Answers to Final Exam Review 2

1. B. Administrative Closure is part of the Project Communications Management knowledge area. For more information, see Chapter 11 of Sybexs PMP: Project Management Professional Study Guide , 2nd Edition.

2. B. The decomposition process does not assign unique identifiers at each level of the process. For more information, see Chapter 4 of Sybexs PMP: Project Management Professional Study Guide , 2nd Edition.

3. A. Design of experiments is an analytical technique that identifies the elements or variables that will have the greatest effect on overall project outcomes . For more information, see Chapter 6 of Sybexs PMP: Project Management Professional Study Guide , 2nd Edition.

4. A. Part of the PMP Code of Professional Conduct requires that you cooperate in any investigation concerning ethics violations and in collecting information related to the violation. For more information, see Chapter 12 of Sybexs PMP: Project Management Professional Study Guide , 2nd Edition.

5. D. This is an organizational procedure, which is a tool and technique of the Project Plan Execution process. Answer B could be correct except these actions occur in the Controlling process, not the Executing process. Its also possible, although not likely, that the paperwork and approvals could be accomplished by the end of the week in which case there may or may not be a variance. For more information, see Chapter 8 of Sybexs PMP: Project Management Professional Study Guide , 2nd Edition.

6. C. Conditional diagramming methods such as GERT and System Dynamics models allow for conditional branches and loops . For more information, see Chapter 5 of Sybexs PMP: Project Management Professional Study Guide , 2nd Edition.

7. A. Your boss is the project sponsor (who is also considered a stakeholder). The project sponsor is typically an executive in the organization that has the authority to assign resources and make critical decisions for the project. The VP of Sales is a stakeholder. This question also describes a composite organization. The organization is primarily a functional organization (the clues are the VP of Sales and VP of Marketing, who define a hierarchical structure found in functional organizations), but a project manager was assigned to run this critical project much like a projectized organization. For more information, see Chapter 1 of Sybexs PMP: Project Management Professional Study Guide , 2nd Edition.

8. B. The 80/20 rule was first observed by Pareto. The Pareto diagrama histogramis a tool and technique of the Quality Control process. For more information, see Chapter 10 of Sybexs PMP: Project Management Professional Study Guide , 2nd Edition.

9. C. Benefit measurement methods and constrained optimization methods are also known as decision models. They are a tool and technique of the Initiation process. For more information, see Chapter 3 of Sybexs PMP: Project Management Professional Study Guide , 2nd Edition.

10. B. Communication involves 90 percent of a project managers time. For more information, see Chapter 8 of Sybexs PMP: Project Management Professional Study Guide , 2nd Edition.

11. C. Requisition is the contract life cycle phase where project objectives are refined, potential qualified vendors are reviewed, and solicitation materials are prepared. For more information, see Chapter 9 of Sybexs PMP: Project Management Professional Study Guide , 2nd Edition.

12. A. Remember that all questions on the exam will refer to specific terminology used in A Guide to the PMBOK. While answer B or C may seem correct, and in fact, might be the terms your organization uses, A Guide to the PMBOK calls this process phase exits, stage gates, or kill points. (See page 11 of A Guide to the PMBOK .) For more information, see Chapter 1 of Sybexs PMP: Project Management Professional Study Guide , 2nd Edition.

13. A. Negotiations are a tool and technique of the Staff Acquisition process. One of the inputs to Staff Acquisitionstaffing pool descriptionwill help you with the negotiation, because you should consider things such as competency levels, availability, and personal characteristics when negotiating with functional managers for resources. For more information, see Chapter 5 of Sybexs PMP: Project Management Professional Study Guide , 2nd Edition.

14. C. Contract documentation (an input of the Contract Closeout process) includes any technical documentation the vendor created as part of the project. This question states the vendor created the detailed technical specifications, which means this becomes part of the contract documentation. If the organization would have created the documentation themselves , this would be considered product documentation, which is an input of the Administrative Closure process. For more information, see Chapter 11 of Sybexs PMP: Project Management Professional Study Guide , 2nd Edition.

15. B. The activity duration estimates output is a quantitative assessment (not qualitative assessment as stated in answer B) of the likely number of work periods. This question is considering the capabilities of the resources (Kit is a junior staff member, and Carrie is a senior staff member, are your clues) and the resource requirements input. For more information, see Chapter 5 of Sybexs PMP: Project Management Professional Study Guide , 2nd Edition.

16. B. You havent passed the exam yet, so its unethical to put the PMP designation on your resume or application at this point in time. For more information, see Chapter 12 of Sybexs PMP: Project Management Professional Study Guide , 2nd Edition.

