Question 1

Getting the sample size right is extremely important because choosing too many samples is a waste of time and money, and choosing too few will not yield accurate information.

Accepted Answer

Choosing the correct sample size is important because choosing too many samples can be expensive and time-consuming, while choosing too few may not provide reliable information.

Question 2

A cause-and-effect analysis-also called an Pareto diagram after the creator of the technique or a fishbone diagram based on what the final diagram resembles-is used when a problem or issue has been discovered and you need to determine its root cause so that the most appropriate actions can be taken.

Accepted Answer

A cause-and-effect analysis is indeed used to determine the root cause of a problem, but it is commonly referred to as a fishbone diagram or Ishikawa diagram, after its creator Kaoru Ishikawa, not a Pareto diagram. A Pareto diagram, or Pareto chart, is used to identify the most significant factors contributing to a problem and is based on the Pareto principle.

Question 3

In the fishbone diagram, each of the rectangular boxes represents a major category of suspicion.

Accepted Answer

Each of the rectangular boxes on the fishbone diagram represents a major category or branch of the potential cause of a problem. These categories include Equipment, Materials, Methods, People, Environment, and Measurements.

Question 4

The sample source is the number of results needed to determine whether a process or result is performing to standard.

Accepted Answer

The sample size is the number of observations or data points used to determine whether a process or result is performing to standard, not the "sample source."

Question 5

Variable sampling rates the result on a continuous scale, measuring the degree of conformity.

Accepted Answer

Variable sampling rates can result in measurements on a continuous scale, allowing for more precise measurements of conformity.

Question 6

The performance reporting process involves the collection of project- and product-related data and the distribution of performance information to management only.

Accepted Answer

The performance reporting process involves the collection of project- and product-related data and the distribution of performance information to stakeholders, including management, team members, and other relevant parties.

Question 7

A result is acceptable if it falls within the range specified by the tolerance or stakeholder set specifications.

Accepted Answer

A result is considered acceptable if it falls within the range specified by the tolerance or stakeholder set specifications. If it falls outside of this range, the result may be considered unacceptable and may require corrective actions to bring it back within the acceptable range.

Question 8

The Pareto principle states that 20 percent of the impact of a problem will show up in 80 percent of the causes.

Accepted Answer

The Pareto principle, also known as the 80/20 rule, states that roughly 80 percent of the effects come from 20 percent of the causes.

Question 9

A control chart is used to prevent problems before they become major issues as opposed to inspecting a final product to find issues.

Accepted Answer

A control chart is a quality control tool that is used to monitor and control a process over time, allowing the identification of any out-of-control conditions before they become major issues. This helps to prevent defects and improve overall quality, rather than simply detecting and correcting defects after the fact. Therefore, the statement is true.

Question 10

Three tools used to monitor and control project quality are: cause-and-effect analysis, process control charts, and Pareto analysis.

Accepted Answer

These are indeed three common tools used to monitor and control project quality. Cause-and-effect analysis helps identify root causes of quality issues, process control charts track quality metrics over time, and Pareto analysis prioritizes improvement efforts by targeting the most frequent or impactful quality issues.

Question 11

Attribute sampling looks at whether the collected result conforms to defined standards at a point in time.

Accepted Answer

Attribute sampling is a method of statistical sampling used to determine whether a population of items meets a specified quality standard, based on the presence or absence of certain attributes or characteristics. It involves selecting a random sample from the population and examining each item for the presence or absence of the attribute of interest. The results of the sample are then used to make conclusions about the quality of the entire population.

Question 12

Inspection attempts to keep errors out of a process, whereas prevention attempts to keep errors from reaching the final customer.

Accepted Answer

Inspection is aimed at detecting errors or defects in products or processes, typically after they have occurred, while prevention focuses on implementing measures and controls to avoid the occurrence of errors in the first place.

Question 13

The performance reports generally demonstrate how resources (human and other) are being utilized to achieve project objectives and cover project artifacts and product artifacts.

Accepted Answer

Performance reports provide detailed information on how resources are being utilized and how project artifacts and product artifacts are being produced to achieve project objectives.

Question 14

In the continuous quality cycle for improvement-Plan, Do, Study, Act- the Plan and Act processes refer to the quality monitoring and control functions.

Accepted Answer

The Plan process refers to identifying areas for improvement and developing plans to address them, while the Act process involves implementing those plans and evaluating the results. The Do process refers to carrying out the activities outlined in the plan, and the Study process involves analyzing data and evaluating the outcomes of the Do phase.

Question 15

A benefit of control chart analysis is that it helps determine whether variability is attributable to something that can be fixed or some random set of variables based on chance alone.

Accepted Answer

Control chart analysis uses statistical methods to determine whether variability in a process is within expected limits or not. If the variability is attributable to a specific cause, such as an assignable cause or a process change, then it can be fixed. However, if the variability is due to random chance alone, then it may not be possible to eliminate it entirely. Thus, control chart analysis helps identify whether variability is due to controllable factors or not.

Question 16

A Pareto diagram displays the frequency of issues so that project teams can focus on the problems that are occurring most often or are causing the biggest issues in terms of time and/or cost.

Accepted Answer

A Pareto diagram does indeed display the frequency of issues in order to help project teams prioritize their efforts on the most significant problems.

Question 17

The process to create the Pareto drawing is relatively simple and is generally done during a group brainstorming session.

Accepted Answer

The process to create a Pareto chart involves analyzing data to identify the most significant causes or problems, and then plotting them in descending order of impact. It is not generally done during a group brainstorming session, but rather after data analysis has been completed.

Question 18

The tools used to monitor and control project quality graphically display collected statistical results, helping a project team measure variances to aid in the continuous process of improving the quality of a product.

Accepted Answer

The tools used to monitor and control project quality, such as control charts and histograms, do graphically display collected statistical results to measure variances and aid in improving product quality.

Question 19

In the fishbone diagram, the arrows connecting the categories to the central line have attached to them lines containing more detailed ideas of what might be the root cause for the problem.

Accepted Answer

The arrows connecting the categories to the central line in the fishbone diagram have attached to them lines containing more detailed ideas of what might be the root cause for the problem.

Question 20

SWOT analysis helps determine whether the process variability and the process average result are at stable (acceptable) levels and whether one or both are out of control (unacceptable).

Accepted Answer

SWOT analysis is a strategic planning tool used to identify Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, and Threats related to business competition or project planning. It does not directly assess process variability or control levels, which are typically evaluated using statistical process control methods.

Quiz 12: Project Monitoring and Control, Part II