Question 1

According to the CHAOS studies, more IT projects are becoming increasing successful, but there is still a need to improve the likelihood of success.

Accepted Answer

The CHAOS studies show that more IT projects are succeeding, but there is still a need to improve the likelihood of success.

Question 2

Only the most successful projects are likely to lead to best practices.

Accepted Answer

While successful projects may contribute to best practices, it is not a guarantee that they will be the only ones to do so. Many unsuccessful projects can also provide valuable learning experiences and lead to the development of new best practices.

Question 3

The rise of islands of independent that replicated data throughout the organization during the Micro Era in the 1980's often challenged the centralized control of many data processing managers.

Accepted Answer

The statement is true. The Micro Era in the 1980s saw the rise of PCs and local area networks, which led to the creation of islands of independent data processing within organizations. This decentralized approach to data processing often challenged the traditional centralized control of many data processing managers.

Question 4

During the Network Era, IT projects have focused primarily on the challenge of creating a scalable IT infrastructure to support many partners, strategic alliances, vendors, and customers.

Accepted Answer

During the Network Era, the focus has been on creating a scalable IT infrastructure to support multiple partners, alliances, vendors, and customers. This is because the rise of networks has led to increased collaboration and interdependence among different organizations, which requires a robust technological backbone to support it.

Question 5

The Data Processing Era that began in the 1960's focused on automating many of the organizational transactions such as general accounting, inventory management, and production scheduling with the aid of a centralized mainframe or mini computers.

Accepted Answer

This statement is true. The Data Processing Era did indeed focus on automating organizational transactions with the help of centralized mainframe or mini computers, which led to increased efficiency and accuracy in processing large amounts of data.

Question 6

Information Technology Projects are organizational investments.

Accepted Answer

Information technology projects require financial resources, staff time, and other organizational resources, which make them organizational investments. The projects are expected to deliver benefits in return, which could take the form of improved productivity, increased efficiency, increased revenue, cost savings, or other desired outcomes. Therefore, IT projects should be treated as investments that require careful planning, evaluation, and control to ensure that the expected benefits are realized.

Question 7

According to the Standish Group, it appears that most project today fail not because of technology, but from a lack of user involvement and incomplete resources.

Accepted Answer

The statement is true as per the Standish Group's report on project success/failure factors.

Question 8

A project can be defined as a temporary endeavor undertaken to accomplish a unique purpose.

Accepted Answer

This is the definition of a project according to the Project Management Institute (PMI) and is widely accepted in the field of project management.

Question 9

According to the CHAOS studies most IT projects are completed on time and on budget.

Accepted Answer

According to the CHAOS studies, most IT projects are not completed on time and on budget. In fact, only about a third of IT projects are completed on time and on budget, while the rest experience delays or cost overruns.

Question 10

The Micro Era that started in the 1980's provided a smooth transition from large centralized computers to the personal computer that was widely welcomed by data processing managers who believed the replication of data throughout the organization would provide added backup and security.

Accepted Answer

The transition to personal computers in the 1980s was often met with resistance by data processing managers, who were concerned about the challenges of managing and securing decentralized data, rather than seeing it as an opportunity for added backup and security.

Question 11

The Socio-Technical Approach has been adopted by many organizations because successful projects require a pure technical approach that focuses on the tools, techniques, and methodologies of IT development.

Accepted Answer

The Socio-Technical Approach emphasizes the interaction between social factors and technical systems in an organization, recognizing the importance of both in the success of a project. It goes beyond just the technical aspects and takes into account the social dynamics and context in which an IT project exists.

Question 12

According to the CHAOS studies, user involvement and executive support tend to be important factors for successful projects.

Accepted Answer

According to the CHAOS studies, user involvement and executive support are among the factors that can contribute to the success of a project.

Question 13

Assumptions are what we use to estimate scope, schedule and budget and to assess the risks of the project.

Accepted Answer

Assumptions are an integral part of the project planning process and are used to estimate project parameters such as scope, schedule, and budget. They are also used to identify project risks and develop contingency plans to mitigate them. By making assumptions explicit and documenting them, project managers can manage effectively and increase the likelihood of project success.

Question 14

IT projects must provide value an organization.

Accepted Answer

IT projects should be aligned with the organization's vision, mission, and business goals. They should provide measurable benefits such as improving efficiency, reducing costs, increasing revenue, enhancing customer experience, and gaining a competitive advantage. Otherwise, they may not be worth the investment of time and resources.

Question 15

The Guide to the Project Management Body of Knowledge provides a basis for identifying and describing the generally accepted principles of project management.

Accepted Answer

This statement is true. The Guide to the Project Management Body of Knowledge, also known as the PMBOK Guide, is a recognized standard in the project management field and provides a framework of principles and best practices for managing projects.

Question 16

A project sponsor is responsible for ensuring that all of the project management and technical development processes are in place and being carried out within a set of specific requirements, defined processes, and quality standards.

Accepted Answer

The project manager, not the project sponsor, is primarily responsible for ensuring that project management and technical development processes are in place and being carried out within specific requirements, defined processes, and quality standards. The project sponsor typically provides project oversight, funding, and resources, and ensures the project aligns with strategic objectives.

Question 17

Projects are planned organizational change. Therefore, the project manager and team do not need to worry about the political climate within the organization because top management has a firm understanding of the organization's culture, environment, politics, etc.

Accepted Answer

Political climate plays a significant role in project success, and project managers need to be aware of the organization's culture, environment, and politics to develop an effective project plan and handle any conflicts that may arise during project implementation. It is incorrect to assume that top management has a complete understanding of the organization's political climate and culture, as it can vary across departments and levels within the organization.

Question 18

The project manager is

Accepted Answer

The project manager is responsible for ensuring that all management and technical processes are in place and carried out. They oversee the project and ensure its success by coordinating resources and managing the project team.

Question 19

A project

Accepted Answer

A project is defined as a temporary endeavor, meaning it has a specific start and end date, and is undertaken to achieve a unique outcome or deliverable. This makes it different from ongoing activities that provide ongoing value to the organization, such as operations or maintenance work. Also, the success of a project is not solely based on being completed on time and budget, but also meeting the project's scope, quality, and other objectives. Therefore, option A is the correct definition of a project.

Question 20

Project management is the application of knowledge, skills, tools, and techniques to project activities in order to meet project requirements.

Accepted Answer

Project management involves the application of knowledge, skills, tools, and techniques to meet project requirements and objectives. These activities include planning, initiating, executing, monitoring and controlling, and closing a project.

Quiz 1: The Nature of Information Technology Projects