| Question 1 | Which of the following statements does not describe what a project plan is? A. Formal and approved B. A document or collection of documents that change over time C. Only used by the project manager to execute the project D. A method for identifying milestones
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| A1: | Answer C is correct. Project plans are used by the entire project team and help to communicate the tasks needed during that timeframe. Project plans are distributed to the project staff according to the communications plan. Further a project plan is formal and approved. Answers A, B, and D are all true statements and are therefore incorrect answers. |
| Question 2 | Which of the following is not true during project execution? A. The majority of the budget is spent. B. The product of the project is actually produced. C. Project performance against the plan is monitored. D. Decisions on when and with whom to communicate are made.
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| A2: | Answer D is correct. Although certain ad hoc communications and information requests are handled during project execution, decisions on how, when, and with whom to communicate are defined in the planning stage in a Communications plan. Answers A, B, and C are all true of the project execution phase and are therefore incorrect answers. |
| Question 3 | How often should a project plan be monitored? |
| A3: | Answer D is correct. Answers A and B are incorrect because although some projects may have tasks that can be monitored monthly or weekly and depend on the project itself, the best answer per the PMBOK is continuously, so that a project manager can ensure budget adherence and timeliness of the project. Answer C is incorrect because a project plan is a "living" document and as such is modified often to reflect change within the project. |
| Question 4 | What is the difference between quality planning and quality assurance? A. None. Prior to ISO 9000 they were considered the same thing. B. Quality planning is where the tools and techniques of cost-benefit analysis, benchmarking, flowcharting, and design of experiments are used to determine how quality should be assessed. Quality assurance does not use these. C. Quality assurance is the totality of characteristics of an entity that bear on its ability to satisfy stated or implied needs. Quality planning is planning those characteristics. D. Quality planning focuses on identifying which quality standards to use, whereas quality assurance focuses on planned and systematic activities to ensure the standards.
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| A4: | Answer D is correct. Answer A is a true statement, but it isn't the best answer and is therefore incorrect. Answer B is incorrect because both quality planning and quality assurance use the same tools and techniques. Answer C is the definition of quality, not quality planning or quality assurance, and is therefore incorrect. |
| Question 5 | What is the best project team environment? A. A team in the same room that reports directly and only to the project manager B. A team that meets frequently face to face but has other functional duties C. A loosely connected group of functional experts who help direct the project D. A team that resides offsite
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| A5: | Answer A is correct. Collocation and a projectized environment is the best situation for a project team. Although answer B can work effectively, team members with other functional duties will have conflicts of priorities. Therefore, answer B is incorrect. Answer C is the definition of subject matter experts. Therefore, answer C is incorrect. Answer D is tricky because offsite team building is often encouraged in team literature. However, it's not the best answer and is therefore incorrect. |
| Question 6 | Which of the following is a good team-building technique? A. Involving the team in the planning process B. Having a barbeque C. Doing a "lessons learned" session D. Letting individual team members operate independently
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| A6: | Answer A is correct. Involving the team in the planning of the project helps all members develop a better understanding of the project and helps to provide buy-in. Having a barbeque can be a team-building technique, but it isn't the best one. Therefore, answer B is incorrect. "Lessons learned" sessions are typically done at the end of phases or the end of a project. These can become team-building events by airing difficulties, but they are intended to correct project direction, not to build the team. Therefore, answer C is incorrect. Allowing individuals to operate independently is a good management technique in general; however, without supervision or project control, it could actually cause team problems. Therefore, answer D is incorrect. |
| Question 7 | What is the key purpose of distributing project information? A. To create an archive of project information that can be used by other projects B. To inform stakeholders in a timely manner of work results C. To make sure the project continues to have sponsorship D. To resolve conflicts between project members
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| A7: | Answer B is correct. Project information is important so that stakeholders and sponsors understand how well a project is meeting its goals. For sponsors, a project behind schedule may call for some type of intervention. Answer A is incorrect because, although it is important to create a project archive, it is not the purpose of distributing the information. Answer C is incorrect because project sponsorship should be resolved prior to project initiation. Occasionally, a project is cancelled because it no longer meets the needs of the sponsors or company, but distributing the project information is not intended to keep sponsorship of the project. Answer D is incorrect because conflicts need to be managed by the project manager and resolved apart from reporting on the project. |
| Question 8 | What is solicitation used for? A. Gathering requirements for a product purchase B. Determining what vendors to buy from C. Letting vendors know you have a need D. Negotiating pricing
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| A8: | Answer C is correct. The solicitation process is the means by which you let vendors know what your requirements are. They then respond with a proposal on how they can meet your requirements. Answer A is incorrect because requirement gathering is done in the procurement planning stage. Answer B is incorrect because the actual determination of a vendor happens in the source selection phase. Answer D is incorrect because price negotiation happens in the source selection phase as well. |
| Question 9 | A contract between buyer and seller is created at what point in the procurement process? A. In procurement planning, based on the policies and procedures of the company B. During solicitation, when a proposal from a vendor is received C. During contract administration, when the vendor is actually producing the work requested D. During source selection, based on evaluation criteria, procurement policies, and supplier history
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| A9: | Answer D is correct. Once the source selection is made, the end result is a contract to perform the requested activities. Answer A is partially correct because the corporate procurement policies do affect a contract, but that is not when it is created. Answer B is incorrect because the receipt of a proposal does not make a legal contract. Answer C is incorrect because a contract must be signed before work can be done. However, in certain circumstances, the actual act of work being produced can be considered a default contract. Project managers need to avoid this. |
| Question 10 | What is the purpose of contract administration? A. To manage the interfaces among various providers B. To ensure the seller's performance meets the contractual requirements C. To avoid change requests D. To provide payment to the vendor
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| A10: | Answer B is correct. Contract administration involves all the execution phase tasks, including monitoring of the project plan, performance reporting, and quality assurance. Answer A is incorrect because, although managing the interaction between various providers is a key element, it is not the purpose of contract administration. Answer C is incorrect because, although change requests are a normal part of most projects, avoiding them because of contractual concerns would be inappropriate. Change requests should be managed according to the change-control process. Answer D is incorrect because payment to the provider is part of contract administration, not the purpose of it. |
