Question 1

Describe CPM/PERT networks and how they work.

Accepted Answer

A CPM/PERT network consists of branches and nodes and depicts the precedence relationships between activities. The Gantt chart does not clearly show precedence relationships, which can be a disadvantage when using it for small projects. However, CPM/ PERT also has certain limitations. The project manager tends to rely so heavily on the project network that errors in the precedence relationship or missing activities can be overlooked; attention to critical path activities can become excessive to the extent that other project activities may be neglected or delayed.
Both CPM and PERT were derived from the Gantt chart and so were very similar. However, there were originally two primary differences between CPM and PERT. CPM used a single estimate for activity time that did not allow for any variation and treated activity times as if they were known for certain, or "deterministic." PERT used multiple time estimates for each activity that allowed for variation, and so they were treated as "probabilistic." The other difference was that they used different conventions for constructing a network. With CPM, the nodes (circles) represented the project activities. The arrows in between the nodes indicated the precedence relationships between activities. This approach to network construction was called activity-on-node (AON). With PERT, the opposite convention was taken. The branches represented the activities, and the nodes in between them reflected events or points in time such as the end of one activity and the beginning of another. This approach was referred to as activity-on-arrow (AOA).
Over time, however, CPM and PERT merged into a single technique now referred to as CPM/PERT.

Question 2

Project planning involves a set of procedures for monitoring and evaluating progress and performance.

Accepted Answer

False

Question 3

Discuss the issues that can arise in a diverse project group.

Accepted Answer

Global projects involving companies and team members from different countries have grown as a result of increased information and communication technology. While a globally diverse project team can have advantages, issues can arise that affect project work and the success of the project. English is generally accepted and used globally to conduct business, so language will not necessarily be an issue. Instead, issues may arise from things such as differing attitudes toward work and vacation time, differing management styles, and differing ways of addressing problems. Or some people may simply have trouble working with others from different cultures. Whatever the issues, identifying and addressing these issues in a global project group is critical for project management and for achieving project success.

Question 4

A work breakdown structure provides a common understanding of and justification for a project.

Accepted Answer

The answer of A work breakdown structure provides a common...

Question 5

Discuss the key elements of project control and define enterprise project management.

Accepted Answer

The answer of Discuss the key elements of project control...

Question 6

Project scope involves a set of procedures for anticipating and assessing uncertainties that might increase the risk of delaying the project.

Accepted Answer

The answer of Project scope involves a set of procedures...

Question 7

Develop and analyze a probabilistic activity time estimate network for a project.

Accepted Answer

The answer of Develop and analyze a probabilistic activity time...

Question 8

Explain project crashing and time-cost tradeoffs, including how they are determined.

Accepted Answer

The answer of Explain project crashing and time-cost tradeoffs, including...

Question 9

Global projects rarely are concerned with cultural differences among team members because English is the universal business language.

Accepted Answer

Although English may be the common language used in global business projects, cultural differences among team members can still play a significant role in communication, decision-making, and overall project success. It is important to be aware of and respect cultural differences and adapt communication and work styles accordingly.

Question 10

Explain the basics of project scheduling and how to use a Gantt chart.

Accepted Answer

The answer of Explain the basics of project scheduling and...

Question 11

A Gantt chart provides a visual display of the project schedule that includes scheduled start times, finish times and available slack.

Accepted Answer

A Gantt chart does provide a visual display of the project schedule that includes scheduled start times, finish times and available slack.

Question 12

Discuss features of the project planning process, including planning tools, evaluation methods, and key elements of a plan.

Accepted Answer

The answer of Discuss features of the project planning process,...

Question 13

Asian cultures tend to embrace project management's methodical approach more than western cultures.

Accepted Answer

This is because Asian cultures often have a strong emphasis on planning, structure, and hierarchy in their business practices, which aligns well with the methodical approach of project management. Western cultures, on the other hand, tend to value more autonomy and individuality, which can sometimes clash with the highly structured nature of project management. However, it is important to note that cultural differences can vary greatly within each region and should not be generalized.

Question 14

A unique, one-time operational activity or effort is referred to as a process.

Accepted Answer

A process is a recurring or ongoing activity or effort, not a one-time operational activity.

Question 15

Issues of cultural diversity in project management should only be addressed if and when they arise.

Accepted Answer

Issues of cultural diversity should be proactively and continuously addressed throughout the entire project management process, as they can affect communication, decision-making, conflict resolution, and overall project success. Ignoring cultural diversity can lead to misunderstandings, misinterpretations, and even cultural clashes, which can cause project delays, rework, and increased costs. It is important to respect and value cultural differences, and to create an inclusive and diverse project team that can leverage the strengths and perspectives of all team members.

Question 16

In general, projects are subject to less uncertainty than other types of processes.

Accepted Answer

Projects often involve new and unique endeavors, which can result in greater uncertainty and risks compared to more routine processes. Uncertainty can arise from a variety of factors such as project scope, timeline, resources, and stakeholder expectations.

Question 17

Use Smartsheet for CPM/PERT analysis.

Accepted Answer

The answer of Use Smartsheet for CPM/PERT analysis. ...

Question 18

The upper level of a work breakdown structure for a project highlights summary activities and/or major components.

Accepted Answer

The upper level of a work breakdown structure generally highlights summary activities and/or major components, allowing for easier understanding and organization of the project.

Question 19

The three major components of project management include planning, scheduling, and costing.

Accepted Answer

The answer of The three major components of project management...

Question 20

A project team is typically cross-functional consisting of members throughout an organization.

Accepted Answer

A project team is often cross-functional, bringing together members from different departments or areas of expertise within an organization to work on a specific project. This allows for a diversity of perspectives and skills to be utilized towards a common goal.

Quiz 9: Project Management