Question 1

The Scope Definition process generates which of the following:

Accepted Answer

The Scope Definition process generates the scope management plan.
Key Takeaway: Scope Definition generates both a detailed scope statement and the scope management plan. The detailed scope statement defines in detail what is-and is not-included in the program. It becomes the cornerstone for all program decision making during the rest of the program's life cycle. The program scope management plan literally describes how the program scope will be managed throughout the life of the program.

Question 2

What are the components at the lowest level of a program WBS hierarchy called?

Accepted Answer

The components at the lowest level are called program packages.
Key Takeaway: Decomposition of program deliverables is a handy tool for creating the PWBS. Basically, decomposition breaks down program deliverables into smaller, more manageable tasks called program packages. These are then broken down even further. The packages at the lowest level of this hierarchy are called work packages. You will need to know the program deliverables before even starting the PWBS and creating an overarching schedule must come before the packets of smaller work. Therefore, work packages are always at the lowest level of the PWBS hierarchy.

Question 3

Dixon is performing the Interface Planning process for his Art-2 Unit program. Which is not a tool or technique that can be used for this process?

Accepted Answer

Pareto diagram is a tool that cannot be used in the Interface Planning process.
Key Takeaway: Throughout the life of a program and its projects, the program may be interacting with several different programs in the organization or even with outside factors. Interface Planning plans for the interfaces of these interactions, mapping how the relationships between programs will be managed. Organizational theory, stakeholder analysis, and human resource practices are all tools and techniques that can be used for the Interface Planning process.

Question 4

A resource histogram is used in which process?

Accepted Answer

A resource histogram is used in the Resource Planning process
Key Takeaway: A resource histogram is a graph displaying resource requirements. A resource histogram can include the number of hours that an employee or team will need to work on a given program or project, levels of various resources needed for the project, and/or a summary of resource requirements for the program. A resource histogram is very useful in the Resource Planning process.

Question 5

Josh is working on a brand new program, Need a Date!, and he's going to be performing the following processes for the first time for his program. Which is the first process he should perform?

Accepted Answer

Josh needs to perform Scope Definition first.
Key Takeaway: Scope Definition generates the program scope statement. The program scope statement is used to create the PWBS and to perform Transition Planning. And Schedule Development uses the PWBS as an input. So when performing these processes for the first time, Scope Definition must be performed first in order to be able to perform the other processes.

Question 6

The schedule management plan is an output of which of the following processes?

Accepted Answer

Schedule Development generates the schedule management plan.
Key Takeaway: The Schedule Development process generates two outputs: a program schedule and a schedule management plan. Remember that the creation of a program schedule is basically road mapping how you will ultimately execute the program. Schedule Development involves defining the program components (component definition), configuring the order in which the components will be executed (component sequencing), figuring out how much time it will take to complete each component (component duration estimating), and assigning an accurate timeline for completing the components (component scheduling).

Question 7

The Black Forest Tie Affair program is currently in the planning stages. Its program sponsor, Randolph Moneypenny, says to Miguel, the program manager, "I need an organizational chart. Please perform this process." Which process is Mr. Moneypenny speaking of?

Accepted Answer

Mr. Moneypenny is referring to the Human Resource Planning process.
Key Takeaway: The Human Resource Planning process is used to assign roles and responsibilities for given programs. It also generates a general staffing management plan. Anything involving staffing organization and acquisition falls under Human Resource Planning.

Question 8

David is the program manager of the Make It Look Good program, which is in the planning stage. David isn't certain if items should be purchased or produced in-house. Which process should David perform to decide?

Accepted Answer

David should perform the Plan Program Purchases and Acquisitions process.
Key Takeaway: When in the planning stages of any program and it is uncertain whether to make or buy items, one must perform the Plan Program Purchases and Acquisitions process. Make-or-buy decisions are outputs of this process.

Question 9

It was Bob's job to figure out the dependencies among the schedule activities. Bob discovered that all these dependencies are of type finish-to-start. Now Bob needs a network diagramming method to display these dependencies. Which should he use?

Accepted Answer

Bob can use either the PDM or the ADM.
Key Takeaway: The Arrow diagramming method can only be used to display finish-to-start dependencies. The Precedence diagramming method can be used to display any type of dependencies: finish-to-finish, start-to-start, start-to-finish, and finish-to-start.

Question 10

In order to determine the program budget, which program management process must be performed?

Accepted Answer

Performing the Cost Estimating and Budgeting process will determine the program budget.
Key Takeaway: The program budget is an output of the Cost Estimating and Budgeting process. Several different techniques can be used to estimate and then determine a program budget, including: Analogous estimation, bottom-up estimation, cost aggregation, funding-limit reconciliation, parametric estimation, quantitative estimation, and reserve analysis. Note that some techniques are used for estimating and some are used for actual budgeting. All techniques help, however, in the overall Cost Estimating and Budgeting process.

