Deck 14: Project Closure

Question 1

Which part of the final report is designed to be the most useful on future projects?

A) Executive summary
B) Review and analysis
C) Recommendations
D) Lessons learned
E) Appendix

Answer 1

D
Explanation: Perhaps lessons learned are the most valuable contribution of the closure process.Given the process of evaluation and input from the stakeholder meetings,lessons learned should be succinctly and clearly set out.

Question 2

The most common circumstance for project closure is simply a ________ project.

A) Completed
B) Overdue
C) Over-budget
D) Underachieving
E) Successful

Answer 2

A
Explanation: The most common circumstance for project closure is simply a completed project.

Question 3

When a project starts with a high priority but it is canceled because its rank erodes or crashes during its project life cycle.This is an example of what type of project closure?

A) Normal
B) Premature
C) Perpetual
D) Failed project
E) Changed priority

Answer 3

E
Explanation: Organizations' priorities often change and strategy shifts directions.For example,during the 2008-2010 financial crisis organizations shifted their focus from money making projects to cost savings projects.The oversight group continually revises project selection priorities to reflect changes in organizational direction.Projects in process may need to be altered or canceled.Thus,a project may start with a high priority but see its rank erode or crash during its project life cycle as conditions change.When priorities change,projects in process may need to be altered or canceled.

Question 4

Which part of the final report highlights the key findings and facts relating to the project implementation?

A) Executive summary
B) Review and analysis
C) Recommendations
D) Lessons learned
E) Appendix

Question 5

Performance appraisals generally fulfill two functions.The first is to identify individual strengths and weaknesses and to develop action plans for improving performance.The second involves salary or merit adjustments.Why should these two functions be addressed at different times?

A) It is too much information to discuss at once
B) Employees are so eager to learn about a potential raise that they tend to tune out constructive feedback
C) Managers tend to spend too much time talking about how the employee can improve his or her performance and not on justifying the salary adjustment
D) If employees are upset over a salary adjustment,they will more willing to listening to ways they can improve
E) If the manager is giving employees good news regarding their salary adjustment,they will not have to discuss the employees' strengths and weaknesses

Question 6

Which part of the final report includes backup data or details of analysis that would allow others to follow up if they wished?

A) Executive summary
B) Review and analysis
C) Recommendations
D) Lessons learned
E) Appendix

Question 7

This type of closure occurs when the project may never seem to end.At some point the review group should recommend methods for bringing final closure to this type of project.This is considered to be ___________ closure.

A) Normal
B) Premature
C) Perpetual
D) Changed priority
E) Failed project

Question 8

Which of the following would NOT be appropriate to assess when evaluating team performance?

A) How well the team performed in terms of time,cost,and specifications
B) Effectiveness of group decisions
C) Individual strengths and weaknesses
D) Customer satisfaction with project deliverables
E) Trust among group members

Question 9

Because of circumstances beyond the control of the project team,many projects are easy for a review group to close down.This type of project closure is called

A) Normal.
B) Premature.
C) Perpetual.
D) Failed project.
E) Changed priority.

Question 10

The purpose of project evaluation is to assess how well

A) The project team performed.
B) The team members performed.
C) The project manager performed.
D) The project team and team members performed.
E) The project team,team members and project manager performed.

Question 11

Which of the following is NOT a wrap-up closure activity that might be found on a checklist?

A) Getting delivery acceptance from the customer
B) Reassigning project team members
C) Closing accounts and seeing all bills are paid
D) Evaluation of team performance
E) Creating a final report

Question 12

Which part of the final report presents major improvement actions that should be made?

A) Executive summary
B) Review and analysis
C) Recommendations
D) Lessons learned
E) Appendix

Question 13

Which of the following summarizes project performance and provides useful information for continuous improvement?

A) Customer acceptance
B) The final report
C) Team evaluation
D) 360-degree feedback
E) Project summary

Question 14

An analysis carried out during and shortly after the project life cycle that attempts to capture positive and negative learning is represented in which of the following?

A) Scenario analysis
B) Variance analyses
C) Lessons learned
D) Performance evaluation
E) Strategic objectives

Question 15

When the project may be completed early with some parts of the project eliminated this is considered to be ___________ closure.

A) Normal
B) Premature
C) Perpetual
D) Changed priority
E) Failed project

Question 16

Which part of the final report examines in detail the underlying causes of problems,issues,and successes relative to the project and includes concise,factual review statements of the project?

A) Executive summary
B) Review and analysis
C) Recommendations
D) Lessons learned
E) Appendix

Question 17

Before an evaluation of the project team can be effective and useful,a minimum core of conditions needs to be in place before the project begins.Which of the following would NOT be one of those conditions?