17. B. Imposed dates restrict the start date of activities with a start no later than date or finish date with a finish no later than date. Weather conditions are one example of imposed dates. Answer A and C are key events or major milestones, not imposed dates. For more information, see Chapter 7 of Sybexs PMP: Project Management Professional Study Guide , 2nd Edition.

18. B. Project closeout is an output of the Cost Control process that requires processes and procedures, and adherence to standards and regulations (where applicable depending on the industry) for closing out project costs. For more information, see Chapter 10 of Sybexs PMP: Project Management Professional Study Guide , 2nd Edition.

19. B. The question states youre working on the communications management plan, which rules out Answer D. Communications technologyan input to the Communications Planning process considers the timing of the information or need for updates, the availability of the technology youre planning on using to communicate project information, the need to procure new technology or systems, staff experience, and the duration of the project. Each of these items are mentioned in this question, so the correct answer is B. For more information, see Chapter 4 of Sybexs PMP: Project Management Professional Study Guide , 2nd Edition.

20. D. When problems arise on a project, they should be resolved in favor of the customer whenever possible. This organization is a functional organization, as the department manager is responsible for assigning resources, which means the project manager has little authority or power. For more information, see Chapter 1 of Sybexs PMP: Project Management Professional Study Guide , 2nd Edition.

21. B. Quality audits are a tool and technique of the Quality Assurance process. For more information, see Chapter 9 of Sybexs PMP: Project Management Professional Study Guide , 2nd Edition.

22. D. Influencing entails the ability to get things done using power and politics. Power is the ability to get people to do things they wouldnt ordinarily do, and its the ability to change minds and influence outcomes. Politics involve getting groups of people with diverse interests to cooperate creatively, even in the midst of conflict and disorder . For more information, see Chapter 1 of Sybexs PMP: Project Management Professional Study Guide , 2nd Edition.

23. A. Bottom-up estimating is a very accurate technique. The cost and accuracy of this process is related to the complexity and size of the project. Detailed project activities will result in accurate estimates and higher costs to perform this technique. For more information, see Chapter 5 of Sybexs PMP: Project Management Professional Study Guide , 2nd Edition.

24. B. Estimate to complete (ETC) tells you how much more budget is required to finish the project, given that everything continues at the current levels of performance. For more information, see Chapter 9 of Sybexs PMP: Project Management Professional Study Guide , 2nd Edition.

25. D. Checklists are a tool and technique of the Risk Identification process, not an information-gathering technique. For more information, see Chapter 6 of Sybexs PMP: Project Management Professional Study Guide , 2nd Edition.

26. C. Extrinsic motivators are material rewards like bonuses or stock options. Religious influences are an example of an intrinsic motivator. For more information, see Chapter 8 of Sybexs PMP: Project Management Professional Study Guide , 2nd Edition.

27. B. The Planning process has two inputs: Initiating and Controlling. The Executing process has two inputs: Planning and Controlling. The Controlling process input is the Executing process, and the Closing process input is the Controlling process. For more information, see Chapter 1 of Sybexs PMP: Project Management Professional Study Guide , 2nd Edition.

28. B. The formula for present value is PV = FV (1 + i) ⁿ . Plugging in the information from the question, the formula becomes $8,000 (1 + .07) ³ = $6,530. For more information, see Chapter 3 of Sybexs PMP: Project Management Professional Study Guide , 2nd Edition.

29. A. Launching your own business with this newly found product would be unethical and also qualifies as an appearance of impropriety. The risk to your current organization is significant, so the correct step to take is to inform the project sponsor and stakeholders before making the decision to sign on this vendor. For more information, see Chapter 12 of Sybexs PMP: Project Management Professional Study Guide , 2nd Edition.

30. C. Duration compression shortens the project schedule without changing the project scope. Crashing doesnt always give you a good alternative and typically increases project costs. Fast tracking typically increases risk and causes rework . For more information, see Chapter 7 of Sybexs PMP: Project Management Professional Study Guide , 2nd Edition.

31. C. Configuration management, a tool and technique of Integrated Change Control, documents the physical characteristics of the product of the project and ensures that the description is accurate and complete. For more information, see Chapter 10 of Sybexs PMP: Project Management Professional Study Guide , 2nd Edition.

32. D. Knowledge areas are a collection of processes that share similar themes and, therefore, benefit from the expertise of specific knowledge and skills in each of these areas. They bring together processes that have characteristics in common and span all the life cycle processes. For example, Project Time Management is performed during the Planning and Controlling life cycle phases. For more information, see Chapter 2 of Sybexs PMP: Project Management Professional Study Guide , 2nd Edition.

