Deck 3: Organizational Capability: Structure,Culture and Roles

Question 1

In a projectized organization the functional manager has extensive authority for budgets,personnel and decision making.

Answer 1

False

Question 2

While differing in details,all of the major types of project life cycle models have a series of phases with activities that need to be completed and approvals that must be received before the project can proceed to the next phase.

Answer 2

True

Question 3

A matrix organization is any organizational structure in which the project manager shares responsibility with the functional managers for assigning priorities and directing the work of persons assigned to the project.

Answer 3

True

Question 4

Projectized organizations are especially effective at helping team members to maintain their discipline specific competence.

Question 5

In a functional organization staff are grouped by areas of specialization and managed by a person with expertise in that area.

Question 6

The project treasurer is the person that provides financial resources,in cash or in kind,for the project.

Question 7

The project sponsor is often responsible to ensure that several customer related tasks are performed,including identification of the customers and prioritization of their desires.

Question 8

In a projectized organization staff members are grouped by areas of specialization.

Question 9

When the project sponsor and manager are determining how to create the project culture,it is important to make the project culture as ethical as possible.

Question 10

Standard operating procedures include the formal and informal practices and the values that are shared among members of the organization.

Question 11

The project sponsor is the person or group that provides financial resources,in cash or in kind,for the project.

Question 12

In a projectized organization most people are assigned to a project and report upward through the project manager.

Question 13

In "task cultures" it is more important to get the job done,than to worry about who does the work or who gets credit.

Question 14

In "personal cultures" people display an attitude that collaboration is satisfying and stimulating.

Question 15

In "role cultures" reliable workers have the utmost respect for regulations and laws.

Question 16

Among the most important attributes required of project managers are integrity,caring for people,defending core values and leading change.

Question 17

In a functional organization workers can learn readily from others in their discipline and keep their skills sharp.

Question 18

Organizational culture is comprised of the formal and informal practices and the values that are shared among members of the organization.

Question 19

Sometimes project managers rely on facilitators to focus on the process of running a project meeting so they can personally focus on the content of the meeting.

Question 20

A matrix organization is any organizational structure in which the project manager has access to team members,but the functional manager retains responsibility for assigning priorities and directing the work of persons assigned to the project.

Question 21

Some organizational culture characteristics make project success more likely. These characteristics include all of the following EXCEPT:

A) support for cross-functional teams
B) condoning unethical behavior
C) project management competencies
D) open communication

Question 22

Which of the following is an advantage associated with managing projects in a functional organization?

A) Each unit contains a variety of specialists suited to solving complex problems.
B) Unity of command - one clear supervisor for each worker
C) Rapid communication between the various functions working on the project
D) Combines task focus with technical capability

Question 23

Project planning teams use project life cycle models because various types of projects have differing demands. Which of the following sequences of stages is most appropriate for a life cycle model for construction projects?

A) define - measure - analyze - improve - control
B) concept definition - demonstration - development - production
C) pre-planning - design - procurement - construction - start up
D) concept - requirements - design - code - test - turnover

Question 24

It is generally unnecessary to have every single function represented on the core team of the project as that would make the team larger than necessary and difficult to communicate with.

Question 25

Which of the following is an advantage associated with the matrix organization?

A) Resources can be shared between projects.
B) Unity of command - one clear supervisor for each employee
C) Reduced conflict and faster decision making
D) Having multiple bosses

Question 26

All of the following are advantages associated with managing projects in a projectized organization EXCEPT:

A) Unity of command - one clear supervisor for each worker
B) Response times and decision making are swift.
C) Departmental barriers are reduced.
D) Guaranteed job security after the project ends

Question 27

Which of the following is a disadvantage associated with managing projects in a projectized organization?

A) Response times and decision making are slow.
B) Team members assigned to a project are often underutilized.
C) Team members have difficulty focusing on project issues.
D) Traditional department barriers are reduced

Question 28

Project planning teams use project life cycle models because various types of projects have differing demands. Which of the following sequences of stages is most appropriate for a life cycle model for information systems projects?

A) define - measure - analyze - improve - control
B) concept definition - demonstration - development - production
C) pre-planning - design - procurement - construction - start up
D) concept - requirements - design - code - test - turnover

Question 29

Project planning teams use project life cycle models because various types of projects have differing demands. Which of the following sequences of stages is most appropriate for a life cycle model for improvement projects?

A) define - measure - analyze - improve - control
B) concept definition - demonstration - development - production
C) pre-planning - design - procurement - construction - start up
D) concept - requirements - design - code - test - turnover

Question 30

Which of the following organizational structures is designed to achieve a balance of task focus and technical capability?

