Question 1

In earned value analysis,the 50-50 rule assumes that __________.

Accepted Answer

The 50-50 rule in earned value analysis assumes that 50 percent of the value is earned when the task begins and the remaining 50 percent is earned upon completion.

Question 2

According to the authors,the project manager can tolerate almost any kind of behavior,EXCEPT __________.

Accepted Answer

The authors state that the project manager can tolerate almost any kind of behavior but cannot tolerate dishonesty. Therefore, option D is the correct answer.

Question 3

For each factor to be measured during monitoring; performance criteria,standards,and __________ should be established.

Accepted Answer

Data collection procedures should be established along with performance criteria and standards, as they are necessary for properly measuring and recording the data for monitoring. Mechanized systems, automated systems, and audit checks may be used to facilitate data collection and monitoring, but they are not necessarily tied to the initial establishment of performance criteria and standards.

Question 4

In earned value analysis,if the cost variance is (-$10,000),__________.

Accepted Answer

A negative cost variance means that the actual cost is higher than the planned cost, and this is unfavorable for the project.

Question 5

In earned value analysis,the 0 - 100 percent rule allows __________.

Accepted Answer

The 0 - 100 percent rule in earned value analysis allows for 0 percent credit when work begins and 100 percent credit at completion of the activity. This means that no credit is given until the activity is fully completed, at which point 100 percent credit is earned.

Question 6

Management by exception has the disadvantage of being __________.

Accepted Answer

Management by exception is an after the fact type of approach because it involves intervening only when actual results deviate significantly from planned results. This means that managers may not be aware of problems until they have already occurred, which can be a disadvantage in terms of timely problem-solving.

Question 7

The first step in setting up a monitoring system is to __________.

Accepted Answer

The first step in setting up a monitoring system is to identify the key factors to be controlled. This will help in determining what type of data needs to be collected and analyzed. Collecting existing data or every available piece of information may not be relevant or useful in monitoring the key factors. Similarly, using whatever information is available may not provide an accurate picture of the system being monitored.

Question 8

Monitoring,as an activity,should be kept distinct from __________,which is the process of making judgments about the quality and effectiveness of project performance.

Accepted Answer

Monitoring is the process of observing and tracking project activities to ensure they are on track and within budget. Evaluation, on the other hand, involves analyzing performance and determining if project goals have been met. It is important to keep these two activities separate to maintain objectivity in the evaluation process. Collecting, reporting, and recording are all part of the monitoring process but not necessarily distinct from it.

Question 9

According to the authors,in the planning - monitoring - controlling cycle,the directions of the flows indicate that __________.

Accepted Answer

The planning process starts at the top level of the organization and flows downwards. Monitoring of activities takes place at the operational level, where information flows upwards. Controlling also takes place at the operational level where corrective actions can be taken. Thus, information flows from the bottom to the top, and authority flows from the top to the bottom. Therefore, option B is the correct answer.

Question 10

The most common mistake made when monitoring data is to gather information that is clearly related to project performance but __________.

Accepted Answer

Gathering data that has little or no probability of changing significantly between collection periods is a waste of resources and does not provide meaningful insights into project performance.

Question 11

An appropriate and common secondary user for monitoring includes __________.

Accepted Answer

A secondary user for monitoring should focus on auditing to identify areas for improvement, learning from mistakes to prevent them in the future, and reporting progress and status to stakeholders. Exercising control over the project, evaluating current status, and fixing blame are not appropriate or common secondary user roles for monitoring.

Question 12

A large proportion of all data collected takes one of the following forms EXCEPT __________.

Accepted Answer

The other three choices (indicators, verbal measures, and raw numbers) all represent common forms of data collection, while individual perceptions are more subjective and less quantifiable in nature.

Question 13

Measuring characteristics such as "quality of team member cooperation" and "morale of team members" generally takes the form of __________characterizations.

Accepted Answer

Characteristics such as "quality of team member cooperation" and "morale of team members" are not easily quantifiable with raw numbers or indicators. Therefore, verbal characterizations, such as through surveys or interviews, are often the best way to measure these types of characteristics.

Question 14

__________ is when individuals are overwhelmed with too many reports,too much detail,and too much dat a.

Accepted Answer

Information overload is the term used to describe the situation when individuals are inundated with too much information to process, making it difficult to make effective decisions. The other options (PMIS verification, project isolation, and computer paralysis) do not accurately describe this scenario.

Question 15

Which of the following is NOT a common difficulty in the design of project reports?

Accepted Answer

Having too many interface modules is not a common difficulty in the design of project reports. The other options, providing too much detail, poor correspondence to the parent firm's reporting system, and poor correspondence between the planning and monitoring systems, are common challenges in project report design.

Question 16

One of the most common errors when collecting data is __________.

Accepted Answer

The answer of One of the most common errors when...

Question 17

ETC + AC = __________.

Accepted Answer

ETC stands for Estimate To Complete, and AC stands for Actual Cost. Adding them together gives us the Estimated Total Cost (ETC). Therefore, the best choice is B: EAC, which stands for Estimate At Completion.

Question 18

According to the authors,the key items to be planned,monitored,and controlled are __________.

Accepted Answer

The key items to be planned, monitored, and controlled according to the authors are schedule, budget, and performance. These elements are fundamental in project management to ensure that a project is completed on time, within budget, and meets the required standards and specifications.

Question 19

If CPI = 1.05,then __________ is favorable.

Accepted Answer

The answer of If CPI = 1.05,then __________ is favorable.
...

Question 20

Monitoring,as an activity,should be kept distinct from __________,which uses data supplied by monitoring to bring actual performance into approximate congruence with planned performance.

Accepted Answer

Monitoring involves observing and collecting data on actual performance. Controlling, on the other hand, uses this data to take corrective actions to bring actual performance in line with planned performance. Therefore, controlling should be kept distinct from monitoring.

Quiz 10: Monitoring and Information Systems