33. D. NPV and IRR will generally bring you to the same accept/reject decision. For more information, see Chapter 3 of Sybexs PMP: Project Management Professional Study Guide , 2nd Edition.

34. C. The product description will be progressively elaborated throughout the Planning process, but it is an input to Scope Planning, not a tool and technique. For more information, see Chapter 4 of Sybexs PMP: Project Management Professional Study Guide , 2nd Edition.

35. B. This is a time and materials contract, because the engineers fees are fixed but the equipment and supplies charges will not be known until theyre purchased. For more information, see Chapter 6 of Sybexs PMP: Project Management Professional Study Guide , 2nd Edition.

36. A. The resource pool description is an input to the Resource Planning process and requires knowledge of the types of resources needed for resource planning. In the early phases, as this question describes, the pool description can be high-level (a small number of prototype testers), while later on in the project, more specifics are detailed regarding the resources. Resource requirements describe the types of resources and the quantity of resources needed to fulfill each element of the work package level of the WBS. For more information, see Chapter 5 of Sybexs PMP: Project Management Professional Study Guide , 2nd Edition.

37. C. Risk Management Planning is the foundation process within the Risk Management knowledge area. According to A Guide to the PMBOK, its important to complete this process so that the level, type, and visibility of risk management are proportionate to the risk and the projects importance to the company. For more information, see Chapter 6 of Sybexs PMP: Project Management Professional Study Guide , 2nd Edition.

38. C. The Project Scope Management knowledge area covers the Initiation, Planning, and Controlling life cycle phases. For more information, see Chapter 2 of Sybexs PMP: Project Management Professional Study Guide , 2nd Edition.

39. C. The EAC formula for this question is (AC + BAC) EV. Plugging in the numbers from the question, you get (138 + 200) 145 = 193. For more information, see Chapter 9 of Sybexs PMP: Project Management Professional Study Guide , 2nd Edition.

40. B. The Project Cost Management knowledge area technique used when evaluating various alternatives is called life cycle costing. This technique considers acquisition, operating, and disposal costs. For more information, see Chapter 2 of Sybexs PMP: Project Management Professional Study Guide , 2nd Edition.

41. B. Training does not necessarily need to be completed prior to assigning team members . Training can occur during the course of the project. For more information, see Chapter 8 of Sybexs PMP: Project Management Professional Study Guide , 2nd Edition.

42. A. Expected staff assignments are a constraint of the project. There are identified in the Organizational Planning process input called constraints. Expected staff assignments say the organization of the project team will likely be influenced by the skills, specialized knowledge, and competencies of the individual project team members who will serve on the team. For more information, see Chapter 5 of Sybexs PMP: Project Management Professional Study Guide , 2nd Edition.

43. D. The CP for the project is 335 days, but the CPM uses single duration estimatesnot multiple duration estimatesto determine the early start and finish, and late start and finish dates. You know this question is referring to CPM because of the mention of float. For more information, see Chapter 7 of Sybexs PMP: Project Management Professional Study Guide , 2nd Edition.

44. D. Retrieval systems are ways to store and share project information among project team members. Information distribution methods are ways of getting the information to the project team members and stakeholders. For more information, see Chapter 8 of Sybexs PMP: Project Management Professional Study Guide , 2nd Edition.

45. C. This statement does describe some goals but not adequately. Goals should be measurable, time bound, accurate, realistic, and tangible . There are no measures or time mentioned in this statement. Requirements describe the specifications of the goals and typically wouldnt be mixed into a goal statement. The goal statement should be clear and concise . For more information, see Chapter 2 of Sybexs PMP: Project Management Professional Study Guide , 2nd Edition.

46. D. The work breakdown structure (WBS) is an input to the Scope Change Control process but no other Change Control processes. Change requests are an input to four of the seven Change Control processes. For more information, see Chapter 10 of Sybexs PMP: Project Management Professional Study Guide , 2nd Edition.

47. A. Large, complex projects may have multiple scope statements. As the work of the project is decomposed and assigned, project teams may develop their own scope statements for a specific deliverable to describe the work needed to produce or complete the deliverable . For more information, see Chapter 4 of Sybexs PMP: Project Management Professional Study Guide , 2nd Edition.

48. D. Deliverables are measurable outcomes, measurable results, or specific items that must be produced to consider the project or project phase complete. Requirements are the specifications of the deliverables and tell you how you know the deliverable was completed successfully. For more information, see Chapter 2 of Sybexs PMP: Project Management Professional Study Guide , 2nd Edition.

