Deck 10: Being an Effective Project Manager

Question 1

In terms of commonly traded organizational currencies, giving a task that could result in a promotion, acknowledging someone's effort and accomplishments, and providing opportunities for linking with others are examples of ______-related currencies.

A)Task
B)Position
C)Inspiration
D)Relationship
E)Personal

Answer 1

B
Explanation: This form of influence stems from the manager's ability to enhance others' positions within their organization.

Question 2

The outer ring in the network of relationships for project managers includes all of the following EXCEPT

A)Other organizations.
B)Customers.
C)Contractors.
D)Government agencies.
E)Administrative support.

Answer 2

C
Explanation: The outer ring in the network of relationships for project managers excludes administrative support that is internal to the organization.

Question 3

Stakeholders such as human resources, information systems, purchasing agents, and maintenance are typically classified as

A)Project managers.
B)Administrative support.
C)Functional managers.
D)Project sponsors.
E)Customers.

Answer 3

B
Explanation: Administration support, such as human resources and information systems, provide valuable support services.At the same time they impose constraints and requirements on the project such as the documentation of expenditures and the timely and accurate delivery of information.

Question 4

The closest relationships in a project network of relationships are between the project manager and

A)Other project managers.
B)Project sponsors.
C)Top management.
D)Customers.
E)Project team members.

Question 5

A high-ranking manager who advocates the project and uses her or his influence to gain approval of the project is a project

A)Promoter.
B)Champion.
C)Godfather.
D)Sponsor.
E)Advocate.

Question 6

When managing stakeholders, a project manager should

A)Develop a hands-on approach.
B)Focus on the project team and their needs.
C)Understand how different stakeholders can affect the project and manage that dependency.
D)Manage and limit time negotiating with stakeholders outside of the organization.
E)Refuse to be pulled by the demands of people who are not directly involved in the project.

Question 7

A well-defined project that encounters no significant surprises would require little

A)Management.
B)Leadership.
C)Monitoring.
D)Corrective action.
E)Controlling.

Question 8

Which metaphor best captures the role of a project manager?

A)The conductor of an orchestra
B)The point guard on a basketball team
C)A programmer on a software development team
D)A scout on an exploration
E)A mathematics instructor

Question 9

Managing a project and leading a project are two different things.Project leadership is about coping with

A)Formulating plans and objectives.
B)Monitoring results against plans.
C)Change.
D)Taking corrective action when necessary.
E)Designing structures and procedures.

Question 10

In terms of commonly traded organizational currencies, sharing tasks that increase someone's skills and abilities and letting others have ownership and influence are examples of _______-related currencies.

A)Task
B)Position
C)Inspiration
D)Relationship
E)Personal

Question 11

Project success or failure often is reliant upon the contributions of all of the following groups of stakeholders EXCEPT

A)Customers.
B)Suppliers.
C)Contractors.
D)Competitors.
E)Top management.

Question 12

In terms of commonly traded organizational currencies, sharing personnel, undertaking unwanted tasks, and providing technical knowledge are examples of ______-related currencies.

A)Task
B)Position
C)Inspiration
D)Relationship
E)Personal

Question 13

In terms of commonly traded organizational currencies, being involved in a task that has a large significance and having a chance to do something important and do it well are examples of ______-related currencies.

A)Task
B)Position
C)Inspiration
D)Relationship
E)Personal

Question 14

Networks are mutually beneficial alliances that are generally governed by the law of

A)Supply-demand.
B)Brooks' law.
C)Reciprocity.
D)A squeaky wheel.
E)Risk-reward.

Question 15

Which group of stakeholders defines the scope of the project and ultimately determines whether or not the project is successful?

A)Customers
B)Top management
C)Project sponsors
D)Project managers
E)Project team

Question 16

Which of the following groups of stakeholders place constraints on project work such as requiring permits to be secured, that work is built to code, or that safety standards are met?

A)Project sponsors
B)Government agencies
C)Project managers
D)Customers
E)Top management

Question 17

In terms of commonly traded organizational currencies, providing friendship, giving emotional backing, and listening to others' concerns and issues are examples of _______-related currencies.

A)Task
B)Position
C)Inspiration
D)Relationship
E)Personal

Question 18

The second ring in the network of relationships for project managers includes all of the following EXCEPT

A)Other project managers.
B)Customers.
C)Functional managers.
D)Top management.
E)Project sponsors.