A) functional organization
B) projectized organization
C) matrix organization
D) siloed organization

Question 31

When trying to understand a corporate culture,it is helpful to understand the types of power that are used. In "power cultures":

A) Supervisors exert a great deal of economic and political power.
B) Workers closely follow their appointed roles.
C) Deference is paid to knowledge rather than authority.
D) Team decision-making is common

Question 32

A variety of organizational culture characteristics make project success more likely. These characteristics include:

A) sufficient funding
B) feasible schedules
C) respect for individuals
D) quality metrics

Question 33

Ethical project managers exhibit all of the following behaviors EXCEPT:

A) authority - exert economic and political power
B) fairness - make decisions and act impartially
C) honesty - understand the truth and act in a truthful manner
D) responsibility - take ownership for decisions

Question 34

Project organizations often adopt which of the following techniques where project team members are physically placed close to one another to improve communication and working relationships?

A) collaboration
B) co-location
C) coordination
D) consolidation

Question 35

The decision to kill a project if needed is typically reached jointly through agreement between the project customer and the project contractor.

Question 36

Customers have the sole responsibility for prioritizing their own needs,selecting a contractor to perform their project,and terminating a project that is not working.

Question 37

Through shared values organizational cultures can informally do all the following EXCEPT:

A) motivate the ethical actions of managers.
B) determine how people are rewarded.
C) establish how conflict and decision-making are handled.
D) eliminate politics in the workplace

Question 38

Which of the following organizational structures violates the unity of command principle - that each employee works for a single supervisor?

A) functional organization
B) projectized organization
C) matrix organization
D) siloed organization

Question 39

Which of the following executive roles is responsible for overall priority setting,project selection and sponsor selection,as well as general guidance and encouragement?

A) Steering Team
B) Sponsor
C) Project Management Office
D) Chief Projects Officer

Question 40

Which of the following characteristics is NOT associated with a functional organization?

A) Each employee has one clear superior.
B) Resources are easily shared between departments and projects
C) Staff are managed by a person with expertise in their area.
D) Staff are grouped by areas of specialization.

Question 41

All of the following items describe the project sponsor's responsibilities for the project EXCEPT:

A) defines performance/success criteria
B) selects a manageable set of projects to be implemented
C) ensures goals and satisfaction
D) provides resources

Question 42

Describe the personal attributes you believe to be most critical to being a successful project manager.

Question 43

There are several tasks that a project customer (or sponsor acting in that capacity)can do to enhance the probability of success. All of the following are generally performed jointly with the project contractor who will perform the work EXCEPT:

A) make honest decisions about contractor selection
B) develop clear requirements
C) use a control system
D) conduct a kick-off meeting

Question 44

Describe how the culture of an organization can influence the approach that a project manager takes to plan for a project.

Question 45

Describe some of the challenges that face executives responsible for project delivery in the organization.

Question 46

Which of the following roles and attributes do NOT describe the core team members on a project?

A) Core team members often make project decisions jointly with the project manager.
B) Core team members are the small group of people who are usually with the project from start to finish.
C) Core team members are brought in to perform specific project activities when necessary
D) Core team members may supervise the work of subject matter experts.

Question 47

The customer and the contractor often work together to set up and use several project control systems. Which of the following is among the control systems frequently used?

A) a communications plan
B) a change control system
C) a risk management system
D) all of these

Question 48

Which of the following are among the challenges faced by project managers?

A) They frequently have more authority than responsibility.
B) They must determine how networks of people function in the organization.
C) They must learn how to accomplish project work unilaterally - on their own.
D) They must follow the same rigid approach for all projects

Question 49

The Chief Projects Officer (CPO) is responsible for the individuals working on a project in all of the following ways EXCEPT:

A) that they perform project activities according to the detailed plan that he/she has created
B) that they capture lessons learned from their completed projects.
C) that they use templates and standards when appropriate.
D) that they receive the training they need.

Question 50

There are several tasks that a project customer (or sponsor acting in that capacity)can do to enhance the probability of success. Which of the following are generally performed independent of the project contractor who will perform the work?

A) conduct kick-off meeting
B) develop clear requirements
C) prioritize the project need
D) sign the project charter

Question 51

Subject matter experts often perform specific project activities when necessary. Which of the following statements accurately describes the role of subject matter experts in support of a project?

A) The number of subject matter experts is generally limited to fewer than the number of core team members.
B) The subject matter experts are typically assigned to the project from start to finish.
C) The subject matter experts may not relate strongly with a project due to the temporary nature of their involvement.
D) The subject matter experts should only be used for technical guidance