Deck 4: Defining the Project

Question 1

Project scope describes what you expect to deliver to your customers when the project is complete.

Answer 1

True

Question 2

During the course of a project, it is possible that the project priorities may change.

Answer 2

True

Question 3

A communication plan should include limits on who has access to certain kinds of information.

Answer 3

True

Question 4

One of the items included on a project scope statement or checklist is the acceptance criteria.

Question 5

An expected output over the life of a project would be classified as a target.

Question 6

The hierarchical work breakdown structure provides management with information appropriate to each level.

Question 7

The highest element in the hierarchical breakdown of the WBS is the first major deliverable for the project and the lowest element is a work package.

Question 8

Process breakdown structures are used when the size and the scope of the project do not warrant an elaborate WBS or OBS.

Question 9

Responsibility matrices are used primarily with small and medium-sized projects and have limited use in large projects.

Question 10

There is a strong correlation between project success and clear project scope definition.

Question 11

The project charter provides the project manager with written authority to use organizational resources for project activities.

Question 12

If the project time should be accepted, then the project must be completed on time.

Question 13

The intersection of work packages and the organizational unit creates a project control point called a cost account.

Question 14

Integrating a project's work packages within the organization's management structure is known as work breakdown structure.

Question 15

For large companies, the organization breakdown structure is used rather than the work breakdown structure.

Question 16

An activity that represents a major segment of work is a good example of a milestone.

Question 17

If a project criterion should be optimized if at all possible, it is classified as being constrained.

Question 18

Scope creep occurs when your project is completed over-budget.

Question 19

The fact that a new home being built must meet local building codes is an example of a limit and exclusion.

Question 20

Profit, time and performance are all basic classifications of project priorities.

Question 21

You are writing a project scope definition document. Which of the following is NOT one of the items that would appear on a project scope statement or checklist?

A) Deliverables
B) Technical requirements
C) Project Objectives
D) Work breakdown structure
E) Limits and exclusions

Question 22

Scope creep is a big issue when managing projects. Which of the following is NOT true regarding scope creep?

A) It is the tendency for the project scope to expand over time.
B) It is when the project budget is exceeded.
C) It most likely caused by a scope statement that is too broad.
D) It can have both positive and negative impacts on a project.
E) It can lead to added costs and possible project delays.

Question 23

The _________ is used to assist in making project trade-offs among schedule, budget, and performance objectives.

A) responsibility matrix
B) work breakdown structure
C) project priority matrix
D) work package
E) criterion matrix

Question 24

One of the primary jobs of a project manager is to manage the trade-offs associated with the project. Which of the following is NOT one of the basic classifications of project priorities?

A) Profit
B) Cost
C) Time
D) Performance
E) All of these are basic classifications.

Question 25

An expected output over the life of a project would be classified as

A) a target.
B) a product.
C) an end object.
D) a deliverable.
E) an objective.

Question 26

In reviewing the project plan, a project professional sees that the first prototype must be completed by October 12. This would be best classified as a

A) project target.
B) limit item.
C) milestone.
D) project objective.
E) critical goal.

Question 27

Creating a communication plan typically follows a process that begins with a stakeholder analysis.

Question 28

The final step in defining a project is coding the organization breakdown structure or OBS for the information system.

Question 29

A project professional has just been assigned manager of a project to develop a new advertising campaign for an established product. What is the second step the project manager should do?

A) Establish project priorities.
B) Define the project scope.
C) Verify the budget available.
D) Assign team members to work on the project.
E) Determine the required completion date.

Question 30

After reviewing the project scope statement, the owner specifies that costs MUST stay within $400,000. This criterion is classified as

A) constrained.
B) enhanced.
C) accepted.
D) limited.
E) fixed.

Question 31

Five steps are involved when defining a project. Which of the following is the first?

A) Establish project priorities
B) Define the project scope
C) Verify the budget available
D) Assign team members to work on the project
E) Determine the required completion date

Question 32

There are 5 steps involved when defining a project; which of the following is the second?

A) Analyze the strategic plan
B) Analyze the current budget plan
C) Establish project priorities
D) Select team members
E) Define the major objectives to meet the customer's needs

Question 33

You have just been given a project that has a specific completion date. After a discussion with top management you find that while the date is important the cost is more important and a slip in delivery would be acceptable if required to meet the cost targets. The completion date is best classified as

A) constrained.
B) reduced.
C) accepted.
D) limited.
E) optional.

Question 34

A project professional is viewing a document that delineates the specific deliverables and sub-deliverables required to complete the writing of a technical support manual. He is most likely viewing the

A) responsibility matrix.
B) organization breakdown structure.
C) work breakdown structure.
D) priority matrix.
E) work package.

Question 35

Within any project, the first step of project scope definition is to

A) analyze the strategic plan.
B) analyze the current budget plan.
C) meet with team members.
D) select team members.
E) define the overall objective to meet the customer's needs.