Question 19

The following are necessary when mapping dependencies or building a social network EXCEPT

A)Identify those on whom the project depends for success.
B)Identify whose opposition would keep you from accomplishing the project.
C)Examine what sources of influence you have relative to those on whom you depend.
D)Focus on the relationships with project team members since they are doing the project work and you have most influence over them.
E)Diagnose another's point of view as well as the basis for their positions.

Question 20

One difference between project management and project leadership is that project management includes

A)Recognizing the need to alter direction.
B)Aligning people to meet new directions.
C)Monitoring results against plans.
D)Motivating people to meet new objectives.
E)Deviating from the plan.

Question 21

Which of the following would be defined as the ability to lead and manage yourself by establishing a sense for who you are, what you stand for and how you should behave?

A)Proactive
B)Emotional intelligence
C)Empathetic
D)Sense of purpose
E)Personal integrity

Question 22

Which of the following is NOT one of the aspects of leading by example?

A)Priorities
B)Ethics
C)Urgency
D)Cooperation
E)Power

Question 23

The largest source of tension between project managers and upper management typically come from

A)Lack of project resources.
B)Differences of perspective.
C)Budgeting exercises.
D)Not managing risk correctly.

Question 24

One way to build a supportive social network at work is to use

A)CYA.
B)MBWA.
C)ACWP.
D)PDM.

Question 25

________ naturally compete with each other for resources and support from top management.

Question 26

A popular metaphor for the role of a project manager is that of ________.

Question 27

Once you have established who the key players are that will determine success, then you initiate contact and begin to build a relationship with those players.Less effective managers

A)Spend the majority of their time outside their office.
B)Are able to stay in touch with what is really going on through face-to-face interactions.
C)Announce an open door policy and encourage others to see them when a problem or issue comes up.
D)Initiate contact to provide encouragement and to reinforce the objectives and vision of the project.
E)Talk with key stakeholders in an attempt to keep abreast of developments and anticipate potential problems.

Question 28

The one thing that can help establish your right to lead the project more than anything else is

A)Ability to balance the project budget.
B)Being visible to top management.
C)Being an active advocate for your project.
D)Having proper credentials.

Question 29

A side-effect of lack of trust is in other party is

A)Increased cost to the project.
B)Excessive number of deadlines missed.
C)Often expensing extra effort to understand true meaning of communications.
D)None of these choices are correct.

Question 30

Management is about coping with complexity; ________ is about coping with change.

Question 31

When project managers recognize that if they want participants to exceed project expectations then they have to exceed others' expectations of a good project manager, they are leading by example through which of the following aspects?

A)Urgency
B)Problem solving
C)Priorities
D)Standards of performance
E)Ethics

Question 32

To provide greater clarity to business ethics, many companies and professional groups

A)Encourage managers to rely on their own personal sense of right and wrong.
B)Post consequences to unethical behavior.
C)Publish a code of conduct.
D)Conduct annual training seminars on business ethics.
E)Establish a reward system for those who display ethical behavior.

Question 33

Which of the following would be defined as the ability or skill to perceive, assess, and manage the emotions of one's self and others?

A)Emotional stability
B)Coolness under pressure
C)Emotional intelligence
D)Empathy
E)Management sensitivity

Question 34

When having to have a difficult conversation with upper managers, you can increase success by

A)Framing the issue in familiar language.
B)Not asking for further budget allocation.
C)Making sure you have just met your last deadline.
D)Framing the issue in familiar language and making sure you have just met your last deadline.

Question 35

The traits of successful project managers include all of the following EXCEPT

A)Pessimist.
B)Proactive.
C)Skillful politician.
D)Effective time management.
E)Personal integrity.

Question 36

The key to exercising influence is

A)To make few mistakes.
B)To build trust.
C)To build a network of top-level people.
D)To understand the political connections within the organization.
E)To make friends with everyone.

Question 37

Research consistently points out that project success is strongly affected by the degree to which a project has the support of top management.The following are ways a project manager can manage upward relationships EXCEPT

A)Never ignore the chains of command.
B)Prove loyalty.
C)Pick the optimum time to appeal to top management.
D)Consistently follow through on requests.
E)Accept profound differences in perspective and become skilled at the art of persuading superiors.

Question 38

Which of the following is used at Hewlett-Packard for building relationships with key players that will determine a project's success?