A) Individuals have the skill set necessary to successfully complete the project
B) Evaluation criteria beyond time,cost and specifications has been established
C) Rewards are adequate
D) Individual,team responsibilities and performance standards are known by all team members
E) Standards for measuring performance exist

Question 18

__________ of lessons learned are designed to improve performance on current and future projects.

A) Retrospectives
B) Corrective action plans
C) Introspectives
D) Culminations
E) Evolutions

Question 19

The content of the final report typically includes the following topics EXCEPT

A) Lessons learned.
B) Review and analysis.
C) Recommendations.
D) Executive summary.
E) Team reviews.

Question 20

The following are general tips for conducting performance reviews EXCEPT

A) Begin the process by asking the individual to evaluate his or her own contributions to the project.
B) Use other team members' performance as a method to compare and evaluate.
C) When you have to be critical,focus the criticism on specific examples of behavior and not on the individual personally.
D) Be fair and consistent in your treatment of all team members.
E) Treat the review as only one point in an ongoing process.

Question 21

The following are distinguishing characteristics of retrospectives methodology EXCEPT

A) It uses an independent facilitator.
B) It establishes in-process learning gates during the project life cycle.
C) An owner,typically a team member,is assigned.
D) Reviews cannot be linked to percent complete.
E) A repository is developed that is easy to use.

Question 22

The process for capturing lessons learned continues to evolve,but there are still many barriers to effectively capitalizing on lessons learned that have been identified.The following are examples of these barriers EXCEPT

A) Lack of time.
B) Teams get little direction or support after lessons are reported.
C) Lessons learned often degenerate into blame sessions.
D) Lessons learned are being used across different locations.
E) The organizational culture doesn't support the effort that it takes to capitalize on lessons learned.

Question 23

It is imperative that the closure facilitator possess the following characteristics EXCEPT

A) Has direct involvement or direct interest in the project.
B) Is perceived as impartial and fair.
C) Has respect for senior management and other project stakeholders.
D) Is willing to listen.
E) Is perceived as having the best interests of the organization in making decisions.

Question 24

Each retrospective is assigned a(n)_________,typically a team member who is very interested in and familiar with the retrospective.This individual will serve as the contact point for anyone needing information relating to the retrospective.

A) Owner
B) Project sponsor
C) Project manager
D) Project facilitator
E) Mediator

Question 25

Perhaps the _________ section of the final report is the most valuable contribution of the closure process.

Question 26

When the review group recommends methods for bringing final closure to a project that never seems it will end,this is an example of a ________ project closure.

Question 27

In organizations where projects are managed within a ____________,the team member's area manager,not the project manager,is responsible for assessing performance.

A) Functional organization
B) Matrix organization
C) Flat organization
D) Project organization
E) Strong organization

Question 28

Which of the following is NOT a role of the closure facilitator?

A) Create an environment in which stakeholders feel safe to provide input
B) Lead the team in exploring new ways for solving problems
C) Use several questionnaires as a starting point to conduct the post-project retrospective
D) Get delivery acceptance from the customer
E) Elicit a 360-degree view and input from all stakeholders to create a more complete picture of project issues

Question 29

More and more companies are discarding the traditional superior-subordinate performance feedback process and replacing it with a multi-rater appraisal called

A) Critical incidences review.
B) Management by objectives.
C) The 360-degree feedback.
D) Team evaluation survey.
E) Retrospectives.

Question 30

Implementing the closure process includes several _______ activities,including getting delivery acceptance from the customer.

Question 31

The ________ section of the final project report includes concise,factual review statements of the project,such as project mission and objectives,procedures and systems used,and organizational resources used.

Question 32

A ____________ project closure is usually easy to identify and easy for a review group to close down.

Question 33

Projects in process may need to be altered or canceled.Thus,a project may start with a high priority but see its rank erode or crash during its project life cycle as conditions change.This is called __________ project closure.

Question 34

Project closures can fall into all of the following categories EXCEPT

A) Premature.
B) Perpetual.
C) Failed.
D) Changed priority.
E) Successful.

Question 35

Within the final report,a summary that simply highlights the key findings and facts relating to project implementation is called the ___________.

Question 36

When a project is completed early with some parts of the project eliminated this is known as _________ project closure.

Question 37

A guide who leads the project team through an analysis of project activities that went well and of what needs improvement and aids in the development of a follow-up action plan with goals and accountability is a(n)

A) Owner.
B) Project sponsor.
C) Project manager.
D) Project facilitator.
E) Mediator.