Question 36

The use of "acceptance criteria" only refers to projects with external customers who are paying for the project.

Question 37

Responsibility Matrices are useful for assigning and organizing responsibilities.

Question 38

A typical responsibility matrix will include not only those responsible for a specific task but can also include those who supply support and assistance.

Question 39

The ability of a 911 emergency system to identify the caller's phone number and location is considered to be a

A) technical requirement.
B) milestone.
C) project limit.
D) project exclusion.
E) project deliverable.

Question 40

"To construct a high-quality, custom home within five months at costs not to exceed $150,000" is best classified as

A) a deliverable.
B) a milestone.
C) an objective.
D) a limit.
E) an exclusion.

Question 41

All of the following are usually included in a work package EXCEPT

A) work to be done.
B) the time needed to complete the work.
C) a single person who is responsible for its completion.
D) all the costs for the work package.
E) All of these are included in a work package.

Question 42

Which of the following is least likely to be included in a work package?

A) How long the work package should take to complete
B) A description of work to be performed
C) Overhead expenses
D) How much the work package should cost to complete
E) The person responsible for the work package

Question 43

All of the following are ways the WBS helps in managing projects EXCEPT

A) with cost and time estimates the WBS makes it possible to plan, schedule and budget the project.
B) it provides management with information appropriate to each level.
C) can be used to define communication channels.
D) allows the project manager to establish the overall objective of the project.
E) as it is developed, organizational units and individuals can be assigned responsibility of work packages.

Question 44

The integration of the lowest level of the WBS with the organizational units responsible for performing the work is known as

A) responsibility matrix.
B) organization breakdown structure.
C) work breakdown structure.
D) priority matrix.
E) process breakdown structure.

Question 45

The highest element in the hierarchical breakdown of the WBS is

A) a work package.
B) sub-deliverables.
C) a cost account.
D) major deliverables.
E) the project.

Question 46

The lowest element in the hierarchical breakdown of the WBS is

A) a deliverable.
B) a work package.
C) a cost account.
D) a lowest sub-deliverable.
E) an object.

Question 47

A Process Breakdown Structure can provide a reasonable alternative to a Work Breakdown structure for an extensive development project if

A) phase exit criteria are firmly established.
B) there are appropriate predecessor relationships in place.
C) deliverables are tightly aligned to milestones.
D) tangible products are being developed.
E) risk planning is included early in the project.

Question 48

One way for a project manager to communicate the authority granted to individual project members is to publish a

A) work breakdown structure.
B) project plan.
C) project hierarchy of reporting authority.
D) responsibility matrix.
E) project communication plan.

Question 49

The WBS is best suited for projects that have a tangible outcome. Which of the following is used when the final outcome of the project is less tangible or is a product of a series of steps or phases?

A) Responsibility matrix
B) Organization breakdown structure
C) A work breakdown structure is still effective for these types of projects.
D) Priority matrix
E) Process breakdown structure

Question 50

A "Dissemination Mode" is

A) how project schedules are version controlled.
B) a description of what is important to project stakeholders.
C) what defines how project communication is to occur.
D) None of these choices are correct.
E) All of these choices are correct.

Question 51

Having a strong communication plan can go a long way toward mitigating project problems. A communication plan should address all of the following EXCEPT

A) when the information will be communicated.
B) how information should be communicated and to whom.
C) which methods will be used to gather and store information.
D) what information needs to be collected and are there limits as to who has access to it.
E) all of these should be addressed in a communication plan.

Question 52

A Responsibility Matrix will clarify

A) tasks.
B) supports.
C) responsibilities.
D) who supports and who is responsible.
E) All of these alternatives are correct.

Question 53

A communication plan is a key component for giving guidelines on how to track project ____.

A) issues.
B) costs.
C) defects.
D) Both costs and defects.
E) All of these choices are correct.

Question 54

There are 5 steps involved when defining a project; which of the following is the last?

A) Code the WBS for tracking
B) Assign the cost account to a manager
C) Assign the work package to a manager
D) Develop the responsibility matrix
E) All of these are included in the final step.

Question 55

A key aspect to communication plans are that they allow the project manager and the project team to

A) meet deadlines more effectively.
B) focus on defect resolution.
C) effectively control costs on the project.
D) actively control the flow of information.
E) be more creative in their communications.

Question 56

If a project is small and does not require an elaborate system to assign tasks, which of the following is a good choice?

A) Responsibility matrix
B) Organization breakdown structure
C) Work breakdown structure
D) Priority matrix
E) Process breakdown structure

Question 57

The tendency for the project deliverables to expand over time-usually by changing requirements, specifications, and priorities-is called

A) scope erosion.
B) scope creep.
C) project bloat.
D) scope enhancement.
E) project add-ons.

