Estimates #5

Q: With a triangular distribution, the low, likely and high values are 20, 30 and 40, respectively. The mean is:

a) 25.0
b) 30.0
c) 27.5
d) 22.5

A: b)

mean = (20+30+40)/3 = 30

Organizations #1

Q: In which type of organization(s) is the project manager's role most likely part-time?

a) Weak Matrix;
b) Functional;
c) Balanced;
d) Both a) and b).

A: d)

Closure #1

Q: The following reports are normally developed during the project phase:

a) Communications Management Plan and Closure Report;
b) Records Archive, Closure Report & Specifications Document;
c) Records Archive, Closure Report, Lessons Learned & Formal Acceptance Report;
d) Communications Management Plan and Lessons Learned;
e) None of the other alternatives apply.

A: c)

Planning #1

Q: You are working on a project that is similar in scope to a project performed last year by your company. You might consider which of the following?

a) Using the previous project's alternatives identification as a template;
b) Reusing the previous project's cost-benefit analysis as justification for this project;
c) Reusing the previous project's product description when writing the scope statement;
d) Using the previous project's WBS as a template.

A: d)

WBSs from previous projects can be used as templates on projects that are producing similar products, services, or results. Some companies write WBS templates to be used for projects of similar scope.

Scope Management #4

Q: Your company has asked you to be the project manager for the product introduction of its new DeskTop Rock media system. You recently published the project scope statement. Which of the following is not contained in the project scope statement?

a) Requested changes;
b) Project configuration management requirements;
c) Project specifications;
d) Constraints.

A: a)

Requested changes are an output of the Scope Definition process. They are not part of the project scope statement.

Communication #1

Q: For communication to occur, there must be:

a) The transmittal of information and a communication process;
b) A communication process;
c) Two or more people involved;
d) The transmittal of information;
e) All of the other alternatives apply.

A: e)

Risk Management #4

Q: Response Planning is the responsibility of the functional areas and considers

a) Contingency planning;
b) Unforeseen occurrences;
c) Mitigation;
d) All of the above;
e) Deflection.

A: d)

Scope Management #3

Q: You are working with XYZ organisation. Your senior manager imposed a new delivery date which is earlier than the project deliverables date mentioned in the scope statement. To whom are you most accountable?

a) Customer
b) Team members
c) Sponsor
d) Senior Manager

A: a)

Scope Management #2

Q: You are a project manager for an agricultural supply company. You have just completed and obtained sign-off on the project scope statement for your new Natural Bug Busters project. A key stakeholder has informed you that a deliverable is missing from the project scope statement. The deliverable is a critical success factor. Which of the following actions should you take?

a) Modify the scope statement after an approved change request has been received from the stakeholder;
b) Modify the scope statement to reflect the new deliverable;
c) Inform the stakeholder that work not stated in the project scope statement is excluded from the project;
d) Schedule Variance;
e) Inform the stakeholder that this deliverable must be included in phase two of this project since sign-off has already been obtained.

The project scope statement will change throughout the project as a change requests are received and approved. PMs must be certain to discover all deliverables before publishing the project scope statement to prevent situations like the one described in the question.

Estimates #4

Q: The ability to achieve cost savings is inversely proportional to _______

a) The estimated costs to complete;
b) None of the other alternatives apply;
c) Empowerment of the PM;
d) The earned value achieved to date;
e) Productivity.

A: d)

In the project initiation phase estimation is rough therefore it can fluctuate -50%  to +100%.

Project Charter #1

Q: The project manager is assigned in the
a) Management Plan
b) Charter (contract)
c) SOW
d) Project Plan

A: b)

The Project Manager should be assigned in the early phase of the project otherwise the project may get delayed.

Schedule Control #1

Q: What are the performance measurements for the Schedule Control process?

a) SV (PV - EV)  and SPI (PV / EV)
b) SV (EV - AC) and SPI (EV / AC)
c) SV (EV - PV) and SPI (EV / PV)
d) SV (EV - BAC) and SPI (EV / BAC)

A: c)

Schedule Variance (SV) = EV (Earned Value) - PV (Planned Value)
Schedule Performance Index (SPI) = EV / PV

Further definitions:
Earned Value = Estimated value of work actually accomplished on the project
Planned Value = Estimated value of worked planned to be done on the project

Scope management #1

Q: You are working on a project that is similar in scope to a project performed last year by your company. Which of the following might you consider:

a) Reusing the previous project's product description when writing the scope statement
b) Reusing the previous project's cost-benefit analysis as justification for this project
c) Using the previous project's WBS as a template
d) Using the previous project's alternatives identification as a template

A: c) WBSs from previous projects can be used as templates on projects that are producing similar products, services or results. Some companies write WBS templates to be used for projects of similar scope.

Estimates #3

Q: Your project sponsor has requested a cost estimate for the project on which you're working. This project is similar in scope to a project you worked on last year. She would like to get the cost estimates as soon as possible. Accuracy is not her prime concern right now, and she would like to get the estimate asap. You decide to use:

a) Parametric estimating techniques
b) Analogous or top-down estimating techniques
c) Bottom-up estimating techniques
d) Computerised modeling techniques

A: b)

Analogous or top-down estimating techniques are a form of expert judgement. Since this project is similar to another recent project, you can use the cost estimates from the previous project to help you quickly determine estimates for the current project.

Estimates #2

Q: Parametric cost estimating involves

a) Defining the perimeters of the life-cycle
b) Calculating the individual estimates of the work packages
c) Using a statistical algorithm to determine work duration
d) Using the WBS to determine work duration
e) Both a) and d)

A: c)