Question 38

________ project closure is the most common circumstance for project closure and is simply a completed project.

Question 39

The ________ section of the final project report is often technical in nature and focuses on solutions to problems that surfaced.

Question 40

The typical mechanism for the evaluation of teams is normally

A) A survey completed by the team members.
B) A personal interview of each team member.
C) An analysis by an outside consultant.
D) A survey completed by members of top management.
E) A survey completed by the internal or external customers.

Question 41

__________ represent an analysis carried out during and shortly after the project life cycle;they attempt to capture positive and negative project learning.

Question 42

Retrospectives of lessons learned are designed to improve performance on current and future projects.

Question 43

____________ of performance is essential to encourage changes in behavior and to support individual career development and continuous improvement through organizational learning.

Question 44

Motivation can be the chief challenge when wrapping up closure activities.

Question 45

The ____________ report summarizes project performance and provides useful information for continuous improvement.

Question 46

A guide who leads the project team through an analysis of project activities that went well and of what needs improvement and development of a follow-up action plan with goals and accountability is known as a project ____________.

Question 47

Retrospective reviews should be set up in the project ___________ stage.

Question 48

The retrospective approach stresses gathering _____________ during project execution and using them to change remaining work.

Question 49

Each retrospective is assigned a(n)__________,typically a team member who is very interested in and familiar with the retrospective.

Question 50

The typical mechanism for evaluation of teams is a ________ administered by a consultant.

Question 51

A ________ is a methodology that analyzes a past project event to determine what worked and what didn't,develops lessons learned,and creates an action plan that ensures lessons learned are used to improve management of future projects.

Question 52

In organizations where projects are managed within a functional organization,the team member's __________ manager is responsible for assessing performance.

Question 53

In premature project closure,the project may be completed early with some parts of the project eliminated.

Question 54

The ________ feedback approach gathers anonymous feedback solicited from others that is compared with the individual's self-evaluations.

Question 55

The purpose of project __________ is to assess how well the project team,team members,and project manager performed.

Question 56

When a project starts as a high priority but its rank erodes or crashes during its project life cycle resulting in closure of the project,this is an example of changed priority project closure.

Question 57

Within the final report,the ___________ may include backup data or details of analysis that would allow others to follow up if they wish.

Question 58

The final report typically includes profit made on the project.

Question 59

During the closing phase,the project manager's challenge is to keep the project team focused on the remaining project activities and delivery to the customer until the project is complete.

Question 60

The most common reason given for not creating lessons learned is the lack of _________.

Question 61

The key requirement in selection of the facilitator is one who is the end-user.

Question 62

During the closure process,how does the project manager meet the challenge to keep the project team focused on the remaining project activities and delivery to the customer until the project is complete?

Question 63

The retrospective facilitator should be able to deliver bad news to the project sponsor or senior management without recriminations.

Question 64

Project managers should,when possible,draw comparisons to other team members when conducting individual team member reviews.

Question 65

A 360-degree performance evaluation includes feedback from peers,project managers,subordinates,and even customers.

Question 66

Within the final report,the project summary is the summary that simply highlights the key findings and facts relating to the project implementation.

Question 67

The most common circumstance for project closure is simply a completed project such as building a new facility or creating a customized information system.

Question 68

Expectations,standards,supportive organizational culture,and constraints must be in place before project implementation;if not,the effectiveness of the evaluation process will suffer.

Question 69

Assessing what fundamental organizational culture properties affect project successes and failures,or become a hindrance to project teams,is a part of the retrospectives methodology.

Question 70

Implementing project closure includes getting delivery acceptance from the customer.

Question 71

A project closure where the project is completed early with some parts of the project eliminated would be classified as a failed project.

Question 72

Evidence today suggests that performance evaluations are not done well.What are two major reasons that have been recognized as contributors to this?

Question 73

Before an evaluation of the project team can be effective and useful,a minimum core of conditions needs to be in place before the project begins.Identify four of these conditions.

Question 74

The processes for capturing lessons learned continue to evolve,but there are still barriers to effectively mining lessons learned.

Question 75

The retrospective methodology is more inclusive and disciplined than past lessons learned approaches.

Question 76

Evaluation of performance is essential to encourage changes in behavior and to support individual career development and continuous improvement through organizational learning.

Question 77

Project managers should wait to give feedback to the project team and team members until the project has been completed.Giving feedback throughout the project can distract project teams.

Question 78

Why would a manager begin the evaluation process by asking the individual to evaluate his or her contributions to the project?

Question 79

In organizations where projects are managed within a functional organization,the team member's area manager,not the project manager,is responsible for assessing performance.

Question 80

Retrospective methodology is one positive step toward ensuring lessons learned are developed and implemented.