49. C. Tracking includes a description of how youll document the history of the risk activities for the current project and how the risk processes will be audited . This section of the risk management plan is also helpful for lessons learned. For more information, see Chapter 6 of Sybexs PMP: Project Management Professional Study Guide , 2nd Edition.

50. A. Assumptions are events or actions believed to be true. Answer B, C, and D are all constraints as they restrict or dictate the actions of the project team. For more information, see Chapter 2 of Sybexs PMP: Project Management Professional Study Guide , 2nd Edition.

51. A. The payback period for both of these alternatives is the same, so you cannot choose between them based on this information alone. The payback period for Alternative B is calculated as follows : Year 1 inflows = $36,000, Year 2 inflows = $36,000, for a total of $72,000 in 24 months. The first quarter of the next year inflows = $4,000, bringing the total to the initial investment of $76,000. The payback period is 27 months. For more information, see Chapter 3 of Sybexs PMP: Project Management Professional Study Guide , 2nd Edition.

52. B. The four steps of decomposition are: identify major deliverables, determine adequate cost and duration estimates, identify constituent components , and verify correctness of decomposition. No mention was made in the question of verifying the correctness of decomposition, so Answer A is not correct. The Detailed Planning deliverable has had the first three steps of the decomposition process performed. Answer D is not correct, because all the deliverableswith the exception of Detailed Planninghave had step one and two performed. For more information, see Chapter 4 of Sybexs PMP: Project Management Professional Study Guide , 2nd Edition.

53. D. There isnt enough information in this question to determine an answer. Payback period is the least precise of cash flow analysis techniques, but in this question, the payback periods are all the same. Initial investment isnt enough information to help choose among the projects. For more information, see Chapter 3 of Sybexs PMP: Project Management Professional Study Guide , 2nd Edition.

54. C. According to A Guide to the PMBOK, flowcharting can help the project team anticipate and identify where quality problems might occur on the project, which in turn , helps the team develop alternative approaches for dealing with the quality problems. For more information, see Chapter 6 of Sybexs PMP: Project Management Professional Study Guide , 2nd Edition.

55. A. The Risk Identification outputs are risks, triggers, and inputs to other processes. For more information, see Chapter 6 of Sybexs PMP: Project Management Professional Study Guide , 2nd Edition.

56. A. Cost, schedule, functionality, and quality risks, according to A Guide to the PMBOK, can be evaluated separately using their own independent ratings. For more information, see Chapter 6 of Sybexs PMP: Project Management Professional Study Guide , 2nd Edition.

57. A. Standard deviation is calculated as:

    (Pessimistic Optimistic) 6

    The formula for this question is:

    (24 18) 6 = 1

    For more information, see Chapter 7 of Sybexs PMP: Project Management Professional Study Guide , 2nd Edition.

58. D. Schedule Development is not an input to Cost Budgeting, and Cost Budgeting is not in input to Schedule Development so these processes can be performed independently as long as both processes are completed prior to starting the Project Plan Development process. For more information, see Chapter 7 of Sybexs PMP: Project Management Professional Study Guide , 2nd Edition.

59. A. The purpose of the Team Development process is to create an open , encouraging environment for stakeholders to contribute and to develop your team into an effective, functioning, coordinated group . For more information, see Chapter 8 of Sybexs PMP: Project Management Professional Study Guide , 2nd Edition.

60. B. The Achievement Theory proposes the importance of friendship and a sense of camaraderie with other team members as a motivator. For more information, see Chapter 8 of Sybexs PMP: Project Management Professional Study Guide , 2nd Edition.

61. D. The Performance Reporting process involves collecting and distributing information regarding the performance of the project and is done using status reports, progress reports , and forecasting. For more information, see Chapter 9 of Sybexs PMP: Project Management Professional Study Guide , 2nd Edition.

62. D. The schedule variance (SV) and the schedule performance index (SPI) are two performance measurements that pertain to variances in schedule dates. For more information, see Chapter 10 of Sybexs PMP: Project Management Professional Study Guide , 2nd Edition.

63. A. Lessons learned is not a processits an output of several processes. For more information, see Chapter 11 of Sybexs PMP: Project Management Professional Study Guide , 2nd Edition.

64. D. The Scope Definition process, according to A Guide to the PMOBK , on page 57, is critical to project success, improves the accuracy of estimates, defines a baseline for measurement and control, and facilitates responsibility assignments. Decomposition breaks deliverables down into smaller components, not deliverables as option D states. For more information, see Chapter 4 of Sybexs PMP: Project Management Professional Study Guide , 2nd Edition.