Question 58

The project scope statement indicates that the client is responsible for training the people who will be using the equipment and that the project team will train the client's trainers. This is an example of

A) project objectives.
B) deliverables.
C) limits and exclusions.
D) technical requirements.
E) milestones.

Question 59

When work packages are integrated with organizational units, a control point is created called a

A) responsibility matrix.
B) priority matrix.
C) work package.
D) cost account.
E) project overlap.

Question 60

Which of the following is a good example of a Process Breakdown Structure?

A) New car prototype
B) New software program
C) New instruction manual
D) New sports stadium
E) New project management book

Question 61

Once the __________ has been established, it is the basis for making trade-off decisions later in the project.

A) work breakdown structure
B) process breakdown structure
C) organization breakdown structure
D) project priority matrix
E) responsibility matrix

Question 62

The last element of a project scope statement or checklist ensures an understanding and agreement of expectations. This is known as ____________.

A) deliverables
B) acceptance criteria
C) milestones
D) limits and exclusions
E) technical requirements

Question 63

Significant events in a project that occur at a specific point in time, are natural control points, and are easily recognized by project participants are known as ___________.

A) tasks
B) activities
C) milestones
D) due dates
E) kill points

Question 64

In regard to project priorities, if a project parameter such as the completion date or the cost of a project is fixed and must be met, it is considered ____________.

A) enhanced
B) accepted
C) constrained
D) static
E) unchangeable

Question 65

One tool that is used by project managers of small projects to summarize the tasks to be accomplished and who is responsible for what on a project is called a(n) __________.

A) task assignment table
B) activity assignment matrix
C) responsibility matrix
D) task responsibility table
E) activity responsibility table

Question 66

The first step in planning any project is to ___________.

A) establish project priorities
B) create the project breakdown structure
C) define the project scope
D) create the product breakdown structure
E) create the organization breakdown structure

Question 67

The need for a functioning computer in countries having different electrical systems is an example of a ________.

A) project objective
B) electrical incompatibility
C) justification
D) acceptance criteria
E) technical requirement

Question 68

The WBS is best suited for design and construction projects that have tangible outcomes. When the final outcome of the project is less tangible or it is the result of a series of steps or phases, some project managers choose to utilize a(n) ___________.

A) Work Breakdown Structure (WBS) Modified
B) Process Breakdown Structure (PBS)
C) Organization Breakdown Structure (OBS)
D) Project Priority Matrix (PPM)
E) Responsibility Matrix (RM)

Question 69

When specific work packages are assigned to a particular group or person within the organization, the result is called a(n) ___________.

A) work breakdown structure
B) process breakdown structure
C) organization breakdown structure
D) project priority matrix
E) responsibility matrix

Question 70

The agreement that training will be the responsibility of the customer and not the team is an example of a project ________.

A) product scope description
B) limits and exclusions
C) technical requirements
D) acceptance criteria
E) milestones

Question 71

A selective outline of the project that ensures the identification of all tasks and an understanding of what is to be done is called a(n) ____________.

A) process breakdown structure
B) work breakdown structure
C) organization breakdown structure
D) project breakdown structure
E) product breakdown structure

Question 72

Taking advantage of opportunities to reduce costs or accelerate the schedule are examples of project criteria classified as ____________.

A) enhanced
B) accepted
C) constrained
D) static
E) unchangeable

Question 73

The definition of the end result or mission of your project, or what you expect to deliver to your customer when the project is complete is the project ___________.

A) scope
B) bill or invoice
C) product
D) test
E) lessons learned

Question 74

The most detailed element in the hierarchical breakdown of the project work to be accomplished is known as the __________.

A) deliverable
B) subdeliverable
C) work package
D) lowest subdeliverable
E) cost account

Question 75

The type of information that will need to be collected during a project and who will receive this information can be found in the project __________ plan.

A) communication
B) requirements
C) responsibility
D) assignment
E) creation and design

Question 76

The final step in defining a project is __________ the WBS for the information system.

A) validating the scope
B) finalizing requirements
C) integrating the WBS with the organization
D) coding the WBS
E) assigning each work package to a single person

Question 77

In making project trade-offs, a criterion that is allowed not to meet the original target, for example, allowing the schedule to slip, is classified as ___________.

A) enhanced
B) accepted
C) constrained
D) static
E) unchangeable

Question 78

The result of subdividing the work of a project into smaller and smaller work elements is called a(n) __________.

A) work breakdown structure
B) process breakdown structure
C) organization breakdown structure
D) project priority matrix
E) responsibility matrix

Question 79

The intersection of work packages and the organizational unit creates a project control point called a(n) ___________.

A) deliverable
B) subdeliverable
C) work package
D) lowest subdeliverable
E) cost account

Question 80

A technique that clearly establishes priorities with customers and top management so as to create shared expectations and avoid misunderstandings is developing a(n) ___________.

A) work breakdown structure
B) process breakdown structure
C) organization breakdown structure
D) project priority matrix
E) responsibility matrix