Question 11

Boris is the manager of the Yes I Read book-publishing program. He has decided to procure book cover images from a digital design company for the next fiscal year. Currently Boris has no idea how many books he will publish in the year. What type of contract is most suitable for Boris to use when he signs with the digital design company?

Accepted Answer

A time and material contract is most suitable.
Key Takeaway: Time-and-material, or T&M, contracts contain some aspects of fixed-price contracts and some aspects of cost-reimbursable contracts. T&M contracts are especially useful when you do not know the quantity of the items being procured. In this case, since Boris does not know the exact number of books he will publish within the year a time and material contract is most suitable for him to sign with the digital design company. This type of contract is high-risk for the buyer because he or she agrees to pay for the total time the seller takes to produce the deliverable goods.

Question 12

From which of the following do risks originate?

Accepted Answer

Risks originate from uncertainty.
Key Takeaway: A risk refers to an uncertain event that will either have a positive or negative effect upon the completion of a program or its subsidiary projects-if the event occurs. Effective risk management is crucial to planning and maintaining a program and its subsidiary projects. At the program level, risk management activities can include: identifying potential project/program risks and their causes, reviewing the risk response plans from every subsidiary project and analyzing how that potential risk could have an effect upon subsequent projects, and to propose responses to those risks. Obviously, in all of these cases, effective communication is key to managing the risks.

Question 13

Which is NOT included in the Communication Planning process?

Accepted Answer

Issue a request for information, a request for proposal, and a request for quotation.
Key Takeaway: The Communication Planning process is best remembered by the four Ws: what information is needed, when, who needs it, and who will deliver it. To do this, it will be necessary to know the program scope and the proper requirements to plan communication, such as information for the proper stakeholders and technology requirements of the organization.

Question 14

What is needed before performing the Quality Planning process?

Accepted Answer

Program scope statement and product description
Key Takeaway: The program scope statement and product description are inputs for the Quality Planning process. Therefore that process cannot begin without these two inputs. Remember that quality planning is used to identify which standards are relevant to the program and how the group will strive to meet those standards.

Question 15

What are the two main types of project reserve accounts? Select two:

Accepted Answer

The two main types of reserves are management and contingency. Contingency is tied to risks identified ("If X event occurs, a certain amount can be taken out of reserve to deal with it"). We frequently find this is effective to protect against needing to replace a key member of the team or an unforeseen event (a New England snowstorm). A management reserve is a discretionary account that is typically set aside in budgeting, but not included in the baseline for a variety of events that might occur to affect the project adversely.
Key takeaway: These reserves are a key part of both risk and cost management. It's much easier to have one structured and written in early in the project than to have to go to senior management asking for it later.

Question 16

Which statement is correct?

Accepted Answer

Quality metrics are an output of Quality Planning.
Key Takeaway: Quality metrics define what something is (a feature, or characteristic) and how, exactly, it will be measured by quality control. The metrics that you and the program/project group set during quality planning will be used later in quality assurance. Because of this, it is important to use quantifiable criterion.

Question 17

What is a risk response plan for a program an output of?

Accepted Answer

A risk response plan is an output of Risk Management Planning and Analysis.
Key Takeaway: The Risk Management Planning and Analysis process includes identifying program risks, a detailed risk analysis (both qualitative and quantitative), and effective risk-response planning. The most common risks arise from the program schedule and program cost. Because of this, the key input items for the Risk Management Planning and Analysis process are the program schedule, the PWBS, and the program budget.

Question 18

Which process must be performed to develop a contract statement of work?

Accepted Answer

Performing the Plan Program Purchases and Acquisitions process will develop a contract statement of work.
Key Takeaway: A contract statement of work, or SOW, is an output of the Plan Program Purchases and Acquisitions process. It is a document that describes in detail the products or services that the seller will deliver to the client. Only through this process can a contract statement of work be developed. It then becomes an input to the Plan Program Contracting process.

Question 19

Boris wants to figure out how much more his company should invest into the quality of a certain product. What tool would be most effective for this exercise?

Accepted Answer

A marginal analysis finds the point at which a company no longer receives incremental revenue for its incremental investment in quality. A company should invest in quality up to the point where marginal investment is equal to marginal return.
Key Takeaway: Conducting a marginal analysis is a true value added tool for a project manager. It requires substantial business knowledge and high-quality data to do this well.

Question 20

Boris hires an outside vendor to maintain their servers. However, he is extremely concerned about uptime. In order to remain profitable, Boris' company needs to have 99% uptime. Which of the following would be a clause Boris would want to include in the contract to directly address this requirement?

Accepted Answer

SLA stands for Service Level Agreement, which basically addresses the expectations of the buyer. In event the vendor does not meet the requirement, the buyer of the services can expect compensation, or may be allowed to void the contract.
Key Take Away: Service level management has become a big buzzword in the service industry. Creating a SLA helps set expectations on both sides of the coin.

Quiz 1: Program and Project Management