project
D)task schedule

Question 52

The ability to easily make changes to a project is a very powerful feature of most project management environments.

Question 53

Managing conflict within a project team to assure that conflict is not too high or too low best defines which of the following project manager activities:

A)conflict management
B)leadership
C)team management
D)problem solving

Question 54

If an activity's optimistic time is 3 months,its realistic time is 5 months,and its pessimistic time is 10 months,then its estimated time would be 5.5 months.

Question 55

The phase of the project management process in which activities are performed to assess the size,scope,and complexity of the project and to establish procedures to support later project activities best defines:

A)project initiation
B)scope development
C)project planning
D)project assessment

Question 56

Microsoft Outlook is an example of project management software.

Question 57

An activity on the critical path will have a slack time of 1.

Question 58

Critical path scheduling is a scheduling technique in which order and duration of a sequence of task activities directly affect the completion date of a project.

Question 59

Gantt charts visually show the time overlap of tasks whereas a network diagram does not show time overlap but does show which tasks could be done in parallel.

Question 60

Which of the following are project management phases?

A)closing down the project
B)planning the project
C)executing the project
D)all of the above

Question 61

A graphical representation of a project that shows each task as a horizontal bar whose length is proportional to its time for completion defines:

A)network diagram
B)data diagram
C)project chart
D)Gantt chart

Question 62

Which of the following project management activities is associated with project initiation?

A)establishing a relationship with the customer
B)describing project scope,alternatives,and feasibility
C)estimating resources and creating a detailed resource plan
D)identifying and assessing risks

Question 63

Which of the following is not a guideline for defining a task?

A)A task should have well accepted predecessor and successor steps.
B)A task should have a single and identifiable deliverable.
C)A task should have a known method or technique.
D)A task should always be completed by one person.

Question 64

Which of the following is not a project planning activity?

A)setting a Baseline Project Plan
B)identifying and assessing risk
C)determining project standards and procedures
D)establishing management procedures

Question 65

Changes to the Baseline Project Plan might be motivated by:

A)a slipped completion date of an activity
B)a bungled activity that must be redone
C)the identification of a new activity that becomes evident later in the project
D)all of the above

Question 66

Which of the following states correctly the formality and use of a project workbook?

A)In terms of formality,the project workbook would be rated low to medium.In terms of use,the project workbook would be used to inform and serve as a permanent record.
B)In terms of formality,the project workbook would be rated high.In terms of use,the project workbook would be used to resolve issues.
C)In terms of formality,the project workbook would be rated high.In terms of use,the project workbook would be used to inform and serve as a permanent record.
D)In terms of formality,the project workbook would be rated low.In terms of use,the project workbook would be used to resolve issues.

Question 67

An on-line or hard copy repository for all project correspondence,inputs,outputs,deliverables,procedures,and standards that is used for performing project audits,orientation of new team members,communication with management and customers,identifying future projects,and performing postproject reviews is called:

A)a project workbook
B)a schedule book
C)a project planner
D)project management software

Question 68

Risks can arise from:

A)the use of new technology
B)resistance to change
C)availability of critical resources
D)all of the above

Question 69

During which of the following activities do you use the information regarding tasks and resource availability to assign time estimates to each activity in the work breakdown structure?

A)dividing the project into manageable tasks
B)develop a preliminary schedule
C)describing project scope,alternatives,and feasibility
D)developing a Statement of Work

Question 70

The process of dividing the project into manageable tasks and logically ordering them to ensure a smooth evolution between tasks defines:

A)task division
B)work breakdown structure
C)work structuring
D)project division

Question 71

Indicating when and how written and oral reports will be provided by the team,how team members will coordinate work,what messages will be sent to announce the project to interested parties,and what kinds of information will be shared with vendors and external contractors involved with the project describes:

A)determining project standards and procedures
B)developing a Statement of Work
C)developing a communication plan
D)setting a Baseline Project Plan

Question 72

The third phase of the project management process in which the plans created in the prior phases are put into action is:

A)project planning
B)project execution
C)project initiation
D)project closedown

Question 73

Which of the following occurs during project execution?

A)monitoring project progress against the baseline plan
B)conducting post-project reviews
C)establishing the project initiation plan
D)establishing the project workbook

Question 74

A diagram that depicts project activities and their interrelationships is called a:

A)network diagram
B)data diagram
C)data flow diagram
D)Gantt chart

Question 75

Developing an understanding of the content and complexity of the project is the purpose of:

A)describing the project scope,alternatives,and feasibility
B)determining project standards and procedures
C)developing a Statement Of Work
D)setting a Baseline Project Plan

Question 76

Skills that include defining and sequencing activities,communicating expectations,assigning resources to activities,and monitoring outcomes best represent:

A)technical problem solving
B)management
C)leadership
D)team management

Question 77

Which of the following is a true statement regarding project time estimates?

A)Project time estimates for task completion and overall system quality are significantly influenced by the assignment of people to tasks.
B)Resource estimates should not be revised based upon the skills of the actual person assigned to a particular activity.
C)Staff learning can be enhanced by assigning individuals to tasks that are "over their heads."
D)Project time estimates are always on target.

Question 78

Skills that include interpreting system requests and specifications,site preparation and user training,and contact point for customers best represent:

A)customer relations
B)conflict management
C)leadership
D)team management

Question 79

Defining the necessary activities required to organize the initiation team while they are working to define the scope of the project is the focus of which of the following activities?

A)establishing the project initiation team
B)establishing management procedures
C)establishing the project initiation plan
D)establishing the project management environment and project workbook

Question 80

The responsibility for keeping all team members informed of the project status best describes the:

A)monitoring project progress against the Baseline Project Plan activity
B)communicating the project status activity
C)executing the baseline project plan activity
D)project update activity