A)MBO
B)MBA
C)GIGO
D)MBWA
E)PMI

Question 39

One of the ways to allow others to build trust in you is to

A)Celebrate staff birthdays on a regular basis.
B)Allow adequate time for staff training.
C)Never be late on a project.
D)Behave in a consistent manner.

Question 40

A key to being able to effectively persuade superiors is

A)Constantly meeting deadlines.
B)Being visible to top management.
C)Establishing project ownership.
D)Proving loyalty.

Question 41

__________-related currencies come directly from the project manager's ability to contribute to others' accomplishing their work.

Question 42

________-related currencies enhance a colleague's sense of worth by sharing tasks that increase skills and abilities, delegating authority over work so that others experience ownership, and allowing individuals to feel comfortable stretching their abilities.

Question 43

The ability or skill to perceive, assess and manage the emotions of one's self and others is called _________ intelligence.

Question 44

Managers spend the majority of their time outside their offices in the ________ style of management.

Question 45

Once project managers have proven their _________ to upper management, senior management is much more receptive to their challenges and requests.

Question 46

_________-related currencies stem from the project manager's ability to enhance others' positions within the organization.

Question 47

_________-related currencies derive from people's burning desire to make a difference and add meaning to their lives.

Question 48

When project managers take action before it is needed to prevent small concerns from escalating into major problems they are being _______.

Question 49

Research consistently points out that project success is strongly affected by the degree to which a project has the support of ______.

Question 50

A highly visible, interactive management style is when the project manager's behavior symbolizes how other people should work on the project.This is called __________ by example.

Question 51

Mapping ____________ helps identify those on whom the project depends for success.

Question 52

________ champion the project and use their influence to gain approval of the project.

Question 53

People and organizations that are actively involved in the project, or whose interests may be positively or negatively affected by the project, are known as __________.

Question 54

When project managers have a can-do attitude and when they are able to maintain a positive attitude during a dismal day and keep others' attention positive as well, they are demonstrating ___________.

Question 55

Experienced project managers recognize the need to build __________ before they need them.

Question 56

_________-related currencies have more to do with strengthening the relationship with someone than directly accomplishing the project tasks.

Question 57

Networks among stakeholders are mutually beneficial alliances that are generally governed by the law of ________.

Question 58

________ define the scope of the project, and ultimate project success rests in their satisfaction.

Question 59

To provide greater clarity to business _________, many companies and professional groups publish a code of conduct.

Question 60

The key to exercising influence is to build _______.

Question 61

Strong leadership, while usually desirable, is not always necessary to successfully complete a project.

Question 62

One advantage of creating a dedicated project team is that it reduces dependencies, especially within the organization.

Question 63

In most cases, if someone can manage a project well, then they are also a great leader.

Question 64

Relationship-related currencies deal with the extent to which we can help others feel a sense of importance and personal worth by sharing tasks that increase their skills and abilities.

Question 65

Effective time management for project managers includes initiating contact with key stakeholders only when there is a valid issue to deal with.

Question 66

Being an effective __________ for the project you are on will help establish loyalty among team members.

Question 67

Successful project managers tend to adopt a hands-on approach to managing projects.

Question 68

Customers define the scope of the project, and ultimately, project success rests in their satisfaction.

Question 69

Many poor-performing project managers are guilty of management by wandering around.

Question 70

The level of leadership required to successfully complete a project may depend on the level of uncertainty involved.

Question 71

Inspiration-related currencies derive from people's burning desire to make a difference and add meaning to their lives.

Question 72

A successful project manager must build a cooperative, mutually beneficial network generally governed by the law of reciprocity.

Question 73

The first step to building a social network is identifying those on whom the project depends for success.

Question 74

One important function of mapping dependencies and building a social network is to prevent project managers from being derailed because they were blindsided by someone whose position or power they had not anticipated.

Question 75

Position-related currencies come directly from the project manager's ability to contribute to others' accomplishing their work.

Question 76

Relationship-related currencies have more to do with strengthening the relationship with someone than directly accomplishing the project tasks.

Question 77

It is impractical for a subordinate to "manage" a superior.

Question 78

One of the things that distinguish project management from regular management is the sheer breadth and complexity of the relationships that need to be managed.

Question 79

The old-fashioned view of managing projects emphasized directing and controlling subordinates; the new perspective emphasizes managing project stakeholders and anticipating change as the most important jobs.

Question 80

Using properly established and well maintained professional relationships within a project, a project manager can be the __________ for information on the project.